J_W

Have you researched how to obtain a nursing license in those countries you mention? You have to realize that nursing in the USA is quite different than nursing the UK or New Zealand, or any of the other countries you listed.....Some countries don't allow RNs or the equivalent in their country to do most of what we do here in the USA. Like in some countries only physicians start IVs or place NGTubes or even urinary catheters...so those tasks that RNs do here in the USA or not always what the nurse's do in those countries. So that is also something to research, scope of practice in those countries. These are the first couple of tasks I'd suggest you research so that you may have better idea of which country more closely mirrors what you learned here in the USA. I always tell my Senior 2 students to venture out of state (Texas in my case) if they have nothing keeping them in the Dallas area, they can go to any state and work. So that may also be an option for you to consider. Go see another part of the country is what I would suggest as a first step to moving to another country. Best of luck to you.

Just be sure to check your state BON requirements for what needs to be included behind your name. I'm sure every state is different.

The state of Texas updated the rule back in Feb of 2019, for APRNs as I was non compliant...when I read the rule for APRNs...having to put APRN behind their name. I emailed as I'm not always in that role, thus did I still need to put APRN behind my name or only when I was in that role...anyhow never got a direct answer, obviously the Board isn't going to be specific. Short answer was yes as that is the standard to which I am held, thus I put APRN an left off RN...then pit my CNS and CCRN aftet that. I'm not sure of other states rules about APRN titles, but since each state is different whe it comes to APRN recognition I always tell people to also check with their state board of nursing too.

I know in Texas there are rules regarding displaying credentials for APRNs and RNs... So, some of the issue is state boards of nursing rules/regulations. In Texas the nurse is always held to the highest certification, so if a person is an APRN then they are held to that standard regardless of what role they are functioning in. In Texas the APRN must have APRN listed along with the type of APRN such as FNP, AGACNP, CNS, CRNA, CNM, PNP, NNP...It would be Jane Doe, DNP, APRN, FNP or John Doe, MSN, APRN, AGACNP I do agree it would be nice to have a succinct title. Just not sure how it would work with the 4 APRN titles and then the different APRN recognition's that vary by state. So the state rules/regulations are the issue.

I am a CNS with prescriptive authority (my Acute care CNS program allowed me to acquire prescriptive authority), thus I had additional options and can always move into a role in which I could utilize my prescriptive authority. So you might look at CNS programs that also include courses that would allow you to apply for prescriptive authority. The love the CNS role and it has been very beneficial to me and has allowed me numerous opportunities. This affords you additional opportunities for employment options. Doctoral studies can always come later. I just finished my DNP degree and thoroughly enjoyed the courses and feel they really enhanced and added to the knowledge I acquired in my MSN program. I am in TX and I can tell you that we are of course behind on the CNL role (some facilities are utilizing the role, but only a handful). And those that are utilizing the CNL role are not quite sure how to utilize the role. My thoughts are the CNL and CNS roles should work together in a collaborative manner to improve patient care and outcomes. JWRN, DNP, CNS

I took the NCLEX RN way back when it was only offered twice a year (July and Feb) and was paper/pencil, I graduated in August and had to wait until the following Feb to take the exam, so I was a GN for almost 9 months as my results went to the wrong address. So everyone should feel lucky to be able to take the exam within weeks of graduating.

As a previous House supervisor I never asked why, most would just say they were sick, that is all. If they are sick stay home, if they are faking it so be it, i never asked what was wrong. however most would say they were sick with something plausible at least and never anything as stupid as some of the excuses posted here.

Congrats to everyone going to UT Houston, it is a great school. I graduated from there, now so many years ago, 17 to be more exact. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had awesome clinical experiences. Hands down the best place for clinicals is the TMC. Good luck everyone!!!

For those who wonder the Phenergan came from the medical box. It is full of things that only a physician or nurse would know how to handle them. It had IV caths, start kit, tubing, and NS bag. Also had first aid stuff (bandaids, gauze, tape), AED was right next to the medical kit...there was emergency meds in it (Epi and Atropine, Epi pen) honestly can't remember what else. Oh there was PO valium 5mg tablets in it too. I didn't question them as to why they had all this stuff if no one knows how to utilize the stuff...I did think why do they have all of this if no one can utilize it, it is as if they hope that someone is on the plane that knows how to use the stuff... I only offered to help as there was no one else or at least no one else who offered. On top that the women who needed the shot was Muslim and me being a male made it more interesting, the women's husband stood there...I mean the lady was vomiting not alot but just couldn't stop, she was miserable. Plus she didn't understand English, the husband did though. I do not identify myself as an RN or APRN...only if they ask for assistance, then wait and if they ask twice then I assume no one has volunteered so i speak up. They announced the need of the PA system...

