Chopper

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone can offer advice as to what to include on a CV as a new grad (I graduate in May if that thesis doesn't do me in)! I have kept my resume updated, but how to include APN education/training etc. Any replies are greatly appreciated! Chopper

I am currently in an online program, each class meets only once per month (they all are timed together, so it's a full day x 2 days once per month). It's nice and convenient, but isolating at the same time. That is the hardest part for me. I am going full time to get done in two years and lucky enough not to work too much (in regards to school) but I miss people. After the first month I balanced things out better so I am working my casual job at least once per week (when my schedule isn't too bad) to get that "face time" with people. I haven't started clinical yet, will be dealing with that next semester to get lined up for summer. I live in close proximity to the school I attend and have some connections, so I am not too worried, they usually get them lined up for us. Many of the folks in my program come from a distance so they may have more issues (?). Chopper

YES!!! I feel like I am just sliding into the finish! I need to step it up now in the last two weeks, and will be so thankful for a little time off. Hang in there, almost through it!! Chopper

I hate doing presentations too, but I will tell you what saves me in my program...POWERPOINT!! It gives the audience something else to look at besides you and gives you an outline of your speech right in front of you! They are easy to do and you can load them onto a jump drive if they have a computer set up in the room. Good luck! Chopper

Thanks guys, I know what you mean...it just seems like a lot right now. I do understand the benefits and it can open your eyes to how you could have handled things differently in a given situation and hopefully utilize in further encounters. The reading just doesn't allow for a quick read, you know? That's how it goes, thanks for the "pep talk"! Chopper

:uhoh21: Ok, not literally, but come on...how much theory do I really need? I do understand it's usefulness to a point, but it is just not something that I can really wrap my hands around, you know? Anyone else struggling with this kind of thing. I just keep telling myself that I need to "jump through these hoops", then the non theory classes will really get rolling and so will clinicals. Now if I could just stop dreading the THESIS... Chopper

Neither my MIL or my coworker have had nausea which has been good for them. My MIL has lost the weight and says that she just doesn't feel like eating but it's not like she is nauseated. My coworker has not lost much weight and had no nausea but her BS have been GREAT! Chopper

I start on Aug 31st and am hoping I am not biting off more than I can chew!! I will be taking Adv Patho, Theory, Ethics and Adv practice roles. Should be interesting, luckily I am only going to be working VERY part time! Good luck to you all! Chopper

Just got finished with Advanced Pharm this week! Ended up with an A, but not exactly sure how I pulled that off! I think there were quite a few questions that got thrown out on the test (cumulative test, only one). It was my first experience in an online class and it wasn't exactly the best experience. I felt like all I did was read and it was very self directed. That's how it goes though...hopefully the next two years of classes will go better!! Now a month off to relax and maybe even exercise a little!! Chopper

Both my mother in law and a co worker have been using this med. The coworker is a gal who was on insulin after having numerous bouts with prednisone...has been using this with good results and some weight loss. My MIL has been using this med for some time now, I would say she has more of a metabolic syndrome and they have not classified her as a diabetic. She does not check blood sugars, but now it sounds like they want to see how her A1c is doing. She has lost ~50# since starting to take this med. The doc that she sees likes to use it for weight loss I think. That's my experience so far (just starting NP school in the fall, so I am not to the point of prescribing yet)!! Chopper

Due to some personal issues that our instructor is having we just discovered that the ONLY test we will be having in my Adv Pharm class will be a cumulative take home towards the end of the semester! Yikes, I just hope I am getting something out of the mountains of reading that I am doing! Chopper

Hi, I am living in a non metro area of Minnesota. I am starting an FNP program in the fall and will go full time for 2 years. I have already starting keeping my eyes open for various openings for NPs in my area. I get the sense that there could be a little "glut" in the market for basic FNPs. How does one go about specializing in a particular area once an FNP? (i.e. derm, cardiology, oncology) I am sure if I did enough research I could figure it out on my own, but thought I would check in here and see what others have experienced. Thanks in advance Chopper

