SNJS

Got my acceptance letter for the AGACNP program at 5:03pm today! Keep an eye on your emails!

I haven't heard anything! Was thinking I might see an email today. Guess they are waiting until the very last minute...

Curious if any 2017 applicants have heard back? I was expecting to hear back towards the end of September but I'm getting antsy!!

I applied to AGACNP... I have no idea how many applied vs how many are accepted? I do know however, that they typically have less applicants for the Spring semesters, so hopefully that can be a benefit to all of us.

I had a similar experience in college. I was studying biology, originally planning to go to medical school. After two years as a biology major, I realized that going to 4-8 more years of schooling after my bachelors (and taking on a lot of debt) did not sound appealing to me! I thought nursing was a good route because I could get a degree, start working, make money, then go back for NP, CRNA, ETC. However, I was already knee deep in biology and didn't want to let all of those credits and hard work go to waste. So I decided to buckle down and complete my biology degree in 3 years (I know this may not be possible for you depending how far along you are), then applied to an accelerated, 2nd degree BSN. As others mentioned, the 2nd degree was 15 months and extremely difficult with no possibility of working simultaneously. However, I ended up getting both done in about 5 years which I think was as efficient as possible..?? Neither of the three hospitals I have worked at hire ADNs so I would definitely keep that in mind with making your decision. Nursing school, ADN or BSN, is hard work and you do not want it to be a waste! I feel that your first degree could definitely have value in the future. But I can definitely see other's point of view that if money is a concern, two more years of loans THEN nursing school might be intimidating! Another thought, start looking at prerequisites for some of the nursing programs. If your health admin degree allows, you could take some of those courses over the next two years. Sorry my advice isn't very straight forward but maybe my similar experience will give you some insight!

I am applying to the AGACNP masters program. The 3 Ps are included in my program track so I don't have any advice, unfortunately. The application process has been frustrating for me as I feel no one responds to my questions/emails in a timely manner. Almost all my emails have had to be sent twice. Ugh...Deadline is coming up on Monday so I am eager to find out over the next couple months!

For those of you who have taken the exam, do you have any advice for the "Professional Caring and Ethical Practice" section? I am surprised that it is 20% of the exam...same as CV! Are these questions common sense, or would it be worth studying that section in the Pass CCRN book? I would prefer to focus my time on the other sections. Any advice? Thanks!

I really loved this post, as sad as it made me. I have been working in the ICU for just two years, and I can say that I have learned everything I know from nurses like you! I am definitely the youngest in age AND experience on my unit so I can say that I truly appreciate the knowledge, skill, and sincerity of nurses like you. I am sorry for the direction that the nursing profession may be heading, but I can only hope that these new nurses like myself can provide as good of nursing care as you have.

After reading through this entire thread, I just think its silly how so many nurses just can't respect the role of an NP!? And for a REGISTERED NURSE to be refusing her loved to be seen by a "midlevel practitioner"?! Wow! Way to NOT be an advocate for your profession! I personally think it's amazing how flexible and versatile nursing is... It's great that WE, as nurses, even have the option of becoming an NP. Obviously it's not for everyone. Just as psych nursing isn't for everyone (it would make me pull my hair out ) and not everyone has the desire to become a nursing professor. But hey guess what? We are all nurses.

To each his own. And why would you feel sorry for her? OH right your just trying to be condescending.... Everyone has different career goals. And everyone takes different paths to reach their career goals. It's so strange to me how the culture of experienced nurses seems to be so judgmental towards new nurses when they have a different career path or career route than what they think is appropriate. I personally went through a fast track BSN program (1.5 years) immediately after a B.S. in biology. These shorter programs do NOT cut out any clinical experience or curriculum. They just make the curriculum more rigorous. I took 20+ hours every semester. School or clinical 6 days a week. There were times when I would have three night shift clinicals in a row then have an exam the next morning. My plan originally was to get ICU experience then apply to NP school. Too bad I fell in love with ICU bedside nursing and have re-routed my plan to passing the CCRN first THEN going back to get my masters in nursing practice. HOWEVER, if I had decided to go with my original plan, I imagine that I would have been just as successful an NP as I am an RN...? Lastly, there IS a demand for midlevel practitioners in healthcare today. Hey guess what? People and hospitals save ALOT of money by using NPs/PAs who can often provide the exact same service as an MD. And guess what? Even if the person has less experience or perhaps provides less quality services, well that's actually the point. That is why they are paid less than doctors.

I just received my permanent Illinios license (from Texas) this week so I know ALL of these answers! :) 1.) First of all, a TRASCRIPT WILL WORK. I sent the Illinois department an official UNOPENED transcript from my university which was way faster then trying to get the dean to fill out some form. I don't even live near my university so the ED-NUR form would have been a huge hassel. 2.)On the fingerprint card: YES you have to mark to include FBI. Your mailing it to the Illinios police department who will perform the background check THEN they send it through to the FBI who will THEN send it to the Illinios board of professional regulation for your license. It's a really inefficient process if you ask me. That alone took like 4 weeks...and I overnighted my fingerprint card to the Illinios police department. 3.)Make you check out to the Illinois State Police for $36.50 and mail it with the fingerprint card. Also on the fingerprint card, theres some section that says, "requestor" or "requesting party" something like that...your supposed to write in IDFPR (Illinios department of financial and professtional regulation). You have to write this so they know who to send the information to. *ALSO...you can call the Illinios police department once when receive your fingerprint card and they will give you a tracking number for your fingerprint card. The IDFPR kept telling me they didnt have my background check/fingerprints when the police told me they submitted the results weeks ago. If you have this tracking number, you have proof that it was submitted by the police and you can give that number to the licensing department. This just kinda speeds up the process. WHY they dont tell you all this in the directions/packet/website I have no idea!!!! I got this information after calling a million times and wating for several hours on hold every day... BUT alas.. I have my license

My unit does self scheduling. The manager simply "evens out the days" once everyone has submitted their schedule to make sure we have adequate staffing each day. So you might get one or two days switched from your original schedule each month. Every employee is also allowed to have TWO "blocked days" per scheduling period. Management cannot schedule you on that blocked day when they are rearranging the schedule...no matter what. Meaning, you have two days per schedule where they absolutely can not make you work. It works pretty well. Most everyone is content with it.

