lvICU

I have the flip side to this topic. I used to work 3 12s but switched to a m-f 8.5 hours a day. I can't get used to working five days a week. I feel like I never have alone time. I have to take pto for doctor's appts. I really miss the 12 hour shifts.

I have seen several job postings for these type of positions. I am interested in the position because it sounds like there is a good amount of flexibility. Does anyone have experience doing them? What exactly does the visit entail? Did you enjoy it? What did you think of the salary? Thanks!

They have actually graduated several classes of the ACNP Intensivist. I recently graduated from this program. I will be happy to give you more info in PM form if you would like.

I am glad that my lack of confidence has been a source of comfort for those who are feeling the same way I was at one time. I just wanted to let you know that I am now functioning in an NP role and am feeling much better than I did when I wrote my original post. It gets better! You will do fine if you just take it a day at a time. Good luck!

I never considered med school. I wanted to be an RN initially and once I was in that role for several years I started getting the itch to advance my education. It was a natural progression. I also agree with BlueDevil about the flexibility of the incremental educational path that nursing allows. I feel it safe to say that many of my colleagues also never were faced with the dilemma of MD,DO,PA vs. NP decision. They wanted to be a nurse and then the rest just happened. I do understand that with the option of Master's entry programs mor people are faced with this choice. Good luck with whatever path you choose.

I got into Vandy with an 1140 GRE score. I already had my BSN but I think you sound like an excellent candidate. Good luck!

Doesn't always happen but it can happen.

The Hopkins guide is no longer available for free. The price is reasonable though and you get access to the information on your mobile and PC. Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I will purchase either the Sanford or Hopkins but I just need to figure out which one will be the most beneficial.

Thank you both for your input! I have looked at the Sanford book and it was somewhat confusing. I will try the smartphone app and see how that goes. Jaun - Do you think the Hopkins ABX guide is worth the $$? I have come close to buying it several times but have never gone through. I guess I am afraid that I will be disappointed. Thanks for the information. I will make fast friends with the clinical pharmacists :)

I just graduated (in August) from an NP program, so this is all fresh in my mind. I understand your frustration with these classes but in hindsight they are actually useful and informative. I agree with other posters that the ability to evaluate research is an enormous benefit of these classes. I also appreciate the value of theories, although, I have not had much of a chance to apply them yet. In short, throughout your program, you will encounter assignments and classes that you may not feel are important but in the end you will find value in everything you learn. Just keep an open mind and don't try to judge the experience too quickly or harshly. Enjoy the experience and opportunity to gain additional knowledge and insight.

I recently graduated from ACNP school. However, I feel like I still need additional education with antibiotic therapy. I am looking for any suggestions on readings or tutorials that any of you may have found helpful. Thanks!

I think my NP school prepared me well. We received classes on x-ray interpretation and we pretty much jumped into the "hard" stuff right away. However, I just graduated and have not started my NP position yet but I feel cautiously optimistic regarding my preparedness for my new role. I know that NP school gives you the bare bones and it is up to you to grow and expand. With this in mind, I agree with the additional clinical hours. But I must add that these hours should be with preceptors who embrace the role. My clinical experience was a mixed bag of preceptors who could care less and those who were truly trying to provide an educational experience. Because of this, I had ups and downs throughout my clinical experience. I had just gotten comfortable as an NP student when it was time to graduate. In my opinion, one more semester that was very clinical-focused would have been extremely beneficial.

My personal statement focused on what I would do with my NP once I graduated. I did give a little background information regarding why I chose the nursing field and why I wanted to continue my education. These programs also want to make sure that your goals and personal values are in line with their own core values. So you might want to read a little bit about your school's mission statement and history. This might give you an idea of what is important to them. Good luck!

First of all...Congrats!! Now, for your question. NP school involved a lot of reading. Much more than I ever did in either my RN or BSN programs. Not that it wasn't required in those programs but I was often able to get by with just lecture and then reading over any areas where I needed more studying. During my NP, I felt that I needed to study most things more than once and sometimes numerous times. I had the opportunity not to work and I was still overwhelmed most days. You can do it though! Good luck.

This may be the case if you are an ACNP that works specifically in the ICU. However, there are a lot of ACNP positions that do not require ICU management. I know of a variety of setting that ACNPs can work... Not wanting to be disagreeable but I just know that many of my colleagues in my ACNP program have worked with ACNP in a variety of settings. While it is focused on acute care, it does not always mean ICU care.

