Tim-GNP

As many times as it takes to pass. I know one woman who has been taking them faithfully, twice a year since 1993.

Greetings all! I am debating about taking the on-line Adult Critical Care Course through Indiana University School of Nursing. Has anyone heard of this course? Has anyone taken this course? Let me know what you think. Cheers!

I live in the Pocono's... less than a half hour from Wilkes Barre [alright, about 20 minutes, depending on how I drive]. Nice to meet everyone!

Deaconess is NLN accredited as well as Regionally accredited. Therefore, it doesn't matter if the nurses at your hospital 'like it' or not. The only program I found is the RN to BSN program, I am not sure which program you will be in. Check with your individual SBON to be sure that they will accept the program for initial licensure. Otherwise, you may have to take boards in the state in which Deaconess has SBON approval [Missouri, I think] and then apply in your state for licensure by endorsement. Good luck

I agree with TracyB--- I also see Brandys point. I guess working in both LTC and acute care, I have seen both sides. I have sent resident's to hospitals with fully intact skin and received them back with stage III pressure sores, and significant weight losses. I can also recall several times that I had called report to the receiving hospital and the ER nurse gave me the 'they're old... just let them die... why are you wasting my time?!!" attitude. I have also sent capable residents to hospitals who suffered an 'acute confusional episode' in the nursing home--- who, before they were confused would consistently refuse to allow nursing care, now that they are confused, they appear at the hospital looking all nice & neglected. I recall one resident who refused a shower for over 90 days. Nothing worked to get this lady into the shower. She was 100% capable, and perfectly with it. Try to force her and in the long term care facilities [due to our wonderful regulations], you are guilty of "Resident Abuse" or assault and battery. There are some nursing homes out there that are just pig styes. They shouldn't be allowed to take care of house plants, let alone human beings. I guess I have no good answer to this one, except, try to communicate. Remember, when you take report from a nursing home nurse, that they are not in the same mode of thought as you are... the focus of the nursing care provided in nursing homes is dramatically different from the hospital. I hope this helps, but something tells me it doesn't. Cheers!

Depends on your specialty... I took the American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC], because it was the only one available for Gerontological Nurse Practitioners. I believe that most other specialties have other choices. I thought that they were easy--- Good luck with whatever you decide.

I can't remember... I think it was in the most recent issue of Nursing Education-- there was a fairly well done study that discussed preparation for NCLEX. I can't remember the entire content of the article, but it was pretty good. If your school subscribes, check it out.

I know it sounds like a dreadful analogy... but the more you think about it, the truer it sounds...

Jean--- are you an NNSDO member? I was considering it.... but I am just not sure. I wonder if they are very 'acute care' only oriented, or if they balance between various staff development settings.

First of all, not all students will become a nurse. It is not meant for everyone. I look at myself as having a duty to society. I am saying, by passing the students to the next level that they meet the objectives of the level. I will not let society down by passing someone who is not able to master the skills or objectives of the level. I also have the study groups, etc., etc., etc., if no one comes and they do poorly in the test, I have no sympathy. I do feel bad that they wasted their money, but nothing more. Maybe old age is making me hard... who knows. One of my patients told me this once years ago.... "you can't save ALL of the whales." Cheers!

No... I would not. But unlike those who post in the general forum, I have done something about it.... moved myself to ultra part-time. I love being a Registered Nurse--- not an NP.

I think acceptance of the ND is up to the invidual college/university considering offering you tenure. Most advertisements for nursing faculty usually read 'earned doctorate from an accredited institution.' I am in the dissertation stage of my PhD, but my doctorate will not be in nursing [i picked Health Science Education].

Tell your husband to tell people the same thing I do... when people say "oh... you're a male nurse?" I reply "no, I take care of the ladies, too!" : ) I didn't even know about this until my nightly visit to allnurses.com--- This guy was doing this about 50 minutes down the turnpike from where I live in PA!!! Insofar as this guy... WOW!!!!!!! In God's time, not our own.

I have my Master's in Nursing Education--- I think it has been very beneficial to me. Unless we make a conscious effort [i.e., through education], we tend to teach the way we were taught... which may or may not be a good thing.

Greetings!!! I love preceptor programs!!! How are the preceptors rewarded??? It is based on budget, usually. You can give PTO for each orientee that they precept that stays 6 months-- this is good incentive to get them to do their best to help the new person learn their role & learn it well. Another method would be giving a preceptor differential [e.g., $1.00 per hour more for days they are precepting]. Yet another method, is creating a 'preceptor' role and giving the preceptor a pay raise- not just while they are precepting, they get the money ALL THE TIME. But they must be prepared to precept whenever, and attend all mandatory preceptor training updates! If you are on a very low budget- a gift certificate to a local mall or food store [$20-$25] for each person that they train would be quite in order. I hope this helps!

Funny you should post this now.... I just learned on Wednesday from the Chauncey Group [the people who give the exams for ANCC], that I passed my October 18, 2003 examination in Nursing Professional Development!!!!!!!!!! My other NP friends think I am insane, but that's another story. How did I prepare for the exam???? Truthfully, I did not study for the exam. However, if you are interested in studying for it--- go to: http://nnsdo.org/Index.htm Click on 'publications and products' and then click on 'Publications'... the first item should be "Core Curriculum for Nursing Staff Development, 2nd Edition." It costs $150. I have the original version of the book, which I think was copyrighted in 1995. I did skim through the book on the two nights before the exam... but since I have almost a PhD in Health Science Education, I was feeling rather arrogant about it. Good luck if you should take the test.

