JasonL

If you want to do research I'd say to pursue a clinically-based MS. Of course, the current position of the ANA is that Master's-prepared RNs are primarily consumers of research. If you really want to get into research a Ph.D. is the way to go.

That is a great question. While there is certainly a big push towards evidence-based practice, nursing practice is very often dictated by tradition, which is too bad. Nurses need to question their practice and ask themselves if there are better ways to meet patient outcome objectives. Yes, to many research is boring and difficult to understand. This is certainly one barrier to the incorporation of research findings into practice. But as professionals I feel that we all bear the responsibility to make an effort to incorporate research findings into our practice to better care for our patients.

With regard to experience before pursuiing my NP, this will be my 7th year in the CICU. I have been a CCRN for two years as well. I'd definitely recommend critical care experience before pursuing your NP, but that's just me. The school I go to (UMass/Worcester Graduate School of Nursing) requires that you have ICU experience to do ICU rotations for school, which makes sense. So, it would keep you from being limited in your options (should you be interested in critical care). You can learn a lot in the ICU as well. I live in MA, where NPs are used quite a bit. They also are in CT. It really depends on where you live, though. The NPs I work with are employed by the hospital, not a doctor's group. Good luck! Jason

Since requirements and programs vary state to state I'm not sure how much I can help you with regard to recommending specific programs. I would call some of the local community colleges that have nursing programs and ask if they have an LVN/LPN to RN program. Also, if you are still in the same area that you went to nursing school you could call the school you attended and ask them for recommendations. Also, most of the online programs I know of are BS programs for people that are already RNs. I don't know of any online AD RN programs, not that I've looked into it.

I'm presently studying to be an ACNP specializing in cardiac critical care. I initially went into nursing thinking that I'd become a CRNA. After following a CRNA in the OR for a number of shifts, I decided that it wasn't for me. After having seen what the ACNPs I worked with could do I chose to pursue that. They manage the postoperative cardiac surgery pts in the ICU here and do a great job. This includes the insertion of central venous lines, arterial lines, chest tubes, and intra-aortic balloons. Additionally, they first assist in the OR. CRNAs do make more money, but ACNPs in cardiac surgery do pretty well for themselves in this area (~$100k/yr). Now, my wife is also an ICU RN...but she wants to be a CRNA.

RNs have a minimum of an Associate's degree. The military will take AD-prepared RNs into the reserves, but require a Bachelor's degree for active duty. Though scope of practice (I'm speaking about civilian practice, not sure how the military does it) varies state to state for LPN/LVNs, they usually function in a limited role and in limited practice settings. In Massachusetts, where I live, most LPNs work in nursing homes or MD offices. In the 500+ bed hospital that I work in very few LPNs are employed, and those that are perform simple technical duties like starting IVs/drawing blood, etc. Some schools have accelerated LPN/LVN to RN programs. I would look into that. After that, you could enroll in an RN to BS program which often is a one-year, one day a week program. Those programs, around here anyway, have a few prerequisites that must be taken first (Microbiology, Stats, and a couple others I'm forgetting right now). If you have 66 college credits already you may have already taken several of those courses. Good luck, Jason

Thanks, Mike, for that information. I'd heard 1LT from some people, and CPT from others. I had spoken to a recruiter a couple of years ago, before I decided to go back to school, and at that time she was saying 1LT with credit towards CPT. I recently spoke with my father, retired Army 91D, who stated that he believed that I would go in as a CPT. By the time I finish school I will have 10 years' experience, so it looks like CPT. I certainly would not have expected anything higher than that. The reason I posted my questions here is that I don't want to call the recruiter yet as it is still something a couple years' down the road for me. I'd still like to hear if anyone knows about the possible implementation of ACNPs into the military. I did learn that there was a report from '00 that examined the possibility of ACNP implementation in the USAF. It costs $21.95 online, I may order it. Of course, I could also function as a critical care CNS which I imagine they would have need for. Thanks again, Jason

I work in a CICU recovering patients from cardiac surgery. This institution has protocol orders for the treatment of almost everything for these patients. We have NPs and/or PAs on the unit at almost all times, but it is very seldom that I need them for anything. I enjoy a very high degree of autonomy in this position...and I get to play with all sorts of neat stuff that you ER RNs never do. (VADs, IABPs, CVVHD, etc.)

Hello- I'm glad to have found this forum. For a few years now I've been interested in joining the military, specifically the Army. I have nearly seven years' experience in critical care, and have CCRN certification. Presently I'm working on my MS in pursuit of becoming an ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) specializing in critical care. It appears that as of now the military does not use ACNPs. Has anyone heard anything about the eventual inclusion of ACNPs in the military? I'd like for my full-time job to be as an ACNP; be it active duty military or civilian, in which case I could function as a critical care RN in the reserves. If I were to join the Army Reserve as a critical care RN (when I complete my graduate studies) what rank might I expect to be given? There seems to be some credit given for civilian experience and education. Thanks in advance, Jason