PhilaBSNstudent

NPs are definitely seen in some children's hospitals. I know I have seen them in my clinical experiences, but I think at least some of them had degrees in pediatric acute care, rather than primary care. Depending on your region and types of NP programs available (as well as other types of labor they might use like fellows, PAs, etc.), I think some hospitals allow PNPs to practice in the acute care scope. Specific training is out there for those specifically looking to do peds onc at a masters level, though there probably aren't that many... http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/nursing/programs/onp.php http://www.txccc.org/pnp-fellowship/ http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academic_programs/grad/masters/program_detail.asp?prid=18

I definitely think it is important to watch mom's technique with the dressing change. Even when we think we've educated our patient's well, they may have interpreted our information in a totally different way. You can't know how she is doing it, unless she demonstrates the skill to you. Find a non-accusatory way to ask mom if you can watch her do the dressing change and then go from there. I am also curious about whether use of an "antibiotic lock" could be helpful in this case. I don't know much information about it, but one chronically ill child who is a frequent flier on our floor has his Broviac "cipro locked." From my understanding, once a week, his Broviac is accessed for a short period of time and a small amount of high concentration Ciprofloxacin is instilled into the lumen for about 12 hours. I honestly don't know enough about the evidence to support this technique but there seems to be tons of research done about antibiotic locks and central venous lines. It's just another idea to discuss with her provider if you are concerned about the infections. More information about this technique can be found here: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/500842

http://psycnet.apa.org/?fa=main.doiLanding&uid=1988-14944-001 Sundown syndrome in institutionalized elderly. Evans, Lois K. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol 35(2), Feb 1987, 101-108. Studied the "sundown syndrome" (symptoms of agitation and confusion in the early evening) in 59 demented and 30 nondemented nursing home residents aged 60 yrs or older. An investigator-developed confusion inventory and standard instruments of assessment of psychosocial variables were used on 2 consecutive mornings and evenings. Physiological and environmental variables were also studied. 11 of 89 Ss were sundowners; 82% of these were in the demented group. Those most at risk for the sundown syndrome had the greatest mental impairment, may have been dehydrated, were more recently admitted to the facility, and were awakened more frequently for medical care. It is concluded that systematic observations for a longer period should help clarify this syndrome. I couldn't read the full text article but I hope that helps! Also, check out this link to a gero book http://books.google.com/books?id=wv2RdJjoPywC&pg=PT799&dq=sundown+syndrome&hl=en&ei=yb6QTZORJMyJ0QHBivG8Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=sundown%20syndrome&f=false

I noticed from another forum that you from NJ. I'm not sure exactly where you live in NJ but I saw this posting the other day and maybe it will interest you? It seems to fit your background. http://yoursbhcscareer.com/us/new-jersey/staff-nurse/jobid1132450-rn-non-invasive-cardiac-lab-(tp)?apstr=%26emid%3D3640

It's daylight savings time tonight! I just finished my 3-11pm shift and it was definitely a big topic of discussion tonight with our staff. Does your institution pay you for that extra hour of work? I know our hospital will pay for 13 hours (instead of 12) if you work 7pm-7am but some of the nurses told me that other hospitals they have worked at previously do not compensate for the extra hour. Also, how does this affect your charting and meds? I'm still a student so right now I'm only working as a tech. I asked some of the nurses what they were going to do but they all had different ideas. There seems to be no standardized way to handle it. I know some of the kids on our floor get q2 or q3h narcotics and it's important to keep them as close to this schedule as possible. With the time change, this makes it very confusing for the staff! In the spring, it's even more complicated because you lose an hour and we give out a lot of 2am meds on our floor as most of our kiddos are GT fed. How does your unit handle these issues? For those not working, enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

Does anyone know of a camp that needs a nursing student to help out? I am a junior student from a BSN program. I would prefer a job in a specialty camp that caters to children with a certain disability or chronic illness such as diabetes. Thanks!

I was just rethinking what I wrote. I didn't mean to come across elitist or anything by saying I was considering an advanced practice degree. I very much respect beside nursing :heartbeat and intend to do that for some time. I just was trying to explain the pressures that are around me to eventually become an APRN.

I really appreciate the information that everyone has offered. I figured the role was similar to a resident but I wasn't exactly sure. I was just curious about the program because the director of the CCPNP program came into one of my classes recently when she was asked to substitute as an exam proctor because my professor had a family emergency. She introduced herself before we took the exam and I wish we could have heard more but of course she didn't talk much because we needed to focus on the test. My school is very competitive and there is a huge push from professors and the administration for students to eventually be APRN's or other careers seen as leaders in the health field. I do think there is a little too much of the attitude gal220RN mentioned - feeling the need to eventually validate yourself through pursuing a higher level of education. Like she said, I know that some of the advanced level practitioners are probably missing out on some of the fulfilling patient interaction that I was looking forward to having eventually as a nurse. My dad is an anesthesiologist so I do feel some push from him to become a CRNA, which I do find to be a very interesting career, but I'm not sure it suits my personality. I was hoping an acute care NP might be more of the in between a bedside nurse in an ICU and CRNA - it allows you more independence and requires a lot of critical thinking skills, but the NP would have more interaction with patients that I think I would enjoy. Obviously I have time to make these decisions later about what I want to do. For now I am going to concentrate on finishing school. I am hoping to job shadow one of the PNP's who works in the trauma unit at the children's hospital so that would be exciting and hopefully give me more insight for the future about what I might enjoy. Sorry if that was a lot of random thought spilling. I've just been thinking a lot lately about future career options...

Hi everyone! I'm currently a second year BSN student, but I have been thinking a lot lately about my plans for after I graduate. My school has a graduate NP program specifically for those interested in pediatric critical care that intrigued me but I honestly don't know much about the role of an NP in that setting. I was just wondering if any of you are PICU NP's or observe NP's in your PICU. Can you tell me more about their role and responsibility in the unit? Do you know if they have usually have a general pediatric NP degree or a specialized one for acute care? Thanks for the information!

I have already tried to contact them, but I received no response

Somehow in my move from home to school, I lost my BLS card. I still have a copy of it, but I don't have the physical card. Does anyone know if I can get a new one? I would be willing to pay a little bit if necessary but I do not want to sit through a full course again and pay full price. My school already has the documentation of me being certified, but I'm just worried I might be asked to show the real card for some reason. Ideas?

Our program director gave us this website for scholarships. http://noedb.org/library/features/101-little-known-scholarships-for-nurses Many of them you might not be eligible for as they are state/nationality/graduate student specific. This one I thought was particularly fitting for you. http://www.gsftx.org/scholarships/ I wish you the best of luck with getting scholarships and figuring out a way to pay. However, honestly don't think you will be able to apply for a scholarship and hear back from them before the semester start. You might have to gather together letters of reference, write essays, etc. and that takes time. Scholarships may have rolling deadlines and evaluate the applications as they come through or they might have deadlines months away so it could be almost a year until you hear back. It takes time and many applications to secure that much scholarship money. In two weeks, you will be hard pressed to come up with that type of money in scholarship/grant form alone. Keep on trying and pursuing your goals though... Good luck