INN_777

@FCO thank you for the recommendations. I tried to find resources that you refer to as BoardVitals and PocketPrep and I could not find them. Would you mind adding links? Thank you!

This is great to know. I am half way through my PMHNP program now and that is my goal as well: to work 5-10 years in the traditional medical/nursing model and then have an integrative private practice and incorporate yoga, meditation with mental health services (therapy focused at that point).

Thank you, my friend! So glad your are doing well and enjoying it. For sure, almost every onc patient has psych needs, so I do feel like I have quite a bit on experience with at least anxiety and depression. Thank you for an encouraging response.⚘

Hi all: I've been an Oncology RN for 6.5 years now (2nd career). Started an FNP program in 2017 but had to stop as I moved to a new state and life took over. I am considering finishing grad school but I want to switch gears and apply to a PMHNP for many reasons, including long time interest in psych and personal experience. I am planning on switching to a psych RN job once I do more research, submit an application. Would like to hear from those who completed an PMHNP without prior psych experience (or with experience only during the studies). Did you feel that school was harder for you due to limited RN psych experience? Was it more difficult to find a job? Are you happy with your decision? Hoping to find reassurance but open to all honest experiences. Thank you!

You have what it takes! With IVs, scary as it might be and frustrating, the more you do the better you get. I started my nursing and oncology career inpatient and barely had a chance to start IVs, most of our patients had central lines. I had huge anxiety about IVs when I transitioned to outpatient, but after a year or two became a "go to" to tough IVs. You are not born with it, it's all practice.:) Do not worry about knowing all about chemotherapy. You will have orientation and likely some classroom training. But mostly, you will learn about various chemo regimens in infusion by giving them. You learn practical details, related to safety, administration and typical regimens for various types of cancer, not necessarily mechanisms of action, rationale for a regimen. In a very busy infusion clinic you just don't have time to dig. Having now worked in both inpatient and outpatient, I recently took a role as a Nurse Navigator and NOW I am learning more of the big picture - how folks get diagnosed, how regimens are chosen, what patient's journey is like through treatment. Each type of oncology nursing contributes a piece of the "puzzle" of your growing body of knowledge and understanding. Enjoy the transition!

Hi all, also studying for this exam. Are there select all the apply questions on it?

We recently toured the area and visited Waynesville (great) and Weaversville (wonderful). Good to know you like it. Waynsville just seemed a little far but this all depends on where work is, I guess. Haven't been to Swannanoa but loved the name;) CNA ratios are definitely in the high side. But nurse ratios seem reasonable and similar to my employer here (a major teaching hospital). I am in Oncology here and we are max 4. Assume it will be similar over there, This all seems very positive! Thank you so much again!

Hi Meowzers! Thank you for your very encouraging response! Not married to downtown and we have toured a few smaller cities like Weaversville and Swanannoa - liked it. If you don't mind me asking, in what town did you land? Also, what are the nurse to patient ratios @ Mission? Thank you so much again!

Great to find all the feedback here as I am also about to relocate to the area. What are the nurse to patient ratios? I am an oncology RN (3 years experience) and would be looking at inpatient (or outpatient) oncology. Thx

Hi all: BF and I are planning on relocation to Asheville or immediate proximity early 2018. I am and RN-BSN and will have 3 years of Oncology experience, chemo-bio certification and (hopefully) Oncology certification by the time we move. I am currently in an MSN-FNP program and planning on transferring to WCU. Wanted to get a sense for my prospects in the West NC area: 1. How easy/difficult is it to find a job (I do my part well:))? 2. Feedback on employers: Mission Health and others - do you enjoy where you work? Would you recommend one over another? 3. Roughly salaries (I have an idea from online research but would love to know what people actually make)? Thank you!

Thanks all! Helpful!

