ndnursepract

In my opinion, yes! But I didn't make the rules! And let's face it--I don't know a single lay person that knows what "APRN" even means.

ANCC says that you use whatever your state dictates for legal documents such as prescriptions and chart notes. For professional endeavors such as speaking engagements, use all your relevant credentials--which should be in the following order: Highest degree earned (so no point in "BSN, MSN, DNP", etc), licensure, state designations or requirements, national certifications, awards and honors, other recognitions. So for legal documents, I am Name, APRN. But for professional I would be Name, MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C. http://www.nursecredentialing.org/DisplayCredentials-Brochure.pdf

I know the PMHCNS is ultimately being phased out, but what do you see as the difference now between a PMHCNS and a PMHNP? Is there anything within one scope that is not in the other?

Try doing the bimanual exam first. If you can manually feel the cervix, you'll have a better idea which direction to direct the speculum.

With your position as ADON, do you have some connections with the docs and/or NPs there that you could ask about precepting you? Would be helpful and much less stressful for you getting started in a program knowing you already have someone to help you out. Most potential preceptors are much more likely to agree to precept if they already have a working relationship with you.

Perhaps the remote places SHOULD pay more, but they definitely do not. Even RNs/LPNs make quite a bit less here than in the larger cities of the state. Still no excuse for my low wages. And despite the low wages, our clinic has amazing longevity among its employees. I'm still one of the more recent employees there! I'm married to a farmer, so moving anywhere is not an option. We too have thought how much money we have lost in a sense from continuing this. I think every year I have thought, "this is the year he will give us a raise", but at this point, I can pretty well see it's not going to happen. Starting a new job in September, yet still have an odd sense of loyalty to this employer. I guess because he created a job for me and gave me a chance right out of NP school, and really has taught me a lot.

Yep, no question. Mostly venting in what I hope is a safe place to do so. I know I need to have asked for a raise a 1000 times over, but then I figure I am so far behind the 8 ball at this point, he will probably give me $1/hr increase, so why bother. Starting a new job in September, and will not make the mistake of not asking for my worth again!

Yes, you read that right. Been in same FNP position over a decade, and have had two raises in that time. Presently making $29/hr. Other staff in the facility is underpaid as well I am certain (nursing, lab, etc). RN's in the area probably make in the mid-20s, maybe upper 20s with longevity. I don't hate the job, but every time I think about the low compensation, I get angry! It's a rural area, so not much for other options here.

ICU experience definitely not necessary to practice as an FNP. I worked in both ICU and med-surg prior to becoming an FNP. While I loved working in ICU (and didn't so much love med-surg), the med-surg experience was definitely more valuable. The sickest of the sick you take care of in ICU are nothing like the patients you see in the clinic. Med-surg will give you a wide variety of different illnesses and conditions and also a very good idea of what a "sick" patient looks like. So that one day when you are seeing patients in the clinic, you'll be able to recognize which ones need hospitalization and which can't be managed outpatient with close follow-up. It will also give you better experience in coordination of care, i.e. home health, case management, nursing home placement, etc. etc.

I am presently attending UND for a post-master's in PMHNP. When I was first thinking about the program, I emailed both the PMHNP track director and the overall director of the nursing graduate programs. Both answered me promptly and when they didn't know the answer to my questions, they searched for the answer, and got back to me in a very timely manner. So that said, I would simply contact UND and inquire as to your questions about doing practicum in CT.

My first few years in practice this made me so nervous. Have to do them in sport physicals from 3rd grade for some schools through seniors. Finally, I figured out just to be as matter of fact about it as can be. Most boys know it's coming either from previous exams or someone (friend, family, whoever) told them. There are very few that are taken by surprise, and I just say "all boys have to do it", keep it very matter of fact. Also, I try to do it earlier in the exam, because I know they are nervous about it, and that gets it out of the way, then they can relax a bit.

I am an FNP and have never heard of any special additional certification for FNPs to treat psychiatric patients, though there certainly could be something I am not aware of. Psych practice is within your Scope of Practice an an FNP, but as with anything, know your own limitations, and refer what you are not comfortable or experienced with. Never hurts to get additional continuing ed in a certain area if that's where your interest lies as well. Certainly if you plan to work exclusively in psych, PMHNP is the way to go..

I am an FNP and have never heard of any special additional certification for FNPs to treat psychiatric patients, though there certainly could be something I am not aware of. Psych practice is within your Scope of Practice an an FNP, but as with anything, know your own limitations, and refer what you are not comfortable or experienced with. Never hurts to get additional continuing ed in a certain area if that's where your interest lies as well. Certainly if you plan to work exclusively in psych, PMHNP is the way to go..

I think my application for PMHNP was due January 15, and I submitted the final documents January 15. Received acceptance notice in April. If the deadline is October 1, I see no reason why you need to wait another cycle at this point.

14-18 patients a day seems very reasonable for primary care. Some of those will be quick 15 minute visits, including charting, and some will take an hour. 6-8 patients per half day is very doable.