BirkieGirl

I am at a very critical crossroad professionally and have to decide in the next couple weeks if I will choose to graduate and go on to EKU PMHNP post-graduate program OR stay at my current university and plow through their FNP program. Since either P...

I would like to see some honest, current (2016), student reviews of the SU online FNP program, and specifically anybody who is attending the POST MSN certificate version of the FNP program. I am really interested in attending a PMHNP program but I wa...

So at the ripe age of 44, after 20 years with my BSN, I am finally done with FNP school. One dream that I always had as a young girl was to go to the military and serve. I had a chance to play an instrument with the Air Force band and even tossed aro...

So I'm literally in the final 2 weeks of school. What a journey. I already have a great gig lined up in a specialty that I'm very familiar and comfortable. At 44, I feel fortunate that I had a great nursing career, and now have the opportunity to hav...

I would agree that Epidemiology might be a nice segue into another direction, and Public Health nursing/policy through a local county health department or state level health division. If you haven't already, you might also think about taking a class ...

Entered MSN as a practicing RN (did my BSN right out of high school) after 20 years in practice. Definitely a little older than the typical student (late 30s/early 40s) took anywhere from 6-9 credits per semester, worked full time, 2 very busy kiddos...

NP students- some days at clinical I will be wearing scrubs due to the nature of the practice, some days I'll be wearing super casual due to that practice, but there is one practice that wear a very mixed bag of attire. Do any of you feel like LuLaRo...

Hi all- as a PMHNP, what are your favorite go-to academic books or journals for learning? I'm asking the practicing NPs in psych because you have experience and may have some perennial favorites. thanks!

I was in medical device sales, went back to direct care because I had decided I wanted to further my career and wanted to make sure I 'could' actually do it! turns out I could, I was pretty good at it and now am in a NP program

while working in the content area will always be helpful, there are plenty of NPs in Wound Care, Cardiology, Surgery, Palliative care/Hospice, GI and other content areas that never actually worked in that content area as a RN. If your schedule doesn'...

NO to pretty much all of it except for the occasional skin tear (wound) or help to the bathroom if they are unsteady. Admits to the unit must be pretty much self-care capable (geri psych unit is separate).

No I wouldn't either. Don't share your personal medical information in an interview. Instead, I would take the approach of "what I think is the most important to the patients or what is a vital skill to caring for this population" type thing.

I agree with all the above. Buy a 'refresher' book from Amazon and review those things that have gotten a bit dusty: IVs, foleys, wet-to-dry dressings, chest tubes, etc. All the procedural stuff. Also, most hospitals have Staff Development department...

A close family member is graduating ahead of me with her FNP and I would like to give her a meaningful gift to recognize her very hard work. Any ideas for something that is both useful and could possibly be displayed in her new office?

Once again I second JulesA response, I agree to take some time. Get to know nursing. Get to know several areas. As a 20+ year vet, I can attest to the fact that there are SO many areas of nursing to learn about and become proficient in. In the end, i...

In my facility the psych techs actually are required to have a BA in Psychology or Social Work. They don't function as nursing assistants in any way (no vitals, no chem-strips, no toileting, etc).

If you're in a FAMILY program, it's likely your sites are in the office. If you are attending an acute care program, your sites will be in-hospital. It is very competitive, the competition has gotten seriously fierce everywhere in the past few years,...

I agree with Elkpark- PMHNPs do a TON of med management, not much 'therapy' work at all. their role is not the same as a therapist.

You definitely want to tap into JulesA and zenman, they are the resident PMHNPs that I have looked to for advice on the field. I am under the impression that PMHNPs don't do therapy much, instead they are doing med management of the patients. I THINK...

Yes I suspect definitely stress, coupled with the fact that I work this intermittent afternoon to nights position and my hours flip flop continuously (going to a days/weekend position to combat this issue), i'm also a full time mom and wife, TOTALLY ...

Ok seriously, it seems like my brain has stopped functioning. I used to be able to memorize ANYTHING and in my jobs I was the go-to person if a doc needed info on a past patient that they couldn't remember- I could (granted I am now in my mid-40s and...

Thanks 37! I have already actually read him. I have been following a ketogenic/primal way of eating since last year and have reaped a LOT of health benefits from it. Sadly I don't feel like I got the full effect of the 'mental clarity' that everyone ...

Thanks Jules, I have admired your advice to others on here for a long time. It's good to hear that I'm not losing it...3 semesters to go and I'll be done with my post-master's FNP certificate...

Depends where you are and where you are WILLING to go! There are many areas that YES, are saturated. However there are plenty of areas that still are underserved and have huge demand for providers.

Hi all, I'm looking for suggestions or input from anyone who has successfully formed an integrative or functional approach into your FNP practice. I've been Paleo/keto for a couple years, practice functional movement and am ON FIRE for all things tha...