CC-RN-EMTP

I graduated from SLU's AGACNP last fall. I thought is was a very good but demanding program. Good luck!

Good luck to you! I am graduating this semester and am ready for it to be over with. LMK if you have any questions.

I work full-time and take two classes per semester.

I am in my second semester of SLU's ACNP program (part-time). I can' tell you anything specifically about the psych program but can say that the ACNP program is a lot of work! The classes seem to be broken up so that you are not carrying two very heavy classes at the same time which helps a lot. If you are planning on attending full time then I can only suggest that you work per diem or part-time as I cannot imagine working full-time (I do) and going to school full-time as well. So far I have no complaints and the experience is very good. The staff have all been professional and responsive to any needs/questions/etc. They are expensive but it seems to be worth it so far!

The full-time plan is 2 years and the part-time plan 3 years.

Just a quick update. The first semester of my ACNP program at SLU is over! If anyone has any specific questions I will try to answer them.

Sorry to tell you but there is a glut of new grad RN's here who are still looking for a job. Many have opted to move to the mainland in order to find work. I would strongly suggest you get several years of acute care experience and then re-explore the job market here.

I am going part-time while I continue to work full-time. Would prefer it was the other way around but gotta pay the bills!

I am in my first year (actually my first day!) of attending SLU's ACNP program. Obviously I cannot tell you a lot about the program other than to say they appear to be well organized. They are one of the more expensive programs but it was the one that worked best for me.

I am attending the Acute Care NP program. To complete the program in 3 years requires that you take 2 classes per semester (6 hours). This is also the requirement to receive federal financial aid. I have heard some good things and some mixed things about the program. I chose SLU due to the need to only travel to the campus once during the program. Most other programs require numerous visits. I also am familiar with SLU from having lived in St. Louis for several years and am familiar with their reputation. Several months ago I had an opportunity to discuss the program with someone is is very familiar with the program and is a recognized leader in nursing & critical care and he endorsed their program and mentioned that it is more about the student than the particular program.

I found the CMC certification to easily be the most difficult of the speciality exams I have taken (CCRN, CMC, CEN, CHPN). Part was the lack of specific study materials for the exam but AACN seems to have addressed this issue. Good Luck! I am sure you will do fine.

Not much to tell you right now. They had my financial aid taken care of very quickly which was a relief. Right now I am just waiting to find out what my first two classes are going to be for the fall semester. Their online services seem to be a little convoluted but it probably will just take some time to get used to them.

Hi, I will be attending SLU's Fall 2013 ACNP program. I will be going part-time so I can continue to work full-time. You should be receiving info soon on registering for classes, financial aid, etc. Anybody else out there going?

I can't quote specific areas for my states Scope of Practice but can say that in my ICU RN and RT's are allowed to start arterial lines in the radial arteries. Femorals are reserved for the physicians. To the best of my knowledge there is one other hospital here that lets ICU RN's place a-lines.

Dixiecup, I don't know if your post will help the OP but I found it helpful. I am considering SLU's ACNP program and have not found anyone who has been through it. Thanks for the info! CC

Hi all, I have looked back through the old threads but am not finding a lot of first hand info on SLU's ACNP program. Is anyone here currently enrolled or has any other info that might be helpful? Thanks! CC

been there, done that....DON'T DO IT!

Being military, I would suggest you start with Tripler. Some hospitals do have training programs but there is a glut of new grads here. Hawaii Pacific Health has programs to train nurses new grads, and experienced floor nurses who want to move to ICU or ED. This requires a minimum of two year commitment. I would expect that some hospitals may be reluctant to hire and train you do to the unpredictability of your husbands situation, the mil says up and move, you get up and move! Agency work maybe a good way for you to see how things work here and get your foot in the door somewhere. Good luck and thank your husband for his service! CC

If you are wanting to move to Hawaii, I would suggest you wait. ICU's here want experienced ICU nurses and jobs are few and far between. If you willing to work the floor then you have a slightly better chance of scoring a position. An alternative would be to take a travel assignment if you can find one to come here and get a feel for things but with the current economy these positions may also be difficult to come by. Sorry for such grim news but that is the reality of the situation at the present time. You can check the Hawaii forum and find numerous posts similar to yours. Good luck! CC

I believe I mentioned this in your other post but... To be honest, with scores like those I would consider rescheduling the exam if possible. 90/150=60% which is not even close to passing. I always suggest to those studying for the CCRN to be scores consistently in the 80's% (minimum of 120/150 questions) on the practice exams so that they have a little cushion before sitting the exam. Using this strategy has helped me pass the CCRN, CMC, and CEN exams. Good luck! CC

To be honest, with scores like those I would consider rescheduling the exam if possible. 90/150=60% which is not even close to passing. I always suggest to those studying for the CCRN to be scores consistently in the 80's% (minimum of 120/150 questions) on the practice exams so that they have a little cushion before sitting the exam. Using this strategy has helped me pass the CCRN, CMC, and CEN exams. Good luck! CC

This! Sorry but your new ADON sounds like a twit.

I used a set of DVD's which was instucted by Cammy Fancher. It was okay but it also included stuff for the CSC exam. I though it was a decent review. At the time I was studying AACN didn't not have much in the way of study resources. That has changed and I would recommend that you use their resources to prepare for the exam. I personally though it was far more difficult than the CCRN and the CEN exams. Good luck! http://www.aacn.org/DM/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?productid=300923&prodtyp=product&subsystem=PCK&itemid=0&mid=0&opentype=win

As the other posters have said, the CCRN exam is much more difficult. You need to know hemodynamic parameters and how to treat them (Swan-Ganz), IABP, etc. They are looking for you to demonstrate an ability to think beyond the basics. My suggestion would be to get the Pass CCRN book/CD and use that to study from. The Vonfrolio CD's are getting dated but are still quite useful depending on your learning style. Good luck!

http://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/hph/careers/default.aspx I would suggest you look here. HPH is Straub, Kapiolani Women's & Childrens, and Pali Momi on Oahu. Also not to nitpick but if it matters to you, Queens is a Level II not Level I trauma center. Good luck. CC