DuckFan23

It's really alarming to see my own profession not understanding the implications of Obamacare. With the changes to be implemented with Obamacare, FSAs will be PHASED OUT. they won't be needed. If you think about it, you shouldn't need one in the first place. Coverage should cover those things. The problem with implementing changes in an already broken an complicated system, it means it's going to hurt a bit in the beginning, then get better (worse before it gets better). The tough part is waiting for 2014 too, to put the changes in place. I have an aunt that is 59, and one of those in betweeners. Can't take medicare, just went through a nasty divorce, and has no insurance, and is denied d/t preexisting. Until 2014, she is stuck. Sucks. But these changes take time, and in the long run will benefit so many more people, and bring the overall costs down for everyone. While it doesn't help many in their current situation, changes aren't an overnight thing, unfortunately. I would consider alternative work with your nursing skills-you CAN do other things-I did legal nurse consulting for a while, and also advice nursing. They want your nursing brain, without the painstaking shift work, long hours, lifting, and physical exertion. Think about teaching-on line courses require nurses with expertise. That that's no physical exertion either. I completed my NP program online-with some of the most fantastic professors and clinical coordinators. Branch out. Be creative. I made great money as a legal nurse consultant. Most attorneys don't care about a certificate or degree in it-they want your RN behind your name. Don't say impossible. The very word says "I'm possible!" Best of luck to you Cajunsue.

I didn't drink-there were others that did. I just got hired! Not screwing that up. I agree. Just wondered......never faced that before.

It's not on-call for an acute care facility. Not justifying it-I am just wondering if this is more of a corporate/social etiquette issue. I'm so new with the corporate atmosphere that this may be commonplace, but I was just curious what everyone else had experienced/thought....interesting.

Okay. Here's a different scenario for ya. So I was in a situation today where my company had a going away party for one of the NPs that is leaving and moving on to another job. This is very corporate-and we are all eith NPs or PAs that cover/managed nursing home resident's care-we are essentially telecommuters, on-call from 8-5 in between rounding at the care homes. This party was located at a local brewery well known for it's brews-I arrived and while my clinical manager does not have an active load of patients (though she is there for us to consult on with guiding patient care), she was drinking a light beer, as were a few of my NP colleagues (on-call till 5pm). I got to thinking-is this acceptable? Is one beer acceptable? I am a brand new employee, so I am not sure what the etiquette here is, since this was a social gathering, during work time (?). What would you have done? THis started at 3pm-6pm. Thoughts? It just got me thinking.......interested if anyone else has run into these things and wondered about etiquette.

Okay, so I have posted on here before that I just got hired as a new grad NP with Evercare/United Healthcare. I am in my second week of orientation, which has been overwhelming, and I am mortified to start on my own. The company has a great support system, all very nice and welcoming; I even met the CEO and COO today as they flew in from the East Coast/Arizona. This is the big leagues! I feel wholly inadequate, unworthy, and unsure of myself and my abilities. I had 17 years of critical care nursing, and excelled in the ICU-but now just feeling unsure of myself, my abilities, and of failing at this. They expect me to take on 2 nursing homes with approx 80 total patients by the end of June. They are a medicare policy administrating company-so the amount of CMS reg charting is horrendous. I will also be telecommuting (got my own phone, laptop, etc), which is something I have NEVER done before, and it feels quite odd to me. I am by nature an anxious person, and this has made me 20 times worse. I am likely just experiencing the jitters....but anyone else experienced? How did you get through it? How/when did you finally feel comfortable? My clinical rotations hardly prepared me for this...I have to admit. I got straight As in school. Passed boards. Always been successful-but this time it feels SO DIFFERENT. Thoughts? Pearls of wisdom? Thanks in advance.....

While I may be reiterating some of the above information, I believe the DNP role is what will eventually replace the ANP, GNP/FNP roles. Many universities are phasing out their ANP/FNP programs and going to a DNP program. I just graduated from UMASS Boston with my ANP/GNP Post-Master's Cert program. I could have continued on and completed the requirements for the DNP degree (they too updated their program offerings for the DNP), but at this point, after researching salaries, there is no real justification for doing so if you ask me. Not yet. As for requiring all NPs to have their DNP-I don't think that is necessary. Many NPs are very seasoned and experienced; and I think sticking to the NP label is adequate. I am finding that patients are confused by this label anyway. "you're a what?" I get that a lot. Anyway, my thoughts on the subject.

Has anyone worked for Evercare? I accepted the job with them-they do what I truly wanted to do. My starting wage was above and beyond what I ever dreamed of, especially for a new NP grad. It will be hard work and I am mortified of this being so new to me, but I am excited. The benefits and pay are outstanding.

