SirJohnny

Bummer.

... any follow-up to this story. I know it happened in 2012, but was curious as to what eventually transpired.

It's soon going to be just two major players in Pediatric Private Duty: Bayada and Aveanna. They will bill the state $50/hour for the kid, and you'll get $20. Welcome to America.

Screw the agency manager. He is looking out for his own interests (e.g., gets paid commission for the sale). Remember, this is a business, not some feel good charity work. By feeling sad or getting angry, the manager was playing to your feelings as a young, caring female. Gotta grow some callouses and let it roll off. There are other cases out there. They know that. Agency is greedy, they will find you more cases. It's a win some, lose some game for the agency. They know that.

I have a regular four night a week account, and then float the other two or three nights. Sometimes, I will grab an evening shift on an easy kid. I do not like to chase kids around, so don't work day shift. Usually good for 50 to 60 hours a week. Gotta work overtime if you expect to make any $$, as rates are super low ($25/hour with no benefits and no shift differentials / weekend differentials).

Keep practicing. It's hard at first, but you will get good at it after a few weeks. If patient is obese (> 300 lbs), screw it and tell agency you need a CNA in there with you. Leave if agency refuses. They are the ones making all the money, not you.

There was a nurse, he goes by the name "Nick the Nurse" and used to run a blog. Anyhow, he received his ASN from Excelsior. Applied to California. They turned him down. He appealed their initial ruling. They told him to get his BSN. He went to that online Western Governor's University for his BSN (which he managed to get in a few weeks ... as this school gives credit for "life experiences."). California accepted his BSN and granted him a license. This would be around the 2010 timeframe. ---- I am wrapping up by PMHNP/DNP at the University of Pittsburgh. Did my ASN through Excelsior, and BSN through Univ of Pgh. Am thinking there might be a legal loop hole or legal case to get a California NP license (which I know requires an RN license). I believe Nick the Nurse, used several legal arguments in presenting his case. He published his argument, but has since taken it down. If anyone has a copy, can you please post. Thanks!!

You will learn how quickly nurses eat their own (particularly the young). If you do not have a thick skin (I mean really thick skin), I would seriously tell you to run, do not pass go, and don't look back.

It's a minimum wage job ... not even nursing related. Go to the next business down the street, throw in an application, and start working there. The economy is probably the best its been in 20 years, so finding a minimum wage job should be a piece of cake.

You tell your boss to go to h*ll. Your safety is paramount. You don't want to work at this place. Find another job. Don't tell new employer why you left old place.

Update: Oct-2017 -- Here is a link to webpage that explains in terms for us dummies. Nephrotic Syndrome vs Glomerulonephritis NCLEX Review ============= To differentiate between the two -- Here is what I use: ... "itis equals infection which produces lots of blood." Hope this helps.

Hi there: - I am currently attending the University of Pittsburgh PMHNP/DNP program. They have a post-masters DNP program for mental health that you might be interested in. A lot of the classes can be done online, but you would probably have to do clinicals within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. - You could also look at Wilkes University. Their program is mostly online. Would be an Master's Level program. Hope this helps.

Hi there: I am currently starting my fourth year (part-time) in a DNP/PMHNP program. My gripe about the DNP program is that it's too research/social issue focused. We've had 4 classes, just on the principles of research. I've also had classes on Family Health, Community Health (3 classes), Informatics (that was more programming based, not about learning an Electronic Health Record). After 3 years, I'm actually just starting my clinical rotations this semester. The main benefit of the DNP program is that you can go teach at a University (if that's your calling). Clinic wise, I don't see any advantage of a DNP over an MSN degree. Just my two cents. Johnny

Hi there: - Started nursing school back in 2004 (you can actually look up my first post on allnurses.com to verify). After several years in Long Term Care, I made the switch over to Pediatric Private Duty Nursing (which I absolutely love). I am hoping to someday work as a pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioner. - I am currently 53 years old, and about half-way through the DNP/PMHNP program at the University of Pittsburgh. I am also near deaf, and had open heart surgery in 2010 (aortic valve replacement). I am a little slow, but not dead, and just keep plugging along. I also adore fly-fishing for wild brown trout (which keeps me going). - I really don't see myself retiring, hence one reason to get out of the more physical demands of bedside nursing. We have several instructors in the nursing department at Pitt who are in their late 70's or early 80's and still going strong. One still has her own FNP practice. - My advice, just go for it. What else are you going to do? Sit around and watch Bonanza and Star Trek reruns? - Just my two cents. Johnny in Pennsylvania.

-- Yes, Robert Morris is around $1000/credit. Their FNP and PMHNP programs are all doctorate level programs. Same with the University of Pittsburgh (where I attend). I am told that their lecture classes are all held on day per week (usually Thursdays). I am also told that some of the classes may be taken via distance education. -- When I looked into their FNP program a few years back, I was told there was quite a wait to get into (two years). Hence, I applied and got accepted into the University of Pittsburgh's program. I am currently starting my 4th year at the Univ of Pgh in their DNP/PMHNP program (going part time, paying my way as I go). I decided to grab all of the non-clinical type courses first. Actually starting my first clinical rotation in two weeks (Psychotherapy). Still have to complete/writeup the DNP capstone project. - Hope this helps.