travelea

I'm sorry that happened to you. Above all, that woman's behavior was completely inappropriate. While working for a while in the ER, I found that when you cleanse the wound w/ normal saline (or pour NS on 4x4 and place on wound for short period), it softens or "opens up" the wound and you can see if there's actually more depth to it. Maybe the girl's wound was something deeper that's not really visible off the bat, the girl went home... took a bath or mom re-cleaned it, saw what she saw... thus began the beginnings of an angry tirade of whatever whatever whatever. Noncontaminated wounds have been successfully closed up to 12 hrs post-injury, so worst case scenario was that the girl needed stitches. Even still, care wasn't likely delayed to the point that it couldn't be repaired. More than likely, it was just an abrasion and mom needed to vent. You're doing a good job. I'm sure that won't be the last parent to yell. With enough time, you'll be more comfortable telling a parent that shoves a picture in your face what you really think about it. :)

I'm finishing my Primary Care FNP program in June and am looking into additional coursework after I graduate for my Acute Care NP. Has anyone completed a Primary Care program and then went on to obtain their Acute Care NP certification? If so, can you tell me about your experience (e.g.: How many additional years of schooling, whether you found this to be a beneficial career move, any challenges in the transition, etc.)? Thank you for your help and guidance!

Look for a unit with a good nurse retention rate. If everyone else is happy and wants to stay, chances are you'll want to also.

Three weeks into the second quarter, Pachinko. That's music to my ears.

I've heard a lot back and forth about which subspecialties are open for FNP's versus ACNP's, especially in CA where policies are restrictive. It's good to hear that those positions are available to FNPs in other parts of the country. Thanks for your response.

Hi all, What are some medical-based specialties that FNPs can pursue aside from primary care? I have heard of FNPs in the emergency room/urgent care settings. I'm looking to practice in California and suspect this is state-specific. Thanks!

Tasha, I'm not currently working at UCLA but am interested in research nursing. I imagine UCLA would be an amazing place to do this. Do you have experience in the field?

Thanks so much! That's very useful to know. Do you mean mixing your clinicals all in one semester versus spreading them out over the year? Do we have an option of changing that if we wanted to? I'll be attending UCLA for the two year Masters program.

I apologize for any inconvenience, ma'am. The pain scale at this hospital cannot exceed the number ten. I told you this when you were here yesterday... and the day before... and the day before..and the day before..

I've been keeping my eye on this forum and I'm sorry to hear about the rejection letters that have recently been posted. I don't know how many applicants there were or how people were ultimately selected, but for those who aren't attending next fall, I hope you find your niche at another school or reapply next year if this is where you really want to be. I told myself that if I didn't get into graduate school this year, I would let the dust settle and then reach out to my schools to discuss ways to strengthen my application for next year. I'd done this before in other areas of my life and always found it to be helpful (and it takes some of the sting away because now my focus is on becoming better). If they wanted more research, OK! I'll do more research! If they want more community service, sure! Free blood pressure checks for the community! More nursing experience? No problem, I'll keep working and maybe join an extra committee or two on the unit... and so on. Regardless of what happened next, now I'm a nurse with more research, community service, and on the job experience.. and that's not a bad thing to be. If there's a chance anybody is still waiting to hear word (I know there are more readers than talkers on this forum... ), please, please try to stay positive until you hear from the SON. There are no predictable patterns to this process (read the last 270 posts, you'll see). I know everybody has different stories. If we all really want to become NPs, then we'll become NPs. The ways we get there may be different, but if we decide that's how our lives will go, then we'll make it happen.

It's a very personal choice. It's nice to have some experience under your belt... I would think the more comfortable you are in your nursing role, the easier the transition will be to NP. I waited a while, but others start much sooner and have done great. Look at some of the schools' websites you are interested in, as some may have a minimum number of years you have to practice as an RN before applying. Also see if you can shadow an NP around your unit for the day (if your hospital employs them.. if not a PA or another mid-level provider). That may help guide your decision. Best of luck !:)

Hi everyone, After a few years' worth of research, reflection, and... overtime, I am about to start graduate school for my Family Nurse Practitioner degree. While I'd like to believe I've thought through many of the things I will face once in graduate school, sometimes it's best to consult the experts! I am curious to hear from people who have completed their programs (whether FNP, AGNP, PNP, Nurse Specialist/Educator or any MSN/DNP/PhD degree). Would you have done anything differently looking back on your studies? Is there anything you know now that you wished you had known when you started or were completing your degree? Thank you in advance! Francesca

I'm in the midst of changing over to the CCU after almost 6 years in the ED and I love it! It's not for everyone, but your knowledge base will grow tremendously just by what you said.. "following" the patient. Watching trends, seeing how things are managed, and learning how to accommodate for emerging problems are just a few examples of things you'll become more comfortable with. Granted there are set backs that I saw coming before I made the move (having certain patients several days in a row that you would prefer NOT to), but I think there are more positives than negatives. I'm applying to FNP programs now and I think my time in the ICU will do me a great service. Good luck!!

No nurse wants their patient to crash at the expense of a provider that's too busy. In hindsight, you could have phoned the attending for the order before the drug was administered... (in many circumstances, I firmly believe the word "no" really means "Go one step higher"). Taking matters into your own hands -while appearing beneficial for the patient that may or may not have made it- could have put your license at serious risk. What would have protected you if the patient crashed at that moment (whether or not the Calcium had anything to do with it)? Regarding the NP, this is a testament to how much easier it is to write somebody up than utilize good communication and conflict resolution skills. Sorry it had to happen, and hopefully nothing too serious came out of it.

Haiyen, I have not received anything yet. I'm glad to hear the PA course starts in August. I'm moving from the East Coast and that will give me time to work a few more months before I make my way out. Does anyone know how long the course runs? Good luck to everyone waiting on decisions.