WestCoastSunRN MSN, CNS

CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU

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All Content by WestCoastSunRN

  1. WestCoastSunRN

    Is all nursing experience treated the same?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to guest17's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with this. Apply all the places that interest you. I am confident you will get to acute care and going to geri or rehab first isn't bad, but it also might not be necessary. Appy apply...
  2. WestCoastSunRN

    What is a challenging specialty

    WestCoastSunRN replied to direw0lf's topic in General Specialties

    I have to agree with others who say each specialty has enough challenge if you love it and go deep into it. I consider myself to be an intellectual. I enjoy the thinking and learning process. I...
  3. WestCoastSunRN

    Marijuana - medication interactions - thoughts?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to shibaowner's topic in Advanced Practice

    Good for you -- for being a provider who wants to know about this. Sadly many many users are under the age of 26 -- with still-developing brains. And there is not very much public education, if any,...
  4. WestCoastSunRN

    Calling all educators and NP's!

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Emm_RN's topic in General Specialties

    Excellent response!! Not Done Yet, may I ask how your salary compares to that of a bedside nurse? Did you take a pay cut to go away from the bedside? Do you ever still do bedside care or are you...
  5. WestCoastSunRN

    Urology or CHF APRN for Experienced Neph APRN??

    WestCoastSunRN replied to traumaRUs's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    So with the CHF program, I assume you start seeing these patients while they are still inpatient? If so, I think you would have way more hospital exposure than with urology. CHF programs are...
  6. WestCoastSunRN

    Nightshift -days off

    WestCoastSunRN replied to LittleRedOwl's topic in General Nursing

    I think for a good many nurses night shift is a great start as a new nurse or in a new place, but not sustainable long-term. It is possible you are one of these nurses. I would start by looking at...
  7. WestCoastSunRN

    Jaded after CRNA school failure, burned out, don't want to be a nurse

    WestCoastSunRN replied to nurseman78's topic in General Nursing

    I am SO sorry you have been through all of this. These are HUGE stressors for anyone. Before I even finished reading your post, I was thinking 'I wonder how this guy would do in home health' --- and...
  8. WestCoastSunRN

    A lot of Hate toward NP Students without years of RN experience

    WestCoastSunRN replied to jenn17's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    To the OP: You are way past pulling the trigger on a huge life decision. Keep your focus on your studies and doing the very best you can and getting the most out of your program. Go above and beyond...
  9. WestCoastSunRN

    How much did NP school prepare you?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Alexxoxox's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    While I agree with Jules and others (yourself included) that the rigor SHOULD be built into NP education, I really appreciate lists like these. Thanks for
  10. WestCoastSunRN

    Writing the Prescription to Fix Broken Nurse Practitioner (NP) Education (Pt. I)

    WestCoastSunRN replied to cjcsoon2bnp's topic in Advanced Practice

    Great article and discussion! I love the brainstorming feel of discussions like these. Shibaowner, you say you have found MDs wanting to hire NP's with no RN experience over those WITH RN...
  11. WestCoastSunRN

    What to do CRNA or NP decision time!

    WestCoastSunRN replied to 4263people's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    My sister told me to do CRNA due to my years in the ICUs -- and it's the best value for the money in APN degrees, but at the end of the day what I value about my job is being able to engage with my...
  12. WestCoastSunRN

    Family NP vs. Adult Gerontology NP ... Pros/Cons?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to futureNPVT's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    I agree with others, you have to decide for yourself. But for me, it's FNP -- even though I am not at all opposed to working in geriatrics as it's a booming market and I'd like to be part of the...
  13. WestCoastSunRN

    Really on the fence about pursing MSN...

    WestCoastSunRN replied to cheesepizza's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    I don't have any wise words, but I do appreciate your perspective and thoughtfulness. I am on the cusp of grad school myself for FNP and I struggle with a lot of the same thoughts you expressed. And...
  14. WestCoastSunRN

    Panel Style Interview for Burn ICU

    WestCoastSunRN replied to ha081917's topic in Burn

    Congrats on getting the interview! Burns is not for everyone, so they are going to try to gauge your sensitivity to things like kids in pain (if they treat kids) and other things that can be...
  15. WestCoastSunRN

    Moving to Day Shift...Advice?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to futurenurse16's topic in General Nursing

    Congratulations! Day shift is certainly going to be more chaotic than nights. But I think you can focus on the positives: you will learn new things -- getting to be a part of rounds teaches you so...
  16. WestCoastSunRN

    ACPNP or FNP

    WestCoastSunRN replied to MarkPICU's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    I keep hearing about these low numbers of clinical hours. My local FNP program is 1000 hours of real clinicals with no direct entry option (which still can't compete with a PA program, but I've also...
  17. WestCoastSunRN

    Getting an additional NP certification

    WestCoastSunRN replied to amulam's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I'm an RN who has worked with adults my whole ICU career. This past year I started working in the ICU and acute care both peds and adults, and let me tell you..... I didn't know what I was missing....
  18. WestCoastSunRN

    Is it possible to work bedside, clinic and faculty?

    WestCoastSunRN posted a topic in Advanced Practice

    I plan to get my DNP along with my FNP so that I can teach. I know I will need to be a practicing FNP to be able to teach FNP students, but I am also interested in teaching undergrad. Now admittedly...
  19. WestCoastSunRN

    Is it possible to work bedside, clinic and faculty?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to WestCoastSunRN's topic in Advanced Practice

    I agree! It will. I won't have any trouble eating humble pie if I find that my current opinion needs tweaking. In fact, I truly hope I am wrong on that count, because the fact is Direct Entry is a...
  20. WestCoastSunRN

    I'm not sure I'm cut out for this

    WestCoastSunRN replied to ItsThatJenGirl's topic in General Nursing

    This. All of it. Couldn't have said it better (or
  21. WestCoastSunRN

    Direct entry graduate nursing school advice -NP

    WestCoastSunRN replied to JTravelsTheWorld's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    Boston, you do make some great points. I sure would be hesitant about anyone who came into an advanced practiced role with too much confidence. I also agree that it's NOT good to be working as a new...
  22. WestCoastSunRN

    Is it possible to work bedside, clinic and faculty?

    WestCoastSunRN replied to WestCoastSunRN's topic in Advanced Practice

    Thanks everyone! Boston --- I really like your idea of working on the DNP more organically (if that makes sense) during my FNP career. That said, my local university of choice no longer offers an...
  23. WestCoastSunRN

    Getting FNP and DNP

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Twinsplusone's topic in Doctoral Nursing Degrees

    I totally understand. I hope one of the schools in NC will work for
  24. WestCoastSunRN

    Direct entry graduate nursing school advice -NP

    WestCoastSunRN replied to JTravelsTheWorld's topic in Student Nurse Practitioner

    I'm going to be straight with you. RN experience is a must for advanced practice nursing. I know there are short cuts now, but it isn't right and it's not about "paying your dues". I'm also going...
  25. WestCoastSunRN

    Getting FNP and DNP

    WestCoastSunRN replied to Twinsplusone's topic in Doctoral Nursing Degrees

    Duke has a FNP/DNP program. My experience is that you don't have many if any options outside of NC schools if you are practicing/living in NC. I guess they want to keep the money in state. This...