I am ~1/3 way through Advanced Pharmacology. I think it is going pretty good, but no tests yet (later this week). It's my first online class and the first in the FNP program I am taking. Our online discussions have been good, the group is great to work with. I am very glad to be getting this one over with, since next summer I will have another class and clinical! It's been an experience, guaranteed to only get more interesting! Chopper

I am wondering much the same thing...is it even necessary to get a laptop? My program is almost all online (I will be home and have two young kids). Is it better money spent to get a good desktop and a PDA with some good programs on it? Just curious...I just don't want to spend the extra money on a laptop that will sit in my house most of the time! Thanks Chopper

I think your wording would also depend on if you are using a Medicare week or a calendar week. In our agency, we use a calendar week. If the recert were to start mid week and say the order is for RN 1 x wk you can argue that you did have a calendar week visit even if it wasn't in the new cert period. If you use the Medicare week it may not be an issue. I just think that a "0" frequency is setting up a agency for trouble, especially if you are using a range (ie. 0-2 x wk) as you would have to argue that you are trying to meet the needs of the patient not the needs of the agency...I do understand your argument however! :)

There is a lot of info out there to support not using a zero frequency, and you could certainly justify the argument against them to a surveyor. It just doesn't make any sense. I know in all the teleconferences I have listened to and material I have read...NO "0" frequencies. Chopper

You should NEVER use a zero frequency. I would look at that last week and see how many visits you need and word it accordingly. Are you going to recert the person or are you closing them? Billers aren't exactly the best people to ask about when wording your orders... Chopper

I think it depends on where you are. From what I can tell starting RN wages in metro area hospitals are about $23/hr. I live outside the metro and am working public health and we start our PHN's at $18 or so. I think the hospital in Mankato starts RN at $21 or so, not sure about St Cloud or Duluth areas. Hope that helps. I don't have a clue about LPN wages. Good luck! Chopper

There are quite a few that offer MSN programs. Depends on what kind of specialty you are wanting and where you are in the state. I know in the metro there are several alone! St Kate's, U of M, Metro State are just a couple. Minnesota State-Mankato has a program too (just an hour south of the metro) and much of their program is online now (meets on campus 1 x mo or so for several of the courses). Hope that helps! I think there are more but those are the ones I have looked into thus far! All have web site, so just google them or something and you can get lots of info! Chopper

I have been taking Lexapro 10 mg QD for the past two months or so. It has really helped my anxiety and down moods I was having, I feel much more "even". I have gotten terrible headaches though and also have some sexual side effects (sorry if tmi, but I wish this s/e would GO AWAY!!). I started taking just 5 mg today and didn't get a headache, so I will see how that goes this week. I have a follow up in a couple of weeks. Overall, I think it is a good drug because it does help the sx without a lot of s/e. I hope going off of it won't cause problems when it is time. I am curious about the weaning off experiences of others also. Chopper

I have a question on the topic of becoming an FNP also (hope you don't mind me tacking it onto this thread!). I have been a nurse for almost 10 years, but have never worked in a hospital. I had very non traditional nurse jobs right out of school (much more difficult to get a job then) and now have been working Public Health/Home Health x 5 years. I really can't go to hospital nursing right now as my husband works rotating shifts(8-12hrs)an hour away from home 6 days a week and we have two little kids at home. Am I crazy to think that they might accept me into an FNP program?? If I get accepted I would get a different part time job and quit my current job. Any words of wisdom or advice is greatly appreciated! Chopper

I am a PHN currently and a supervisor of our home care area. I am thinking of a change because they only way to move "up" is administratively and I am not that interested in that end of things. I am seriously considering the NP route, but am concerned about going through school (the cost and loss of income if I go FT) and then not getting a job as an NP. What are the prospects like? Sorry to jump on this thread, but i thought it was a fitting question here! Thanks!