Nursing is unique in that the actions/mistakes/work ethic/etc of the nurse who precedes me, can directly effect my shift. I think this is where the hostility towards the other shift might stem from. Ex: When you come onto shift and you patient's pressure is in the 70s, dyspneic, no one has checked an ABG all day, blood and urine need sent, patient's room looks like a tornado hit...we're naturally like "Typical ________ (insert night or day) shifter"!

It sounds like this environment is not very conducive to learning. When I was going through my training as a new grad (just two years ago), my managers were constantly asking me, "How is your preceptor?" "Is she/he a good match for you?" "Do you feel ready to take two patients next week?" (Working in ICU), "Do you need more time? " And they were 100% willing to GIVE me more time, if needed. They really listened to me and wanted me to learn. Management knows when they hire a new nurse that it is going to take A LOT of effort and time to train you. If they want their new hire (you) to become a competent nurse who is going to represent their unit well then they need to provide the tools for you to do so. A new grad knows little to nothing about real, practical nursing and that is to be expected. (I know you are not necessarily a new grad but since it is your first hospital experience, that's what I'm comparing it to ). I know everyone says, "She doesn't have to befriend you"; or "Maybe she doesn't even want to be a preceptor". But, in your defense: hellooo you are a new staff member on this unit! The unit should welcome you and treat you like their coworker...because that is what you are! They should want to take you under their wing and show you the ropes. This unwelcoming attitude is a common theme in nursing practice, but that topic is a whole different discussion in itself . With that said, I'll be honest. I think that you just have to make the best of the situation. You got the job! That's more than a lot of licensed nurses can say. And like everyone on this thread has said, it's YOUR career. Take charge of the opportunity. Follow your preceptor and try as best you can to be engaged, even if she does ignore you. If you don't feel ready to take seven patients, be honest with your manager. You will never regret taking a little more time to learn, even if it makes your feel slow or behind at first. And truthfully, a good manager will not hold that against you. Getting a "nurse brain" and organizing your day is half the battle. You will eventually get your own routine down, and I guarantee a few months down the road you will look back and laugh at how stressed you were during orientation!

I was taking care of an elderly gentleman who was actively dying in the ICU. He did not want to be intubated but was requiring the Bipap mask at all times. He couldn't tolerate taking it off at all - not even for sips of water or PO meds. Throughout my shift he was becoming more lethargic and unable to communicate. His wife, who was in her 80s, stayed there the entire night with him. She was quietly knitting in the corner of the room... she didn't have many questions or requests...just a very pleasant woman especially considering the circumstances. At the end of my shift, I gave bedside report and the wife said, "Would you come back here before you leave for the day?" When I came back, she handed me a koozie/drink holder she had been knitting for me! She said, "Thank you for being so gentle with my husband. I've been worried I wouldn't get this finished before you left!" I know this seems so insignificant but it literally brought tears to my eyes. This woman's husband was dying, yet she was thinking of ME and making ME a gift?! That is true selflessness. I can't even express how eye-opening that little moment was. To me, it's more meaningful than any recognition or award I've ever received! I agree with Cal-Neva, just reflecting back on this situation reminds me why I'm a nurse.

Haha..... That's exactly why I said "it can definitely be frustrating at times". People get a little leeway then they start to take advantage of our unit's leniency. Of course, then, we have to crack down and kick people out or worst case call security. But for the most part people are respectful and appreciative.

My ICU has open visitation 24/7 and children are allowed in at anytime as well. The only rule is only two visotors in a room at any given time. (Just in case there is a code situation or an emergency and we need to get to the patient quickly). We also allow family to be present during codes if they desire. This is a very liberal stance on visitation but it definitely improves patient/family satisfaction. Ill admit, it can definitely be frustrating. When your managing a CRRT machine, 10 drips, a ventilator, and the family is questioning every move you make! Not to mention, people start to abuse the rules...we've have kids running around at wee hours of the night and waking patients up. However, I do think it is best for the patient/family. If my loved one was spending their last nights in the ICU I would want to be with them at all times! I would want my two year old to have to chance to see their grandma if she was dying in the ICU. I also feel that allowing the family to see CPR/code scenario gives them closure...knowing exactly what happened and knowing that the team did everything possible to save your loved one...

Not really...only a phone interview for Baylor so far! Many of them, I have just recently submitted, though. I will keep everyone updated on what I hear. Good luck to everyone!

I have applied to Baylor, Parkland (the residency and the internship), THR, and Methodist! I'm starting to get very nervous! Yikes!

Research supports that it's best practice not to draw blood from a PIV unless the IV has just been started and hasn't been flushed yet. Whether all hospital policies support this or whether nurses even follow those policies is another question. Of course it seems easier to prevent another stick, especially in children, but this is not the way it's supposed to be done. Basic nursing fundamentals say the specimen is invalid if taken from a used IV line even after waiting for a few minutes. Its unfortunate that your preceptor made you feel like a moron because she was in the wrong herself!