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Congratulations on your tentative offer from the VA! I truly hope this does not affect you, but this is what is going on right now: "Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo" https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712

I agree with squats and lunges!

Hi! Are you looking for the ACM or CCM? If CCM, search for Case Management Institute and Deanna Cooper. She has excellent study guides. Good luck!

The SCOTUS’s overturning Roe v. Wade clearly set us back in time. It is wrong to take away abortion rights, reproductive rights and women’s rights.

Hi! I don’t have first-hand experience, but I know a few friends who moved to the Philippines and graduated medical school there. They all came back to the US, but I’m not sure if they passed the boards here (I’m not close enough to them to ask.) One of my family members went to a DO school in the US, passed the boards and is currently a practicing physician. While he was researching and applying to medical schools, his opinion was that the schools in PI don’t prepare you for the US medical board exams. On the other hand, another family member and several of her colleagues did graduate from medical school in PI back in the 1970s, and practiced medicine there before immigrating to the US (via their U.S. Navy husbands). It took them years to prepare for the US boards and pass. She does have friends who also transitioned into nursing or med tech careers. After she moved here, she started as a phlebotomist, then cardiovascular tech, and doctors here found out she was a doctor. They helped her study and prepare. It’s a matter of finding the best resources to help you pass the US boards. I’ve only read/heard of horror stories of US agencies recruiting nurses from PI, so I don’t have recommendations on employers/companies sponsoring visas. I hope this helps a little. Good luck!

This is the kind of policy that continues to drive nurses away from the bedside. My feelings echo the same responses as above. I wanted to help clinically during COVID-19, but it appears that nurses are still being treated as dispensable.

I don’t think you need to suspend your social media accounts, but perhaps adjust the viewer’s settings to “private” or “friends only.” I often Google myself to make sure my words and photos are appropriate.

Thank you for sharing. I lost three family members. I pray that you continue with your recovery. You’ll definitely enjoy case management and writing. ?

I used alcohol pads to wipe my stethoscope, scissors, pens, phone, etc. For a deep clean, I’d use the purple wipes. I didn’t wear my stethoscope around my neck either because it was uncomfortable and didn’t want the rubber tubing to break down. I kept it in my cargo scrub pants pocket. ?

Congratulations on your new nurse case manager position! Here are some resources that should help: https://casemanagementinstitute.com/ https://cmsa.org/ https://ccmcertification.org/

Each person has his or her own free will to travel or not. It is tough placing my love for travel on the back burner. However, I choose to stay in my state because I wish to keep myself, my family, my loved ones and my patients safe. I honestly cringe when I see and hear colleagues, friends and patients travel for leisure to other states — including hot states — without taking proper precautions. The governors have had to execute these policies to protect their states. Sadly, there are so many people who think of themselves and not care about others’ health and safety. This COVID-19 pandemic is real. Thanks.

Congratulations on graduating soon! Becoming a nurse opens a world of opportunities. I also love dance, and I wish I pursued it professionally. Now I am currently trying to combine nursing and my other passion for writing and background in journalism/public relations. Working as a nurse in the hospital full time eventually leads to burnout because of the long hours, physical and mental demands, administration policies and overtime. However, the clinical expertise that you gain as a hospital nurse is extremely important. Be sure to make time for self-care, protect your back and wear compression socks. Your core strength as a dancer will help tremendously as a nurse. How exciting that you’re interested in OB/L&D! Keep networking in that unit and/or apply for an externship there. If you work full time, start a savings fund for your dance side hustle. When your budget allows, work part time so that dance takes center stage. ? I agree that when you combine the two careers, becoming a holistic nurse and opening a dance therapy center will be fantastic and fulfilling. Keep following your dreams! Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your expertise! I have worked in public relations before becoming a nurse. I would love to write and get published again. I hope we can keep in touch.

Hello! I also wish to be able to provide what the original post, @NurseLissie wants to do, and make a living. However, I agree with @Oldmahubbard. Unfortunately, our healthcare system appears to be more reactive than proactive/preventative. I’m currently working in a specialty where most patients do not want to get better on their own and want their healthcare providers to “fix” them.

Thank you for sharing and I understand the stress. I have been working for a small CM company for almost five years. I have about 30 to 40+ cases. When I ask not to get assigned to new patients, I am told that I have the smallest caseload in the company. I work overtime each month, and I am struggling to submit all my documentation before the deadlines. After being in the field all day, documentation would have to take place either late night, early morning or some weekends before patients or insurance adjusters blow up my phone or inbox. I am getting burned out with patients who do not take the initiative to better themselves or their situations. The more they whine, the more is handed to them on a silver platter. There is barely a work-life balance as I feel that I am on call 24/7. The only driver, to be honest, is the generous pay. I sometimes think about returning to the bedside parttime, or perhaps starting an entrepreneurial venture since I am already an independent contractor. I hope to save enough money so I can go for the latter.

Deanna truly is an innovator by creating ways to help fellow nurses/case managers succeed. Her study guide, online review course and community group have helped me pass my CCM exam. She has also been sincere, supportive and encouraging during our email exchanges. Thanks for featuring her in this article. :)

I understand the anxiety! During my first job as a nurse, I worked the 6a-6p shift for months, and then the next day, I switched to 7p-7a. I had no choice but to force myself to stay up all night so that I could sleep all day before my first night shift, which was difficult. It took a while to adjust, and some nights I had to drink a five-hour energy shot or double fist with coffee and water. It would help to have room-darkening curtains/blinds or wear an eye mask and no noise/distractions. Good luck!

Congratulations! I was also looking into American Sentinel and Chamberlain. Let me know how you like it and I'll keep you posted as well.

I understand what you mean about the application requirements. Congratulations on your new job! I also left the bedside and started CM last year. Some days are challenging, but I'm enjoying it and learning a lot every day.

I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. Toxic environments don't change. I honestly would leave and move on. There is a better job(s) with supportive colleagues waiting for you. Stay strong. Good luck!

Hi! I'm still in the middle of my application. I'm just nervous about committing to grad school at this moment because I currently work full-time in CM and I'm finishing my last BSN class. If I get accepted into the Fall 2016 class, I may ask to defer it to next Fall 2017. I would also want to obtain my CCM (Certified Case Manager) designation by early 2017. I keep beating myself up for taking the long route to success! A support group would definitely be encouraging. How is your application process going?

Hello! I, too, am applying for the MSN-Case Management program at The University of Alabama, and I hope to start next Fall 2016. I work full time, so I plan to take online classes part time. Even though I don't have kids, having a work-life balance is important. I get sick if I have too much on my plate or if I'm overly stressed. Other MSN programs that I've been eying are at Loyola University of New Orleans and Seton Hall University. Alabama's lower tuition is a huge convincing factor, but I like how Loyola's courses are taken one at a time every six weeks. We're pretty much neighbors as I live in Virginia Beach! Let me know if you decide to go to Alabama!