karma765

db2xs, I would just say you have other commitments. Legally, I don't think they can press you, but if they do just tell them you have a chronically ill family member and those days are your 'shifts' to take care of that person.

Yes, I agree. As an RN apply for any part-time or especially per diem job that you are qualified for. It will not be a great job, but it will be money in your pocket. Just practice your story before your interview, in the mirror is best. If you practice, you can also practice skirting the topic (of your NP schooling), and possibly some lies. But if you seem sincere, and learn a bit about their company, and interview well, you may be able to pull it off. You can even ask your fellow students, a friend you trust, or a family member to mock interview you. I have worked the entire time I am in school, so it is not going to be an issue for me. My department is well informed on my school progress. Getting ready to go part-time after all. And if you hate the job, just smile and get through it, keep your eyes on the prize!!

Hi guys! FNP program year 3 (MSN prepared). First clinical coming up this week. So I talk to my preceptor over the phone; she has never precepted an NP student before. She asks me what the school's expectations are. I told her what class and skill prep/ check was like. She says, "no I mean what are they expecting you to do? I think if you follow me around, you can learn everything you need to know." Ok, at this point, I am thinking uh oh. I very nicely said well, no they want me to follow you around for one or two days to learn your workflow and your expectations and then I need to be seeing patients. She says, Well I am just not sure my patients will go for that." [(me thinking) WHAT!?!? I know she has been through this entire process herself not that many years ago] I say, well my understanding is that the MA (medical assistant) gently approaches the subject while taking her VS and brief assessment. She says, "well possibly, or I will ask them. But I am not sure they will go for it." At this point, I am praying this is a misunderstanding and she just doesn't realize that I will be going in to see the patient with or without her to do the assessment and then report off to her. However, I do have another placement I was going to take in July that I may need to move up if it doesn't work. My plan is to go in and act like it is all just a miscommunication that we need to talk about. However, this NP is also my PCP and is just offhandedly asked her if she would precept me and she said yes. But I am wondering if she is now having second thoughts and is looking for an out? What do you guys think?

I would say to any of the potential NP students, don't do it just for the pay raise. In many states, a veteran RN can make as much as an NP, especially a new NP. You have to do it because you want to change how your are using your nursing; you want to do more for your patients, reduce your work ratio (meaning yes you will see a lot of patients, but only one at a time and help your patients qet their questions answered, reduce their fear and anxiety, answer the questions they were afraid to ask a doctor, and so much more. Patient satisfaction when seeing an NP is very high. Patients say they feel 'heard' and are allowed to ask questions. These are the reasons to do it. Pay is definitely not the main reason to do it.

Abva, I would also add that I sat down with my husband and we chatted about it and I told him what I thought he could expect. I told him to think about a while and let me know. Ultimately, I was asking him to make a commitment for me to succeed as well as my own commitment. Occasionally I am tired and grumpy and overworked and have to 'gently' remind him that we both committed to this and we are in it until the end, then he agrees. But it is difficult for your support team too, so be sure to include them in your decision if you will need to lean on them for support. Hope that helps.

Abva, I am 53 and have 1 year left in FNP school. I debated on it long and hard. I had always wanted to become an FNP since I started in nursing 25 years ago, but 'LIFE' got in the way. You know how that goes. I have just turned in my Master's thesis which I had in addition to another class at the same time trying to work full time. That was a hell I would like to never repeat. But hey I have a 3.75 GPA overall!! But my kids are all grown and out of the house. Just hubby and dogs at home and my husband is very supportive. He does housework, laundry, and dishes and even cooks. I appreciate his support so I have to try not to be real picky about the housework or cooking. However, when I decided to do it, I realized I could use student loans. I take the max out and have some saved back for 'financial emergencies'. I am in my last year, starting clinicals next week and going down to part time (2- 12s). We are scrimping and saving, and cutting back to do it. However, I decided that I can either be 54 (graduate 3/19) and looking for an NP job, or I could be 54 and still wishing I was an NP. Ultimately you have to decide. You life circumstances make a big difference. My good friend is a single parent doing it, so she has to stay full time working. Going to be really hard for her. But she is extremely driven. If you take it online the first 1.5 years are not bad. But after meeting the on campus students, I realized that they DID have some adavantages as far as the most difficult classes like Advanced Health Assessment, Pharmacology, and Pathosphys maybe. I received good grades in these classes. However, the on campus students said they practiced health assessments and SOAP notes live in the classroom all the time. This has thus far given them the advantage. I say if you are driven and enjoy hard work that is fulfilling, then go for it if your life circumstances are supportive. I know you probably wanted to hear from people who are already working as NPs, but I could not resist posting. Hope it helps even a smidge.

You could ask parents or community members who travel and get 'freebies' from hotels to donate on a voluntary basis? Also perhaps if you have a church or community center may have some ideas or resources.

I would like to know about the negotiation of extended stay or hotel rates as well. Can anyone speak to this?

Why do you guys wait so long to try to get another contract. Your recruiter should be looking for another contract for you at least 1.5 - 2 months before you end your contract. If they don't extend your contract after 1 month into a 13 week contract, you should tell your recruiter to start looking. And when you do, you tell your recruiter where and what you want to do. Give several locations. If you are tied to a location, you will have to take what you can get. Also give your recruiter what your priorities are. If location is your top priority, or shift or pay. It usually takes at least a month to get another contract. When I have 3 weeks left, I start to get antsy. If your recruiter is worth their salt, they will want to do what they can to make you happy. AND they will be honest with you!!! Message me if you have questions.

Cupcake, When I started traveling 1.5 years ago, I bought and read several books about it, as well as these types of forums. I recommend you do the same. If you scan all of you records into your computer, it's not so hard to register with another company or 3. I am currently registered with 3 companies, getting ready for a 4th. I have worked with 2/3 companies thus far. Definitely enjoying the one I am with and my recruiter. I agree with those people saying AMN was poo poo. I worked for a daughter company to them and they definitely try to keep as much of your money as they can. My individual recruiter was good there, but the admins do not let them pay their nurses very well. THat said, I think they could have done more for me if they had wanted. If you want to know the current company I am with and my recruiter's name let me know. The only reason I am going to register with another company are choices of location and their loyalty program. I am thinking of going to less usual places i.e. HI, Virgin Islands and Alaska, Washington state and Oregon etc. About TX travel contracts, haven't gotten one yet, but have been called a few times after I accepted something else. TX hospitals are notoriously slow at processing traveler files. I have gotten interviews with FT Worth and Houston. Personally, I think you should scrap the idea of spending the summer with family in TX until you get a few more contracts under your belt. If you have been sick a lot, that doesn't bode well for your reference you will get I am afraid. I am afraid that you will not like my recommendation. That is to take any contract anywhere on day shift just to get one or two good references under your belt from prior contracts. Once you get a few, all they will want to know is where you have traveled and references. And they WILL check those references. I hope this helps PM or email me if you need any other info.

I would email the AHA to see how hard it would be to convert. I am an instructor for them for PALS and BLS. THey have always been helpful when I needed it.

CarolLadyBelle, I have taken the PBDS and passed it. It was long and tedious, but not too tough for a seasoned nurse. The good news is, that once you pass it, you never have to take it again at another HCA hospital. I work @ Swedish Med in Denver at the moment. Just started. 4 days in. So far everything is wonderful except the low pay and housing stipend. It's quite beautiful and so far the people are wonderful. LOVE my apartment that I found on my own.