Myscrubs

i don't understand why colleges and schools of nursing in the philippines, advertised their graduate nursing programs as "thesis & non-thesis", when in reality, a research work is a requirement to complete their degrees. and, that's a thesis! a graduate degree requires a thesis, research or a capstone project, whatever they'll call it, to confer the degree. in nursing, a research work or a project is a must to finish a graduate degree- whether it's a master's (thesis) or doctorate (dissertation/capstone project). some, even require clinical hours to complete the degree, aside from the research, depending on your specialty or concentration. if you're a foreign graduate and wants to pursue further studies, say in the us, the school that you're applying for will require you to submit your credentials for evaluation, i.e., transcripts, diploma, to an official evaluator, to see if they'll match to their standards- a us equivalency summary.

I'm sorry to hear that... People say a little anxiety is good during the exam. When I took the CPEN, I was very nervous, too, that I went to the restroom several times. When I sat down and started filling out my personal info, my nerves started to calm down.. Of course, I took several deep breaths then I began answering the test questions. Actually, CEN is far more difficult for me than CPEN. The ENA Peds Emergency Nsg Core Curriculum, ENPC Provider Manual, TNCC Provider Manual (Peds components) PALS are good resource materials. I never read/touched anything except these books. The CPEN content outline served as my guideline. There are review courses available now, probably you want to invest on that. Good luck!

I'm one of the 'lucky' RNs who passed the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) beta exam last October, 2008. Anyway, if you have the current Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) manual, the ENA-Core Curriculum for Pediatric Emergency Nursing, & Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider manual, you'll be fine. Most/Majority of the questions were taken from those books, plus your 'stock knowledge' & work experience/cases. I had my ENPC recert a couple of months before the exam, so, it really helped me. Just study what's given on the outline provided by the BCEN & PNCB. I didn't take any review courses, though there were already available ones by independent reviewers. Since the focus of the exam is only pediatrics, it's not as hard as CEN, where it's very broad and many disease entities. Don't forget to read on legal issues, eg. EMTALA. I hope these feedback will help those who want to take the exam. GOOD LUCK!

I'm one of the 'lucky' RNs who passed the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) beta exam last October, 2008. Anyway, if you have the current Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) manual, the ENA-Core Curriculum for Pediatric Emergency Nursing, & Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider manual, you'll be fine. Most/Majority of the questions were taken from those books, plus your 'stock knowledge' & work experience/cases. I had my ENPC recert a couple of months before the exam, so, it really helped me. Just study what's given on the outline provided by the BCEN & PNCB. I didn't take any review courses, though there were already available ones by independent reviewers. Since the focus of the exam is only pediatrics, it's not as hard as CEN, where it's very broad and many disease entities. Don't forget to read on legal issues, eg. EMTALA. I hope these feedback will help those who want to take the exam. GOOD LUCK!

1. How many years have you been a nurse? 20 yrs 2. What is your educational background and/or specialty certifications do you hold? BSN, MSN; boardcertified in pediatric nursing by ANCC, board certified emergency nurse & board certified pediatric emergency nurse by BCEN/PNCB, board certified pediatric nurse practitioner by PNCB; has BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP; TNCC & ENPC providers 3. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job as an ED nurse? That I am part of the team that saves someone else's life... 4. What situations are the most challenging for you as a nurse in this department? Violent behaviors of patients/parents/visitors... the different human behaviors that you need to deal with all the time 5. Why did you choose to go into emergency medicine as a nurse? I like the drama, the action and most importantly, emergency nursing gave me that skills in quick decision-making, prioritization, good assessment skills. 6. Has there ever been a time when you wish you wern't an ED nurse? NO. I enjoyed every single moment that I've worked in the ER. 7. Is there a memorable experience that stands out as you think back as your experience as an ED nurse? The human drama always fascinates me. Everyday is always a new experience. 8. What would you tell a new nurse as they begin their experience? Don't pretend that you know everything. Always ask. Keep enthusiasm, curiosity, eagerness in your pocket at all times. Volunteer, hands-on experience is the best teacher. Observe all the time. Do not kill time by just sitting down, read about new cases/procedures... Do scavenger hunt- go around and open cabinets and storage rooms. Above all, be yourself, respect others, and be professional.

