BluebellRN

Sure thing! I'll say the lead faculty for the PMHNP program is awesome! She has come to do psych lectures for us FNP/AGACNP students, which were great. I don't know as much about clinical sites for the PMHNP, except the school does placements. Feel free to reach out though and I'll share what I can. I really enjoy the school and program.

I think I'd enjoy the pods, but we'll see if I can get into one. I think it's a neat concept, plus I want to be with (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME), she's very dynamic and works in endocrinology which I enjoy. The grading system is just 100-90= A, 89-80= B. No minus on the grading. And I believe they do round up the final grade if you are on the cusp (89.8 will round to a 90, or an A).

The pods are optional and sought after this year. They still do solo placements, and some students even find their own, especially if they live at a distance. If you look at VCU SON on YouTube, there is a post about the Dyad model from last fall that discusses pods more in-depth. It's a bit long but has several clinical instructors and professors discussing the model.

Congratulations!! It's a great program. The profs have all been great. I'm excited about the prospect of doing clinical placement in pods. There are only so many slots, but it's a unique opportunity to rotate with classmates.

Hi! I'm a current FNP-DNP student at VCU preparing to enter my second semester. I've enjoyed the program so far and found the professors to be responsive and engaging. Did you apply for the MSN or DNP? Good luck!

Occupational health nursing is the best and not enough nurses know about it! I started after leaving the hellhole that is school nursing. The summers off sound great, until you aren't making any money, spending what little you do make on your own supplies (like teachers), and have zero professional respect. Occ health on the other hand? Money is phenomenal, total respect along with environmental health services (we work with the MPHs), schedule is great, and I have a corporate credit card for business trips. Run, don't walk towards occupational health.

All of this! If you want to be back at the bedside, don't wait. I left school nursing after this year for many of reasons listed, plus Covid, but I took another outpatient position. I doubt I'd be attractive to any recruiter with over half my experience away from the bedside. It sounds like you aren't far gone and if L&D is where you want to be, get back there. School nursing isn't getting better anytime soon and you can always leave L&D for a different outpatient setting in the future.

I loved being a school nurse, until it was clear that we weren't truly valued and would never be treated as professionals by administration or parents. Being cussed out repeatedly by a parent while their sick child sits on a cot, spending my own money to make sure I had supplies, having healthcare policies made on a whim by admin with zero input from nursing staff: it was all too much. My former district currently has half the nursing staff it should due to resignations this year. I left this year as well and started in an occupational health position. My salary doubled, my stress is significantly reduced, and I finally feel respected as a professional.

I had Mulkey for Patho, he was great and responsive. But the course is taught from Youtube and the quizzes/exams are pulled straight from the book test bank. It doesn't matter who you have because everyone takes the same tests, some profs are more responsive if you have a question or issue. Einhardt teaches pharm, no book and writes his own lectures and exams. He is phenomenal. I learned so much from him.

I completed my application a couple of weeks ago, as they extended the deadline. Any other recent applicants out there?

I'm shocked this was posted to facebook. New Zealand decided in 2020 to not celebrate Florence. We need to leave her in the past and look forward. Nursing is better than a Victorian bigot. https://nursingclio.org/2020/11/05/the-racist-lady-with-the-lamp/

I'm finishing up my first semester now. Pharmacology with Dr E is wonderful! He's easy to reach and responds to emails. Very engaging and tough. I've learned so much in his course. Patho is BAD, as in they don't teach the course. I feel disappointed in how it's been handled. Lectures are Youtube videos from 2013 and tests are straight from the books test bank. I have been told they are wanting to restructure this class due to all complaints. I have A's in both courses and they are very time consuming for being part time. I have an application to transfer to a local brick and mortar school. If I'm not accepted, I'll continue at CN. It isn't the worst, but it isn't the best either. Good luck in whatever you choose!

I'm glad to see this thread! I applied last week and hope to start Spring 2021 as well.

No, I was the front car and stopped at the time and was rear ended. But thanks for asking?

Sad update; our little one passed away last night. He went into cardiac arrest. As sad as it is, I'm relieved his parents didn't have to make a decision. Then I was in a car accident this morning. Thankfully no one was hurt. I was the front car of a multi car pile up. My car is also drivable, so I'm at work. I think I might leave after lunch.

I hope we get one. They are doing two more EEGs, one tonight and one tomorrow. Things do look dire, but we aren't the decision makers.

Thanks everyone. Admin has been great today, which helps. If not for such a great principal and AP, I'd have left after my first year. Our little office group knows and has been keeping updates on our little child, still no word. I can't say I'm much of a miracle person, but I wish I were right now. Even if I can't manage a whole day, I might leave early tomorrow.

Since I've started, we've been a school that has suffered a lot of tragic events. We've had a few student and staff deaths. FWIW, we are an elementary school. Today we have another. There's a family facing the decision to take their student off life support after what should have been a routine surgery and recovery. The child is 6. I left hospice for this job. As much as I enjoyed working with the families, I couldn't do the constant death anymore. Some nurses can work hospice for years, but I wasn't one of them. And here I am, dealing with death again. Along with the "other" stuff, like teachers who don't respect me. Just this morning I had to drag admin into it because of a student returning after vomiting. The teacher tried to drag the policy into it, and she had the policy wrong. The poor kid is now anxious, and feeling bad because she thinks she did something wrong because her teacher is hell bent on her going home. Luckly, she's calmed back down and things seem okay for now. I'm tired of working so hard, for so little pay, with so little respect. New teachers trying to do my job and doing it wrong. Veteran teachers undermining me. Today, a select few of us are on the verge of tears knowing a little one is going die very soon. This year was already tough, and its just getting harder. Just yesterday I sent a request off to speak to someone through the employee assistance thing because I've been so stressed that I'm not sleeping. This was before I even knew about the child on life support. I need a break before I break ?

Hope you're loving retirement!? Miss your pearls of wisdom, just seeing you comment made me smile!

No special form, I just made a note that the parent requested a copy of medical documents since it was via a phone conversation. Then the parent never picked it up after I made all the copies... but that's my life ?

It gets better!! Hang in there and let us know how it's going ?

Hey! Summer was way too short. I loved every last second of it! Hope everyone is having a good start, and staying cool!

Congratulations! Your experience and contributions on this board have helped many a school nurse; I know you've helped me. Best wishes in the next chapter!!

Hmm, I hadn't heard of those but nice to know they are a thing. In this case, it wasn't the case. I did indeed call mom who confirmed the student is keeping her healthy appendix.

I'm so sorry! It sounds like you're making a good choice to get out of that situation and away from that admin. But you will be missed. I always enjoyed reading your posts. Best wishes on your journey ahead!!