ACute RN

I'm not sure where you are from, but in Pittsburgh there are several RN to BSN programs that have very different requirements. The program I went through only required that you had a diploma or ADN, since most (if not all) programs require A & P and micro. I do know that the University of Pittsburgh requires all science courses to be taken within the past 5 years for their RN to BSN program. I would definitely ask because it seems to vary!

I have been a RN for 5 years. I graduated from a hospital-based diploma program, completed a RN to BSN program, and will be finished with a MSN in nursing education in 2 months. I have worked in medical/surgical and oncology, both inpatient and outpatient. Also, I teach junior level BSN students in the clinical setting. What are your views on the significance of nursing research? I think nursing research is a very important aspect of our profession. It helps to build an evidence-based practice that allows us to provide the best possible care to our patients. How have you acquired the knowledge that directs your practice? Through nursing school, of course! I received a basic foundation of knowledge from my diploma program and have learned the rest of what I know through mentors, reading nursing journals, attending conferences, and professional education. Most of this information is based upon current evidence-based practice from nursing research. What are some specific examples of how research has impacted current nursing practice as well as your current practice? One prime example is the management of neutropenic fever. We have found, through research, that the timing of initial doses of antibiotics profoundly affects morbidity and mortality. Where I previously worked, our goal was to hang the first antibiotic within 1 hour of admission (either from ER or direct). There is significant evidence that supports this practice and shows that it keeps patients out of septic shock and away from the ICU. As a result, RN's began treating antibiotics like emergency drugs. There was a decrease in the amount of these patients sent to the ICU for sepsis and septic shock as well. How do you use research in your current practice? I bring what I have learned to my nurse manager and suggest that we sumbit authorization for a trial on our unit. If it doesn't need the approval of the IRB, it's pretty much a guarantee that she is a go for it. If it requires IRB approval, then we have to involve our research team. If we like the new way... we keep it! How do you apply the research? You can apply research in many ways... You can suggest things to a physician... You can approach a situation differently... You can be an advocate for change in your workplace...

At the advice of a friend, I made a stress relief kit to keep in my locker at work. I have a bottle of lavender rosemary body spray and mini dark chocolate bars. Belief it or not, have a few whiffs of the body spray and pop a few chocolates... it actually helps to ease my mind. Just thought I would share!

Legally, I'm not sure what prohibits this, but I am sure there is something... But ethically, it is definitely not right!

acute care refers to hospital/inpatient nursing... this can be med/surg, telemetry, ICU, etc... if you have assisted living experience, I would consider this long-term care... even if a positon "prefers" certain qualifications, do yourself a favor and assume the position is competitive... this means create the best cover letter/resume that you can and display your talents...

just a few comments on your post... "i fully expect and plan on workin for a couple of years as an rn to gain practical clinical knowledge." in this position, experience is a must!!! the staff will not take you seriously if you do not have an understanding of clinical practice and what affects it. furthermore, i work for the va, and they require at least 5 years of bedside experience in order to be a candidate for a cnl position. remember, you are going to be considered an expert and leader - which most often occurs after several years of practice! "however, i do realize the need for evidenced-based practice, and a significant portion of my education is focusing on not only what nurses do, but why nurses do them. this is something that i know is lacking from the majority of adn programs in the area." just an fyi, do not judge someone before you have walked in their shoes. i can personally tell you that my hospital-based diploma program heavily emphasized ebp and rationales for things. in addition, ebp is not simply the rationale for performing a task but rather questioning if it is best practice.

I like the journal Nursing 2011 (or whatever the year is!)... The section titled "Clinical Rounds" has some interesting information on current issues... If you are interested in staying in your specialty area for a while, it would also benefit you to become a member of a national organization, such as Oncology Nursing Society, Academy of Medical/Surgical Nurses, etc... I was once a member of the ANA, but it is very much a political organization...

An RN license opens the door to endless opportunities!!!

Just FYI... There is a nursing shortage! I know it may not seem as though there is one, but there is a simple explanation for this... Withing the past five years, the economy began to plummet which heavily affected soon-to-be retiring nurses. There retirement funds were in trouble, which led to them working longer than expected. In addition, nurses were not moving around from one job to another because of the economy. Hospitals also took a hit and were unable to "over hire" graduate nurses as they did before (to compensate for GN's that would quit after orientation or fail boards). Trust me, the nursing shortage will only continue to grow as our profession ages and retires and we are caring for the baby boomer population.

I would imagine the documentation ?'s are going to test your knowledge of how to document assessment findings. Just remember keep it as objective as possible and do not make assumptions, such as "patient is depressed"... if you do need to write something subjective, please make sure to document the patient's statement - patient states "I have been very depressed lately". Also FYI, some instructors want to know that you can document your assessment findings in a professional manner, so instead of describing a patient as "blue" you would use the term "cyanotic". Hope this helps!

I have been a clinical instructor for a year now... I was asked to have a group of accelerated BSN students over the summer for their "acute/complex" course clinicals... I was told that we would be on a monitored general medicine unit... I have no RN experience in telemetry, but during nursing school I worked as a nurse tech and cross-trained monitor tech for 3 years... The department chair and I figured that this would be a good fit compared to the other available units since these weren't true "cardiac patients"... Well... When I went to the hospital for faculty orientation, I was told that this unit was not taking students because of staff problems... Instead, I was told that my students and I would be on a CT surgery unit... First of all, I am limited to medical/surgical and oncology RN experience... Second of all, chest tubes make me anxious!!! My department chair was aware but really needed my help for the summer... I was able to orient for a total of 16 hours on the unit, but that didn't make a difference... I explained to the students on the first day that my area of expertise was oncology but we would all try to learn as much as possible together... It wasn't too bad... Only one student reported me to the dean because she felt that I was unqualified to be teaching... The dean was very appreciative for my tolerance of the situation...

I happen to be adjunct faculty in a BSN program and staff nurse working in oncology... I think the student presentations are an EXCELLENT idea and I am sure that you find them a lot more interesting then what your theory instructor would lecture on... However, especially with cancer, I think there are certain aspects that need to be covered by someone working in the specialty because there are some complex concepts... When I was in nursing school, one of the instructors (team taught courses) worked as an oncology NP previously and did a fabulous job with the lecture... I am primarily a clinical instructor, but I was a guest speaker for the junior med/surg class and provided a 3 hour overview lecture on cancer... And, yes... you are often going to teach yourself!

Many RN to BSN programs seem to be switching to the wayside of on-line learning. I know a few people who have completed the University of Phoenix program and have competitive jobs. Just make sure it is accredited!

I am from the Pittsburgh area and there are a few of those programs around... From what I have read/heard, you do receive credit for courses taken for your BA or BS. The pre-requisites generally need to be done before you start the program.

20G!!!