The ACNP is not confined to the hospital setting. My internal medicine doctor only employs ACNPs in his office. He sees only adults. I also know of cardiologists who employ ACNPs to see patients in clinic and the hospital setting. You will not be able to see the peds population as an ACNP though. Not sure if that is of interest to you. I just wanted to emphasize that ACNP does not equal hospital only.

I am not sure exactly what classes you should take...the adviser for the CRNA program that suggested this idea said that science classes were the most impressive for their program (i.e. chemistry). Check the curriculum for your schools or call the admissions office and ask what you can do to make yourself a stronger candidate.

Don't give up, you might just have to work a little harder to reach your dreams. I had a 2.8 during my ADN schooling but a 3.9 with my BSN when I applied for NP programs. I was still nervous though because of that 2.8. So, I can commiserate :) I have 3 tips: 1.) Do you have any prerequisites that need to be taken? You can take a graduate level class or two and "prove" that you are able to maintain a higher GPA in those classes. It shows that are are capable and going that extra step really proves that you are dedicated to your studies. I had a recruiter for a CRNA give this tip in an information session. 2.) Do you have a purpose or goal statement required for admission? You can talk a little bit about previous experiences and how you have grown and improved, etc. It is a good opportunity to address the low GPA. Just don't dwell on it too much. 3.) Boost up your application with other stuff. For example, you can get certified in your specialty. I had my CCRN and I was told that stands out to the admissions committee. Good luck!

The rate the pp quoted sounds right. I have heard that they cut back the new grad rate this past year because there have been a lot of new grads in that area. You can call the HR department and ask to speak witht he new grad recruiter. they will be able to give you the shift diff information.

They all have there own challenges. I took Adv assessment, Theory, Patho and Pharm all together and did fine. It was hard but doable. Our pharm and patho was strictly lecture and exams so it was all studying. With the theory and nursing role classes, you have to write papers. In my opinion, they are worse. The truth is, in the long run, it won't really matter. Just dig in and get it done. Good luck!

CONGRATS! I also graduate soon (in 2 months!!) and I wholeheartedly agree with the advice of not getting behind. I used google calendars to keep my assignments and due dates straight and I thought it worked great. It also helped me keep track of my clinical hours. I would sit with my syllabus each semester and enter the dates into the calendar. Very user friendly. Every morning it is the first thing I look at (it is set as my home page on my laptop). A tip that I didn't do well but wish I had. Skim through lecture notes prior to listening or going to the actual lecture and then re-read those notes in the evening after that class. I didn't do it often but when I did, I felt that I retained the information better. I wish I had been more committed to doing this. Find a good study place. If I am at home, there are a lot of distractions and my family thinks I am "available." Go to the library, Starbucks or my favorite, Panera :) Don't stress too much (easier said than done. see my previous posts on my out of control stress in clinical rotations.) and enjoy the opportunity. Good luck!!

It sounds like it has potential to be a great alternative to coumadin. There is no routine monitoring required. That is a nice perk! And you wouldn't have to worry about all those crazy doses like "take 1 pill on M,W and F and a half pill on the other days." Yes, there is no antidote but the half life is approximately 12 hours so stopping the medication while providing supportive care (IVF, blood products) would most likely control the bleeding. If the bleeding is acute, factor VIIa could be used.

Thank you so much for this advice. It really puts things into perspective and I think if I keep this in mind, I will be able to relax a little on rounds and then maybe my brain will not "freeze up"

Dissent, thanks for the info on the patient presentations. I am actually presenting on ICU patients only. I am doing pretty well on the actual presentation part. My plan is what needs the most help (I have never been told this, it is just my self-evaluation). I also struggle when I am asked a random question about a lab or disease process during rounds. The physicians don't always ask a question that is completely pertinent to my patient so it is sometimes hard to be prepared, although I try to be ready for anything. I have trouble thinking when put on the spot like that. I will continue to work through this though. Again, thanks for the info. I can use all the help I can get

Jaun, thanks for the great advice and recommendations on presenting in rounds. I have a pretty good "script" that I use but your advice should help me streamline it even more. After reading your post, I am starting to get a more organized approach in my head. I appreciate your help.