TheMindofScads

I am curious as to the job responsibilities of a Nurse Practitioner who works in the Emergency Department. What exactly are they able to do (aside if there are no residents in this hospital)? Is it more the fastrack stuff? Is it challenging work? It all depends on where you work. Are there NPs that work in EDs with a fast track focus? Yes, but that isn't always the case. Where I work NPs/PAs are trained to take care of most any patients. If their patient codes that patient remains their responsibility, though a physician will likely be there to assist. This includes central lines and intubations. Yes, I believe it could be defined as challenging, but rewarding work. In an FNP program, are you able to request to do such a clinical rotation, or even in a PNP program? In the FNP program that I am currently in I can do a specific number of clinical hours outside of primary care in any specialty I choose. How much ED experience do most practices/hospitals like to see (RN) nurses have before they delve into the role of NP in this setting? Are new grads hired in one with ED/ER exp? Again, depends on the ER. Most would prefer or require experience, but some (mostly those that are desperate) will do on the job training. My hospital has a PA residency in the ER that will likely be opening up to NPs in the near future. Do FNPs get hired in a Peds ED or do they prefer PNPs? Again, depends though some will hire FNPs. What about Urgent Care Centers--same as Fast Track job responsibilities? I don't know. What is the pay like in these settings as a new grad? Or someone with a few years experience? My region, the midwest, I've seen the the salaries of newer grads in EDs range from as low as $84k and high as $105k. All with good benefits. The low end isn't the norm as most start in the $90s, I just know of the one that starts in the $80s. Those of you who work in this field, do you find it challenging and enjoyable? Right now I am working as an RN in an ED, though I'm just over 1/2 way done with my DNP-FNP. The NPs/PAs I know in EDs enjoy. I will likely go that route as the residency I referred to above is very likely my path.

I am fairly new graduate and went straight into the ER. I love it and it is where I will likely stay after graduate work also. That being said...Thank You. While it isn't my career choice I have so much admiration for nurses in LTC. It is often criticized for not being "as skilled" as other nursing roles, but I counter that it requires different skills than other nursing areas that are equally difficult to acquire. I did spend nearly a year as a LTC nurse's aid while in school. During that time I grew a lot as a nursing student and learned much, including that LTC wouldn't be where I spent my career. Though having the experience in LTC gave me skills in dealing with people in both their light and dark days that I will always carry. Be proud to be a LTC nurse...not all of us have the skills to do it right.

When I was coming out of nursing school everybody told me you have to do MedSurg first to get your experience on the right track. That almost depressed me, I worked through nursing school as a CNA in a PICU and I was bored to tears on the med/surg unit during clinicals. So I decided to do what I wanted rather than what others thought was best for me. I am working in a county hospital emergency room and I love it. Yes, the learning curve is very steep at times, but I'm well supported by fellow staff. Most important though is I'm having fun learning and growing in my role. The best unit is one you will enjoy or you will burn out fast. Just about happened to my brother-in-law. He worked Med/Surg, ED, Neuro, and something else...hated them all. He almost quit nursing. Now he works as a home health hospice nurse and loves his job. So as others have stated...the best unit is one that you will be happy in and not what others think you should be doing.

Well I took the test and passed, not sure (doubt) if the scratch board played any role in that. I put a few of Erickson's stages, Maslov's pyramid, and then an elimination pattern I use for prioritization questions. Up top I wrote "relax" "one question at a time" "I said relax" "you can do this" in that order in the top left. Thanks for all of your responses...and goodbye to the NCLEX forum. Phew.

...so I'm (re)taking the NCLEX at the end of the week. I've read a lot of the advice on this board, and thanks for your replies. So I have another question...What did you (or wish you did) write on your board before the test even began? Labs, memorization tools, etc. What did you use? What should I use? Thanks.

Grand View College is the way to if you'd like to go to a school that skips the 2 year degree and goes straight to the BSN. While Mercy is a more focused program, Grand View is along the lines of the more common collegiate experience. Just depends on what you are looking for. GVC is more expensive, but I've been able to get around that with scholarships and grants. The three Des Moines area schools...DMACC, GVC, and Mercy will all have their pros and cons, but they will all make you a competent nurse. I would just avoid any of the programs that aren't ran by colleges or universities. (ie, the Kaplan, Excelcior type schools). Good luck.

Most of my fellow students have gone the way of crocs, but I personally don't like them. Maybe because I'm male? I don't know why. I graduate this December and have been using just white pairs of K-Swiss tennis shoes during the four years of school. Don't get too hyped up on specialty or 'nursing' shoes. Just make sure they are comfortable and you don't mind standing in them for hours at a time (Surgical rotations will require that). Personally I believe comfort factor is much more important than anything else.