DialysisRN34

@surgicalsteph My main reason for going to UWF was price......beginning to end (including books) was 25,000.00. Every other program I looked into was 40 to 60 thousand! At the time I was there, very little direct "teaching" was provided. Some instructors better than others, but yes very self taught. However, that's the norm for most online programs (it was no different than my BSN online program that was at a different school). I graduated with a 4.0 and I passed boards (they provided a prep board course, which made all the difference) first try, one month after graduating (also worked full time). It wasn't an easy program, but it shouldn't be. Believe me, you want to be prepared when done, because when you get a job they want you to hit the ground running (no where gives NPs an orientation period). If I had to do it again, I would use the same program. I have heard, since I left, they have taken students' compliants of not enough instructor support and guidance seriously and changed the curriculum. I hope this helps you make a decision.........

Just FYI we didn't get notification of acceptance until three weeks before classes started....it was very nerve racking.....? I actually found out that I was accepted by checking my status via my UWF profile. It was three days later when I got official acceptance by email.

I am currently in my first semester of UWF's FNP program. So far, so good! I was drawn to the program mainly due to price, it's a public institution, and being essentially in my back yard. It's a fairly new program, and my cohort is either the 3rd or 4th. I was very surprised how competitive it was to get in, 200+ applicants and only 60 accepted. I am finding the classes challenging, but doable. I work a full time job and have young kids. I know it will become more of a challenge when clinicals are introduced. I like the online format, but its not as flexible as I was hoping it be. It is a full time program, no part time or flexible option. The instructors are very invested in us, supportive, and easy to communicate with. However, like all graduate programs be prepared to teach yourself. Also, lots of busy work reminding me of my BSN program, but I think this is universal in all programs. Once again, I just started but I am very happy with my choice. Hope this was helpful

To all of my peers that did not get in, please keep trying. This was my second attempted. I have been in the medical field for 21 years and a nurse for 15. One thing that I did do to make my CV shine a little bit better between my two attempts was volunteer. Additionally, FNPs are crucial to the future of primary care and I spoke to that in my goal statement. That was really the only differences between my two applications (and more years of experiences). Hang in there, if becoming an advance practicing nurse is what you want, it will happen! As nurses, we all know that what we plan is never what happens.....its always on someone else's time line! To all the folks that were accepted into the program........the next 3 years is going to be a challenge. I hope we can lean on each other to survive!

I just received email notification of my acceptance and a phone call from my admission counselor telling me I have been accepted into the FNP program. Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone. I know the wait is agonizing!

My application status changed on MyUWF from applied to admitted. However, I have not received any emails, calls, or letters..........

Just got an email this morning.....no decision made yet......ugh

Hey everyone! I applied for the Spring 2021 FNP program as well (in September). I got an email from my enrollment counselor today. He stated that final decisions have not been made yet, and "hopefully" we will know something soon. He indicated that there were lots of applicants for the Spring Semester...…. Best of luck to everyone! We will need to start a FB Group once the semester starts so we can communicate, support, and vent to each other ?

Do you mind sharing where you went to school?

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Unfortunately, your experience is similar to so many of FNPs I know. It is sad because FNPs are truly the answer to the limited care so many Americans are facing. I know that I'd make a great APRN. However, I have a family and job/benefits/security matters.

I'm a RN/BSN with 14 years experience and currently work in management (which is so tedious). I have been struggling with burn out and miss patient interaction. I really want to go back and became an Advanced Practice Nurse. However, I have no student loan debit, make 95,000 a year, have a great work schedule, in my forties, with small kids. I'm afraid that I won't find the job satisfaction I'm imagining, end up in major debt, and be no better of financially. Any insight or any successful transition stories would be greatly appreciated.......

There is no company wide standard on critical pay. It is determine by the RVP/GVP for each region, when there is a need. So, there is no "official critical pay" scale. Regardless of the amount, if you were promised critical pay and it has not been paid you need to call HR.

In the great words of Elmer Fudd: " ve-w-w-wy-ve-w-w-wy-carefully". In all seriousness, ratios for staffing, unless specified by state law, are open to interpretation by the company. According to the Condition of Coverage regulation, staffing rations are decided by patient "acuity". So, who decides what the current patient census acuity level is, and what is the safe staffing for whatever stated acuity? The regulation don't specify who makes those decisions. So, there is a understood industry standard of 1:4 for CCHTs and 1:12 for RNs, however if the company wanted ratios to be 1:15 then legally there is nothing stopping them. I am fearful that is the direction we are going!!!

The 2008 bundle convert Epogen payment into one lump sum amount a tx. The unit gets paid for a flat Epogen amount on every patient every tx (I think it is 3600 units q tx). So, the opposite is true. The less Epogen we use the more money the unit makes. CMS did that due to concerns that units were overdosing to make money.

If patient is in-center we can use the center's results. Either a negative Hep B Ag within 30 days or positive Hep B AB (>10) with in a year. If patient is new or unable to get up with the unit we treat the patient as infected till we have our own Hep panel back.

All done

Is the covering nephrologist writing an order to shorten the 5th shift patient's treatments? If not, then yes you and any nurse involved could potentially lose their license. Don't think for a second that you administrator or anyone else will stick up for you when CMS gets wind that this is happening. It is our job as nurses to be an advocate for our patients. If your company is asking you to do something that can harm a patient (and yes shorting a treatment hurts the patient) then you have a responsibility to put a stop to it. I know this is a tricking situation, and it is scary to think that you can be retaliated against for speaking your mind or putting your foot down. However, it is better to walk away with you license intact and a clear conscious then to lose you license for unethical practices.

My medical director puts them on a behavioral contracts. If they do not meet the standards laid out in the contract my Medical Director terminates them from his practice. No MD to cover the patient leads the dialysis unit to having to involuntary discharge the patient. This only happen once in my unit after numerous intervention by CCHTs, RNS, SW, MDs did not work. I hated that it came to this, but we all have responsibilities as adults and there are consequences for not meeting one's responsibility. It was amazing that after this happen all the over late/no show patient started coming to treatment. It goes to show when most of us are held accountable we meet the responsibilities that are handed to us.

As a manager let me tell you what I look for. Attitude!!! I can train skills, but I can not make a person nice, empathetic, easy to work with, or a team player. Speak to these personality traits and give examples of when you were a good team player, or comprised in a tough work situation to get things done.

My MD is big into a extra treatment a week (not allowing for a two day break). It works for most patients (especially my cardiac comprised folks) and then they have incentive to control fluid to get back on a 3 day a week schedule.

Thank you for your replies. Burnout is an understatement!!! I love dialysis and can't image doing anything else, but the expectations of the management role are overwhelming to say the least. I am still expected to function as a nurse (run the floor 3 days a week) and run the unit from an administrative role. I have few resources to draw on and I am asked to do more and more every day. With my type A personality (I know a nurse with a type a personality it is unheard of) I kill myself to meet all of the company’s expections. I really want to step down into a charge nurse role, but can't afford to. I am the breadwinner for our household and it takes every dime I make to support us. The home therapy role is a lateral move (financially) and I am thinking a change of pace. I am hoping that it rejuvenates me and allows me to gain skills in dialysis I have never been exposed to. However, I am nervous that I will be jumping from the frying pan into the fire. If anyone just has insight on being a home therapy nurse that would be helpful. I love to teach and I know that is something home therapy does a lot of. Thanks again!

I have been in dialysis for fifteen years. I have been a unit manager for the last five years at one of the big two. I have been offered a role as a manager of a home therapy program. I was wondering if anyone can give me insight on being a home therapy manager. Is it less stress than in-center? Do you have job satisfaction? Any information will be greatly appreciated.