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.

Hello! Please help me :-) I am trying to figure out which Master's degree to pursue. I am considering MSN-Education vs. MSN-Leadership vs. FNP. My main goal is to open doors and have options and a good schedule. I currently work in a large, very prominent hospital and just want doors to open where I can make more money and have a SWEEEET schedule :-)

I am so lost. I am currently 4 classes in to an FNP program and just totally lost. Is it worth it to keep going? What kind of job will I have once I finish the FNP program? I keep wondering if I would be better off pursuing an MSN-Ed or MSN-Leadership. How do I know the right path for me? It sounds like FNP is more stress and more responsibility. I don't want to keep dumping more money into a degree that I'm not sure will be useful??? Is it more money/more career satisfaction or just more stress???

Hello JenRNinMI, Aesthetics nursing is really SO FUN! I took a Botox/filler course in August and I have been working part-time at a med-spa while also keeping my full-time job in the ER. I love it! I hope you enjoy the course and you will learn so much as an aesthetics RN! Enjoy, Anne Marie

I am considering switching my Masters program from FNP track to Nurse Exec track. I imagine myself working in patient experience, stroke coordinator, or Performance Excellence. Is this a really stupid idea? I can only speculate which path will make me happier ??? Thanks for any advice or suggestions, Anne Marie

Hello! I recently took a course/workshop for botox injections, laser, and chemical peels. I would like to get my feet wet and start learning botox - and I found a med spa that will train me and help me get going. The pay is pretty low, but it would help me get some learning under my belt. I work full-time in a hospital as an RN, so this is definitely more of a side-hustle. I guess I am wondering - am I wasting my time trying to do Botox on the side? What is the larger picture of this? Is this really just going to side-track me and take me away from other goals? What is the "opportunity cost" to consider? Do you think aesthetics nursing as a side-hustle is a good way to go? I could probably make more money picking up extra shifts at the hospital, but sometimes the hospital environment is a little too intense!!! Thanks for any advice. Anne Marie

Hello! Any one here that has attended United States University (based in San Diego) for their FNP program? I am mainly interested in their payment plan and also that they are in California (where I am located). I would be very interested to discuss with anyone who is currently in the FNP program or is a graduate of the program. Thank you! Anne Marie

Yes, I agree. I am trying to understand the difference between a right-to-work state and a forced union. Yes, I agree that I may be compelled to join the union. Which is fine. Just wanting to better understand my rights. I just wish the Union Reps would have more directly answered my questions, rather than just giving me a schtick about how great the union is. If I have to join ... then I will. But I will be silently objecting ;-) And who the heck is setting the rates for the Union dues? I hope that is something we get to vote on!!!

Hello nurses, I am starting a new job in Northern California where the nurses are represented by CNA. During orientation, I raised my hand to ask if joining the union was optional or required. I didn't get a straight answer, but I did get a long discussion about the good things the union does in the organization. I agree, labor unions and CNA in particular does a lot to help with fair nurse/patient ratios and to negotiate raises. But I have a few concerns ... why is CNA authoring bills (such as SB-562 the Healthy California Act) ... that may not represent the interests of its members? What if I don't agree with SB-562, now I have helped foot the bill for this legislation to be enacted? Also, quite honestly, I have been a member of a nurses union previously (in another state) and I had a scenario where the Union representative of our unit asked me to sign a petition regarding our retirement plans. I felt very pressured to sign, and when I said I wanted to understand what I was signing better, the Union Rep got very annoyed and started to challenge me, asking me why I didn't care about our retirement plan. I do care about the retirement plan!! But that doesn't mean I'm just going to go along and sign everything the Union wants me to sign!!! I get to have a personal opinion, too ... right? And it's actually really expensive to be a part of the Union - over $1,200 per year. I asked about Union dues during the presentation and the question I asked was, "Is this pre-tax or after-tax?" The guy looked at me and told me I would need to ask my accountant that information ... and he said, "That's what you pay your accountant for, right?" Not everyone has an accountant, by the way. Some of us just use turbo tax. I googled it - and it is an after-tax expense. I really felt like my questions were unwelcome and that if I don't just tow-the-line with the Union, that I will be persona non grata. It just feels to me a little bit adversarial. I honestly do NOT want to join the Union. I asked if I could just take the paper and think about it and I got a shpeal about how it's easier to sign up now. I really do feel pressured to enroll in the union - but I don't want to do it, quite honestly. I understand that there is a law that states I do NOT have to join the Union if I don't want to - I have read that ... "Workers have the right, under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), to refuse to join a union." Supreme Court Ruling Delivers a Sharp Blow to Labor Unions - The New York Times I am just trying to educate myself on this issue and understand my own opinion about labor unions. What are the pros and cons of belonging to a nursing union? How many nurses out there have chosen NOT to be a part of the Union, and has there been any repercussions?

Do you ever stress about the miles you are putting on your car while working? This seems to be stressing me out lately! I am trying to group my patients by area, but it just doesn't always work out that way.

Thank you for the reply ana shen wrath. I think I like this job more than any other job I've ever had :-) It's kind of amazing to say it!!! A few more negatives that I have run into: - No refrigeration! It's hot out there - and I can't seem to keep my lunch cold, no matter how many ice packs I stuff in there :-) - All kinds of stuff in the back of my trunk. I find myself needing different supplies for different scenarios, and my trunk is full of crap. - Charting in my car with the A/C running. Am I going to kill my car, with how much I use it? I fear this! And sometimes I crave a big, spacious desk where I could spread out and lay papers. But, even with the negatives, this is truly an amazing job. I feel that I am doing some good in the world, and ultimately, it feeds my soul.