Jcat117

Very nice! Just curious if you've found out any more information on this program. Thanks for the response!

Good morning, Is anyone aware of any interactive online med-surg refresher courses? I'm just wanting to take something to review my knowledge since it's been awhile since I've been in school and a year since I've been on the floor. I was hoping to find something a little more interactive instead of just a typical online course with just reading. Interactive as in having questions, videos, etc. to make it interesting.

That is very helpful and really good points ruby_jane! My understanding is to refer them to a clinic or to be tested if they are showing symptoms or were in a high-risk area. That's crazy to miss a cough for 9 months!

Thank you! That is very helpful and makes perfect sense. I can see how it would depend on the number of outbreaks in each area.

I'm new to school nursing and I've been asked to do the TB assessment forms for staff members. I know what to look for and am quite familiar with the disease, but I was curious if I shouldn't sign off if a staff member hasn't had a PPD test done in the last 2 years? One of the staff members said another nurse wouldn't sign off because they haven't had the test in several years, but they are not a risk otherwise. Was just curious on that.

Hello, everyone-- Please forgive me if something similar to this has been posted. I've searched extensively as I've been debating on my next steps for quite some time. I graduated a year ago and my first job was telemetry. Telemetry was on the same floor as DOU, but I was months away from going to the DOU side of our floor. On the tele unit, I lasted 4 months. I got overwhelmed everyday and kept pushing through as everyone was so supportive with saying "stick it out: it gets better." With all of the stress involved, I didn't believe that it was worth it. I'm curious to if it would really be different on a stricktly med-surg floor. I LOVE learning about various diseases and conditions, but I don't necessarily want to specialize in one area like tele, oncology, or ortho. It seems as though it's tougher (though there are a few out there) to find a general med-surg floor as most of the job posts I see now days are med-surg/tele, med-surg/oncology, or med-surg/ortho. I could be wrong, but this seems like specializing when I was really hopeful in specializing in general med-surg. There's a part of me that believes I would do well on a med-surg floor without specializing in a specific area. I feel passionate about learning about everything and I think for me having a specific specialty in med-surg takes some of that away for me. I think to be your best and the best nurse you can be, and to stick through the bad days and for it to be worth it, you have to be passionate and a genuine love for what you do. The idea of med-surg excites me while having a specialty in med-surg takes that away from me because I don't have the same passion for a specific area like tele to learn EKG strips or oncology specifically (everyone has their passions and desires). I just hope that I'm not being delusional. I remember my tele preseptor telling me that staying in med-surg is when you have no motivation to keep going into deeper areas. To me, I get excited about the idea of making a career out of general med-surg because I like taking care of people, I like educating them, and learning about diseases and procedures. I don't think I'd ever get bored, I have NO desire for ICU, ER, or any other specialties that my classmates use med-surg as a stepping stone for. I can see taking roots in general med-surg and being the best I can be for a career. I appreciate any feedback or advice. I just hope I'm not being delusional or reaching for something that no longer exists. I'm hopeful it was just me being in tele and specializing in it when it's not what I really wanted and that there is still hope :) Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and for sharing your guidance.

These are all really great points! Thank you all for the feedback :)

Hello, everyone-- I have a question that I could use some feedback on. I have a friend that is overseeing a small private college. They know I'm an RN and they are curious to what all services an RN would be able to provide if they were to hire one. Any ideas of what all I could present as far as what an RN could do in a college setting? It wouldn't be a clinic with an NP or doctor. It would just be the RN on staff... Thank you in advance for any suggestions as it's greatly appreciated!

I didn't realize they had a monthly start date! Nice :) I was worried they only had a couple of starts a year. This is good to know

Good morning, I'm interested in WGUs program starting this summer, but I'm slightly concerned about the being required to work 20 hours a week before being considered. I'll graduate in May with my RN, and I was hoping to get started on the BSN right away. I'm concerned that it may take some time to get a nursing job as a new grad, and I've also been told by many people to be careful with which job you start off with. I was told by many that it's difficult to get into med-surg (acute care in general) once you've taken a job in something else like a nursing home (etc.) because you'll no longer be a new grad and eligible for the new grad program at a later time. Thanks for any advice or input on this!

I'm going to take the statistics course at Straighterline before I start WGU's program. I'm not sure if it's easier or better, but it's an option.

I've been listening to you all this time--now it's my turn!

