pink816

hello- I have been browsing the NP forums for a while and have a few important questions. I am looking into NP but have heard a lot about how FNP is more practical because of being able to care for all ages. With being a FNP would I be able to do hospital rounding or is it mostly clinic/office work? I do like the hospital aspect of nursing. I don't think I would just want to be in an office all the time although that would have its benefits too. I work in a cardiac ICU and really enjoy the cardiac aspect. Some of our NPs do make rounds for the physician so i guess my question is are they FNP or ACNPs? What are the pros and cons of both. I also have heard about acute care NP (we have one at our hospital) but she is not able to work in the ER because kids may come through there. I don't wanna limit myself in that way, thats why I am thinking FNP is best. I read about post masters certificate. What do people think about doing FNP and then getting post masters certificate. How much schooling is involved for a certificate? Thanks so much for the help!

i also work in an icu with about a year experience and i feel the same way. if there is a pt who has an issue or something that i am not completely comfortable with caring for i spend time thinking about it when i get home.... what if, did i do everything, did i miss anything...... all those types of thoughts. I think in time we will gain confidence in ourselves and our assessments, and with experience we will have less stress overall and maybe we will leave work at work. i am glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way from time to time

things i definately do before getting an ABG include blood sugar, check vitals and pulse ox (I'm in the unit so they are right there on the screen), listen to lungs, see if pt is SOB, etc. Thanks for all your replies! Like I said before I think sometimes when I hear "lethargic" I think the worst when its not always the case.

Thanks for the replies. I do realize that there are many causes thats why I often am wondering do I need to get one or not. In the unit I am in, we do sometimes have an a-line depending on the surgery type. We have physicians readily available, it is just a standard that we can get an ABG if needed, we can get one and write the order then notify the doctor. I guess I am just asking because when I think "lethargic" I often think it means the pt isnt doing well, however the true definition is just lack of energy. I have had pts who lethargic is documented as their LOC yet they can carry on a complete conversation just when you're not in with them, they are asleep most of the time.

Hello, I am a fairly new nurse and was wondering for advice from some seasoned nurses.... I work in a post surgical unit and often my pts are medicated with Norco or morphine/fentanyl. I wonder how to tell sometimes if someone is just tired or if they are lethargic and needs an ABG. If someone is lethargic is it likely that the O2 sats are low (cause I know it isn't always the case correct)? I guess I'm asking what factors do you use to decide about getting an ABG or not getting one. (in my hospital we are allowed to just get a STAT ABG if we feel it is needed) Thanks for all the help

people who are bipolar and take lithium often have thyroid problems because of the lithium. Therefore they can get hypothyroid and need a replacement which is why synthroid may have been ordered