LeavingTeaching4RN

You will learn new skills. However, I no longer fill comfortable starting IVs, but I was never great at that skill anyway. I don't know anyone who leaves bedside nursing and wants to return though. There is a CM in my department, who is in NP school. You will continue to have clinicals in school. Also, as a CM, you are assessing patients constantly. I am still a nurse. I still assess and diagnose people even in the grocery store.

Definitely, without a doubt, Broward College. It is a difficult program and some of the instructors are very challenging. However, my co-workers, who are NOVA, Barry and UM graduates, make the same amount as I do with my ASN from BCC. The only difference is I am not in debt. In fact, I received a hospital scholarship, which paid my $6,000 tuition. You do not need to factor in the cost of the RN-BSN program as indicated in the earlier post. Your employer will pay for your BSN or reimburse you! As far as selling your dreams short, no one will care that you received an ASN first. BC is very popular and the program has a great reputation. Employers say BC graduates perform better on the floor as new grads because the program has over 1,000 clinical hours. Also, I don't want to be a debbie downer, but many people get into nursing and do not like it. Many of my coworkers have returned to school for degrees in other areas. Save your tuition money in case you find yourself in a PharmD program in a few years!

I am an acute care case manager, which means I am an RN case manager in a hospital. My role is to make sure we get paid. I review charts to ensure patient's meet inpatient criteria, to identify and prevent delays in treatment, and request discharge orders from physicians when patients no longer need to be inpatient. I work with a social worker and together we arrange for patients to transfer to lower levels of care (SNF, LTAC, ALF) and home with home health care or necessary DME. We ensure patients are discharged to the appropriate level of care and with necessary services to prevent readmission, which lowers our reimbursement. Everything handled in the case management department comes back to getting the money. We are there to maximize our payment/reimbursement and to ensure the hospital adheres to medicare/medicaid (CMS) guidelines and follows our contracts with managed care companies.

Not quite. I mean the competency exams.

I would like to apply to a few agencies in the South Florida Area. I have been off the floor for about 9 months. I am reviewing NCLEX materials. Any advice or study tips for the agency pre-employment testing? What topics should I focus on? I am a neuro-tele nurse.

If at all possible, stop working 32 hours per week!! This is a full time program. It is very difficult especiallt if you work!

Hello Alllnurses, Where can I find information about the job outlook for psych nurse practitioners? The schools in my area have closed admission to their Psych NP programs, which makes me nervous about the job market. Also, any recommendations as to how I can find a Psych NP to gain a greater understanding of the field? I have tried the apna.org website, but to no avail. Thanks a lot!

I wish I only had to read 50 pages a week in nursing school. That's less than 10 pages a day. My first exam in nursing school covered over 900 pages of text!! Seriously, I counted them!

You don't catch your own mistakes because when you proofread your own writing less than 24hours after you wrote it, you usually read what you think you wrote not what you actually wrote.

This is the prevailing theme at my place of employment. Well, at least we have a job!!! This attitude drives me crazy and explains why nurses are at the bottom of the totem pole. I swear, even the maintanance man at my job can discipline nurses. Nursing was a second, well 3rd, career for me. I am most taken back about how nurses allow themselves to be mistreated. "Well, at least we have a job!!" So, what if the job is toxic and sucking the life out of you.

Please try EAP. Speaking with a therapist can only help. If you aren't happy with the first person you speak with, try someone else. You don't have to struggle alone. Also, it makes me feel better when I use my employee benefits. As hard as you work, make them pay for something.

I don't have enough experience. But, if I make it through, I will definately consider it!

My expenses as an RN are not even worth mentioning when comparing them to my out of pocket expenses as a teacher. As a teacher, I spent a lot of money on supplies, incentives, cloths, food, etc for my students. As a nurse, I purchased a pencil bag, pens, sharpies, a pill crusher, a pill cutter, a Littman stethoscope, a pen light, a hemastat, bandage scissors... Probably less than $200. Some of this items I have had since nursing school. So, it is not like in the classroom where you are constantly replenishing supplies. Those trips to the Dollar Tree really added up. Scrubs are definately cheaper than professional attire and they are washable. As a side bar, I really miss teaching. For me, the grass is not greener on the other side.

I could have written your post. I am having a very difficult time with my new career in nursing. I became so depressed. My unhappiness with my career choice was taking over my life. I think about work all the time. One Monday, I was scheduled off from work. However, I sobbed the entire day because I knew I had to go to work on Thursday. Eventually, I decided to call EAP, who connected me with a therapist who is great with work related stress and who has a lot of clients who are nurses. Although, I am still in agonizing hell, the sessions with her have helped me to deal with it and manage my emotions and regret.

My husband works in utilities. I met him in middle school.

Nursing has taught me... I am in the BUSINESS of healthcare. Not the healthcare business.

I worked as a teacher before returning to nursing school and becoming an RN. Both have their pros and cons. In most states, you can teach without a degree in education. However, you can't be a nurse without a degree in nursing. So, if you get a BSN, you can easily get a teaching certificate and become a teacher. You may want to check with the Board of Education in your state and see what the requirements are.

I am sorry to hear about your sister and your unfortunate experience with your physician's office. Best wishes to you and your family!

I greatly appreciate all of the info shared in this thread. I am a new grad nurse on a med/surg floor. I have a bachelor's in psych and I am excited about getting a year of med/surg experience and then tranfering into psych. I am considering eventually becoming a psych nurse practitioner. How can I find out what the job market is like for psych NPs in my area?

Merry Christmas from Fort Lauderdale, FL, where we are celebrating Christmas in T shirts and shorts. It is a nice 77 degrees today.

Jam 911, I got an offer contingent upon passing the boards, which were scheduled 2 weeks after the interview. The nurse manager and assistant, who interviewed me didn't even ask about my license. HR made sure that all my paper work was in order (licence, certificates, BLS, ACLS, etc).

Jam911, I took my boards, passed with 75 questions. I got a job before I passed the boards and started working shortly after.

I always used the current edition. However, I had a couple classmates who always used an old edition b/c money was tight. They passed. So, my guess is, it doesn't matter.

In Psych, you need to read the book and know the notes. The second test is a challenge and unless you really study and know your meds, you'll probably see a 10 point drop from your first test grade. However, if you really know the meds, side effects and off label uses you'll be okay. Don't ever laugh and take it seriously or Mrs. * will ream you out. She comes on a little strong, but she's great in clinicals. She is actually my favorite instructor.

I would say wait. Especially, now that the job market is horrible for new grads.