FuturenurseCA&O

Hey Lisa~Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone! I'm in the same boat you are in, actually I think I just got out of the boat! LOL I also have a degree in another field (business), and knew I wanted an MSN when I was studying for my ADN. I spent 4 years at the bedside, which I found to be very valuable. In fact, I became so comfortable there, I found it hard to make the decision to leave the bedside and pursue an advanced degree. I actually hired a career coach for a couple of sessions to help me answer some questions, and get "unstuck". Very beneficial. I originally wanted to go for Nurse Educator, but once I learned more about the CNS role in CA, I liked the versatility that it provided, although I still intend to go into nursing education. Its just nice to know if I don't like it there are many many more options available to me. What do you need to do to get into a master's program for CNS? I'll tell you what I did. I checked out 5 different schools, and decided on one that best suited my situation, which is a local state college CSU Dominguez Hills. For me, I was comfortable with an online program, but I wanted bricks and mortar close by, so if I want to meet with my group F2F, or go to campus it can be arranged. Also, they assist with finding a clinical assignment, and again within my area. I applied, went to an on campus information session (highly recommended...it was good to meet my future professors F2F), and am currently accepted into the bridge program, and will soon here that I am officially accepted into the school. Kinda backwards, but I understand the process. At the info session I got all the information on my curriculum (2 years of theory and 1 year of clinicals) and the cost and some info on grants and scholarships to pay for it. I start with 2 online classes in the Fall! :-) As far as what I am going to specialize in once I am a CNS I did a whole lot of research on the CNS role and the CA Nurse Practice Act over the internet. "TIME WELL SPENT", my career coach tells me, and I couldn't agree more. Its too detailed to go into here, and I think you will benefit if you do the research yourself...there is much learning in the journey. I have a couple of years at the bedside already, and a clinical cert (PCCN) which is a good thing. For me, I have decided to go into Gerontology with an additional specialty in Cardiac Nursing. Right up my alley. :-) Knowing that now, as I enter the program will allow me to focus my study, research and writing on these areas, and give me a whole lot more to work with when I throw my hat in the ring for a job down the line. I will learn more, and hopefully be able to take advantage of more opportunities as I study for the MSN. Good luck to you!! Please let me know if I can help or provide any more information... ~D

I've wanted to do this for a very long time...thanks for your post. 2 Questions: How do you find the websites/clients? and 2 how much are you paid for an article of about 500 words? Thanks again!!

I've heard rumors that many cardiac procedures can be fixed today without an actual incision. Is this true? Look up Interventional Radiology...I also had a heart defect...I had an aortic coartation corrected at 36 (!) with a stent placed in my aorta. Also, I believe that valve replacements can now be done endoscopically. Good Luck!! ~D

Hi Jenny~ Just thought I would pass on to you the advice I received from my insturctors: It's my understanding is that it will be a couple of months to get your FL license either way. My instructor told me to take the NCLEX exam in WA for FL and then move to FL after I pass NCLEX--with NCLEX pass letter in hand--takes about a week in the mail after you take the test. This way I can focus on taking the test (1 week after my last final) and not try to study while I'm getting ready to move across the country! I'm pretty confident I'll pass...Clark College in Vancouver WA has something like a 95% pass rate...so...I better pass! Most of the websites I have checked out already will accept you as a graduate nurse and get you in their internship program while the paperwork is working its way through the system. ~D

Thanks Rj and Millke...I appreciate the info, and I will keep you posted. I'm in the middle of Christmas break and am enjoying myself!! I've started a database of the area hospitals, gathering information by just looking at the web sites...haven't got the nerve up to call them...I have two more quarters to go...and next quarter we do a resume and cover letter and nursing philosophy in class, so I thought I would wait until a have a good resume ready before I start picking up the phone. Our school also has a relocation program, helping you to find jobs in other states, need to see what that is all about as well. We have decided to consider Winter Haven and Lakeland FL as places to live. I don't want to hijack Jenny's thread, but I am curious as to what the commute would be like to Tampa or Orlando hospitals. I know I-4 is a bear, but is it more than an hour commute? How far away is that light rail system! LOL Also, which hospital has the best reputation for cardovascular care--I'm interested in cardiac nursing. Jenny if you're out there write and let us know if you found work! Thanks all, can't wait until I'm there~D

