Dude,RN

Sorry it has taken me a bit of time. I graduate in August of 2014. Took my boards and passed Sept 2014. Then took a job on the east coast and spent a few months in limbo waiting for credentialing and that to go through. I am back with a stable internet connection and replied to those of you who sent PMs. Sorry it took me so long, my deepest apologies!

I've sent you one, determinedgrl! Hope that helps :)

Buggysmom, I've sent you a PM. Hope that helps :)

No problem. I am glad that I could help.

Solitaire, I've gone and sent one. Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you.

Nels2186, I am graduating in August from my PMHNP program. I've started now reaching out to recruiters and things like that. I've asked if this is too soon, and been told that it isn't, in fact that I am right on target. I would start looking around and making some connections just as your final semester starts. That will give you some time to test the waters and see what is out there. At least, that is how it is working in my experience.

My first experience with death was a 38 week fetal demise. Mom was Ok that AM in her OBGYN's office and then later that morning didn't feel the baby move anymore. She was rushed onto the unit for an ultrasound and it was confirmed that there was no longer a heartbeat. The family did not speak English and mom needed to deliver the baby lady partslly. She had her small family there with her, but no other support system. I drew the demise straw that night in the nursery and was assigned the patient. I was only about 6 months off of orientation and on my own. It was a calm night that evening as I remember it. What sticks with me was how, even through the language barrier, I was able to help that family heal- if even just a little. As the nursery nurse that night, I helped that family give that child a bath, dress her in her christening gown, take photographs, and even get hand a foot molds with plaster. And not to be morbid, but keep that baby wrapped and on a radiant warmer for as long as that family needed to say goodbye. The whole ordeal lasted about 4 hours, but has definitely made it's mark on my practice and my memory. No many words were spoken as I did not speak their native language, but the peace and calm and utter stillness of that room will never leave me. I like to think that I have one angel baby looking down on me to guide my hands and my heart as I work to help others. I am not a NICU/nursery nurse anymore- but I still carry my angel babies with me everywhere I go. But that one, it sticks with me the most.

Ack! I feel you there. You have my sympathies...nobody likes feeling disillusioned or less productive. I would tell you, just as I have done previously, to take stock and really decide if this facility is for you. If it isn't don't waste time trying to make something happen where it won't, you know? Lots of good advice here- and a safe place to vent as well- but at the end of the day, remember that this is YOUR life. YOU need to be in charge of it, and if you are feeling stretched too far, or there are some real practice issues that you don't like or won't change- don't feel bad for walking away. That being said, make sure you expectations aren't too high or unrealistic. I know it can feel like an eternity to get "that job" that you really really REALLY want...but sometimes plugging along gets you further than you can see at the time. Spend some time asking yourself some tough questions. Really give it some thought and then decide if you want to keep doing this or if it was just a bad day. Can that other part time job become full time? Have you asked if it will be full time or is a possibility? And nothing wrong with exploring other options. Hang in there!

OUCH! Ok- let me try this again. I didn't judge you. Nobody here did. I came here to have a conversation with you- same as everyone else. And I didn't ascertain how you did your job. Looking through the posts and replies, you agree that you needed a new job, had a bad night, etc. As a new nurse, I am giving you some advice...from someone who has been there. I speak from experience when it comes to practice philosophy and taking stock of where you want to work and done. I've been in burnout mode and things like that. Been there, done that, and switched specialties and moved states in order to combat it. Nursing is a lifelong profession...and one I hope to be in for quite a long time. I'm just trying to help you out, my sincere apologies if you don't see it that way. Best of luck to you and I hope your shifts go better from here on out.

