CorrectionalNP

"The DNP is what my professors in grad school used to refer to as a "quick 'n dirty" doctorate. A more accurate description would be "a glorified Master's" (which is exactly what the DNP programs are -- an MSN program with a few extra courses and delusions of grandeur :))." Very well put. I am a Masters prepared FNP. I am all for advancing the nursing profession, but this previous quote is "right on the mark". It is a glorified Masters Degree. At first I was in favor of a Doctorate for clinical practice, such as the Clinical Psychologist have. But in reality, I'm not sure what it will add to the Professional Practice.

"All you get from the PA is half again as much clinical education and more than twice the didactic time compared to the DNP. Some of us are more into the knowledge and the experience than the title (and I make a lot more than $70k/yr). David Carpenter, PA-C" Thank you David. You made my point.

What will you have as a PA (Physicians Assistant)? No independent license and no doctor before your name. Besides that, you will get the $70,000 a year. Expand your horizons. Quote, "Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want things."

The real eduation starts when you start seeing patinets. School is for learning the basics. I learn more in one day in Clinic than one month in school. Get over it. Get your NP License and start seeing patients.

I know it is frustrating kc. I remember years of school with no compensation in sight. But this is real. Nursing is great secret of the under class. Start as an Nurses Aid in a Nursing Home. Advance to LVN. Then RN. What other professions are so structured? I always worked full time during my BSN. I was fortunate to get a scholarship for the MSN. Don't worry about the DNP deal. It's not immediate now. And you can't fight City Hall, anyway.

Prairienp says: One thing that always bothers me, so many posters dont know how to spell "practitioner", not a big deal, just seems strange. I know Prairienp. It's like; "Seven years ago I couldn't even spell Practitioner. And now I is one." There is no easy road. It's either 8 years to the DNP or 4 years pre-med plus 4 years Medical School plus 3 years Residency. If one could find a 4 year PA program, then go for it.

Prairienp says: One thing that always bothers me, so many posters dont know how to spell "practitioner", not a big deal, just seems strange. I know Prairienp. Who are these people. It's like "Seven years ago I couldn't even spell Practitioner. And now I is one." There is no easy road. It's either 8 years to the DNP or FOUR years pre-med plus FOUR years Medical School plus THREE years Residency. If one could find a 4 year PA program, then go for it.

ksc0723 - You seem a little frustrated. I've been a Family Nurse Practitioner for 16 years (MSN prepared). I've never regretted it. With your Psychology Degrees, you should become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Once you are making $100,000 plus with that, you can finish your PhD in Psychology. You should be able to find the perfect job with that combination. If not, finish your Pre-Med. Get the 30+ scores on the MCAT you will need to get into Medical School, and spend 7 years becoming a Psychiatrist or Internist or whatever type of Physician would make you happy. And, thank you.

AWanderingMinstral - I'm so sorry to hear that. That is why I alway advise to have direct contact with the Health Services Administrator at the site you want to work at. NOthing against the recruiters, but their job is to process your application, and not to personnel placement. We have 3 RN openings where I work. We have not recruited one RN in the past 4 years. (Call 209 386-0257, ask for Ms Mettry, the HSA or Mr. Porter in Human Resources). We are a Maximum Penitentiary and Prison Camp in California 100 miles east of San Francisco.

BSN317 - Carswell is one of the five BOP Medical Referral Centers. It specializes in Mental Health for females, and Tertiary Medical Care for males and females. While most BOP facilities are Ambulatory Care, you could actually work inpatient Nursing at Carswell (which is actually Fort Worth, TX). The other Medical Centers are at Rochester, MN (about a mile from the Mayo Clinic); Butner, NC; Springfield, MO, and Lexington, KY. If you are interested in any of these places, I would suggest contacting the Director of Nursing at these places. For other BOP Facilities, the Health Services Administrator (HSA) is the best contact. If they are interested in you, you need to be persistent. Once you have an offer of employment, they will invite in for an interview (or teleconference interview). An then and "quick" BOP Physical exam (vital signs, chest x-ray, etc) and a UA drug screen. After that, you are in. Report to duty, work about a month, and then off to Glynco, Georgia for 3 week of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Here, they will teach you the basics of working around Inmates. Is it dangerous, not really. Correctional Officers are the main responders to fights. In Health Services, I have never had any problems. We do run to emergencies with the stretcher and medical bag. If you are interested in Atlanta, then contact the Health Services Administrator there. They might have an RN opening. My best advice with the BOP is persistance. Just getting through with a telephone call can sometimes take several tries, just because people are doing things in the prison and not sitting next to a telephone all day. (The solution, ask to have them Paged.)

