evgeneia

I called today about the MSN-psych NP decision letters, and was told they're hoping to have letters out by mid-October. The lady I spoke with said all masters applications are still with the admissions committee....keep waiting and hoping for the best :)

Does anyone know when they start sending out letters of acceptance? I'm not anticipating hearing anything before mid-November, but it sure would be nice to know sooner!

Hi All-- I applied for admission to the Spring 2015 MSN Psych NP program too! According to CAS, my undergrad GPA is 3.29, Nursing 3.55 and Graduate 3.77 (I have graduate degrees in education/counseling). My biggest concern is lack of psych nursing experience. Although my professional background prior to nursing is counseling--my only psych nursing experience is PRN at my current job where I'm cross trained to our inpatient mental health unit for PRN shifts. A colleague recently started in the DNP Psych program and he has NO psych nursing experience though--he said that he just has to take an additional course prior to clinicals to prepare him for psych. When I asked faculty advisors about this, I received conflicting answers... Hoping to hear soon--but it sounds like we'll be waiting for a while :)

Inpatient unit--VA Hospital, GA Newer nurse--1.5 years experience, BSN $59,000+ shift diff + benefits + 26 days PTO/Yr+ sick time + Education $. Rarely have OT, never on call. Typically ratio is 1 RN to 2 Pts--when low on staff, it can be 1:3. Loving my job--but.... Think I'm moving to Anchorage after reading through this thread

I just recently left the ED for Palliative Care nursing--and LOVE it! For me, it was the best move ever! Like you--I got tired of constantly thinking about turn around times and how fast I could get a pt out. I felt more like a waitress than a nurse. In Palliative care, really speaking with patients and families is actually part of my job! As my pt's nurse, I get to be supportive during end times--whether that's listening to them reminisce about their life, sitting with distraught family, or providing pain meds. I make human, therapeutic connections that were totally impossible in the hurry-them-out-the-door ED. It's pretty amazing!

Was the test mostly dosage calculations? Or were there many medication questions too? I didn't realize most ppl fail on first attempt--yikes!! I take it Monday....

I wondered the same thing!! I mailed HR and was told to wear business casual on the first day....

Congrats everyone!! Looks like several of us are starting on 9/23--can't wait!! YAY!!

N2B8U- The job market sounds rough where you're located! May I ask where you are--generally speaking?

Hi everyone-- I see this is an older thread and not sure if it's still viewed... In case it is--how is the job market in NH currently? I'm a newer nurse (second career) with 1+ years in Peds ER at a level 1 trauma ctr, and currently working for the VA in Palliative Care. Due to family changes, I'm planning a move back home to New England--probably NH in the Dover/Durham/Rochester area, but am open to southern ME and western MA. I'm working on NH licensure--and will then begin looking once that's been secured. I anticipate a move around the beginning of the year. Does anybody have information about the job market? Is it difficult to get hired coming from out of state? Thanks!!

I didn't complete an ROI either--nor give any signed permission to contact my references other than my signature on VetPro....

SOOOO excited to report that I was formally offered the position!!! YAY!!! They wanted me to begin in 2 weeks, but I'm required to give 30 days of notice at my current job, so will begin orientation on Sept 23rd. I never did the dimensions that I've read about--it was never part of my hiring paperwork etc... Ultimately, from interview to formal offer was about 2 months for me. During that time I completed eQuip, Vetpro, fingerprinting, physical and had my transcripts mailed in (ones originally submitted were "too old"--not printed off within 30 days of submission, which I learned later, they wanted). My salary is a good 30% higher than my private sector position, plus more days off and educational opportunities. The VA is within 10 minutes of home, and I'm super excited about the unit I was hired on--an area of interest for me. Wishing everyone great luck with your process. Be patient--and check with your HR rep often. HR gave me this advice, and it was super helpful....I was in contact with my credentialing rep every week by email-just checking in. We were on a first name basis--lol!

Does anyone know if they contact your references by mail or by email? My recruiter and credentialing people said to be certain I put down correct email addresses for my references. So, I'm hoping the contact is that way--email is much faster... Also, I didn't realize they contacted my current employer. I thought they only contact the references listed. Ugh--I guess I'll have to deal with that soon....

My experience has been pretty different than what I'm reading here....I applied online and was called for an interview with the unit nurse manager shortly there after. Within a week after the interview, the nurse manager called and checked my references. Today, the nurse recruiter called and offered me the job and told me what my starting salary will be. She said it's a tentative offer, and that I still need to pass the background checks, physical and credentialing. She said that unless something major comes up--passing all of this should be no problem. She also said this part of the process can take a while, so don't resign from my current position just yet. From application to initial offer has been approximately 1 month. I don't know what credentialing is...but I'm suppose to hear from the recruiting assistant within the next 2 days to get the physical scheduled. I was instructed to call back if I've not heard from the assistant within 3 days. I don't know what lies ahead exactly--but so far, my process has been a little bit different. The offer is for an inpatient palliative care RN position :) VERY EXCITED!! :) :)

Hi Peacock Maiden, I'm wondering the same thing! What is it like working in hospice at a facility? I interviewed recently for a position in a facility, and each RN had 3 patients so that they could spend adequate time with the pt and their families. Are there any facility hospice nurses who can share what a typical day looks like (if such a thing exists)? What do you enjoy/dislike about your job? If anyone can share information about what it's like working hospice in a facility--I'd be grateful! Thanks!