MrAllenU

Congratulations! I hope it works out for you.

I think one should be ashamed of taking a $65K position as any sort of nurse practitioner. It is not congruent with the education and skills a nurse would possess in that role. I too have seen salary growth, but someone not being able to grab the higher salary in a saturated area is not a surprise for logical reasons.

Thank for the information. I think a good amount of aspiring NPs know this if they are actually serious about becoming one or are in an actual program like I am now. I'm working on networking switched from a smaller hospital to one in the Texas Medical Center 😊. I hope my social aptitude benefits me between now and completing my FNP program.

"More info on the format of the AANP exam (no specific questions). Hopefully this will be helpful to those getting ready for the test. (and I apologize in advance, I am entering this on an iPad and the spell check is terrible, it keeps changing my correct typing to something else. I am trying to watch it but there may be some odd sentences here and there.)" Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am in my first semester of FNP school, but I very much appreciate your tips and experience. Congratulations on your success!

Hello Smilie0809RN, I work in a 320-bed hospital on a medical-surgical floor, and the hospital has recently reached level II trauma designation. I am a young nurse (2.5 years practice), but I have been honored with the opportunities to precept new graduate RNs twice this past year. I do not know what kind of program or resources you have available at your hospital for new graduates. At our hospital we have a "new grad academy" that educates, trains, and prepares new grad RNs over the course of twelve weeks. There is a well-thought out and carefully researched plan of how quickly the new grads begin working with patients, how many and what types (admissions/discharges) they can take on, and so forth. A very important focus for everyone in the new grad program, including the preceptors (we're called "clinical coaches"), is that the relationship between new grad and preceptor is a collegial one. There is no attitude among the preceptors that they are better and above the new graduate. Anyone found holding such an attitude is dealt with very quickly by leadership including charge nurses, fellow preceptors, and our nursing and educational directors. A new graduate such as yourself should feel comfortable with your preceptor. It is nearly impossible to learn (much less learn correctly and efficiently) if you don't jive well with your preceptor. A preceptor should definitely challenge you, but they should not intimidate you or make you feel threatened. It seems like the fit between you and your current preceptor isn't a good one. I suggest you go to your program director (if you have one) or the person responsible for assigning you to discuss your current situation. I have expectations that my new grads are on time, focused, present, respectful, ready to learn, and always asking questions. However, I also want the new grads to succeed and not drown. That is the purpose of our "new grad academy": to guide new grads into their new role as a registered nurse rather than just letting them sink or swim. Yes, you can be thrown into the water and make it out and still be a good nurse. However, that method is not for everyone, and it is not a surefire way to help develop a successful and happy RN. Good luck to you! :)

Maybe next time your submission will be up there! I found it difficult to choose an option that really fit the image, but I chose the "online" one since I have experience with that.

Psych NP does not sound too bad provided one does not have to deal with too much hassle from insurance providers. I say this as a new RN starting out in psych. Also, I think it's admirable that you don't keep patients who just aren't willing to make the necessary changes in order to improve their health. I'm sure there are many other providers who would gladly hold on to those patients, and just keep prescribing them medications.

Your experience and your outlook on the situation are very inspiring. I wish you the best, and I hope all goes well with your very-soon-to-be-here baby if he/she is not already here.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed information. I was perusing this post because I am in the process of applying to a job as a new graduate and part of the application required me to put in my expected salary/hourly wage.

This really frustrated me when I started out working as CNA. How can you be expected to take care of someone when you haven't had time to nourish and relax your body?

Glad to know it's not an issue. :) I was just reading through a hospital's student nurse guidelines and found an area that said "among other things, beards, sideburns below the earlobes, untrimmed mustaches, and unruly hair do not conform to Hospital standards, and may therefore be considered inappropriate in the hospital setting." And right after, went on to say that all employees must comply with certain guidelines including "well-groomed hair, including facial hair". I was confused until I read through this thread. Thanks everyone!

I have to agree with these two. Being a male among a sea of females doesn't mean you should think like a neanderthal (i.e. sex, power, authority). I hope the majority of male nurses and male nursing students stay true to nursing standards and goals rather than thinking of all the "scoring" they can do.

On top of you staying in shape, it will also be a great stress reliever from school!

I would absolutely love to bike to school! It would be approximately a 32-minute/6.1 mile ride for me. All I need is the actual bike.

My current study space is the dining room table . It isn't all that bad except for the hanging of my head while reading my texts (even with a binder to prop up the book) and the stiff chair. My butt needs a more comfy chair haha I'm skin and bones. My best studying occurs at the library-no son, no old lady, just my material. :)