AllSmiles225

Hi to all! I have a few questions as I am actively seeking a MSN program in nursing. My ultimate goal for my career is to become a nurse educator; I would like to be able to teach at the college level at some point whether it is in a clinical setting or classroom setting. I do understand that I probably will have to get my PhD or DNP at some point in order to do this. I have been going back and forth with myself about something though. Initially I was looking for a MSN with a focus in nursing education but it has also become apparent to me that if I went for my NP I would be able to teach but not the other way around. I truly have NO desire; 0% to become a NP. I never really see myself working as an NP but I don't know if I'm closing a door by not pursuing it. It definitely wouldn't be my passion like I feel teaching is. Which leads me to my next dilemma. I've been having a really hard time finding programs that I truly feel are good online MSN programs. I also am struggling because in New York with these online programs your not allowed to do your practicum in New York; I'd have to go to another state for the practicum which makes me very leery especially working full time. If anyone could get me some guidance to the following questions I would truly appreciate it: 1) Would you go for NP or Nurse Educator given what I said above? 2) Can you recommend any online MSN programs that you feel are well rounded programs & would not have difficulty transferring credits later for possible PhD? 3) How do you feel about out state clinical placement? Your responses are so appreciated...I really just want to get back in school and am so confused about the direction to go.. Thanks in advance!

I took my NCLEX-RN this morning at 8 am...so far I have a good pop-up but feel like I got a lot of questions wrong. I guess we will know on Thursday!

Maybe you should hold off on the pregnancy while you get accustomed to a new job & make sure everything else is line like your insurance and vacation time?

Hi all..I have a kind of insignificant question but it is one that is important to me. I am halfway through my BSN program (woohoo) and currently working as an LPN. I am also currently planning a wedding that will take place approximately two weeks after graduation in early June. My marriage license will reflect the name change. So..when I apply for licensure and my ATT should I use my maiden name? I will take the boards around June 25th or so..as soon as the school sends me the okay.. is it okay for me to use my maiden name on the applications and the day I test and make the Social security office, DMV and NYS BON aware of changes right after or am I required to apply with my married name because I will be married when I take the test.. it's all so confusing. Hoping someone has experienced a very similar situation! THANKS

Congratulations to all of you. Thank you so much for your replies. Very inspirational. :)

She must have had a reason to suspect that you were carrying your cell phone. In my program if you are found to have your cell phone in clinical it is grounds for immediate expulsion as you may be violating patients rights through video or picture. Even at my job as an LPN every week at the top of our checks states if you are found to have a cell phone while on the floor working it is grounds for immediate suspension pending termination. If you have children that you are worried may be attempting to call you..always provide the child's school with your school information, they will be able to properly direct the phone call to the clinical site if necessary. If you aren't in the situation that you MUST HAVE THE CELL PHONE (which there are many ways around anyway), then leave it in the car. Make your phone calls & check your messages on your break. As for reporting the teacher, tread lightly..I don't know how far you are into your program but you aren't going to want other instructors knowing you for "reporting an instructor", it's very easy to fail students on jeopardizing patient safety even if it wasn't intentionally. If you really feel that strongly about saying something maybe you should speak with the instructor first.

I was just wondering if any current nurse educators could give me an idea of how long you worked as a floor/charge nurse before going into your role as a nurse educator. Was it a goal from the beginning of your school career, or did you realize after you started practicing that you wanted to do it? I'm curious because I love nursing and everything it has to offer but I really love nursing education. I love patient teaching. Everything about it makes me extremely happy. In no way shape or form am I trying to bypass the importance of gaining invaluable experience as a nurse. I understand completely that you must learn on your own & that it is important to have experience to pass on. Just wanted to get a general idea of your experiences. I appreciate all your help in advance.

I'm registered for Fall of 2010. My Patho & Fundamentals clinical teacher are the same. I looked on ratemyprofessors (I know, not the most reliable source) and her reviews are horrendous. I understand that students that don't do well in the class could write the reviews and I know I shouldn't base my opinion on this type of review but I was just wondering if anyone ever had a teacher with bad reviews that actually ended up being good. I just want to know what I'm in for. Thanks for your help.

Technically yes, the school can require whatever they want. They have to sign you off to take your state boards so if they say you require a 90% on the predictor..well, then you won't get your paperwork submitted until you have that 90%. To be perfectly honest, I took the Predictor last February. I'm telling you I thought I bombed it but because its a curved score theres really no way to say the point value of each question. You get a raw score and they translate it through statisical analysis to an accurate percentage. I ended up scoring a 99%. I am trying to rationalize the reasoning for the increase in points necessary to pass. I know that the NCLEX-RN passing score was raised as of April 1st, 2010 but that has nothing to do with NCLEX-PN..but it's a thought. In any case..study. STUDY STUDY STUDY. Don't focus on all the things that you don't want to have to do. Just do them. You'll pass your boards in no time at all. GOOD LUCK!

Same as a chem major.

At my school the sequence is: -Fall: A&P I, Organic Chem and Nursing History -Spring: A&P II, Microbiology and Human Growth and Development --we take 17-18 credits per semester. Its not as terrible as it sounds.

Remember that nurses have must be self directed in their profession. If you are unsure of an order or are even uncomfortable with an order YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO QUESTION IT. If I was being observed I would have stated "I am uncomfortable administering this medication until I get the order clarified by the physician." That way you save yourself from looking as though you were about to make a medication error. Also you can check the facility policy but for the most part everywhere I have seen, the most recent physicians order cancels out the one before. So for example if the MD orders Heparin 5000 U subq at HS on 3/2 and comes in on 3/3 and orders to decrease Heparin to 2500 U this order cancels out the previous. You really have to be careful and double, triple check all of your orders. Always remember that student nurses are held to the same standards as nursing professionals. You are expected to know the basics to protect yourself and your patients. Today you learned the number one rule in nursing: Cover your butt..

The reason I am asking is because when I accepted my position I was looking for something part time on the 3-11 shift. My facility ended up hiring me per diem, obviously because they didn't want to pay me benefits or vacation. Since then I have been working random 7-3's and 3-11 on the weekends. 3-11 is killing my life and I want to switch to 7-3 but I don't want to lose my job over it. I know they need people to work every shift but 3-11 is hard to fill. I don't think im obligated to ALWAYS work that shift..I think I have the flexibility to change. My life is changing now..and I need the hours to change too. What do you think?

I think the more important lesson is to never trust anyone else but yourself. Unless you see it with your own two eyes somebody else could have made a mistake. As soon as you administer that medication it is YOUR responsibility regardless of who said what. Always go out of your way to double check things that you are unsure of.

I just wanted to find out if other per diem nurses had set hours. In other words, do you work whenever you want days and nights? Or does the facility you work for require you to work only days or only nights?