grouchybuthappy

I took a job that had a 1.5hour each way commute. I loved the solitude of the drive for a short while. But did not care for the small town/hospital politics that went on. Working with less resources than I was used was a challenge. LESSON LEARNT: no more than 45 minute commute no matter how good the position seems. I spent 15 hours plus a week commuting. Thats way too much time. Now I have a twenty five minute drive.

Oh my! that sucks big time! Do you want to see pediatrics in the future? I hate the idea of having to go back to school just to renew a certification you are not likely to use in the near future. Good luck!

Trauma, why do you need to recertify via AACN. It is my understanding that for the retired certiication, all we need to make sure is that our licences do not lapse. I just passed my adult AACN CCNS exam and have a very promising offer of employment. And AACN has retired the AACN as of Dec 2014. I guess my question is why do you have to recertify? I am not planning on going back to school/recertifying any time soon/

That would be a great move. As a new CNS I am dismayed with how little exposure the CNS role has. Currently negotiating for a hospitalist position. The hospital wants me to go back to school SO i can see pediatrics too. I am tired and can not afford to get back to school now. AND i would prefer to do DNP first...

Another CNS student signing in..

:nurse::nurse:This is one of the many reasons i moved on to critical care. I am completely in charge of my glucs, adl's, meds, ice water etc. Good luck!:clown:

Notes on ICU nursing (Hammerrschimdt)and Fast Facts(Kathy White). These 2 I swear by!!!

I am currently working on my CNS and would love to specialize in HIV/AIDS and infections in general. The reason: Would love to work for WHO or UNESCO.

Had a few classmates with RN lifestyle on a SN salary. Does not work!! with $280,000+ mortgage and $24,000 SUV car note, even as an RN its too much. Why go to xul and not be able to make both ends meet, unless you got 2 jobs. Paying a mortgage on a house i hardly stay in, and parking a car on a hospital parking lot 12 hr/7 days a week is not good idea at all. At least not to me. I intend to work my 40/week.thats it. Family first!

Anyone thinking of MSN in Education?

Hie, A very dear friend of mine tried College Network for her LPN to RN. She lives in Maryland. She also has boxes and boxes of unopened books and stuff minus a couple of thousands from her checking account. School is apparently not accredited in her State. They wouldnt refund her money, and insisted she paid them thru even they were not accredited. SHE FELT IT WAS A BIG RIP OFF. Personally, i am thinking of RN-MSN starting next year. Thinking of taking all online classes but thinking of doing so thru a xul with a brick and mortar building. Hope this helps, if not too l8.

MELINURSE!!!! Congratulations. Haven't been n website for some time. Just noticed you took your NCLEX. CONGRATULATIONS RN

Hie I had 20-25 SATAs and felt really horrible after my test last week.All i could see was " SATAs are just a format", because i did not want to raise my expectation too high.(MAY BE THEY ARE JUST A FORMAT) . But so far, almost all the people in my class had 15 plus SATAs and my school has a 100% pass rate so far. People that have posted and had 10 plus SATA and 75 questions have had good results. I would say the odds are in your favor. Dont' be too hard on yourself. Enjoy yourself tomorrow or till you get your results. so far the tide is on your side. Hope you find this heart warming.

An example of a low level comprehension or knowledge based question? What does the nurse need to do before suctioning a patient? answer: hyperoxygenate them. But if that same question gives you some lab values like Ph, Pco2, PaO2 levels and you have to interpret whats happening with your patient, that becomes a high level question eg its phrased as "a pt has the following labs whats the nurses next course of action ? That is my understanding. If you simply have to spit out facts without having to analyze, then chances are its a low level question. Hopes this helps a l'lil bit.

I agree with Jack ICU. SATAs are high level questions. I had 20 plus of my own and i passed. Evey single person in my class had 12+ SATA and they all passed at 75. THe only person so far who had 5-8 SATAs ended up with 125 questions but eventually she did pass. There is a big difference between asking someone S/S of hypothyrodism gving them hyperkalemia as the only possible answer and giving a whole stream of other s/s eg blood glucose of 45. I believe the minute you have to start looking for 2 or more possible answers, you have to think critically. None of my SATAs were simple and comprehension/knowledge based as far as am concerned. Some were really easy, but an answer amongst my possible choices needed some critical thinking in order to get them. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT SATAs ARE HIGH LEVEL QUESTIONS AND ENDING YOUR EXAM @ 75 WITH 10+ SATAs is a good indicator of popping the champagne bottle within 48 hours.