Thank you TraumaRus. They have already said d/t me being a new grad my case load will start at about half what the usual is. They did say bonuses are already offered, and they do end-of-life discussions all the time. I'll see what the recruiter says. This company is growing and expanding, they are under the United Healthcare umbrella, so solid company. Here in Oregon things are a bit better with the economy, etc., but in the way of NP jobs, a bit sporifice. A lot of specialty depts asking for them (neurovascular, GYN, peds, psych-especially). Interesting to see the differing conditions around the country. Thanks again! :)

While I am sure that this has been discussed before-I got a job offer and will be negotiating pay/etc with the recruiter tomorrow. This is a my first NP job-and in looking at the salaries out there-I am a bit discouraged. I thought $80k was reasonable given my new NP grad status-this is a job with a company that covers nursing home residents-tough work, long hours, a lot of responsibility. As for my background-I have 17 years of critical care experience. I just passed boards. I got straight A's in NP school. I am mortified of this job, but excited at the same time. Any advice? I was told by a few to negotiate higher. Thoughts? Many thanks!

Hi Tinabear- My post-master's program was a dual track- ANP/GNP, and my goal is geriatrics, so I registered for both exams. Seems like most employers aren't too interested in what you have-so long as it's an NP. But I already paid for it-might as well take it! :) When you send in your app to the AANP, you do need to fill out your total clinical hours, along with where you did your clinical rotations at, and who was your preceptor. You will also have to have your school verify that you took certain courses (adv pharm, role of apn, etc). Lots of paperwork! :) then you do that all over again for applying for licensure in your respective state. I think I have gone through two Redwood trees, as the State of Oregon-where I am, requires a separate app for the ANP cert and the GNP cert (really!?!?! Geez people!). You will need to send your transcripts in too, for your app. Renee'

Thanks to both of you. And you both are right. I remember my first day as a new RN grad-walked right into critical care. I thrived with that-likely jitters. Yes, indeed will go more prepared next time. Definitely a learning experience-practice is good, especially if you are not strong with interviews......thanks again! :)

Okay. So. I had my first interview today. I just passed my AANP/ANP boards. Applying for licensure in my state, and taking GNP boards next month. I on a whim emailed the NP that set up a clinical rotation with Evercare-under United Helathcare-they round at local nursing homes here; I did a brief clinical rotation with them during NP clinicals. I really love the elderly population, and I enjoyed rounding with their NPs....so, I went to the interview and oh wow.....I am ever so humbled. These patients as you all know are complex, and have a lot of issues. Any advice? Should I work in the clinical environment first, get some experience, then look at a position like this one? The job posting was looking for an NP that had 2-3 years of NP experience. One of my other preceptors encouraged me to apply, since I have a solid 16 years of critical care experience behind me. I felt I did horribly in my interview (I showed up expecting a chit chat with the director, since we already knew each other from my rotation with them)-and ended up with a full-on interview with her AND the medical director. They called and asked me in to meet a few more people.....and send references. Now I am wondering if I should have waited. Unsure of the bennies and pay-I didn't feel it appropriate to discuss that at this initial interview. Any thoughts? Advice is much appreciated! I feel overwhelmed and humbled......major self-doubt going on here.....thanks in advance

No worries guys. I passed-as Coollittleme said above-my status changed too. I did call them again the next day, and the AANP said there was some odd computer glitch, and if your prelim said passed, you indeed passed. All is good. Whew. Whew...breathe! :) Don't be leary Tinabeanrn....all is okay. You'll do fine on your exam. I have the GNP coming up in a month....

Anyone ever hear of this happening? So I took my ANP boards for AANP last Thursday 3/22. I have of course been watching my account online at the AANP website, anxiously awaiting it to say I have passed and I can get my documentation-I signed on today and it states my initial exam "failed". What??? Prometric's paperwork they handed me said pass. So I called the AANP, and the receptionist (everyone had gone home except her manager when I called)-I explained why I was calling (I was having a total panic attack), and she said she had never heard of it "flipping that way". She put me on hold and checked with her manager, and assured me I passed and that there had been a "glitch" in the computer system......? I asked her repeatedly-"you're sure I passed?" she said yes. I am still skeptical. Anyone else ever run into this? I am scheduled to take my GNP boards within the month-to have to take the ANP over agaiin....ugh! Really? I studied SO HARD, and felt pretty good finishing the exam....though it was tough. Thoughts? Feedback? I am still having major anxiety about it........

Just wanted to update everyone-PASSED AANP ANP Today! Well, that's the preliminary. I am hoping that AANP doesn't send me a letter to the contrary! What would I say was the most effective study guide? Probably Leik. And doing the apea.com exams-which are much more difficult than the exam itself. Sooooooo relieved. The weight of the world, off my shoulders! :) If I can do it, anyone can!