crazylilkelly

Thank you all for your responses! I'm starting to lean more towards the university with the DNP program. At this point, I'm not to concerned with attaining the DNP vs. masters. It's just that the university only offers DNP. Otherwise, I would be much happier with a masters! I have a bit of time to do a lot of shadowing and ask questions! Also, this university does offer help with clinical placements. :)

I'd also like to add, that I believe there are great online masters programs (& would love to hear about them). I just need to find what works best for me. .

Hi Everyone, I'm tossing around the idea of going back to school to become an NP. I wouldn't go for a couple of years, so I have time to figure out what my best route is. I am currently debating FNP vs. PMHNP. I plan on doing a lot of shadowing of both types of providers to figure out which one I truly want to pursue. I am just not sure of which educational route I should take. I have a new baby and a toddler and will have to work FT while going to school. I can go to my nearby university (where I got my BSN). But, they only offer DNP level now. Or, I can do an online masters level program. My concerns & thoughts: University DNP: -Longer program so I am sacrificing time away from family to study for more years. And prolonging when I can apply my new skills. Online Masters: -I'm nervous that I won't be as prepared as I would be with the university DNP. I would always have physical access to skills lab, instructors and counselors. IDK. I'm fine with doing the online masters but I don't want to compromise the quality of my education and preparedness as an NP. On the other hand, I don't want to sacrifice time with my family unless it's necessary.

Currently, I live in Illinois. I lived in SD til I was 8 and was stationed in Ventura county while serving in the military. My husband and I really miss living in Ventura. We would love to move back, but are not sure if we can afford a family friendly (safe, good schools) area on our income. I'm and OB RN and he is a surg tech. I'm thinking about going back to grad school to become an NP. Maybe we can consider moving after I graduate. Any suggestions on where we could live in Ventura area on our income range? How about if we wait until I become an NP? Thanks :)

Thanks for all of your responses. If it's an emergent case & anaesthesia can't get there in time definitely makes the situation more understandable. But to hear that only 1 of the 4 were emergent is very disheartening. I am very thankful I work at a hospital in which we have anaesthesia & obs in-house 24/7!

One of our l&d RNs (I work pp) left us to become a director at another hospital. After just a few months she came back. Apparently, while she was at that hospital there were 4 c/s in which they did not get anaesthesia & only gave her a local injection.....4 rns were required to hold these pts down during the procedure. Does this really happen anywhere else????!!!!! Apparently, only one case was emergent. During the other 3 that occurred while she was there, the staff just didn't want to wake the anaesthiologist (sp?). This sounds completely crazy to me! Those poor pts!!!!

Hi Everyone! I was wondering if there are any PNPs in the NAVY or AF here? I'm considering going to PNP school & joining one of the two branches. I was wondering what you consider are the pros & cons of being a PNP in the AF/Navy? How often do you get deployed & to where? How long do your deployments generally last? & how does the military lifestyle effect your family life? Thanks bunches & may God bless all our servicemembers!

Thanks everyone! I am now leaning toward doing 2 yrs of ICU. I contacted the university I plan on going to & they said I can take up to 9 credit hrs before I get accepted to the program. So, I will get some classes out of the way & get the needed experience that everyone keeps recommending. Good luck to you all!

Hi, I plan on applying for ICU next spring. I would like to only spend 1 yr on ICU. My question is did you all tell your managers when you got hired that you wanted to be a CRNA? I heard that they frown upon that. Thing is, I would start in the spring...if I got hired...& have to have my application in by September...I prob wouldn't even be done with orientation. This situation just makes me a little nervous, as if I am being deceptive. Thanks.

hmm not sure... i did learn today that with cardiac tamponade (fluid filling in pericardial sac) that a s/s is pulsus paradoxus. This means that when the pt breathes in there is a drop in systemic BP >10mm Hg). I would assume the deeper they breath in the greater the drop in BP b/c the air fills the lungs, which push on the heart, surrounded w/ fluid, & squeezing it & slowing down CO, HR......pretty cool stuff, to learn, not to have!

Hi, My dh got his cna over 2 yrs ago & never used it. He wants to work as tech while he's in school. How does he go about renewing his license? Thanks

thanks so much for your input. i know i could start NP school while my kids are little but I don't want to count on that. I love my niece & nephew so much that I know when i have my own kids i'll want to devot all of my available time to them. Once they start school i can spend that time on classes and be an example to them. There's so much to figure it out. I'm def going to take all your advice into account, take it day by day until my dh & i figure out what is best for our future.

Thanks for all your replies. I really appreciate your input!!! GOod luck to all of you in your careers. I definitely have some important decisions to make! A lot of my cowokers are telling me to have kids first b/c school is always there. But my instructors & you all are telling me school first. Your opinion really matters to me b/c my coworkers are not masters-prepared nurses. Thanks!

Hi, I am a new grad RN working in pp and loving it. However, I have full intention to continue on to become an NP. Also, my dh & i want to start having kids w/in the next 2 yrs. I am debating about working as an RN at the hosptial and holding off on begining my NP b/c i will only be working 3 12s. Thus, there will be less babysitting expenses. However, this will put off becoming an NP until the kids are about to begin school. Or, should i just start on my NP in the meantime & just put the kiddos off an extra yr or two? However, I'll want to work in a clinic as an NP so i'll prob work 5 days/wk. I know my dh & and i are the ones that need to figure this out. I'm just wondering what path you all took & how it worked or didn't work for you. Thanks!!!

uic is around 28