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

I'm just a nursing student...but this is my second career. I've been in management for 15 years. I also have a bachelors degree in management. You are very emotional about this...I think your first step would be to try to separate the hurt that you are feeling (he's saying bad things about you) and try to think about this completely logically. One of the first things they teach you in business school is the difference between emotional thought and logical thought. Specifically, there are three likely things that keep you from making a decision when you need to make one. 1) you don't have enough information (so ask more quesions) 2) YOu have inaccurate information (so double check the information you have in front of you) and 3) You are too close to it emotionally. You need to put your emotions behind you, and get on the "logical side" of your brain. You have a golden opportunity to build a strong team member here: Here's what I would do : I would have an informal, comfortable chat with this person. Lay it all out on the table. Tell him that you understand that he is bad mouthing you, and that is not okay...especially coming from him. Reinforce with him that you made him charge nurse because you respect his abilities. (You are framing the conversation...making sure that he does not feel threatened, and improve the chances of him opening up to you.) So because he is this great person, and nurse, you feel some issues might be coming out a little sideways...perhaps there is some kind of frustration he is feeling (something you did, said or didn't do, or something that is wrong with the working environment) and its coming out sideways with the bad mouthing. Then ask him what is going on. Then shut up and take notes on what he says. When he starts pointing at your notes and saying "make sure you add this..." you have him back as a team member and not as an adversary. Sidenote: don't apologize unless you really did something wrong. Thank him for letting you know...tell him that you were aware of these issues, but did not realize they were affecting him so adversely. Identify problems...there will probably be some easy fixes that you can do right away. If you can find something that you have to fight for on his behalf he will love you and be a great employee again...even if you fail. As long as he knows you tried, it was a valiant effort, and you kept him informed along the way. (most reasonable employees will) For example. The problems of dictating tasks to other nurses are symptoms of other workplace issues. He's trying to solve another problem, and this is the way he has decided to handle it. Identify that other problem. However, the patient advocacy problem is his problem...just write down the problem (you might need to bring it up--and how this information came to your attention) and don't say anything else--just write it down. This is going to be what he has to solve after this meeting. (Do you see here that the list is turning into the advisary here, these items are what the real problem is and not you.) Summerize the meeting with listing the problem areas discussed, and ask him if he has anything to add. Encourage him to come to you first if he has any more issues...make sure he understands that badmouthing you to others does nothing but create a negative working environment, and if you hear that he has done it again you will have another talk, be written up, whatever. Let him know that you will "understand" the first time, but if it happens again there will be consequences. If he wants to be a manager, he needs to act like a manager...therefore managerial problems are discussed with other manager. Period. Same goes for the other issues, such as dictating to other nurses. Not acceptable. Some of these problems you need to bring up and let him know that he needs to solve these problems, on his own...and immediately...like the patient advocacy problem. This is when you are firm. If you need a little more backbone during this part of the conversation, say to yourself...No one likes a whimpy boss. (this is what I do...) Then work your behind to solve these issues...reinforce that coming to you with problems fixes them, and makes him a star as well as you. He will learn that he can talk to you, but he cannot disrespect your leadership. Make sure you give him feedback on the other issues both good and bad. In the business world I would also let my boss know that I had this employee problem, and how I was going to solve it. This does three things...first, shows them that you have your act together and are solving a small personnel problem on your own before it disrupts the work environment; second, warms them up...in case you need their help to solve a problem after the meeting; three in case for whatever reason he decides to go over your head to your boss, hopefully your boss will know to back you up and refer him back to you. Good Luck! Let us know what you decide to do! ~D

Great thread...I am also interested... ~D

A PDA is a Personal Data Assistant or Personal Digital Assistant or something like that...basically its a pocket pc where you can store your medical dictionary, drug guide, and lab tests book as well as anything else you find handy. I have an assessment tool, clinical skills tool and a nursing diagnostics tool as well. Plus I can create a word or excel document, or get on the web...all of which I have done--but very infrequently. I carry it around as if it were my wallet...and I probably have about $700 into it between the cost of the PDA and the programs loaded into it. Hope this helps... :-)