Looking at the message the OP posted once again, and digging though replies on this thread, I am led to the opinion that Nola has come upon a fundamental roadblock in caring for his/her current patients. It is time to get out. Find a new job, find a facility that you practice in and agree with, and find some room for yourself to breathe. While patients can be demanding and rude, reality is that your job really DOES revolve around them, their needs, their meds, and their demands. If you are that cynical and jaded as a PRN nurse, I would caution you against going full time. My humble advice is to look at what you are doing, decide if you want to keep doing it, and then figure it out from there. Addiction is rare- really. We assume everyone who "needs" a pain med is addicted, but in reality that isn't the case. What you are experiencing is a huge shift in practice philosophy and environment. If you have problems regarding the giving of a medication, please take that info to the doc/prescriber. That information is valuable. And yes, we all have bad nights and crappy patients and families. Let this part go, apologize for the lateness and move on. If you can't...it's time to rethink working there and with that particular population.

dstrong2, I've gone and submitted a PM to you. It seems to be the best way to talk about my experiences in the program.

Hello all, I am looking for some information regarding the end of my program. If you've graduated from MidWestern State University, great! If not, I am sure you can still provide some information for me. As I wind down, I am looking for information regarding the ANCC authorization to test. More specifically, who fills this out? Do I need to do it and then have the University verify the information, or will this be filled out at the school and sent in on my behalf once it is complete? I've contacted some people there, but have gotten the answer of "call the ANCC to find out." Helpful right? I'm just wondering how this works because I've got some transfer credits and things like that to track down. With a short summer semester being the final one, I would like to avoid any problems so that I can sit for certification when done and move on to the next phase. Any help or advice would be welcomed- either as a PM or a reply to this thread. Thanks!

Hey Cool1- I have been with Walden since March 2009, and I had to do some prereq's as well. I did take a statistics course, and like you, lined up a friend who was excellent in math- so that helped. I snagged a "statistics for dummies" book too. What I found helpful was that the instructor at the time told us to use "all resources available to us" for our tests and course work- so I often consulted my friend the accountant, my wife, and several books and websites for help on figuring stuff out. So- you can do it- its not as scary as it sounds- use your resources and just know it's a 6 week class...goes by super fast! I love Walden. I can honestly say that while it is expensive (compared to schools in my area), it is worth it. The courses are challenging, immediately relevant to my work experience, and have taught me to look at nursing and the profession in different ways. I have found the support staff to be very helpful- everyone from my enrollment adviser to financial aid has been wonderful. I get my questions answered quickly and the people are very easy to contact. I use chat support as well, and frequently email my enrollment adviser for updates and to keep in touch. I know Walden might not be for everyone, but I can honestly say that I have love it and am so excited to be almost done (16 weeks for course work and then a 16 week practicum to go!). Good for you- hit me up anytime and I'll do my best to answer your questions and help you out with what I can. You can do it! Big congrats for deciding to go back to school- thats the hard part you know :)

Suni, so far- from what I have read and I have been doing, I need to have my POS (hahah that they call it that), and my portfolio assignments. Checking the website also states these things as needed for the final portfolio: *A current resume: the first part of your portfolio will be an updated resume or a curriculum vitae (CV) *Professional Development Plan (PDP) - written during NURS 6000 *Plan of Study (POS) - developed during NURS 6000 *Portfolio Assignments from each of the courses. S *Continuing Education - you may include any continuing education activities you participated in during your MSN program *End of Program Outcome Evidence Chart is part of the Portfolio. This chart lists activities and/or experiences that prepared you to meet the MSN individual student learning outcomes. *Final Reflection - a short paper describing how portfolio assignments enabled you to meet the individual student learning outcomes and a selection of activities that demonstrate how you achieved service, scholarship, and social change. Hope this helps. For the record, I have never seen the End of Program Outcomes Evidence Chart- so I am assuming that one is to come. I have 16 weeks left before my practicum...so I can almost taste the end!!

Thanks for the reply! I have all the portfolio assignments, the plan of study, and the goal statements all saved. I have 4 weeks in this class and then one more class- after that I have the case study and the practicum. I was thinking of something along the lines of a disaster plan for my facility or an educational course the student there can take about self-care and things like that. (I work inpatient residential psych treatment for adolescents) I am in the leadership/management tract and so I am just trying to plan early and see what I can come up with. 'Grats on your graduation! Whats life like post MSN?