I suggest that you get a copy of ENA's Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum. TNCC/ENPC provider courses are also of good help, together with your ACLS/PALS knowledge. There's also a practice test online courtesy of ENA, check out the website- ena.org. You may want to invest on their membership so you can avail discounts on almost everything- books, exam, courses, etc. There are exam reviews also conducted by local ENA chapters. Remember, in answering the test items, whatever you do or your ER's protocols be, may not be the ideal or nationally accepted. Always stick to what the core curriculum says. I also suggest that you apply now, so you'll have a motivation to study. Read a system for a day or 2, answer at least 25-50 questions a day. Certification differentials depend on your job contract- some institutions give $1000/yr, others between $1200-1500/yr, I'm talking about in 5 boroughs of New York. Good luck.

I commend that you support having a nursing education in the Philippines:). I compared the education here in the US and the Philippines, there's a big difference- especially in the clinical aspect of the program. I'm a both graduate of nursing, here in the US and in my native land, the Phils. I had a very intense & comprehensive clinical exposures back home, that's why when I got here, it wasn't really a problem for me to handle patients (modesty aside), except for the technological aspect of health care- monitors, instruments, computers, etc. Though, the US is by far more technologically advanced, I can say that the exposure of the nursing students here are very minimal (by my personal observation & accounts of my fellow colleagues who teach nursing clinically). What I learned the best in the Phils. is how to troubleshoot, work with little resources and not to take things for granted.

I'm one of the 'lucky' RNs who passed the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) beta exam last October, 2008. There were only 200 RNs admitted/qualified to take the exam (don't know how many passed, though). Finally, a certification exam solely for Peds ED RNs. Before, I had to take the ANCC-Peds Nursing exam and the CEN, just to get certified for Peds and ER. Anyway, if you have the current Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) manual, the ENA-Core Curriculum for Pediatric Emergency Nursing, & Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider manual, you'll be fine. Most/Majority of the questions were taken from those books, plus your 'stock knowledge' & work experience/cases. I had my ENPC recert a couple of months before the exam, so, it really helped me. Just study what's given on the outline provided by the BCEN & PNCB. I didn't take any review courses, though there were already available ones by independent reviewers. Since the focus of the exam is only pediatrics, it's not as hard as CEN, where it's very broad and many disease entities. Don't forget to read on legal issues, eg. EMTALA. I hope these feedbacks will help those who want to take the exam. GOOD LUCK!