Hi~ I have a PDA for school and I just love it...I'm just scared to use it at clinicals...it would be so easy for someone to slip into their pockets either accidentally or on purpose. Or, I could misplace it, and then be done with clinicals. It currently is not marked with any indentifying information...trying to decide how to do this. Its an IPAQ 3115. Just wondering...anyone else out there who has a PDA but is reluctant to use it at work or on clinical rotations? If not, what do you do to protect it from being stolen? ~D

Just curious... Any hospital policy on what is considered professional conduct? If so, this is something you might want to keep in that documentation folder at home, and refer to it often. Should you ever need to speak to your supervisor about this, its much more impressive if you know policy well enough to educate them, and then provide clear, irrefutable examples of behavior that breeched this policy, and how it has made your job tougher, jepardized patient care etc. How is your repport with your supervisor? ~D

Hi~ Another female here....chipping in. I would echo the previous post...excellent advice. Now something for your psyche....how to deal with this emotionally day in and day out. My mother gave me great advice....she said there are 3 ways to deal with a problem~I run through these three options to this day whenever I have a problem. Solve it, ignore it, or get away from it. Let's review these options: 1. You can solve it straight out. Since you don't have any control over anyone else's behavior but your own this is not an option here. 2. You can ignore it. This is an option. These women do not have to like you, they just have to work with you...and create a safe non-hostile work environment, that promotes good health care. Those that don't do that ignore...don't react (document & report to your superior) ala the excellent post above. I have a degree from another discipline...and once had this inexplicably b*chy secretary. When I approached her, I mimic'd her behavior--didn't say Hi unless she greeted me, I was pleasant and professional, but didn't go out of my way. My point is don't try to be their friend...do you job, and document & report if needed. 3. You can get away from it. This you can do to with time. Turn it into an opportunity, and look for a position with better hours, pay, bonus, whatever. Take your time and negotiate hard, while you have a job. So sorry this is happening to you...good luck. ~D

Hi~ I'm a nursing student at Clark graduating in June 06. Legacy is building a new hospital in Salmon Creek in Vancouver. I think that will change the dynamic in Vancouver quite a bit~SWMC will suddenly have competition. Don't know how it will affect the PDX labor market. You might want to check out Legacy and SWMC, work there until you can get what you can get into St. Vincent. ~D

hi~ so sorry to hear about this. but keep trying, keep volunteering. its tough. consider all other options...including out of state. i'm in the program at clark, and will continue on at wsu or somewhere else to get my bsn. (i already have a bs in another dicipline so an asn with a bsn later is the most efficient and cost effective.) i received a rejection letter before i received the acceptance letter...i got in as an alternate ~in this little community college! i would call or go into the admissions office at the school and see if you can get more information as to why you were rejected, make sure it is not something that you weren't aware of, and find out how close you came to acceptance. you can then come up with a plan to get in, or work on a "plan b". also consider that your feet aren't cemented here in the pnw. when i received my rejection letter, i got on the net and the phone and called a bunch of community colleges around the us where i would like to live...san fran, florida, and found out how tough it would be to get into their programs. most of them said "no problem" when i told them my gpa was 3.75. i was looking at community colleges, but you could do the same for nursing schools. anyway, good luck! keep your hopes up for those other schools. and don't give up on your dream!! ~d

HI~ I will be graduating in about a year, and we plan on moving to the Orlando area. I'm interested in Florida Hospital as they offer internship to our school. Wondering if Florida Hospital has a Nurses Union? If so, is it strong, and what are the dues?? Does anyone know? ~D

Was just wondering...is it possible for RN's to get into a program such as this one in Maryland, or do they look for BSNs only. I have a BSBA (marketing) and am working toward a BSN, but the first milestone will be an RN. Just wondering...does anyone know? Darlene