AJL_91

I was a travel nurse in Med/Surg during the mid-90's and thoroughly enjoyed the experience (and met my husband, too!) ? Transitioned to the health insurance arena in 2002 and never looked back. Have worked in all different functions of health reimbursement and became a certified medical coder. Was recently intrigued to discover that Case Management is a specialty that can travel. I don't have actual Case Management experience in the hospital but performed U/R, U/M, LOS reviews, Medical Necessity, appeals, etc. on the payer side. Don't think I would qualify for CM roles but Utilization Review would be a good fit and I could hit the ground running. Wanted to ask if anyone here has experience as a travel RN in these roles? Thank you!

Thanks for the great replies and info! I just noticed the spell checker changed "U/R" to 'your' in my original message ... LOL. Well, because of the virus his offer is now on hold and may not happen at all. What a bummer. But the company said they will continue to keep him in mind when things pick up again. Not really a good time to be moving to another country, I suppose. Thanks again for the wonderful replies!!

Hello, My husband received a job offer from his company that is based in US but has a new location in Ireland. I was looking into applying for approval from NMBI but it states 12 months of practice is required within the past 5 years. I left bedside nursing 18 years ago and have worked in health insurance in different roles like your/UM, audit, medical claim review, etc. Will that meet the 12 months of practice requirement? Or do I need to have actual 'hands on' nursing care to apply through NMBI? Also, not sure which work permit my husband will be under--transfer or critical skills? That seems to make a difference in whether the spouse is qualified to work, too. Feeling very overwhelmed! Anyone been through this with Ireland? Thank you! - AJ

Hello, I'm a MO licensed RN that has worked away from the bedside since 2002. After sitting behind a computer for the past 17 years ... would really like to pursue clinical 'hands on' care again (at least on a PRN basis.) Know I will need an RN refresher but after doing internet search the options are kind of confusing. For example, there are many 'on-line' refresher courses. Wouldn't you need to do an on-site course to work on hands on skills, etc? Would love to hear experiences from anyone else who has done this. Thank you! ~ AJ

Hi, does anyone know if it must be a 'brick & mortar' BSN ... or will online be accepted? Had read this on another message board but not able to find a source to back it up. Thanks!

Thanks for the information! I don't have tele-triage experience but I do have lots of varied nursing experience.

I just heard of this company recently. Would love to hear more about your interview experience with them!

Congrats on a successful search! Thanks for sharing all of your research! That is so awesome that they are waiving College Algebra. Economics is not that bad. I really enjoyed it but maybe I'm weird.

Someone on another thread mentioned 'Reference Point' software.

Nope! Not unless you need some door stops. :chuckle Seriously, I never used mine again. I just used an NCLEX review book. If you don't sell them right after the end of the semester, they usually aren't worth anything, though.

The advice "you need a year of Med-Surg" is so outdated! I heard the same thing from almost every one of my nursing instructors. I spent six miserable years in Med-Surg because I listened to them (thinking I would only do one year) then I got 'stuck' there. It was soooo hard to break into a new nursing specialty without having any experience in it. During my new grad hospital orientation, I was sitting next to other new nurses who were going straight into the ICUs. I remember thinking, 'why didn't I do that?' It's one of my biggest regrets to this day. I eventually wound up where I wanted to be in the first place; the Neonatal ICU. But I had to do a lot of legwork over the course of a couple of years. I put out tons of resumes, went on many interviews and really had to 'sell' myself as someone who could excel in a completely different specialty. So, make a clean break now and go where your heart leads you...you won't be sorry! Nursing is really a wonderful profession. There are so many areas to explore. Med/Surg just isn't a good fit for you and that's okay. Good luck!!

If you've been academically dismissed it would seem there has to be some sort of appeals process. I would pursue that with the school first before going down the LPN road. I'd pull out my student handbook, college catalogs and start reading! There should be more information regarding appeals in those resources. Good luck and I'm sorry this happened to you.

Thanks, Becky! I'll look into those.

Thanks, RN007! I did look into the RODP but the out-of-state tuition is pretty high. It looks like a great program, though. I'm originally from Nashville and could stay w/family if I needed to travel there. Oh well. Maybe if some extra money finds me. :) Good luck to you!

Hi, I did the RN coding boot camp at www rn-coder com But I just noticed that she has doubled her rate! It used to only be $800 but now it's up to $1,500! You can also do the independent study program with the AAPC -- American Academy of Professional Coders. If you are already an RN then learning medical coding is fairly straightforward. You already have the background in A&P and med terminology! Good luck :)!

Thanks, everyone! I just registered today for Math 227 "Introduction to Statistics" and there were no prereqs required. I am going to do a little Algebra review just for good measure, though. Thanks again.

Thanks, everyone! I guess I'll just pull out my Beginning/Intermediate Algebra DVDs and review those before I start class this fall.

I was 17 when I started my ADN. Too young, IMO. I wish I had done the BSN. I was not ready for the 'real world' when I graduated at 19.

Hi, I've found that most Statistics courses have a pre-req requirement for College Algebra. Did you find that you really needed to know College Algebra to study Statistics? I finally found a course at a university in my local area that does not require it, so I am enrolling for the fall. Do you think I can get by okay without doing College Algebra first? Thanks in advance, AJ :nuke:

Mine was observational for the most part...no cervix exams required of us. I do remember the trepidation, though! Good luck!

I guess this is too late to help you but I'll go ahead and post my experience. I thought the EC World Population exam was very straight-forward. I studied only one guide and passed with an 'A.' The material was very intersting, too. Good luck!

Thanks! I'll check it out. Yes, I'll be staying here in the good ol' Midwest for a long time. I should clarify that I've been looking for programs that offer all on-line instruction. I wouldn't mind making a few trips on-campus but I'd like the majority to be on-line.

There are 2 different 'versions' of the CLEP English exam and I'm finding that many schools only accept one or the other. You really have to check into that...which tests are accepted. Most schools only accept a handful of exams. Other than English, I took Marketing and Management and they were very easy! Good luck!

Hello, I'm an ADN RN with a BS in Liberal Arts and I would like to go on for a MSN. I have a found a handful of MSN programs that allow entry with only a BS but most state 'BSN required.' I know there are RN to MSN programs but what I'm really looking for is programs that will allow me to go straight into the MSN courses. I already know that I will have to take courses in assessment, research and statistics; at least that is what I'm finding. Anyone know of or attend a program like this with a 'bridge' for the RN with a non-nursing BS? So far I have found Vandy, SLU, U of Wyoming and U of Iowa--any others? Also, a question to those of you in MSN programs or MSN graduates...would I be short changing myself by not getting the BSN before entry into the MSN? Maybe this would put me at a disadvantage? My BS did include courses that required APA format writing so I feel prepared from that standpoint. Most of the focus of my upper level courses was in Health Care Management. It had been my plan to go into an MHA program but I really feel that I want to stay with nursing now. Thanks in advance!! ~ A.J. :nuke: