KateM07

I am starting to research NP schools in PA and I would like to obtain entry in fall 2011. I have 7 years of CICU experience as an RN and need 5 more courses to complete my BSN. I am surprised by the amount of programs tailored for non-RN's. I'd love to do an acute care program but I'm having trouble finding one near me. Would it be better to do an adult NP program and rely on my RN experience to obtain a position as a cardiac NP?

A quick tip I learned on orientation regarding timing was "when in doubt fiddle to the middle". Basically make the inflation later and the deflation earlier, which means moving the dials towards the middle of the console. This avoids the worst timing errors; early inflation and late deflation. Of course the best way to perfect timing IABP is to become familiar with the waveform and practice your timing skills, but I thought that this was a helpful tip.

I did not take the test but I did attend a several review sessions for the test at TRENDS and the information reviewed was very basic. If the test was remotely similiar to the information reviewed anyone with even minimal experience in cardiac surgery would be able to pass the test.