friendlylark

Hello nurses, I made a mistake recently and I'm taking it pretty hard :-( It was a big mistake, but luckily, no-one was hurt and the outcome was just fine. Not a med error, but I missed a step in an important process. It was accidental and definitely not intentional. I'm frustrated with myself, frustrated with nursing, frustrated with the busyness and the demands. Frustrated with a disorganized unit and constant chaos! And ultimately, the mistake is mine. I cannot blame anyone or anything. But I do see my distractedness as the cause. I'm overloaded, ashamed, embarrassed. Feel like I don't trust myself. I'm honestly thinking of leaving the ER environment for calmer pastures. Has anyone been through this? What did you do to feel OK again?

Hello neuro nurses, I believe the NIH certification used to be free. Is that still the case? I am trying to re-up my NIH certification (it is expired) but cannot find a link to do so. Could any of you point me in the right direction? Thank you!

I am considering a switch from my FNP program to Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Is this the stupidest idea ever? I want to get out of school as FAST as possible ... and I have NO INTENTION of ever working with kids or women's health. What are your thoughts? Would this mean I would be INTERNAL MEDICINE only??? Would I ever be able to do a specialty such as dermatology or cardiology? Thanks for any input!!!

One thing I have realized, in terms of job satisfaction, is that it REALLY matters to me that I have a rhythm to my schedule and that I work during the day (not at night). Schedule is a HUGE component for me to be satisfied in my work. For me, a Mon-Fri schedule works best. I also prefer to have the same schedule as my boyfriend, so we can have weekends off together. When I am not getting good sleep and my schedule is wacky - I am an unhappy camper! It is good to know this about myself - so I can realize what it takes to keep me happy. I used to complain about the 9-5 grind, but now I realize that I actually prefer the predictability. Everyone is different, but for me, this matters. And luckily there are M-F, 9-5 nursing jobs out there!!! ?

Thank you so so much to everyone for posting your thoughts and advice. I have recently received a promotion to lead a project on my unit and can see there is a lot of opportunity for leadership at my hospital. Did your MSN program require any practicum hours? How did you manage the practicum hours while working full time?

Hello Nurse Leaders, I would like to ask - is getting an MSN Leadership worth it? Has it opened doors for you? What sort of role are you in, now that you have earned your Masters? It's expensive and time consuming and want to make sure I am heading in the right direction. I am currently an ER nurse, but have had opportunities to get involved in committee's and to work with Lean process improvement initiatives. I really enjoy the work - but not sure if I see myself as a Unit Director. Maybe more of a project manager? Will the money I invest in earning my MSN make sense? I am in my 40's. Contemplating the Leadership path (when I look at the curriculum, I am very interested) vs. the FNP route (which stresses me out to think of all the clinical hours). I am willing to go either route ... but seem to be leaning toward Leadership. Just want to hear from other Nurse Leaders if it has been worth the journey - and what opportunities it has lead you to??? Thx.

I also live in California - I am in the FNP program with Chamberlain. I have looked at the ACNP program with GCU, and it looks great! I did my undergrad with GCU. I say go for it!!! All of the NP programs will include the 3 P's (patho, pharm, and physical assessment). I say go for it!!! Are you comparing it to any other programs? Compare it to Chamberlain and Maryville - and I think GCU is right up there. The other one I looked at that has a good payment plan is United States University, which several of my co-workers are doing, although they are doing the FNP program. Best of luck!!!

Hello Liv, do you live in Las Vegas? These seem like very different schools (Alabama vs Nevada). What are the reasons you would like to attend UNLV? I lived in Las Vegas for 5 years and loved it. I believe that UNLV has an excellent reputation and I know the FNP program is highly respected. I don't know what the "NFLP" program is? Could you elaborate? My advice is - don't go in to a ton of debt. If you can get your Master's degree locally, why not do it close to home? Will you be working as you complete your Master's degree? Will you be attending online or in person? If you are attending an online program - what is the tuition compared to Alabama Birmingham?

Hello, I am at a crossroads and need to determine which way to go! I am one year into my Master's program and the original plan was for MSN-FNP. I just finished a course in Population Health/Epidemiology and will be starting Pathophysiology next ... I have taken a break in courses to reflect and determine my path. I could, at this point, switch to the MSN-Leadership path, which interests me very much. At work, I have been working on Lean projects and can see myself in a Director or Project Manager role in the hospital. I have a mentor who is helping me learn the ropes of implementing Process Improvement and I enjoy it. I could potentially move into Performance Excellence. An FNP degree appeals to me for the pay raise and because I think I would enjoy the autonomy. I also enjoy pharmacology and would like the ability to prescribe. These are two very different paths!!! And I could easily switch to MSN-Leadership in my MSN program. So ... how do I know what to do? Could I get the FNP degree and be promotable towards a role in Performance Excellence? Which job will offer the most flexibility? Do I really want to work as an FNP? Setting up the clinical hours for FNP is going to be a huge huge task! How do I know the answers to this? Thanks for any help in making a tough choice. Anne Marie

Go with your gut!!! Go OR ? You know what to do, and you know what you want. Forget this ER business. You can DEFINITELY still be an FNP and work in the OR. I am an ER RN, and it can be so chaotic. I would love to do something more analytical - working on making some changes ? All the best to you.

Hello Analyst RN --- honestly ... I would rather have your CUSHY job than see patients. So ... what did you decide to do? I get that it may seem like you "don't feel like a nurse" ... but I am SO READY to get my MSN Administration and be a "desk job" nurse.

Hello Sour Lemon - Yes I totally agree!!! I am continuing to work on the side as a nurse injector - but most definitely a side-hustle. The tips are nice - and I appreciate that I can go in for 4 or 5 hours to the medspa without too much commitment. It works for me!

Hello, The course I took was with American Board of Aesthetic Medicine in San Diego, CA. It was about $2,500 and covers: Botox, Restylane/Juvederm/Radiesse, Laser/Light therapies, IPL, Radiofrequency/RF, Chemical Peel. https://abamedicine.com/events/aesthetic-medicine-training-certification-step-1-56/ I suppose I would give it a 7/10 stars if I needed to rate it. It did help me get my foot in the door, and I have been working as a nurse injector on the side for about 1 year now. Still learning a ton - I do botulinum toxins and laser treatments - but haven't branched out into fillers yet!!! I can only dip my toes in the water because I need my full time gig with paid time off and health insurance!!!

Hello Serendipitous Bee, I am currently in the Chamberlain FNP program (about 1 year in) and seriously considering switching to Chamberlain MSN Leadership/Exec. So far, I have found the Chamberlain FNP program to be vigorous, and I would expect the MSN Leadership/Exec path to be about the same!!! It is expensive ... so I am also considering switching to Aspen University ($325 per credit hour vs. $650 per credit hour at Chamberlain). I did my BSN at Grand Canyon University and LOVED it ... so I am also considering GCU to complete my MSN Leadership. GCU is approx $515 per credit hour. I am having my transcripts evaluated to see which courses will be transferred in - and that will play into my decision as well. I believe that ultimately I would like to be a Project Manager or Magnet Coordinator or work in Performance Excellence, process improvement, or Case Management. What are your career goals? And how would the MSN Leadership/Exec help you with these goals?

Hello Martin Lie - I have not heard of Empire Medical Training. I took my aesthetics training in San Diego with the American Board of Aesthetic Medicine (ABAM). I believe the best place to start is laser/light therapies and botulinum toxins. To be honest, now that I am getting my feet wet in the field (as a side hustle) ... I would LOVE to get more training and learn more tricks. It really is such a fun field!!! Best of luck to you.