tk0224

Hey all! CVICU RN here and was just wanting to get a feel of how other CVICUs staff. Currently where I work our post-op hearts are 1:1 for 6 hours (which we changed about a year ago from 4 hours). In order to keep the patient 1:1 they have to be pretty unstable (ie/ lots of pressors, oxygenation/ventilation issues etc). Also, how do your units staff for patients with IABP? Ours aren't always 1:1 but I've heard of many hospitals that keep IABP pts 1:1. Info would be greatly appreciated!

I'm a Canadian citizen and tuition in Canada is significantly cheaper than in the USA. It's more affordable.

Alright folks - question! Currently working in the USA as an RN (originally from Canada) - possibly going back to school in Canada next year for NP (Adult stream). But will most likely stay in USA to work while I am doing the program distance ed. What is the process once I am done the program to work in the USA? I can't find any solid information on how the process actually works. I was told by ANCC that Canadian educated NPs weren't allowed to write their exams, and the AANP's eligibility guide states that you can apply for certification with them if you attend an accredited program in the USA or Canada - but who accredits Canadian programs so that they are accepted in the USA? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

I'm with you on the isolation. Sometimes a section on my unit will have up to 3 isolated patients, but then we start switching them around so that the primary nurse has no more than 2 out of their 4 or 5 patients. Totally annoying though to have to gown and glove, then de-gown and de-glove (and sweat buckets in the meantime). I tend to cluster as much care/treatment/medication/vitals in one visit so that I don't have to visit as often (sad, but who wants to risk spreading it to everyone else!)

I had a nurse recruiter look over my letter - she made changes and I let my HR department know and they changed it and sent me new ones :)

I guess that makes sense for nurses who may be educated in countries where education standards vary completely from USA/North America. But in the USA there are far more ADNs/Diplomas than BSNs - Canada has BSN now as entry to practice. So obviously my university degree means something, and the fact that I passed the NCLEX as well. States like MN and Michigan realize this when it comes to licensure - but yet we still have to follow the same process, seems a bit redundant. For Canada, yes - since entry to practice is BSN there is a need for assessment now. No educational institution in Canada would not live up to American standards, we have an extremely, well-respected education system in this country :)

What I'll never understand is CGFNS's process for the Visascreen. I am Canadian, have a BScN and passed the NCLEX. Why does my education need to be evaluated now? The NCLEX is the test of minimum competency, so clearly my degree prepared me, lol.

I've seen 80mg of Oxycontin q6h, with Percocet QID PRN.

Also crashcart, just wondering if your opinions are based on personal experience or by others' opinions? People I work with bash our hospital ALL the time, but I actually enjoy where I work :)!

Well from what I understood there was an expansion in their critical care program - this would make sense for hiring more staff :). I guess I will be the judge myself when I start Being unionized is also a bonus no? There should be recourse for unhappy staff at a unionized facility.

Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON offers a 3 year BScN. I, myself, took the 4 year program but had many friends take the 3 year one. Any questions feel free to ask :) T

I'm glad Canada changed their entry to practice requirement to BScN in 2005. Nobody is able to argue over this anymore. We still have diploma RNs who have been grandfathered into the system and encouraged to go back, but it really cuts down on a lot of this "who is better than who" crap. We now simply have ONE avenue to take to become an RN, and ONE avenue to take to be an LPN (with the exception of Quebec). Also, I think in today's world - students entering the nursing profession should be degree prepared - it most definitely adds to the professionalism of the profession itself, I don't care what anyone says. With the patient acuity nowadays, RNs play a much larger role in the care of individuals than ever before, and the role continues to evolve. With this comes the need for more education! I totally understand many people who don't have the time nor money to invest in a BScN - but if you take a look at Canada, many programs are popping up now that take 2-3 years (same timeframe as an ADN in the USA) for a baccalaureate degree. I would not be surprised to see many more of these types of programs popping up over the country in the near future either. If nursing wants to truly move forward, and really gain the credit/respect it deserves - streamlining practice at the degree level is a perfect way to start that process. Many older nurses in Canada might disagree, but it's working well here I think, and there is a lot less disrespect for our fellow nurses as well :) Just my 2 cents. I am proud to be a BScN, RN :)

Hey vball, I called them this morning - what a bunch of grumpy employees they are eh? Not very helpful at all. I mistyped my credit card info so it locked me out of paying online, and they told me now I have to snail mail my payment in because they cannot unlock it (how dumb is that, lol). I plan to send in all my forms this week, including the one from my school with transcripts. Hopefully it won't take overly long. As for my employment letter - since I am going in on TN Visa it has to specify the length of the employment (typically 36 months), and it needs to include a tentative start date, and mine also has indications of my qualifications (ie/ my "successful completion of a degree program") etc etc. HR depts should be knowledgeable about how to write them :) Are you seeking employment in WA as well?

Yeah I've heard about the lovely CGFNS experiences of many, lol. Only thing is in order to get the expedited VisaScreen you have to call their call centre... def looking forward to that, haha.

Thanks for the info. I have completed well over 7 hours of AIDs training in my BScN program - so I don't see why I should have to take an online course? (I still have my course syllabuses and powerpoint presentations saved to my computer...). Also - I have already actually been hired by St Joes in Tacoma (they hired me on basis of passing my NCLEX actually). I just am unable to start until all of the lovely paperwork is done, haha. I have a lot of stuff to get together this week... hopefully the process isn't that long :) I think I will make a few phone calls tomorrow to CGFNS and WA Health Board to get some solid answers... I'm very eager to start :) T