BritFNP

I am not a CRNA, but my boyfriend is and I have many friends who are (I'm a FNP). You cannot work during CRNA school. This is likely the most difficult APRN program there is. Programs do not allow it, for good reason. You fulfill tons of OR hours and your complete focus must be on anesthesia. After you obtain your bachelors degree in nursing and become a RN, you must work in ICU for 1-3 years before applying for CRNA school, which is an additional something like 28-36 months. For the people I know that are CRNA's, they are very fulfilled in their career choice. The money is good. The work is satisfying and important. Anesthesia providers literally save lives everyday. You must know your anatomy, medication, and skills like second nature. The programs are very competitive and you graduate ready to work. It's a wonderful career choice. Good luck!

You learn everyday. Get your basic processes down. You will see 'new' stuff all the time for a long time. There is no one way to prepare. Just have your resources close by (medscape, apocrates, etc). I just reached my 15 months mark and there are days where I still feel like an imposter and days where I totally feel like I nailed it!

Googling online WHNP program yields many results….drexel university is one that first comes up. Typically for online programs and brick and mortar schools, >600 clinical hours are required. You usually find your own preceptors around your local area. Sometimes your school will help set you up with providers. A hybrid to my knowledge is one that there is some in class work and some online work. For example, you have class once a week and everything else is online with the exception of your clinical hours.

This is a huge issue in the rural clinic I work in too. The meth use is insane out here. Over 50% of people seem to be hooked on pain pills or benzos. It is disheartening. I had one patient come in, on the job a pipe had hit him in the rib cage, negative rib series...treated him acutely with Norco (back when we could rx), flexeril, and some prednisone. He returned 3 weeks later still in pain. I told him he would be sore for a bit - maybe costochondritis - and to take OTC antiinflammatories. He decided to leave me and see one of the doctors in my office who did no further diagnostic testing and rewrote his Norco. Now the patient comes in monthly for a prescription. Many times we do this to the patients ourselves. It is a sad reality.

It's crazy. I too am from Texas and becoming an NP nearly doubled my RN salary. I was only an RN for four years prior though...

I have without a doubt swabbed the cervix and transformation zone and had a report come back saying "transformation zone not present". My docs always say no worries. If there is cell dysplasia it will come up. I think practitioners know what the cervix is AND what it looks like haha

Most people are going to respond saying family NP since you can see patients from birth to geri. The other two limit you.

I agree, that probably means you will be ordering supplies, taking vital signs, doing lab draws, giving injections, all while trying to be the medical provider you went to extra schooling for.

Texas first RN job $22.52/hr, last RN job $28.50/hr first NP job was $40/hr (very low)

This question is a bit confusing. That may be why there are no responses yet. Are you talking about a dual role?

Lots of documenting, but covering yourself means more than ever as a provider, so I don't particularly mind it. I'm a year in as a NP and I've never regretted it once. Can't beat giving orders over taking them. Yes, more responsibility and critical thinking, but certainly worth it. Like BostonFNP, completely different role.

I tell them they scheduled with me, today they would be seeing me. Next time though, as to not waste anyones time, they can schedule with the MD.

I am very direct, many patients have told me, "thanks for not bs'ing me". It's all in your delivery..put it in a way that doesn't say, you're fat - diet and exercise, you've made your cholesterol be out of control - here's this pill. Put it in a way that they understand you want them to live a long time. Figure out what is important to them - hobby - grandkids - their band - whatever. I always give people options …do you want to do this or that? (give it three more months of diet+exercise or take a statin). Commending people for the efforts they HAVE made goes a long way too. My patient tells me they smoke 1/2 ppd, but a year ago they smoked a whole pack…you're getting a high five. Maybe next year we will be down to 3-4 cigs a day, or none. Bottom line - no one wants to come back to you if you sound like their mother every time they come in, telling them what they are OBVIOUSLY doing wrong. Touching on the topic is good, stressing the importance is good, and documenting that the patient understands the risks of xyz is good. Bottom line, you cannot really say everything you are thinking - its bad for business. You will figure it out! Good luck!

That all depends on if you can find a clinic that is open saturdays. Will be difficult. I did clinicals in Austin and when I couldn't find preceptors I went to Abilene and Albany, tx. Working full time will be fine if you are doing school part time. Hopefully you are in no hurry to finish because part time is a looong process. (full time = 2 years).

What I don't understand is we as FNP's learn nothing about laser hair removal in our programs. These big chains promote RN's and NP's as if we have extensive training in aesthetics.