Dodongo

This is why we do not have a protocol for this. The treatment algorithm is pretty straight forward, but there are always nuances and exceptions that need to be managed by a medical provider.

I just had this conversation with a nurse on the unit this weekend. She admitted that her a few other students do this. It's not a stretch. My program had us all test at the same time, so I was not aware this was an option/issue at other programs. And the boards are a complete farce. I am still a member of a "boards review" group on facebook and there are documents containing a significant chunk, a majority even, of the actual questions on the boards. It's an enormous problem. There should be a committee devoted to writing new test questions. There is no excuse for giving the same test questions year after year after year. Of course students will do what they can to cheat and to pass. That's human nature. The certification bodies should do what they can to prevent it.

Holy moly. Who was the admitting provider?? That is an enormous gap in their base knowledge. Aggressive correction of dehydration is critical, then insulin should be given. And after urine output has been established, potassium (and phos) replacement should begin. Pretty standard. We have an insulin drip protocol, but the treatment of DKA/HHNK falls on the providers, not the nurses.

And not just proctored secure browser examinations. For many of these programs, you are able to take the "proctored" exams within a 2 day window. So what happens is students form groups and for each exam one of the group members will volunteer to take the exam first, then will disseminate the questions and answers to the rest of the group. So what's the point of proctored exams??

I'm gonna guess you work for either UPMC or AHN. They don't, in general, see a difference between the NP certifications or tracks - an NP is an NP (they do prefer ACNP for ICU positions from what I've been told). Clearly this is a problem, as you are experiencing. There are tracks for a reason. All you can do is tell them you want to switch specialties, you want more orientation in your current specialty, or look for a position elsewhere. I work for another system in the east of Pittsburgh suburbs and the medexec committee there does take track into consideration because the system has run into too many problems with FNPs being "miscast".

In my experience, SICU NP/PAs are critical care. They don't scrub in the OR, go to clinic, etc. NP/PAs hired into surgical services who scrub in the OR would be surgical.

My group does 6x12s and an 8 (that is always a 12) every 2 week pay period. Rotating, weekends, holidays. If you want to work CCM then you're not going to have a M-F 8hr schedule.

This is the new, smiling face of the NP profession. It'll only be a few years before the profession tanks because of schools like these. To the OP, between those 3, go to La Salle. Walden and Maryville should be shut down. My current group just fired a NP from one of these schools. Over a year of orientation and still no clue. It made all NPs look horrible.

I worked in IR as a nurse prior to (and during) NP school. A few hospital systems in my region, including my own, uses APPs to do a lot of the procedures. They also do consults, clinic, pre/post, etc. I would say try and do more time in IR. As a nurse, my IR experience was SO helpful for NP school and working as a NP, maybe just as much or more than my ICU experience. And it will look great for applying to those rare IR jobs as a NP.

Why is it only NPs say this. In every other graduate professional program, the applicants/students/professors/certifying bodies, etc, expect the schools to explicitly teach. But nurses are ok with less than nothing.

Ha, 8 hours a week. What is even the point?? These schools, and the CCNE requirements, are so lamentable.

I went to DCCC in Philadelphia. It was a worthwhile week on campus and the price is right. In my opinion, NIFA is the biggest rip off. So expensive compared to other programs and they all offer the same thing.

You don't need to take the certifying exam for RNFA. That's just a money making scheme. Keep in mind though, that in most states, RNFAs cannot bill for the work they do. Only NPs and PAs can bill CMS for first assisting.

Yep, no problem. I used practice hours and precepting students. I have a good friend who is also a surgical ACNP and he has had no problems either.

I am ACNP so the AANP does not apply. The two certifying bodies are ANCC and AACN. I have ANCC.