Hi, I found this list for you: (Just browse it.) GOOD LUCK! Schools for 2nd coursers - BS Nursing LUZON Angeles University Foundation www.auf.edu.ph Campus: Mc Arthur Highway, 2009 Angeles City, Philippines Contact Nos.: (6345) 888-2663 to 65 or 323-5618 to 20 local 707 Arellano University www.arellano.edu.ph about: Offers International Nursing Program, 3 yrs will be spent at AU and senior year at Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia. You will receive a diploma from Alderson-Broaddus College. Duration: 4 yrs. Subjects already taken will be credited but still you have to finish the 4 year course. Tuition fee: Intl. Nursing Program P50,000 - P65,000 Local BSN P16,000 - P18,000 Campus: 2600 Legarda St., Sampaloc Manila Contact No.: 735-3684 Capitol Medical Center Colleges www.capitolmedical.org/CMCcolleges/index.html Campus: No. 4 Sto. Domingo Avenue, Quezon City Contact No.: 742-5531 Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College www.lantingcollege.com Tuition fee: P296/unit; P19,000 - P22,000 Perks: Offers night school Duration: 2 - 3 years Campus: Tandang Sora Avenue, Sangandaan, Novaliches, Quezon City Contact Nos.: 930-5302 / 938-7782 to 89 De Ocampo Memorial College Campus: 2921 Nagtahan Street, Sta. Mesa, Metro Manila Contact Nos.: 715-1891 to 92 Tuition fee: 600 / unit 2nd yr 1st sem = 24K De Los Santos College - STI College of Health Professions Inc. www.dls-sti.com Campus: 201 E. Rodrigues Sr. Blvd., Quezon City Contact Nos.: 721-7887 / 721-7877 / 722-8597 / 413-4977 Fax: 721-7871 Tuition fee: 468 / unit 2nd yr 1st sem = 28K Dr. Yanga's Francisco Balagtas Colleges Campus: MacArthur Highway, Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan Emilio Aguinaldo College www.eac.edu.ph Campus: 1113-1117 San Marcelino St. Cor. Gonzales St. Ermita Manila 1000 Contact No: 521-2710 Family Clinic Inc., College Tuition Fee: P22,000 - P24,000 Campus: 1452 orificenio H. Lacson St., in Sampaloc, Manila Global City Innovative College www.gcic.ph Campus: 3/F Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st St. Corner 2nd Ave., Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City J. P. SIOSON COLLEGES, INC Campus: 75, Bukidnon St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City Contact No.: 927-3683 Kester Grant College Campus: Quezon City Lorma Colleges www.lorma.edu.ph Campus: Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union Contact No.: (072) 888-2616 Lyceum Northwestern University www.lyceum.edu.ph Campus: Tapuac District, Dagupan City Manila Doctor's College www.mdc.edu.ph/ Campus: President Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City Contact Nos.: 833-5983 / 832-0712 Metropolitan Hospital College of Nursing Tuition fee: P400+/unit Duration: 2 ½ - 3 yrs. Campus: 1357 J. Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz, Manila Contact No. : 254-1111 Our Lady of Fatima University www.fatima.edu.ph Campus: 120 McArthur Highway, Valenzuela City, Philippines Contact Nos.: 293-2703 to 06 Perpetual Help College of Manila Campus: 1240 A. Conception St., Sampaloc, Manila Contact No.: 731-8199 Tuition fee: 542.40 / unit 2nd yr 1st sem = 25,990 2nd yr 2nd sem = 37,466 Philippine College of Health and Sciences Campus: 766 Coromina St., C.M. Recto Ave., Manila Contact No.: 733-9480 Philippines Women's University www.pwu.edu.ph about: It has a trimester program. Duration: 2 years including 1 summer Tuition fee: P720 per unit + acceptance fee of 10,000/year and residence fee of 5,000/semester Campus: 1743 Taft Avenue, Manila / E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City / Davao campus Contact No.: 526-8421 Sienna College - Taytay Branch Contact numbers: 6604762 Tuition fee: 460 / unit 1st yr 1st sem = 19K 2nd yr 1st sem = 29K San Beda College www.sanbeda.edu.ph Campus:638 E. Mendiola St., San Miguel, Manila / Highlands Pointe, Brgy., San Juan 1920 Taytay, Rizal Contact Nos.: SBC Manila 7356011 to 15 / SBC Rizal - 660-9667 to 68 Southeast Asian College (a.k.a. United Doctors Medical Center) Campus: 290 Espana cor. N. Ramirez St., Quezon City Contact No.: 712-3640 Tuition fee: 350 / unit 2nd yr 1st sem = P20,255 St. Dominic Savio College www.sdsc.edu.ph Campus: Block 1 Lot 6 Mountain Heights Subdivision, Quirino Hi-way, Pangarap, Caloocan City, Philippines Contact Nos.: 961-5497 / 961-7755 St. Ignatius Health Science College www.stignatiuscollege.com about: Offers Registered Nursing (ASDN) Duration: 2 years. Students spend 5 trimesters in the Philippines, and their last trimester at Fresno City College (California, USA), where they finish as US graduates. Tuition fee: P67,000 - P128,080 Campus: 2/F Prosperity West Center, 92A West Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines Contact Nos.: 373-8707 / 373-6623 St. Jude College www.stjude.edu.ph Campus: Don Quijote Cor. Dimasalang St., Sampaloc Manila, 1008 Contact No.: 731-4374 St. Mary's College - San Juan / Mandaluyong Contact number: 7218939 - 38 Tuition fee: 500 / unit 2nd yr 1st sem = 21,300 St. Paul University -Tuguegarao Campus: Mabini St., Tuguegarao City, Cagayan United Doctors Medical Center and College Campus: 290 España cor. N. Ramirez St., Quezon City Phone No.: 712-3640 Universidad de Sta. Isabel www.usi.edu.ph Campus: Elias Angeles St., Naga City Contact Nos.: (054) 473-8417/ 473-8442/ 473-8471/ 473-9954 loc 219 University of the East www.online.ue.edu.ph about: Offers BSN for second coursers but is highly competitive Duration: 3 years Campus: 2219 C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila Contact No.: 735-5471 University of Makati www.pinoywebsights.com/pnmalumni about: Formerly known as Pamantasan ng Makati. It has a Regis Program which you can customize your class schedule according to your availability and needs. Tuition fee: P700/unit Perks: Offers night and weekend classes Duration: 2 - 3 years Campus: Room 303, Bldg. 2, University of Makati Complex, J.P. Rizal Ext., West Rembo, Fort Bonifacio, Makati City Contact No.: 881-1571 / 882-0535 Tuition fee: 700/unit 1st yr 1st sem = 20K University of Perpetual Help DALTA www.uphr.edu.ph Campus: Alabang Zapote Road, Pamplona, Las Pinas City Contact No.: 871-0639 University of Regina Carmeli www.urc.edu.ph about: URC is a private, Catholic school owned and managed by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation. It is the only Catholic University in Bulacan. Classes start on November. Campus: Barasaoin, Malolos, Bulacan Contact No.: 791-1204 University of La Sallete - Santiagao City www.lasalette.edu.ph Campus: Dubinan East, Santiago City, Isabela