I do not have any title on my American Airlines Platinum card...but I have stepped up on 3 trans-atlantic flights when a doctor was needed but there was not one on the plane or not one that would come forward...Each time I told them I was a advance practice nurse...each time I gave them my license number for my TX APN/RN license and they went away with it and then came back and would ask me if I would mind helping out with a medical issue...so I wonder if they checked the BON website, maybe... Long story short, each time I got 15,000 miles and 1 or 2 bottles of wine for helping. Each time it was very simple medical issues...one was an injection of phenergan for a lady who was nauseous, she slept the entire rest of the flight...the other 2 were dizziness related to hypoglycemia...

I also have reservations about only 75 questions and then your given a license. I took the written exam, 2 days 360 questions...it was difficult and challenging...But having reviwed questions I learned that it works... As a item reviewer for the NCLEX-RN, I can say it is fair, reliable and valid.

I have my MSN and though I do not work in direct patient care on a full time basis, I still work as I can in the ICU on a PRN basis. I miss patient care at times, but I also like my autonomy of my current position. I know more than a handful of nurses who have MSNs or PhDs and still work PRN doing bedside care. I had one faculty in my doctoral program who still worked PRN on the medical unit at the VA in San Antonio...Taking a full load of patients 8-10 per shift... Anyhow, I think everyone has something to offer in whatever position they are in, that is why they are there to begin with.

AACN offers the CCNS exam. It is for Acute and critical care CNS role. What is important is to look at what your state board of nursing accepts as valid examinations of your CNS role/ability, licensure. Texas recognizes the CCNS exam as acceptable for proof of CNS, and thus the Advanced Practice tile of CNS. This is the exam I took to get my CNS status in the state of Texas.

I have MSN from a CNS program that was Acute Care. I have always worked in ICU setting, so worked as Critical care CNS when I graduated, even though with the state of TX and a CNS in Acute care because that is what the program track followed. The major was in Acute care nursing and so I had to apply for acute care CNS status as my APN status with the state. Hope this helps. Jeff

I am in Texas where the CNS is an Advanced Practice Nurse. Along with NP, CRNA, and CNM, these are the 4 APN titles in TX. I am a CNS in Acute care, but have always been employed as Critical care CNS, but my title with the BON is CNS acute care. I chose to take the CCNS exam offered by AACN, which TX recognizes, mainly because al of my experience has been in ICU settings...My CNS program automatically included the classes that allowed me to apply for and obtain perscriptive authority, however I do not need it for my job. I keep the hours current so I can keep it. The program I graduated from has changed since then, not sure how or what, just know they made some changes in the program tracks they offer. I like the CNS role, in my current role I use all that I learned in school. Not much staff education or research, but the other subroles of the CNS have been very useful to me.

When I was doing Nursing Supervisor (I did this instead of getting cancelled, about once a week), I did night shift and had to do staffing in the morning around 0445 so I could gt agency by 0500...If a unit or floor was short staffed, I used to have to call the staff that were off those days and ask if they would like to work. I hated it but didn't have choice, if staff wouldn't come in I had to get approval for agency staff and then the agency and if there were no agency staff, I would call the respective manager and ask them what they would like to do, at this point I would usually get asked if I could stay and work until they got to work...I sometimes would give in and stay...If I couldn't get any of the staff to come in, then I would get yelled at by the staff that were having to work short staffed...What was I supposed to do? I hadn't learned how to sh*t a nurse yet... I never hassled the staff and was always nice and asked really nicely about them coming to work, most of the time they said no, sometimes they would work...If I got lucky the night before I would get approval to make a deal, extra pay or another day off, etc...So sometimes I could try to make a deal... Anyhow, just wanted y'all to here from the other side.

14 years ago (1993) as graduate nurse I started out at 11.75/hr, which was more than I had ever made, so I didn't complain. Now 14 years later, have MSN and make 80,000/yr, but I am salaried, so I do not give OT or shift diff, etc...I work in PI dept.

