rustynail

rustynail's Latest Activity

1. 

   What does your username mean?

   rustynail replied to LifesAJourney's topic in Humor

   Rusty Nail for RN :)
2. 

   allnurses.com iPhone app is here!

   rustynail replied to Brian's topic in Announcements

   It works on Android too! Good times :)
3. 

   safest NP cert

   rustynail replied to zoidberg's topic in NP

   My thoughts on the DNP, exactly!
4. 

   safest NP cert

   rustynail replied to zoidberg's topic in NP

   As they say in MBA school - focus on your core competencies. I honestly don't see how they mean to implement the DNP requirement before 2015 if ACA is going to start in 2014. Perhaps I live in denial. Here is a snapshot: 52% of NPs are in Primary Care, compared to 43% of PAs or 33% of Physicians. ANP/FNP or an equivalent Master's degree level certification will survive 2015, IMHO.
5. 

   safest NP cert

   rustynail replied to zoidberg's topic in NP

   Follow your heart :) I would personally choose ANP over FNP (less clinical hours / credit hours) and also because I prefer to work with adults.
6. 

   My daughter wants to be a nurse

   rustynail replied to Kica93's topic in General Career

   Not to discourage anyone from becoming an LPN but in the military world, LPNs start at E5 (junior NCO level), while RNs start at O1 (junior officer level). As such, enlisted folks (E5) have about 20% probability of staying in for 20 years. Officers (O1) have a probability of 50% to make it a career. If your daughter decides to go the ADN route, she will be in an RN-to-BSN program before you know it :)
7. 

   Clarification on the DNP requirement of 2015

   rustynail replied to umbdude's topic in Doctoral

   This is just a word of mouth but I was told last night that some schools have re-opened their MSN NP programs after going solely with DNP. Also, that no states as of yet have confirmed any intentions, such as that DNP would be the new barrier to entry to practice.
8. 

   My daughter wants to be a nurse

   rustynail replied to Kica93's topic in General Career

   The plan is to have 80% of all RNs in the USA with their BSN by 2020. It is a lofty goal since the percentage in 2010 was around 40%! RN-to-BSN is not all that difficult. 6 months - 12 months of pain, just make sure it is an accredited program (CCNE or NLNAC).
9. 

   First Deployment Advice

   rustynail replied to New1LT's topic in Government

   OPSEC please. My experience has been mostly with local nationals (good guys AND bad guys). First I thought they were superhuman, going through painful injuries like they were nothing. Little did I realize they were already addicted to opium... Neverthless, it was a useful experience for back home when working with immigrants from that part of the world. Alcohol is a taboo but opium? Not so much. As soon as the sun goes down, it is on... This obviously does not apply to everyone, but I wouldn't be surprised if Talib fighters use it as a way to relax before going to a fight. From some of the footage I have seen, you would think they were high or something.
10. 

    Is taking a few years off after graduating nursing school to do Peace Corps abad idea

    rustynail replied to Cutieepie's topic in First Year

    If you in fact DO decide to go, review the latest State Department warnings at least: Welcome to Travel.State.Gov I would try to talk you out of it but you probably already have your mind set on going. I have attended a lecture by a person who has actually done it, even though he had a decent nursing job offer after graduation. He didn't grow professionally as much as he would have at his other job but the cultural experience benefits are intangible. Make sure you get the required vaccinations before you go.
11. 

    Air Guard enlisted to Active duty Nurse Corps

    rustynail replied to JacAn001's topic in Government

    Angela, If you are between 6 months - 24 months of finishing your BSN, you are qualified for ANCP (Army Nurse Commissioning Program). Navy has a similar program, not sure about the Air Force. Neither requires RN experience. Alternatively, if you can commission before you turn 40, you might want to try the Army ROTC route. It is a lot more challenging but also a guaranteed active duty slot, as long as you meet all the requirements. Commissioning at the age of 39 would require a Brigade-level waiver, however. There are 8 brigades throughout the country. Find out if your school participates in ROTC for nurses and if yes, what brigade they belong to. I went through the ROTC program and loved it. Sometimes I felt like a grandpa but whenever I saw a need, I was there to help. I commissioned at the age of 39, yet later found out I was not the only cadet commissioning so late! There was at least one other cadet but I don't know her branch or brigade. It's not impossible if you put your mind to it.
12. 

    Air Guard enlisted to Active duty Nurse Corps

    rustynail replied to JacAn001's topic in Government

    Angela, The reason why I left USAF Reserves was the inflexibility to get transferred into health care once I was slotted as a mechanic. This is even before I was tasked to go for training! Needless to say, I never went, interviewed with a Army Reserve unit, got the permission to transfer away from USAF and never looked back. I actually ended up joining the Army National Guard (similar to Air National Guard) and ended up SMP/ROTC. It was a culture shock (the infantry portion, not the SMP/ROTC portion) but I survived and eventually realized it was the best decision given the circumstances. In my opinion, Army has more slots & opportunities for nurses, compared to USAF.
13. 

    First Deployment Advice

    rustynail replied to New1LT's topic in Government

    Baghdad ER then. That show is real. I haven't seen it yet but I have it in my queue on Netflix.
14. 

    First Deployment Advice

    rustynail replied to New1LT's topic in Government

    Watch the show "Combat Hospital" on Hulu before you go. It is a good conversational piece from our friendly neighbors up north :) It is not all that realistic and it seems like they tried to pack too much action into each episode. Then again, a good conversation piece for laughs and giggles :)
15. 

    Male RN in maternity

    rustynail replied to lilcampy310's topic in Men

    Wow, that is pretty harsh! For me personally, I had to walk away from the first child-birth, stayed for the second, and helped out with counting and lining up the sponges for the third one. OB clinicals are a right of passage for all nurses, male or female. Just tell him to hang in there, time is his friend :)
16. 

    Reporting to BOLC in March

    rustynail replied to DWILDCAT's topic in Government

    In a recent Army Times article there was a discussion on how to pass the tape test. One of the suggesstions, to the horror of some of the readers, was to bulk up neck muscles, so at least for males (not sure if neck muscles get taped for females), they are able to pass. Personally I think it is probably a better idea just to lose the extra weight and not have to worry about it but it is not always possible (working night shifts, living in a very cold climate, etc.). A combination of diet and exercise is a way to go. Just like in basketball - you have you offense (exercise) and defense (diet).