I agree with you bryanboling5 that it's much easier to find a job as an NNP than an NP in PICU or Peds ED. NP positions in the Peds ED are hard to come by, even a staff RN positions. I work as a staff RN and NP in the Peds ER in New York City. I work with an attending physician and we see all the pataients together. I don't need to be precepted, I see and discharge all my patients, unless I have a question regarding a management and diagnosis. I've been in the Peds ER for almost 15 years and still loving it, though sometimes it's becoming a "primary clinic" (clinic cases) for most parents. I 've contemplated to become a NNP when our attending nenatologist offered me a position in our NICU, I've thought about it but 'chickened out' because of the L & D coverage when there's a delivery, though, i thought i'll be trained. Majority of PNP positions are in the NICU, specialty clinics, some are in school-based clinics. Did I mention that I'm a male staff RN/ PNP in the peds ER? Good luck!

I totally agree with a4n6nurse. Children can effectively compensate for circulatory dysfunction (primarily by increasing heart rate, systemic vascular resistance, and venous tone), maintaining normal blood pressures despite significantly compromised tissue perfusion. Consequently, hypotension is a very late and ominous finding . The challenge for the clinician is to recognize children in shock early (before they develop hypotension), when they are more likely to respond favorably to treatment. This is true when a infant/child is critically ill. But in the Peds ER (where I work) and outpatient clinics, we take the BP in all children 3 yrs old and up (unless it's a very sick infant/child). However, children, even very young babies, can have high blood pressure. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that all children age 3 and older have yearly blood pressure measurements, this is also supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Early detection of high blood pressure will improve health care of children.