rnfostermom

I'm about ready to pull my hair out! I have been searching for a MSN program for over a year now and would like to start next year. I am interested in either a general MSN, clinical nurse leader or something that has some sort of focus on patients in the acute care setting. I am NOT interested in leadership or education. I am open to either a "brick and mortar" school or an online program. I live in Minnesota, and have not found much suitable locally other than Capella. Capella has CCNE accreditation. I have looked at some other schools in other states and occasionally been told "we can't grant credit to you in Minnesota" (WTAMU, Northern Alabama). I am open to online programs, and currently have some interest in American Sentinel University, which has CCNE and DEAC accreditation. I have searched quite a bit on allnurses and there are a lot of statements about "regional accreditation" being very important to the quality of a program. I also spoke to the people in HR at my hospital (a Level I trauma center in a large urban teaching hospital) and they said they only cared about CCNE and they did not have opinions about the quality of a school beyond ticking that box when evaluating resumes and qualifications. She specifically said she had no idea what I meant by "regional accreditation." My current nurse manager is a Capella student and our hospital has a partnership with Capella for tuition discount. However, I am not leaning toward Capella because their MSN specializations are not quite what I am looking for. I should note that I also called my state BON, and they said they have absolutely no position about MSN programs, only initial RN and APRN licensure. SO, HERE'S MY QUESTION: Has anyone ever actually run into a problem regarding the accreditation of the nursing programs (RN-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD) they completed with respect to employment options, hiring decisions, etc? Has anyone who has completed a degree program from Capella, American Sentinel, or any other online school got any encouraging stories or advice for me? I plan to get the MSN and probably will not go further. Is this concern over accreditation only having to do with schools accepting your qualifications for admittance to a program for a more advanced degree? I'm wondering if I'm spending a lot of time worrying about something that doesn't matter in my situation....

I worked full time during nursing school as well. I was an A student but I was terrified of failing the NCLEX. I arranged to take a month off from work to prepare for my exam. I went to the Kaplan 2-3 day seminar, and then I went every day to the test center and did all of their test question banks. I treated studying like it was my job. I used up every last bit of my vacation time and I may have taken some unpaid time as well (can't remember). Anyway, I took my test and passed with 75 questions, so as far as I was concerned it was worth it!

I think there are several factors to consider. First, I agree with other commenters who seem offended by the characterization that an ADN program is a waste of time. Probably half of the RNs working in the US are ADNs and you won't make friends among them with that idea. Many of the ADNs I have worked with, an even diploma nurses, are some of the best nurses I know and I would be happy to have them take care of me or my loved ones. Second, it is true, nevertheless, that nursing is changing. Ever since the last recession, when many nurses returned to the workforce or had to delay retirement, it's been harder to get that first nursing job. My employer will only hire BSN new grads and this has been the case for a few years now. Thus, it IS important to get a BSN, and you may not get your "dream" first job with the ADN. However, you probably will be able to get a job somewhere and earn better pay while you do your BSN. I agree that you should apply to both places and make sure you have all prerequisites done. Also perhaps consider volunteering at a hospital? Work as a CNA to get some hospital experience? Something that can make you stand out a bit more on your application. I was originally an ADN, just finished my BSN and have been accepted to NP school. I love being a nurse, and I hope you do too. Good luck!

I will complete my RN-BSN program this summer at a local university. I am looking for options for grad school. I live in Minneapolis, MN. I've been an RN for 10 years. I have worked in Peds/PICU for about 4 years now. Our PICU is a level 1 trauma center and most of our patients are acutely ill/injured (as opposed to chronic illnesses, congenital conditions, that sort of thing). I would like to find a grad school or other advanced certification program that would focus on advanced clinical skills in critical care. In my area, I have found Pediatric NP programs but they do not seem to have a focus on critical care. I researched some Clinical Nurse Leader programs, but they all seem to indicate that the position is generalist and I only want to focus on Peds. I do not have Peds CCRN yet, but plan to take this exam by the end of the year once I finish my BSN. Can anyone point me in the direction of any type of specialty education or grad school programs that would increase my clinical knowledge in the critical care setting? Although not my favorite, I would be willing to do on-line program if that is all I could find. Suggestions appreciated! Thanks.