I think experience is a great asset. I am glad I had almost 6 years of exp when I went back for MSN program. The program I graduated from, required 2 years of exp to enter. The experience I had really did help. And then going back to work on PhD, I am glad that I had the MSN under my belt, it was an also very helpful while I was working on PhD. I am now looking into DNP program, problem is it is expensive as right now there is only one program in North TX. Only 2 I think in TX, haven't looked in a while. I would definitely get some experience as nurse and see if it is something you enjoy. Good luck...

I sort of took the long way to BSN, decided to go to nursing school during the summer before my last fall semester, so I finished Psychology degree when I was 23, and stayed on and took what few classes I needed and finished BSN program when I was 25...Then finished MSN when I was 32. Then started PhD program when I was 34, put it on hold now...Now at 38 will be going back to complete doctoral degree, DNP program...

Actually, health care worker fatigue will probably be a National Patient Safety Goal for 2008 and facilities will be required to show what they have done to help prevent errors caused by RN's that have worked too many hours and more proned to making mistakes. Medical residents already have a limit of 80 hours a week maximum. I know at my facilities we are working on a policy to make 80 hours a week the maximum number of hours RN's can work, will also include PCT's, RT's, and others. Manny healthcare workers work 2 jobs, I know some PCT's who work doubles 3P-7A 3-4 days a week. 80 hours is a lot in 1 week. That would be 5- 16 hour shifts in a week, that is too many in my opinion. The nurse in Wisconsin ( I think ) worked 20 hours to help the short staffing issue in the hospital, she ended up making a fatal error due in part to fatigue. Evidence and research show that limiting work hours increases patient safety. I am in favor of increasing patient safety. Just my thoughts...

I have a BS in Psychology, but the semester before graduating I decided that I wanted to go to nursing school, so I started taking classes for nursing school. I went ahead and finished my Pyschology degree and stayed the next semester and took the rest of the prereq for nursing school. I actually only applied to 4 schools the first time and did not get accepted. I worked that Fall semester and applied for the spring semester to almost every nursing school in TX and got accepted to all of them. Settled on UT HSC Houston and really enjoyed it. I learned a lot there. I cam out of school thoroughly prepared for nursing...I went ahead for the BSN because I already had one Bachelor's degree and an AA degree, and did not want another AA degree, it seemed to not make sense to get another AA degree. I eventually continued on and finished my MSN after working 5 years in ICU, and started working on Doctorate in nursing. Anyhow, I only received 1 job offer due to my Psych degree and it wasn't what I wanted it was with CPS covering 3 counties. I don't regret going for a second BS degree it was well worth the time.

I graduated from UT Houtson HSC in 1993. I enjoyed it, the Medical Center is an excellent place for clinical experiences. Back then there was no interview process or anything. Just applied and got accepted, although it took 2 tries and the second time around I applied to almost every nursing school in TX. The first time I only applied to 4 of the UT schools and didn't get accepted. Anyhow, enjoy your time at UT. I'm sure it has changed since I graduated. I had a blast in Houston. Thought I would live there after school, but traffic and too many people...Course, now I work in Dallas... Congratulations to everyone...

I am a APN in the state of TX. I graduated in 2000 from MSN program (CNS track), my experience has always been Critical care, so I took the CCNS exam offered by AACN. Texas recognizes it as path to Advanced Practice. My MSN (CNS) program allowed me to obtain prescriptive authority (I have a number with the board), however I do not use it in my current role and have never used it, but keep the Pharm hours update so that I may keep the authority in case one day I may want to use it. I am moved from traditional CNS role as critical care educator into a safety position (patient safety manager) for large acadmeic medical center. It was a complete turn around, totally new. I am still new to the role, so I am still learning. It is a side of nursing I knew was there, but never really thought much about it lots of JCAHO readiness stuff, etc... I would say look for a CNS program that offers prescriptive authority, that way you can have it if you ever work in a role that needs it.

I attended UT Houston...But it was long ago (13 years since I graduated)...I think both schools utililze facilities in the Medical Center, and that is the reason I chose UT Houston...The clinical experiences in the TMC were excellent and I learned so many things...Both schools are excellent I would think...So either one would be great...I know when I was at UT Houston, we went all year including the summer, so that might be something to consider...Good luck...I am sure you will enjoy it regardless of which school you choose...

I agree with others, I just forgot to mention going to you state's BON website, you can find a listing on NCSBN.COM with links to them...TX requires 20 contact hours every 2 years...And each state may have different values for each contact hour (I know in TX it is considered 50 minutes of classroom time (lecture, hands-on, etc, because I have revised many continuing education applications)... I would check you BON website...