guineachick

What about an online program? Most programs don't have you start clinical right away so maybe your situation would change by the time you're expected to start.

Not without the PMHNP. If you get your FNP and practice in psych you will be risking your license as you would be outside of your scope of practice. Big no-no in advanced practice. Why is FNP your only option?

It annoys me, but I'm not annoyed at the person wearing it. I'm annoyed at the administration of the hospital, that has kept supplies at the bare minimum for decades to increase their own profits. I'm annoyed that everyone working in the building doesn't have access to PPE. If you go onto a construction site, everyone is expected to wear a hardhat, regardless of your level of exposure to risk. It should be the same way in the hospital during this time, but that cuts into profit. I'm mad at the system for not protecting us, not the individual trying to protect themselves.

I am in my last semester of NP school and currently working as a RN on covid floors. My clinicals have been cancelled and getting a preceptor in the first place was really challenging, so this does not make things any easier. That being said, I am SO glad I decided to go back to school, because every shift I work I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and someday I will be on the provider side of things. Covid helped to solidify my decision to move on from bedside nursing. Good luck with whatever you decide and stay safe out there!

I am in my final semester of school for PMHNP. My school just cancelled all clinicals until June, possibly longer. There is no change to the graduation requirements so I'm going to need to try to load hours if and when they allow clinicals again. My graduation date of August is not looking good and I am devastated.

I am a psych nurse in MA and I am getting floated to covid floors. This is no joke.

All I can say is don't do it unless you're sure the place you are going to work will provide PPE. I have worked in psych for the last 10 years and recently got floated to a Covid unit. I had to beg for PPE, and was essentially told if I didn't go to the other unit I would be disciplined for patient abandonment. It was horrible, I could barely remember how to hang an IV and I haven't been feeling well since the shift 4 days ago. I get wanting to get in there and help but if you already have anxiety and health issues be aware you're going into a battle that may change you forever.

I think it also depends on what class you failed.

I think that when we start to get comfortable we start to feel like we're not doing anything. When I was a new grad my emotions were heightened. Everything was new and exciting and scary. Now that I've been a nurse for 10 years I've become more confident in what I'm doing and it comes more naturally. It feels like I'm just putting along but the reality is my skills are far above where they once were and it just comes easier. I'm sure the same can be said for you.

Oh I wish I had advice but I'm in the same boat. I think my husband would support me going back to work but he has made it clear he would rather me not! I know he gets nervous with LO by himself. I have learned to accept this. In a way I feel blessed to have a husband that is willing to be the sole provider so I can stay home but ido worry about waiting too long to go back. My LO is 4 months BTW.

I'm sure this poll has been done a million times but I'm really trying to decide if I want to go for the NP. I have fallen out of love with floor nursing due to lack of autonomy and other factors. I would love to hear from you guys about if becoming a NP gave you what you were looking for... Thanks!

Triage - I agree with you... I worked in a Level I trauma ED and I really liked it. I would say it was the only nursing job I've had that really sparked my interest. I was a new grad at the time and I was so intimidated yet excited by the work. I ended up having to move for my husband's job and there are no EDs hiring anywhere near where I live now.

I enjoyed nursing school and I enjoyed clinicals. I worked in psychiatric health care for almost 10 years before becoming a nurse. I always really liked those jobs. I think what irritated me about school was that they made us think we were going to actually have some autonomy in nursing. They also made us feel like we would be able to get a job! Neither is the case in my experience. I have to get a doctor's order to put an icepack on a patient and there are no jobs in any area other than LTC (which is totally depressing and exhausting). I think I've just hit a wall or something. I've worked in a variety of different hospitals in a variety of different roles and I just haven't liked anything. I'm really sad about it. Not to mention the amount of money I've invested in this education!!!! I don't mean to sound so negative, I'm just in a bad place career wise these days.

Maybe it's just the job market and the fact that I'm in a job I can't stand but... I hate nursing! I've been a nurse for 2 years now and it hasn't gotten any better. I've worked in a variety of different settings, management, critical care, rehab, psych... I just don't like it. Other nurses are mean and nasty, doctors are pretentious, nurse managers don't really care about you or your needs, CNAs expect you to do as much heavy lifting as they do or they think you're lazy (even though you have meds and other things to do as well), and finally... the patients and families treat you like a barely glorified waitress. This isn't what they sold me in nursing school, that's for sure. I'm thinking about getting the NP, but then again, it could just be more money spent for another job I don't like. Is this it? This is all there is? I'm totally bummed.