Thank you for your response. I've never heard of intermediate ortho. What level of care is that? Is that an ortho stepdown (never heard of that either)?Want to clarify, because if this is a regular ortho floor then 4-5 is reasonable. If it is more like a stepdown, 4-5 is very high. Thanks, Y

Thank you so much for sharing, guys! How are the staffing ratios?

Hi all: I currently live in CT and work at a major teaching hospital here. My specialty is Oncology and I have 2+ years of experience (second career). For personal reasons considering relocating to NC. Maybe Charlotte or Durham. Wondering about the "climate" for nurses here. I already found in the threads that pay is lower than in CT, oh well hope that is made up for by lower cost of living. Would love some thoughts on: How are the nurse-to-patient ratios? Availability of jobs (considering 2 years of exp)? I am also in an FNP program here and will have to transfer. How is the job market for FNPs? Thx!

Hi all. I just started my MSN-FNP program while working in acute care (Oncology/Medical). When I graduate, I want to work in primary care. I've been and RN for 1.5 years, all in acute care. Great experience, but I am considering staying in the hospital setting for another 0.5 - 1 years and then switching to a job that would give me more exposure and preparation for work in primary care. I wanted to ask for ideas for such jobs. Seems like RNs in doctors' offices take on almost a more administrative role with not too much clinical skills involved, at least in my observation. Are there any jobs where you can be clinically active and get good exposure and learning in primary care? Someone mentioned their work in a community center...Anything else? Thanks in advance.

What generally looks good on a resume is you staying with the same employer for at least a couple years. Switching employers earlier can raise concerns and make employers worried about investing in hiring/training for fear they might not recoup the investment if you move on again. That said, if there is a valid and obvious reason for you switching employers earlier and if there is not a pattern of you doing that regularly, then I don't think anyone will get truly concerned. I intentionally say switching employers vs switching jobs because the key concern is usually that the employer will not recoup what's invested in you. If you switch jobs internally, your department might not like it, but it might be best for the greater organization if you take a job in an area with a more acute need at the time.

Protect your health and your license - don't do this. Say no! Good luck!

Yes, this! These indeed are the magic words that HR is trained to jump to. And bullying (and that is exactly what OP is describing) creates exactly that.

Thank you for contributing, @Buyer Beware. I don't see any disrespect in your statement that nursing experience is valuable in NP practice. I have nursing experience, value it and will have more of it by the time I graduate.

Interesting, food for thought. Thank you!

Thanks, @TammyG. What experience do you think will help with primary care? I am afraid what nurse do in, let's say, doctors' offices is pretty limited.

Thank you all for your supportive messages, very encouraging. @Rod, Male Nurse - I am thinking along the same lines - to move up to intermediate care in another year or so.

Hi all: I am starting my MSN-FNP this Fall (well, actually, later this month:)). I currently have 1.5 years of RN experience on a busy/acute Medical Oncology unit and now also work in more of a Med-Surg/Oncology setting. By the time I graduate/license I will have anywhere from 4-5 years of experience as an acute care RN. I am 45 (nursing is my second career), hence did not want to delay grad school, but have some trepidation about entering the NP career with limited nursing experience. I see NPs and PAs in my current line of work who have limited "field" experience prior to and they are doing really well, which is encouraging. At the same time, I see many of my colleagues and future classmates who have 15+ years of experience prior to grad school and that makes me think.... Anyway, would love to hear from those of you who became an FNP with limited nursing experience. Do you feel like you are at a disadvantage? Do you wish you got more experience prior to going back to school? Or do you feel at a reasonably level footing with your more experienced colleagues.

I asked the same question at my hospital where I am full time, since I am PRN at my former employer and it is a tough commute for me. I would rather pick up PRN at my current place of employment. From my understanding I can pick up PRN at another department. I would be overtime, but it will hit that other department's budget. Now, I am not sure if I can actually apply for a guaranteed position vs just picking up. Need to research further as well.

I know a few nurses who started as new grads in an outpatient setting and made a good career that way. And those are M-F 9 to 5 jobs. Could a good route for you, considering your scheduling requirements.