Hi Jenny~ I'm in the same boat as you are. I'm moving to Orlando in June of 06, and then we will start the house hunting process...can't wait! Here is how I am planning on approaching the job hunt...please anyone tell me what you think: I'm going to build a database of all the different HCF in FL, call them talk to HR and find out what their terms are for hiring grads/internship programs in the area I am most interested in so far (cardiac). If they are not hiring grads I will retain any info for future job searches. I may ask for information packets on the hospital to keep on file/get a better feel for the place...I dunno... Then next quarter we start the resume writing process. I will start to send resume's to these places and see how many interveiws I can get over our Spring Break (3rd week of May) and fly down there for as many interviews as I can schedule. Hopefully I will be able to collect an offer or two. Then I will start to compare the entire package...wage (probably non negotiable) bene's (differ slightly from place to place) opportunity to work where I want to work (of major importance) bonuses??? Once I move there I will interview some more with my RN license pending. Hopefully I will have some more attractive offers to compare...I may be doing some wishful thinking.... In regard to license, I am planning on taking NCLEX in WA state, and moving to FL with FL license in hand. Its my understanding that you can take the NCLEX in any state for the state you want to work in. True?? Hope this helps...if you would like a job hunt email buddy I'm game... ~Darlene

I sing, and once I had a director who's hands would shake when directing--especially at major competitions. Plagued him for years, until he accepted that his hands were going to shake...told the chorus that that was just the way it was, and instructed us to ignore it and pay attention to his direction. Once he did this he told me that his hands shook less...still shook, but much less. And we all felt confident under his direction. Don't know if you could tell your pt's to ignore the shaking, but if you go in there accepting the fact that your hands are going to shake, and everything will be just fine, it might help... ~D

I'm very interested in this thread so I thought I would "BUMP!" ~D

What does everyone think about the Hanies City/Davenport area? ~D

HI~ Just wanted to suggest that you check with the BON (Board of Nursing) before you sign up for classes. I'm a student as well (1 yr completed in a 2 yr program) and was about to pay for classes and then I learned that with my transcript from nursing school showing that I have successfully completed basic nursing skills and $40 I could directly apply for my license. I don't know if this is true in Oregon, but it doesn't cost anything check out the BON website or simply call them to find out. I am going to work as a CNA this summer. I'm both looking forward to it, and dreading it...but I want the work experience on my resume, and a little bit of extra cash in my pocket. Plus I like working...at school or a job, its nice to be out of the house doing something productive every week. I'm sure there will be wonderful days working with the patients and not so wonderful days...but if it is like clinicals I tend to learn more on the bad days--specifically the things I don't want to do as a nurse. In addition, I can practice my assessment skills, therapeutic communication, and time management. Kind of like "practice nursing". :chuckle Good Luck~ ~Darlene

About $8000 including books and supplies for an ADN at a low cost community college. Living off savings, and received scholarships for exactly half of the tuituion cost...had to get such a high GPA to get in, I was happy to leverage it into some money for tuition! I feel fortunate that I will have no debt when I graduate...not even credit card! Will get a BSN while working, once I start working. Already have a BSBA in Marketing, so I only need 6 classes or so to get in--the hospital I plan to work for (am currently volunteering for them now) will pay 100% of that cost. I considered a private school, but this little community college had a higher pass rate for NCLEX, and when I considered the finances it was a no brainer. ~D (world's biggest cheapskate...)

I remember something from my Medical Ethics class about a certain amount of years after the first symptoms are identified...there was an exception for children. Varies state to state. So if you have a treatment done, and 1 year later you have symptoms that are not part of the side effects that were identified, you can see a lawyer and the clock for statute of limitations clicks then... Here is an explanation for the state of FL...just googled it. http://www.floridamalpractice.com/med2.htm

In regard to ongoing assessment, check each time you go into the room for alert and oriented...you can do this by talking to him, and making sure his answers to you make sense. When you are sick with diabetes your blood sugar goes whacko. Basically the body breaks down glycogen and to have available for the body under stressfull conditions (sickness). So their blood sugar levels take large swings up and down. So you want to watch for outward signs of hypo & hyperglycemia in addition to the glucometer. Hope this helps... ~D

My gyno doctor is Dr. Fuchs. Pronounced like the copulation. My girlfriend had a doctor named Dr. Sunshine for her oncologist. Loved that. ~D

I stand by my previous response. I hope you find the clarity you are looking for. Good luck to you! ~D