ERNurseScott

So, after traveling for 4 years then being on staff for almost 4 years (that's a long ass time for me), being laid off and now doing per diem registry work for 2 months, I'm getting back into traveling (yea!!). I accepted a contract for ER/Trauma nights at Christus St Vincents in Santa Fe, NM. I got a ton of info from the clinical mgr during the phone interview but want to hear if anyone has worked there before and their thoughts about the facility, how staff are receptive or not to travelers...pretty much anything about CSV if you've worked there before. Thanks in advance everyone!

truamaRUs, Which CNS programs did you pursue? How long was each program? My goal is to earn my MSN/Ed, start speaking at national conferences and reviews and then go for my CV CNS and trauma CNS. Any input is much appreciated!

Hi everyone! My wife and I were travellers for years but when the pickings became slim and dewindled down to rehab in North Dakota or LTC in Wisconsin (no offense to everyone who loves those areas or those states!) when I was used to working ER/Trauma resus in Level one centers along with trauma and CV ICU and she was used to CVICU and cardiac stepdown, we decided to sign on staff at the level one hospital as our last contract ended. That was 2 years ago and we are REALLY getting the itch to move on again! I was born and raised in London so a goal of ours has always been to work in Europe to see how differently healthcare challenges are managed over there plus the rest of my family that are still in the UK get to meet my amazing wife! I am asking for any help and advise regarding the various travel companies that deal with travel contracts internationally. Who to go with? Who to avoid?! Pay rates? Housing? Ratios? Contact person with the travel company only here in US or someone there in the UK too? Any info you can throw our way is much appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

Hello, I am looking into getting information from UoP about their RN to MSN/Ed program as I want to start as soon as possible. Anyone have any input? Graduates, any advise? Anyone currently in the program, how's the workload? Too much, too fast, too slow? Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks to everyone that takes the time to reply!

Thank you for your comments. They have been helpeful. Keep 'em coming!....

I would like to know, from all you CNS' out there, which certification is better...CNS-BC endorsed by the ANCC or CCNS endorsed by the AACN?? I am aiming this question to adult critical care specialties. I know this is higher an opinion-based question but I would still like to hear what you have to say! If there are any administrative viewers out there, does one certification have more "clout" than another on a CV? Thanks for your time and thoughts!

Hello! I have had a dream of earning my MSN/Ed so that I can start educating and teaching my fellow nurses. I also have a goal of earning my CNS in critical care and trauma as that is what I have worked and love for 10 years. I need some advise however...can a CNS be earned after I have finished my MSN/Ed? Is it a post-graduate program? Do you have to be a practitioner (NP) to be a CNS? Ideally, I would like to get my MSN/Ed then my CSN. I would love to start teaching and doing national educational conferences ASAP but if it's quicker and/or easier to earn my CNS with my MSN then complete an education program, I wouldn't want to duplicate any studies! I don't want to spin my wheels or waste any money as I will be paying for all of this. Any advise, information, personal experiences are greatly appreciated!!! -Scott, RN, CCRN-CMC, CEN, CHFN

Hello everyone! Just wanted to know if any of you had any good study tips or guides for passing the CMC? From what I've read so far, if you have a strong history of cardiac ICU nursing, not much studying is needed...but that doesn't seem right to me! As a subspecialty of the CCRN, saying not much studying for the CMC is an oxymoron!!! Any help/advise would be great!!! Thanks!

Orientation?! Ha! Some facilities offer an orientation but most are trusting that you know you're sh*t and can hit the floor running! And a preceptor? I have worked registry/agency for many years from Florida over to California and have never had a preceptor. When I've worked per diem on staff with a hospital, I had an orientation and someone to shadow for a shift or two, but never with an outside agency. As far as questions, when you get to the unit you are working on, introduce yourself and make yourself known to your co-workers. You have to have a positive "get in there and get it done" attitude when working registry so ask the charge nurse/team leader who will be your "go to" person for your shift. Finally, there are really only 5 things you need to know (besides your own skills!) when you get to your unit: where are the IV start kits, where do I get meds, what do I chart on, where is the bathroom and most importantly...where is the crash cart!! Everything else just kinda falls into place. I have done registry and travel nursing for 5 years now and I love it! You can just go in, do your job, take care of your patients and clock out. No politics, no unit drama and daily pay! Excellent! 95% of it is your attitude and outlook. If you go in there with a "bring it on" mindset, you will do fine! Hope this helped...

Thanks for the input...

So I'm a little confused about something...I've seen nurses put ATCN in with their credentials (RN, ATCN) but I'm not sure if that's right. I think if it were correct, then you would have to list all certifications (ie ACLS, TNCC, PALS) and that would be going overboard in my eyes and take up too many letters! Let me know what you think...

Hi everyone! So, if I'm lucky enough and after a lot of studying, I'm sitting for both my CCRN and CEN exams shortly. Then I was thinking about it... which order would my certifications go? RN, CCRN, CEN or RN, CEN, CCRN? Is there any kind of etiquette to follow about this? If so, I want to get it right! Do they go in alpha order? The order in which I pass them? Thanks for any input!