I'm also planning to take by the end of 2015. I will complete my RN to BSN this summer and plan to start studying for CPN and Peds CCRN immediately after.

Well, I can tell you what I hate about my current manager and what I liked about my favorite one. What I (and most of the other nurses on our unit) hate about our manager is that she doesn't "have our back." We feel that we are good nurses and smart women (no men on our unit) who work hard and do our best to make good decisions that are patient centered. Yet no matter what, she will tell us that the problem or delay we experienced was somehow our fault. For example, someone who had incidental OT or didn't get a lunch break was at fault for "not calling the flyer" (who can be very hard to get) or else she will point out that Nurse Favorite has "great time management skills -- you should talk to her about how she does it." We used to have this annual survey hospital-wide and most of the nurses on my unit gave our manager very bad marks in this area -- I was surprised to realize that I was not the only person who thought this! The word I could use to describe my current manager most often is "discouraging" or "disappointing." What I loved about my favorite nurse manager was that she didn't sweat the small stuff and she really stood up for her nurses. She is a very calm person and this conveyed to her staff, so we relaxed too and did good work without interference. She also made very insightful comments to me about things about me that she especially appreciated or thought I was good at. Boy, I would go to the ends of the earth for that manager, and still would even though she's not my boss anymore. More than one of the nurses I worked with under her said they would probably quit the unit when she retired!

I work in a PICU but that board doesn't seem terribly busy. Thought I'd also post my question here to see if anybody has any ideas. Thanks. ==================================== I have observed that a number of our TBI patients have begun seizing upon extubation. The patients had moderate to severe TBIs but not had prior observed seizure activity. They had tolerated the weaning of their sedation (we use fentanyl, versed and precedex), and had done well with vent support weaning trials. ICPs and sodiums had been stable for a number of days. Seizure prophylaxis meds on board. No VAPs or other infections. In the instances I'm aware of, the seizures began within several minutes of extubation and in some instances required reintubation soon afterward. I'm curious if there could be a specific cause we are missing in preparation for extubation of these kids. Obviously, having a TBI and weaning the sedation meds likely reduced the seizure threshold. Also, the experience is somewhat stressful. But could there be another reason? For example, the need to take spontaneous breaths without the extra PEEP support? I just spent the morning searching on the internet and finding not very much. I did find one article about gas emboli but am waiting to receive access to read it. I'm just a plain bedside nurse, not a doctor (obviously), and I don't know much other than what I've observed. I know it's way beyond my pay grade to question this stuff, but after spending a very long time with families caring for their children -- who seemed to be doing well -- to have this setback is frustrating and incredibly discouraging! Does anyone have any ideas? Observed any therapy changes at their institution? Know of any research? Care to commiserate?

I have observed that a number of our TBI patients have begun seizing upon extubation. The patients had moderate to severe TBIs but not had prior observed seizure activity. They had tolerated the weaning of their sedation (we use fentanyl, versed and precedex), and had done well with vent support weaning trials. ICPs and sodiums had been stable for a number of days. Seizure prophylaxis meds on board. No VAPs or other infections. In the instances I'm aware of, the seizures began within several minutes of extubation and in some instances required reintubation soon afterward. I'm curious if there could be a specific cause we are missing in preparation for extubation of these kids. Obviously weaning the sedation meds likely reduced the seizure threshold and the experience is stressful. But could there be another reason? For example, the need to take spontaneous breaths without the extra PEEP support? I just spent the morning searching on the internet and finding not very much. I did find one article about gas emboli but am waiting to receive access to read it. I'm just a plain bedside nurse, not a doctor (obviously), and I don't know much other than what I've observed. I know it's way beyond my pay grade to question this stuff, but after spending a very long time with families caring for their children -- who seemed to be doing well -- to have this setback is frustrating and incredibly discouraging! Does anyone have any ideas? Observed any therapy changes at their institution? Know of any research? Care to commiserate?