I guess in this thread, I am just the 'odd ball.' Which is OK, I tend to be the odd ball in most threads. I call my collaborating MD 'my doctor' and he calls me 'his nurse practitioner.' I don't think either do it out of a sense of ownership or an attempt to disrespect the other, rather, I think we just do it out of a sense of being colleagues. My population is also different than most. My specialty is Gerontology- I don't see a soul under 65--- and that's young. The majority of my patients are in their mid 70's to 90's. They do not comprehend the concept of CRNP licensure or certification. They think I am studying to be a doctor, or I am the doctor's nurse. I don't take offense. I spend the time I have with them educating them about how to use their medication properly. I write out [in big print] a new sheet at each visit that gives them detailed instructions on how and when to take which medication. To my patient's' I think this is more important than explaining what a nurse practitioner is. I do my thing.... they get the care they need. I'm pretty happy with that. Insofar as who is better--- the NP or the MD--- neither. One is not better than the other- they are just different. My 2 cents.

Where I teach, we have decreased the chemistry requirement and added Physics in it's place. I agree that chemistry is needed to comprehend the basis of drug therapy, but the powers that be decided that a working knowledge of physics was also important to understand such things as fluid mechanics [which can be applied to such things as IV therapy, cardiology]. I do think chemistry is important.

My students get one break- 15 minutes for every 4 hours of clinical time. If the clinical rotation is greater than 5 hours, they get a 1/2 hour rest period. My university does this in accordance with NLRB standards- If they want to smoke, c'est la vie. I am there to teach them nursing, not to pass judgment on lifestyle choices. I caution others about this... your opinion counts to you... discriminate against a smoking student, and you can find yourself in the Deans office [it happened to a friend of mine who is also a nursing instructor in upstate New York]. Cheers!

MD Terminator... Just curious... how long have you been an NP?

Perhaps... much ado about nothing... The AMA would never stand for this. Physicians have a hard enough time coping with NP's educated at the Master's level. Since MD's are more organized than nurses [i.e., the majority of them belong to their medical societies, unlike nurses], I suspect their lobbying powers are much stronger. I doubt that this would ever come to pass. Besides... EmeraldNYL brings up a good point- every NP program that I know of requires a BSN for entry--- you finish with an MSN & NP certificate. TaylorMade,R.N. brings up another good point--- the NP market is so saturated... it isn't even funny. All of these NP programs are sucking students in with the promise of employment opportunities.... as a result, more and more bedside nurses will also be NP's. I know of 3 former students of mine who can't find a job for love or money. They still work as bedside nurses with NP licensure. Face it... the whole of nursing education is so screwed up, it isn't even funny.

BioRN: This strikes a nerve inside of me. I was once told back in the very beginning of my nurses 'training' by a clinical instructor: "I don't like the idea of men in nursing, and men don't become nurses if I have anything to say about it." That Bi*ch has since been relieved of her teaching responsibility and works 11-7 as a staff nurse. Ironically enough, I had the opportunity to be her supervisor a few years ago! LEGALLY, if you have been harassed by your instructor, you have a great deal of legal recourse. First of all, be sure to write out EACH AND EVERY exchange you have had with this instructor. It helps if you have notes when you go to file complaints with the school Next step, take your concerns-verbally and in writing to the chair of the department. If you get no where there, go directly to the academic dean... you DO NOT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH HARASSMENT! Legally, you have a great of recourse. Since she stated to you that she felt you were 'unstable,' you may have a good slander case against her. If she wrote that or any other derogatory remarks about you [i.e., on clinical evaluation documents, etc.], it becomes 'libel.' Unless of course, she holds a current license to practice psychology and is legally permitted to making such diagnoses [which I suspect she isn't]. I would raise such hell, that they would want to graduate you as soon as possible! I would not drop out of school. Be sure to tell the dean or program director that you have had to seek medical intervention due to the 'anxiety' that this instructor created. Drop the legal buzz words that would make them think you sought out legal council. Be sure to tell them things such as the instructors 'malicious intent,' 'descriminatory attitude, perhaps based in your age as a student,' as well as the 'hostile and intimidating environment' that the instructor has created and the 'current and future economic hardship that this instructor is creating,' etc. After they have excused themselves to the bathroom, things may go your way. You have the same right as anyone else to an education, and this right should not be infringed upon by a goof who has a personality clash with you. There have been students I liked more than others, but they would never know it. EVERYONE deserves a chance at an education, especially an education as special as nursing. Good luck, and go kick tail!!!

The nursing summary should be done monthly. It should serve as a method to evaluate the plan of care [that is, you should write the narrative based off of plan of care goals, as to whether or not the goals are met or unmet]. The RNAC [or whoever develops plan of care] should be looking at the summaries to see if goals are being met, or unmet. If unmet, s/he should revise the plan of care accordingly. It is really the only way of not getting a DOH deficiency.... and even then, you're probably damned.

I agree with the concept, but not the way it is handled by your facility. The entire thing should be VERY positive and educational. The entire thing should be a reciporcal learning experience. The individual being observed should learn about lapses in technique and identify ways to prevent them, and the observer should learn about the problems that can be encountered during a med pass, and brainstorm ways with staff to avoid them. The unfortunate thing is that most LTC facilities hire an RN to do education; yet, they have little if any preparation in education.

I agree with the concept, but not the way it is handled by your facility. The entire thing should be VERY positive and educational. The entire thing should be a reciporcal learning experience. The individual being observed should learn about lapses in technique and identify ways to prevent them, and the observer should learn about the problems that can be encountered during a med pass, and brainstorm ways with staff to avoid them. The unfortunate thing is that most LTC facilities hire an RN to do education; yet, they have little if any preparation in education.