rchembunny

Thank you for the information, Joanna!

Hello, I'm very interested in holistic nursing, prevention, and wellness. Not surprisingly, there are many avenues one could take professionally as a self employed nurse in these areas (i.e. wellness coach, yoga teacher, writer, personal trainer, etc.). My question is, when is it okay to include your RN credentials when presenting your services to the public as a self-employed individual? Is this something that has to be okayed with the Board of Nursing first or do you review your scope of practice and just make sure you are not working outside that scope? Are there any other rules/guidelines? Thank you, in advance!

Many people are referring to the heart of nursing in opposition to your characterization of nursing. I think it's just as important to point out that nurses must also maintain a high level of competency in the science and fundamentals of human health to assess patients and plan appropriate interventions that maximize patient health and prevent adverse outcomes. Nursing is a science and body of knowledge that is, importantly, combined with caring (the art of nursing). One cannot exist without the other. The point is, nursing is not a profession of simple minded people who just want to hold someone's hand to make them feel better and , contrarily, it is not a cold profession for intelligent people to heartlessly carry out nursing assessments and interventions. It is a profession meant for those people who uniquely combine the two qualities of caring and intelligence to carry out the art and science of nursing and change people's lives. Specifically regarding your question: I love my job! I was a biochemist for 10 years prior to this job and hated it. Having experienced both extremes of the spectrum, I would advise that you follow your heart and not the money. You will succeed where you have passion and, more importantly, you will be happy doing what you love every day.

Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement!!

So, I graduated in December 2009 and have not had a nursing job until this February 2010. I feel like I've forgotten so much!! I really want to be the best nurse I can be and I feel a bit overwhelmed. Is anyone else in the same situation and/or have any suggestions on how to relearn everything quickly? Does it all just come back? Thanks in advance!!!

According to the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011_vac_selection.htm): "How are the viruses selected to make flu vaccine? The influenza (flu) viruses selected for inclusion in the seasonal flu vaccines are updated each year based information about which influenza virus strains are identified, how they are spreading, and how well current vaccine strains protect against newly identified strains. Currently, 130 national influenza centers in 101 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza and study influenza disease trends. These laboratories then send influenza viruses to the four World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC); London, United Kingdom (National Institute for Medical Research); Melbourne, Australia (Victoria Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory); Tokyo, Japan (National Institute for Infectious Diseases) for additional analyses. The seasonal flu vaccine is a trivalent vaccine (a three component vaccine) with each component selected to protect against one of the three main groups of influenza viruses circulating in humans. (Last year’s 2009 H1N1 vaccine was made in response to the pandemic first recognized in April 2009. Unlike seasonal flu vaccines, the pandemic vaccine protected against only one flu virus strain, the 2009 H1N1 virus.) The three vaccine viruses are chosen to maximize the likelihood that the main circulating viruses during the upcoming flu season will be well covered by the vaccine. WHO recommends specific vaccine viruses for vaccine production, but then each individual country makes their own decision for licensing of vaccines in their country. In the United States, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines what viruses will be used in U.S.–licensed vaccines." In other words, as mentioned above, you did receive the "plain old flu shot."

Hello, I noticed that a number of nursing schools are now offering dual DNP/PhD programs (The University of TN Health Science Center, Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton SON, & The University of Arizona College of Nursing). With an interest in being both a clinician and scholar/educator, I think that this option would work well for me. HERE ARE MY BIG QUESTIONS: 1. Is anyone out there pursuing both a DNP/PhD and, if so, why did you decide to do both? 2. Also, what are people's opinions about this dual degree option? Thanks!!!

I don't think I would go beyond 50, either. When I think about how early I'd have to get up to get ready and commute to get to the hospital by 6:30 AM, followed by a 12-14 hour day, it seems like it could get old really quick.

We all know that the economy right now is tough and, in effect, lengthening the time between graduation and job acquisition for new graduate nurses. For those of you in this situation, how are you staying current with your skills and knowledge? Do any of you break out the old textbooks (& if so, how often....on a schedule)? What about volunteering, joining an organization, etc.? Any unique approaches? I'm curious to see what others are up to. Thanks for sharing!

That's a great point, cjroan. "I am really nervous about it, but keep telling myself that if others have done it, I can do it too." It may be challenging, but, as others have proved, it is not impossible. Congratulations on your new job. With your positive attitude, you'll do well!

Andie, Thanks for your comprehensive response! It gives me a much better idea of the challenges a facility nurse can face and how to get some first-hand experience/exposure if I choose to go that route. In my clinicals, I also noticed that many of the hospital floors, though not specifically geriatric floors, had a high volume of geriatric patients, so it seems there are many opportunities to gain experience with older patients. I appreciate all the input so far. Obtaining a hospital position (first/exclusively) is sounding like the best option for me. Rachel

That sounds awesome! How can I figure out which hospitals have this special type of unit?

I graduated in December 2009 and know that I want to work with geriatric patients. In the future, I hope to obtain a DNP and work as a Geriatric NP. I'm wondering what setting will provide me with the best experience to develop my skills for working with this population. Currently, I am looking at hospital jobs in med/surg/tele or internal medicine. I figured that this will give me a strong background for dealing with complex patients. However, having had only one 16 hour opportunity to do clinicals at a nursing home and one 8 hour day with a visiting hospice nurse, I am less familiar with LTC, SNFs, Assisted Living, Hospice, and Palliative care settings. Are any of these good places to start out as a new graduate interested in geriatric care? What about the hospital settings I mentioned above? Thank you in advance for any information!

Can anyone please tell me what community-based geriatric care is?