When I was a new nurse all kinds of things were "pulled" on me. I remember getting calls to come in on my days off all the time. I remember once the Charge nurse saying "K_____, we REALLY need you." No guilt there.... They also used to schedule me 7 days in a row. Finally one day someone told me to let the calls go to voicemail and to ask the staffer not to schedule me more than 4 days in a row. It hadn't occurred to me that I could do that, but it worked! Several years later, we have something called a "red alert" mass call and text that goes out to all the nurses for our particular group of 3 units. After a year of my phone ringing off the hook multiple times a day (starting at 5am) as each of the 3 units put out their red alert calls for all 3 shifts, I finally asked them to just send all requests only to my e-mail, which I check daily. If I want to pick up or help out, I do, but usually I don't and I don't feel bad about it. Sounds like you've got a demanding job, and you should enjoy your days off.

Thanks for your reply. I will keep looking. I have taken intermediate algebra, just not college algebra. I am nearly done with my statistics course and am getting an A so far. My statistics tutor, who has advanced degree in statistics, says nothing more than intermediate algebra is required as prerequisite for statistics and I have found this to be the case. There are lots of formulas and the algebra background has been handy, but I haven't felt any need for more algebra, in this class or in my career. But my question was not to incite a debate about merits of algebra. I'm sure there are many, but they are lost on me so I am trying to avoid the topic altogether!

Thanks for the comments so far. I'm interested in any names of programs responders can provide. I am currently taking statistics, so that is not a problem. I just don't want to take college algebra. Honestly I've been an RN for 9 years working in critical care at a Level 1 trauma center and cannot see any need for it -- why do so many of the programs require it? Just to somehow lend "legitimacy," I imagine. I'd much rather take some more advanced science classes than more math, but then I have an extreme bias against math (and it against me!). I thought Ohio State was a good candidate (learned about it on this site), but even though it's a fully online program, they are only accepted students from five neighboring states. Frustrating! I will look into WGU, but need to research more about ramifications of pass/fail grading in case I later decide on grad school. Also, I intended to take a more meandering path through a program (i.e., one or two classes at a time) so that could get spendy. Again, thanks for the replies. Keep 'em coming, please!

I actually would like to have a clinical. This is because I would like to get PHN certification as well, and my state BON requires a clinical to grant this. So my wish list DOES have a clinical. I just want to do everything else online.

Hello, I am looking for an RN to BSN program that meets the following criteria: 1. Completely on line 2. ***Does NOT require College Algebra 3. Does have a clinical 4. Cheap. These are ranked in order of importance (to me). ***Seems like many of the programs require college algebra. I HATE math with a flaming passion and don't want to do any more math coursework once I finish my statistics class (that I'm currently enrolled in). Can anyone make any suggestions? Thanks to all who respond.

I have had NSO since getting my RN 9 years ago. It's about $100/year for my policy.

I should think your years of actual nursing experience would help you in getting an ICU job. I've worked in ICUs for several years now, and no way (in my opinion) would a brand new grad RN be as prepared as an experienced nurse. The learning curve for a new nurse is huge. Even when I went from being an experienced med-surg RN to working in ICUs, it was a big adjustment, and when I went from adult ICU to PICU, more stress and adjustment! I would psyche yourself up, and stress in your resume and in interviews that you have a lot to offer your potential employers. In the hospital where I work, which is a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center, it is quite rare for a new grad to be hired directly into an ICU position. I currently work in a combined pediatrics/PICU unit and I am the only nurse I know of who began working directly in PICU on transfer to the unit (because I already had adult ICU experience and had worked in PICU as a float RN). Otherwise, the manager makes everyone work on the Peds floor for at least a year before they get oriented to ICU. There's a reason for that!