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ElizNP, Thank you so much for your reply. CVICU is so specialized it's hard to find answers. I have a few questions. What school did you go to? I agree that I'm uncomfortable with the idea of a completely online programs. I would at least like a hybrid program where I can practice Hands-On, instead of just being a theory practitioner. I am in the process of looking at accredited programs. I'm a fan of Duke and Vanderbilt's, because they're very reputable, and I used to work for Vanderbilt so I know that they're high-quality, but I'm not sure it's worth the money. What do you think? I've been told that my experience and CV will be more valuable than the school I go to. At this point I have about two years of CV experience, depending on when I'm accepted to school, I estimate I'll graduate with five to six years of CV experience. Do you have any tips for me in between now and graduation to really expand my skills? I'm studying for my CSC and soon CMC. Already have my CCRN. Any and all you can tell me would be so appreciated! ???

I see that many people say to choose an ACNP school that offers placement with preceptors for clinical. So what schools DO offer this? Also, if I am interested in an ICU focus, can all of my clinicals be in ICU or do I need to rotate to different areas?

Hey all, I'm currently a CVICU RN. I love my job, I absolutely love what I do, and want to pursue my ACNP and continue working in CV. I'm looking for advice and tips on the best way to get me there, all the way from what types of things to look for in choosing Master programs, to things I can keep doing now as an RN, to any advice - any at all. From the research I've done so far, I was thinking of doing a hybrid program, part-time. One that I can do most of my work online, but go to campus for the Hands-On and intensive portions. I feel like a good program should have hands on skills. I've seen that there are postgraduate certificates in cardiology, intensive care, critical care offered. I've also seen a handful of NP cardiac care fellowships, but I'm sure those are quite competitive. Any and all information is appreciated.

I tutor nursing students at my school and I can tell you what I tell them.. Nursing material is not something you simply read, and then take a test on... Yes you need to "know" that information, but how? Active vs Passive studying techniques.. Simply reading and highlighting and going to lecture are not going to help you memorize the material. First tip: Read the material before class As you read, you can highlight/type/write down notes.. but don't highlight everything. Highlight the most important pieces.. "What's the patho for this disease" "What are my give-away symptoms, or most critical symptoms" .. Is there anything that is going to differentiate this disease from other diseases either in the symptoms or lab work? Those are the things you want to pay attention to - don't worry about the broad, generic things like "side effects for this drug will give you n/v/d" every drug can give you n/v or whatever.. look for symptoms like.. "side effects are tinnitus, sudden severe headache, green eye balls, whatever etc" When you go to lecture - write down your own notes if you are a hands-on learner. Or if you are a visual learner, high light power points. If you are an audio learner, record the lecture - listen to it while you work out or drive or clean the house. Take all of that information that you've collected and picked out as important, and put it into your own notes - don't just passively read the class material over and over. If you want to KNOW your stuff, make your own master copy of notes - a collection of information from the book, lecture and power points. Use this master copy and look at it every day... How often? EVERY DAY. Is it easier to memorize something you've seen 3 times, or 30 times? A couple of days before the test, you should know your master copy so well that you can recite it without looking. Try interactive learning like comparing notes with a study buddy, or group. Take turns teaching each other about the topics. You will have proven you know your material when you are able to teach someone else. Those are some of my tips, good luck!

I was offered the position today!!! Turns out, they were waiting until they got ahold of my last reference and that's why it was taking so long. Thanks for the support!

Flashcards are a great way to remember lab values. You can take them with you anywhere, and pull them out when you have a spare minute and review.

The reason hyperkalemia occurs can be explained when we look at the normal physiology of the cell. Potassium is the most abundant ion inside the cell. During a burn, those cells are damaged, and the potassium leaves the cell, and goes into the blood. The finding upon lab draw is hyperkalemia. You are correct about the fluid shifting out of the cells as well due to increased permiability.

Thanks gals.. I did send a typed thank you letter via snail mail, yes. I hope you are right tothepointelvn!! I'll keep you updated.. I just hope that I'm not in a pool of possible hires, and get beat out. We'll see..

Hey everyone, I wanted your opinions on this. I graduated last year December and have been searching for a job for 6 months now. 2 weeks ago, I interviewed at my DREAM job and I blew that interview out of the water - it went better than I could ever imagine. We toured the floor, talked about starting dates, I mean we really hit it off. The Nurse Manager said that they hope to make a decision in 2-3 weeks, and I know they have been calling my references. I'm dying to know where I stand in this whole process so I left HR a message 2 days ago, and haven't heard back. Should I send an email or call the NM? Is that too much? Should I just wait? Or do you think that it shows persistance?

The cardiac interview is a few hours away - they do a phone interview first, and then an on-site interview. I have thought hard about it, and I think I will take the cardiac/tele job if they offer it to me, regardless of my situation. I'll have to let ya'll know!

Hey everyone, thanks for checking out my post. I need some advice. I graduated in December, 2011. In my local area, I've had my first interview at my preferred hospital, and the other hospital will likely call me for an interview because I have a couple of classmates pulling for me. Both of these local jobs would be in the med/surg departments.. IF I was to get one of the jobs - I feel 50/50 on both places. I applied for a job across the state on a cardiac/telemetry floor and the next day they called me to set up an interview. I also applied for 4 ICU jobs at this same place. Ultimately, I want to go on to ICU. BUT of couse, I would have to move and go through that whole big thing if I took this job. I don't know what to do because who knows if I will get one of these local jobs - should I wait and see? Should I take this interview across the state? I mean they called me the next day so I assume they must be pretty interested, and it's on a cardiac/tele floor which might be more benificial to my experience toward ICU. If the same place was to offer me a job to ICU, I would move, no questions asked. Stay? Go? Do the interview but decline the job if offered? Cancel the interview? Stay here and wait on the local jobs?

When I did fluid and electrolytes, what really helped me was folding a blank piece of paper into thirds - so I had a tri fold. In the middle I would put, say, Na+ in the middle and write down what's normal range, what it effects - dietary sources of Na.. generic information. Then on the left side I had "low sodium/hyponatremia" and I'd list s/s, assessments, treatments, etc.. and on the right side I had "high sodium/Hypernatremia" and do the same When I studied, I would anticipate what was on each fold before I opened it. I'm a hands on learner so this worked so much better than just listing in a paragraph all this information.

I hear ya; I'm just starting to research these careers so I'm not sure if it's typical to get years of experience first, or have people done it without experience? What about public health? Like I say, any info would be great :)

Hey everyone, I've got several questions regarding different masters programs What's the difference between a Clinical Nurse Specialist, or someone who has a masters in education? Is the education emphasis the same as public health or are those two different things? I love education, I love teaching, I love learning. I'm a new grad with my ADN in December 2011. Would you recommend I get some experience in acute care before thinking about a MSN in these areas? I'll be working as a RN (likely med/surg), but since those advanced degrees don't put you at the bedside do they? So why not just go for my masters in education/public health while I'm working as a RN? Do I have to specialize in one area or education? What sort of jobs would these advanced degrees lead into? I've been questioning where I want to be in my future career and nothing sparks my interest as much as being able to teach people new things. I would love anything you can tell me!

So nurses in the military can't really travel every few months as military nurses?