DysrhythmiaRN11

Firstly, Congrats to you! I have been an OR nurse for 5 years now and the experience has been questionable at times. Its not for everyone, but my advice would be to be patient, you will learn with time. It takes about 3-4 years to become expert and even then you will never know everything but you will be able to function at ease with any case as long as you have your basic skills. Keeping you own Preference notes are useful at the beginning of your career but you will eventually venture away from that once comfortable. Now, I have a question for you.... As a sales rep did you travel? If you did was there any restrictions as to who you could bring along with you on travel assignments? For example, if a partner wanted to come and paid for their own place ticket and stayed with you in hotel was that a problem for the company, would you be in trouble for bringing someone along on the business trip? Just a general question. Thanks in advance.

I currently work at RWJ New Brunswick and there is a huge difference in the salary... New Brunswick will pay alot more... I guess different union negotiations...

So to clarify, the Family Nurse Practitioner will allow you to care for patients of all ages and will benefit you when trying to apply for a job.

I think this is part of what's wrong with the nursing society.... People who forget that they too had to learn everything they know. I'm still waiting for half of my colleagues to retire so I can really start to enjoy nursing in the new era.....

That's the thing. You are a new nurse and this Doctor is trying to make himself look good at your expense. I find that many Doctors, not all have some type of self-esteem issues and they prey on the weak. I've been a nurse for 5 years now and let me tell you'initually I was bullied by both Doctors and colleagues: Pathetic. With time and with increasing knowledge you learn how to deal with it and you certainly learn how to engage and put a bully in its place. Through these years I've learned how to speak up and due to my knowledge and experience no one can bully me anymore and also I do not allow everything to get to me as long as my patients are safe, my license isn't at stake andI've done my best job I could do. It was a hard and long rode. Hang in there, it will get better.

How is the program? I am looking to start 2014 Fall semester for Adult NP. It seems like a good school.

yes it is hard to apply with a license let alone without one. lol. Its really not an easy journey. But if you haven't even taken the NCLEX yet, they definitely aren't interested. Don't give up your hopes so soon. Just focus on passing your NCLEX. Good luck.

I've been looking to apply to jobs in other areas of nursing like med-surg so yes it is hard for me to find a job right now. With me having OR experience means that I don't have the med-surg experience that most people require. OR nursing is a different type of nursing and most don't look at that as having experience because we don't deliver direct care to the patient. We have the anesthesiologist who starts IV's, delivers meds, and provides care and the physician who is there also in control and providing the surgical care. I learn a lot as an OR nurse especially since I ask questions but its still not considered experience to some. When I apply to other positions, they call me back for the OR and I turn it down because I don't want two OR jobs.. its too stressful. Nursing residency definitely adds to experience. Its a wonderful idea and that is how I obtained a job in the OR. It was called an OR fellowship for 3 months and afterwards I received a job in the OR and I've been there ever since.

Sorry, didnt realize I mixed up the abbreviations.... Yes I meant the ANP track, adult nurse practitioner. Just trying to figure out which track is better as far as obtaining jobs.

Yes I can agree with you on your insight. On the other hand, BSN is better than an Associates, some experience is better than no experience. IN this nursing world, with or without your BSN as a new grad you are going to struggle with finding a job. I've seen BSN nurses unable to get jobs as well. I just think if you are aggressive then you can def get any job no matter what. But in those geographical areas you are speaking of, I certainly understand what you are saying. I can imagine that every area has its unique struggle for nurses finding jobs. I am a 2011 graduate with an Associates degree and an OR nurse, I just received a BSN from PEnn State and I've been job hunting for a second job and no luck due to lack of experience.... all just the same. At the same time, I am feeling lazy, not really in the mood for job hunting so guess what....... I am not being aggressive and no-one is calling me.

Nursing homes are a good foot in the door. Most of the time people just want to see that you are a practicing nurse for x amount of time. The nursing home will get you to your goals...

I have read many threads regarding the advanced nurse practitioner track and the family nurse practitioner track. I am a newly graduated nurse with a BSN and I have been an operating room nurse for 2 years. I look forward to starting a MSN program soon. I really want to become a nurse practitioner but I am becoming increasingly confused about which track to take. I have researched and I am coming to learn that it depends what area you live in. Many states thrive with the use of FNP's and encourage that track for the experience of being able to work with children of all ages. With this in mind, a FNP doesn't practice in hospitals, only clinics. With the APN, you can work in hospitals, you just cannot work with children. I want to be able to work in hospitals so I would go for the APN track. I am not sure if this is the best choice. Also when I job search in NJ, I only see jobs for APN's. I am confused. Any insight? Does one track lead to better opportunities than the other, does one pay more. Can I do APN and then take a post-master's degree in children to make myself more marketable and eligible for jobs on both ends of the spectrum? HELP>

I am also trying to find information about these two schools. I am a nurse and graduated from Penn State. I am looking to start an APN or FNP program and would like to know how the schools are.

The nursing world is a throw u under the bus type of world. It sucks.... I hate nursing for that reason. Put it like this.... I am a graduate of 2011, 5 jobs in.... I finally found happiness in the operating room, but only because I don't talk to anyone, 7months on the job and I still have a lot of trouble with names.....lol. I don't include them in my business and I keep everything strictly work related. I don't even hang out in the staff lounge.... People are evil......

GREAT POINT.... I love it!!!!!!