lexnurse26

That's a great point, DFW_RN. Student loan debt is piling up for me too. I would love to find a fullfilling area of work but also make a good income at the same time! Thank you for your replies!

That's great information, I truly appreciate it. The role differences is something I have not yet thought about and you bring up some interesting points. Thank you very much!

So I am a floor nurse with little experience at this point, and am planning on continuing my education towards a critical care NP. I have no experience with critical care/trauma, but have enjoyed it very much during my clinical experiences. In your opinion, how much critical care experience should be necessary before an NP practices professionally in this area? Thank you!

Thank you for your reply, resilientnurse. I have one more question- what exactly about the change in roles was difficult for you? Did you find that a DNP felt more like a physician role than a nursing one?

Thank you for your thoughts. Another question, DFW_RN, I have thought about the CRNA/MSNA route, what is the route that you chose and why?

thank you both and I definately have. Maybe I need to be more specific- part of my project includes personal opinions on the topic from professionals such as yourselves.

Hi, I am doing an assignment for final semester in an RN program, and must ask about a pertinent topic to modern nursing. Here is my question: What is the difference in practice and in patient health outcomes (both in clinical and community settings) between an MD and an NP? Is there supportive evidence that one practice produces better quality care and outcomes than the other? If so, why do you think so? Thanks!

I'm in the middle of making a decision to pursue either a master's degree or a doctorate in nursing practice, and am not sure which route would be best to take at this point. I enjoy critical care environments and diagnosis very much, and I have had a few years experience working as a nurse so I have some idea of what I'm getting into. Any MSN or DNP's out there have an opinion on the different routes for school and what they are about? Thanks!

Thank you so much to both of you, you also seem like very caring people as well. And I have to agree, the shooting and the fact that they were such small children tugged at my heartstrings and made the common everyday stress that much more difficult to handle that week. I pray for all those parents this christmas who's children's gifts stay unwrapped under the tree.

This week was the worst I've had in my career in nursing. It has been the kind of week that has made me ponder if I made the right decision with my career choice. It's a terrible feeling. I got home tonight, closed my door, and bawled my brains out. That's when I got inspired and this little poem popped into my head.. I wanted to share it with you all, and I hope that it inspires you too.. The Heart of A Nurse Wipe the tears away today; you did the best you could. They are safe, asleep, and in their beds pain free and loved, taken care of, like they should. You delegated, prioritized, and worried for them you advocated, hugged, and listened to them. Hours flew by as you charted, elevated, and watched intently they waited, and waited, watching the clock tick slow you cradled their wounds and aching limbs so gently. Your heart cracks, so small, at the sound of their cries and daily fighting the burnout and all the goodbyes. Wipe the tears away today; you did all that you can. Those deep greedy pockets and government drawbacks they don't know what you know- God has a bigger plan. They told you many times, that you could have done more and you go home with a heart that is tender and sore. Through shortstaffing, procedures, and all the phone calls their pain and their needs on your shoulders it falls. So carry on, strong healer LIKE A BOSS wipe your eyes fix your cape and your stethoscope on for tomorrow's struggles- to the challenge you'll rise.

thank you that does help. right now I'm trying not to think about it much until my appointment.

I am a new nurse (LPN) and have only been working for 7 months now, and I'm mid twenty's. Last Friday I was performing a routine blood draw on a 70y/o patient with a large bore needle and after receiving little flashback i pulled out. Then the patient's table started to topple over because they kicked it so without thinking I went to steady it... before pushing the safety cap up on the needle. I stuck myself deep in my forefinger, milked it, and washed with soap and water. I was tested immediately but didn't worry too much because they had one sexual partner their whole life and had no risky behaviors. Two days ago I was informed they tested positive for Hep C. They had gotten blood products years ago before hep C testing was mandatory for donor blood, and had never mentioned it to their doctor here. Ever since then I haven't been eating, I've cried maybe ten times, and I haven't slept for over 24 hours. I'm so so scared and I'm in the middle of a busy school semester in an RN program. I haven't told my mom yet because she will freak out and stress me out even more. My sister knows and she started a prayer chain at her church, which makes me feel a little better. I've had the RNA test and the antibody test on my blood, and I know it's too soon for anything to show up but I have an appointment this Friday to view the results. My anxiety is so high I'm thinking about calling into work sick tomorrow until I know my results. Does anyone have anything comforting for me right now?