That's actually perfect and makes perfect sense! Thank you sooo much for taking the time to explain that to me. I did notice the AHNA website, and I'm strongly considering joining as a student. I just wanted clarification on my question before pursuing in case there was something naturopathic that I should have looked into. Now I know, and I know to continue with AHNA and the holistic path! Thanks again so much and have a good one! Jesse

Very nice! I didn't know this was an option. I bet it would also show that I'm really interested in this specialization. Thank you so much! Jesse

Good evening, I'm a nursing student, and I'm doing my research on specialties. Holistic nursing sounds great, and I definitely agree in the philosophy. I then stumbled upon the word naturopathic medicine. Doing some research, I'm getting the impression that holistic is the philosophy of using various practices and naturopath is actually putting this philosophy into practice. At the same time, I'm not seeing much on naturopathic nursing or even naturopathic nurse practitioners; I did find something on naturopathic doctors. I'm finding several resources on holistic nursing including AHNA organization. My question, if I'm interested in this type of training, do I look for information on naturopathic nursing, holistic nursing, are they the same thing in the nursing world? I hope my question makes sense. I just don't see much on naturopathic nursing, so I assume I look for information on holistic nursing? I believe in the concept of integrating Western and Eastern medicine. I'm also interested in possibly going for nurse practitioner integrating both concepts (if this is possible and within the scope of practice). I'm just confused on if I would try to find something in naturopathic or holistic. Sorry for my confusion, and I hope this isn't a silly question.

That makes sense! All of this information is very helpful, and I feel it will help me make an informed decision at the end. Luckily, I have a little more time, but I'm also planning ahead to lay a foundation. The other part that I know has to be considered is finding a job after ADN school, period, with what I'm hearing about difficulty finding a job. I'm not sure if it's worse in California, but I'm gathering that it's across the board as far as new grads. Thank you again! Jesse

Thank you, Back2schoolmurse! I must have missed your reply originally looking from my phone first time around. It's really nice to hear about your personal experience with being a bedside RN and waiting to go to NP school. My only concern is that I'm not going to go back once I stop or if I get the BSN. I think once I get the BSN, it'll be tough to want to continue considering I've already been in school for so long. Thank you again, and congratulations on almost being done with NP school! Jesse

Thank you, everyone! This has all been very helpful information, and leads me in the right direction! Jesse

Thank you, Kenderella89! This is extremely helpful information for a California nurse interested in school nursing. I wonder if there are conferences to sit in for nursing students just to check things out and see if it's of interest? Thanks again, and I'm really glad to hear that you're enjoying school nursing so much! Jesse

Thanks, BostonFNP. Do you think it's possible to work part-time as an FNP while working full-time as a floor nurse to meet these hours within the five years? What actually got my interest was seeing the clinic at my church. They had a part-time FNP that was working there. I thought how great that would be to have your cake and eat it too :) Just wondering if it's realistic...

Thanks, Juan. I'm just curious if it's actually needed. I'm not sure if it's needed for public schools, private schools, or if it's needed at all. I'm wondering if it's more of a perk to show that you're really interested in being a school nurse. The DON at the school I attend states that it's not required. I'm just curious to if it's not really required, then why is it there? Doing my research :)

Good afternoon, I apologize if this was discussed elsewhere; I did not see it anywhere... I'm currently in an ADN program and already have a bachelors in another field; I actually have a masters in another field as well. I know I need at least a BSN to survive nursing now days. But I'm also interested in MSN-FNP. I see there are programs for RN to MSN-FNP. This seems more reasonable to me shave off a little time in school. I also need to finish up this schooling as soon as I'm done with the ADN program. I will not stop with the BSN and go back later; I know myself. If I'm interested in FNP, I'd like to go straight there. At the same time, I'd also very much like to work as a floor nurse for awhile while I'm working on the FNP and for awhile even after it's completed. One of my friends mentioned one thing. They said I wouldn't be hired as a floor nurse with an MSN degree because they will think I'm only using it as a pit stop. I know this isn't true for my intentions, but that's what she stated. I also notice a lot of bedside jobs are asking for BSN nurses. I would assume that an MSN would meet this qualification with no hesitations considering it's an advanced degree? All in all, I'd really like to do the RN to MSN-FNP, be done with school all together after this, and work for quite some time as a floor nurse. You may wonder why go for the FNP at all if I still want to be a floor nurse for quite some time after. I know there's a burn out point and change is always imminent at some point. I'd also like to put in some part-time hours as an FNP while working as a floor nurse. I just need to find a way to meet these goals, finish school with the fastest route, and be done. Thank you in advance for any guidance.

Good afternoon, I hope I'm posting in the correct location (I'm using my phone for this). I also didn't see any previous posts on the subject. I'm an ADN student, and I'm already looking at my next options. One of those options is school nurse. I know some say wait a year, etc. My question is actually about the school nurse credential that California has; I don't know if this is offered in other states or how many other states have it. From what I see and from what I know, being an experienced nurse will help you get a position as a school nurse. Can someone please tell me the point of having a school nurse credential? Thank you in advance!

I'm actually in this same situation as well. I'm about to finish with the ADN program, and I already have a bachelors. My ultimate goal is FNP, but I'd like to work as a floor nurse for awhile. At the same time, I want to be done with school and have the program done while I continue to work as a floor nurse for awhile. A friend told me that they won't hire me as a floor nurse because I'm an MSN nurse, and they don't think I'm serious about staying long. I do want to stay for a long time actually. I just need to finish all my schooling as soon as I can as well. Anyone else ever heard of this?

Congratulations! It's a very exciting time. Make sure you remember this feeling as you're in nursing school and when things get tough. Remember that you're thankful for the opportunity to be there, and it'll get you through it!