here are some links. my best advise is to talk directly with the director of nursing (don) at each facility. you can also ask to speak with the head nurse in the what ever unit you think you want to work in; such as obstetrics (ob); emergency department (er), etc. http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/sells-indian-health-service-hospital990.html http://www.ihs.gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/tucson/tucrec.asp http://tchealth.org/ http://www.ihs.gov/jobscareerdevelop/navajojobs/index.cfm?module=najr_nursing_information http://www.ihs.gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/navajo/index.cfm?module=nao_hcc_crownpoint http://www.ihs.gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/phoenix/phx_su_whiteriver.cfm http://www.ihs.gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/billings/blackfeet/ http://www.ihs.gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/navajo/index.cfm?module=nao_hcc_gallup http://www.ihs.gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/phoenix/phx_su_phx.cfm http://www.ihs.gov/index.cfm?module=areaoffices

I'll get back to you.

Oh no. Previusly you could go to any Armed Forces Physical Exam Center for the PE. Anyway, let me know what area of the U.S. you are interested in. I will help you find a job in that state. Maybe in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Indian Health Service (IHS), or Immigration (DIHS).

Goldensfo - Most resevations are remote but very livable. Housing will have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Shopping on the reservation will be limited to basic supplies, but on the week-end you can drive off the reservation to stock up. The population really appreciates you being there to provide them health care. I seldom felt overworked, but some days are busier than others. The clinics are staffed by tribal members and USPHS and Civil Service personnel that can not be recruited locally. I would suggest contacting: Sells, AZ; Tuba City, AZ; Chinle, AZ; Crown Point, AZ; White River, AZ; Browning, MT; Gallup, NM or Phoenix Indian Medical Center. If you can get in as a COSTEP your Junior Year, it will give you a leg up on what is going on.

What is your specialty, may I ask? What type of initial assignment are you hoping to get?

I'm a USPHS Officer for the past 21 year. I've worked in the Indian Health Service, Immigration Health, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I can answer most questions you have about assignments, benefits, recruiting, and retirement.

Sure. That's correct. But, you need to look at the job. If you can get a job in lower Manhattan, you will get the maximum housing allowance. On the other hand, if you get a job in rural Arizona, the housing allowance will be near the low end. There are only two jobs usually available in Manhattan (DIHS, and BOP). In rural Arizona (or Montana) there are usually more than two. I've been in USPHS for 21 years. I can answer most questions you have.

a-15 The American Correctional Association (ACA) has requirements for medical coverage for ACA Certification. Does your Facility need ACA Certification? If they do, ACA spells out what coverage is necessary. If they are not certified by ACA, then local standards apply. IN OTHER WORDS: "Who Certifies your Jail?" You need to meet their standards.

Oh, don't confuse me with the DOCTOR bit. I work in a rough environment (Corrections). I've been seeing NP patients for 15+ years. We do not have U.S. graduate physicans. They disrespect Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners. Even the PAs have no license (foreing medical grads). They have no reason to respect Nurses or the American Nurses Association. Since day one I have never represented myself as a Medical Doctor. I'm a Mid Level Practitioner. Nothing more, nothing less.

Long Term Effects of High Blood Pressure: It's called End Organ Damage. Basically it is the Brain, Eyes, Kidneys, Liver, Heart, Vasculature, etc. A Blood Pressure of 80/40 would allow you to live to about 120 years old.

I have not problem with DNP. I got my BSN in '84. There were NPs with less than a BSN. Then it was MSN for an NP (which I finished in '93) I would "love" to be referred to be in my Practice as "Dr Blank" rather than "Oh, Blank said that". I am definitely in favor of it.

a-205 I would not discourage it. Corrections is a rough environment. If you don't know your stuff, the inmates will immediately pick up on it and make your life miserable. If you make bad decisions, your co-workers and the administration will not be happy, therefore making your life miserable. We had a new graduate recently who was quite successful. You need to 1) be mature, 2) willing to learn, and 3) have EXCELLENT teachers in the prison. Only #3 you will may not be able to control.

Latent TB is also known as Asymptomatic TB Infection. It is a Reactive TB Skin test without other signs or symptoms. Once the TB skin test is positive, it will always be positive. A base line chest x-ray should always be done for a new positive TB skin test. The person should be monitored, annually, for symptoms of TB (cough, fever, weight loss). The annual CXR may not be necessary if the patient is asymptomatic. Should you Treat Latent TB? This is not Active TB. Treatment is totally optional. It is beneficial to the patient and beneficial to society in that they may not develop active TB. Any more questions, please ask. These are the most recent CDC guidelines.