jjrodriguez

M.D. or D.O.

I figured one would be very busy this way, lol. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe here in Texas, you can't be just a FNP to work in the ED.

I am wondering if any NP's here are currently or have worked as both a FNP and ACNP at the same time? I am applying for an ENP (dual FNP/ACNP) program next semester than can prepare you for work in the ER. However, I am thinking about working in the ICU and am not sure if I can work primary care alongside, although I would love to do that. Is working 4 days a week in primary care and 2 weekends a week in acute care unheard of? Thanks!

Yeah, if you want to advance to grad school, grades definitely matter. I plan to apply for NP school next semester and I ask what is considered a competitive GPA and the average is 3.4-3.5. Now, in grad schools, C's for the most part are not good. I know one program that requires you to retake a class if you get a C. If you still make a C, you are kicked out. Another program only allows 1-2 C's for the whole program (about 80-ish hours total). I understand some are not thinking about getting their MSN, but it's something to consider for those who are.

It depends on your program. Our program was great in that we had a Student Success program where students who are struggling can meet with a couple of faculty and peer mentors for questions. We have many resources available to us such as study guides, supplemental books and practice questions. Majority of the people in our class did fairly to exceeding well. I think the content itself is not difficult to grasp, rather the analyzing and application of that content can be a challenge to master. Also, time management is key as it is pretty busy balancing clinical hours, assignments and didactic courses.

Although that seems to be the common mentality that "C = commencement", I know of many of my classmates and myself who are able to maintain a majority of A's throughout our BSN upper level courses. It does take an effort and investment of time, but the satisfaction knowing I tried my best and succeeded is invaluable. Unfortunately, we hear that a lot, and I agree that it does lower the standard of our education. I believe that you don't have to make ALL straight A's, but try your best to excel in all of your classes. If you really tried your best, and still came out with a C, then that's absolutely okay. But I've noticed a very laid back attitude amongst my cohort regarding grades and as a peer mentor, I have to break through that thought with the new nursing students to encourage them to aim for A's. It is kind of scary seeing this attitude. I understand that some people are "better test takers than others" (I've heard this a lot), but you still need that broad based knowledge to even answer the question. I've also heard that "managers don't look at grades". That may be true for some, but with the influx of new grads looking for jobs, how else will employers differentiate for their ideal employees? Two of the local hospitals have set GPA requirements for their GN positions (3.0 & 3.3 minimum). Interships also look GPA. Graduate school looks at GPA. So, yes, grades DO matter.

Throughout my clinicals, I got along fantastically with nearly all the physicians I came into contact with. I thought, and still think, it was in their best interests to provide a good solid experience for a student like me. However I was told that they probably treat me different because I am male. I hope that is not the case though, but I can't deny that some of my female clinical-mates recall the cold shoulder when working with some physicians.

You have to utilize critical thinking skills in that you know the information, now what are you going to DO with it? Analysis and application are the main higher level thinking skills you will need in order to effectively answer questions and practice safely. As mentioned, nursing is not black and white. There are many variables that influence a patient's response to certain treatments and it is important for us to identify what can go wrong before something goes wrong and how to respond in a timely manner.

I received a scholarship where I had to send a thank you letter, and it was definitely the real deal. It turned out, my donor was the CNO from of the local pediatric hospitals! It was very nice. I highly doubt your scholarship will be revoked due to a spelling error. You can clarify in your letter about the error.

Low oxygenation doesn't really have to do with risk for falls directly, so take out the last 2. I can't see anything that directly relates to risk for falls, other than low activity level. I wouldn't say she has impaired physical mobility, rather limited mobility. So, if you want to do Risk for falls, I would probably state it as: Risk for falls R/T wound on foot. However, I am more concerned about her returning pneumonia. Have you thought about Impaired gas exchange or Ineffective breathing pattern? Also, consider Impaired skin integrity or Infection R/T the wound.

Go for it!! As long as you are fully motivated and healthy, I see no limit as to how old you have to be to succeed. On the other end of the spectrum, is there such a thing as being too YOUNG to start NP school? :) I will be 22 when intend to start.

I currently blog through Wordpress.com I mainly use it as a mentoring type of resource, where I cover material throughout all the courses throughout my BSN. I would share my study tips for succeeding in a particular course (med/surg, psych, pediatrics ...) and I also cover topics individually (EKGs, fetal heart tones). . I am also looking forward to starting a student FNP blog, for the same purpose.

That's strange. I knew we always check for the bladder if we suspect autonomic dys, but I remember doing a practice question that had both "elevate HOB" and "check bladder/cath" as answer choices and the answer was "elevate HOB". I think the rationale was to prevent hypertensive stroke and this is the most immediate intervention. Of course, in real life all of these would be done about the same time.

My first semester of nursing school, my clinical-mate's patient's diagnosis was "SICK".

I would keep the pharm & patho books, but I love those subjects so it could just be me. I actually still have my pharm & patho notes from my pre-BSN, and I hope they'll be great use when I start NP school. There are a couple of great websites for renting, check them out! Half.com Ecampus.com