I am transitioning from an ADN to a BSN, and I am very financially strapped right now. The RN-to-BSN program I hope to start wants proof of sufficient pharmacology. I didn't have a pharmacology class per se - it was embedded in the curriculum. I can test out of it, but the test is $200. The school asked for syllabi from my nursing alma mater, so I contacted them. The current head of the nursing department was dismissive and abrupt -
"Your request for us to verify that you had "ample pharmacology" is not possible. Instructions involved select categories and examples of a few specific drugs, but I would not consider that "ample". And it also varied greatly from course to course. Secondly, your education was over 7 years ago and pharmacology has undergone many changes."
This woman has been teaching since 1980, so it's safe to assume her education is quite a bit older than mine. Does that invalidate it? I don't think so. Clearly I passed my NCLEX, and my RN is current in both OH and NY. I was taken aback by her attitude, but I have seen a lot of this sort of behavior among nurses - especially in academia. I don't understand it. I would think she would want to support a graduate of her program, not shoot me down - the condescension in that reply is palpable. I have a BS and an MS in different fields; I am hardly stupid.
Can any of you speak to this nurses eating their young? Because I just don't get it. We should be supporting each other. I have no problem taking the pharm test - I just don't want to be out $200 - I can't afford it.
No... I was working in environmental restoration - mostly with mangrove ecosystems but also with sea turtles. It was an amazing experience - I also got to work a lot with farmers, fishermen, and women's groups. I would love to go back as a nurse!
That would be great! I'm a big promoter of medical mission nursing. I've been to Vietnam twice with a medical mission. We go for 2.5 weeks, set up a clinic in a different village and sometimes a city each day. We have physicians, NP's, PA's, Nursing - we have a fully functioning lab, we have optometry/glasses, a dental clinic. I took my daughter the second time and she did her Senior Project on it.
It wasn't so hot - but it did get humid. Gorgeous, lush countryside. The food was awesome! The fruit is amazing.
The people are welcoming and friendly. The government - not so much although after almost 20 years of this happening, things are better. Plus, Vietnam promotes tourism to help with their economy. They need to be nice to foreigners.
These doctors can be such big babies at times. Why does this situation warrant an apology? When a doctor gets all fussy because they didn't get their nap or bottle, my eyes glaze overe and I just say "yes doctor" and get on with my day. Please don't internalize this. Most likely you will encounter other "fussy" doctors of this kind.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I am most certainly not an age-ist, being of an age myself. Saying she has been teaching since the 80's was just to say that my ancient seven year old education is no more invalid than hers is - and hers is a lot older than mine. My point is that we don't lose what we learn just because we didn't graduate ten minutes ago. Sour grapes? Maybe. That's my problem, though.
Apologies to all of you for breaking out the term "NETY" - I really didn't mean to hurt you. I am still learning.
Lol. My DH could never work in the health care field. He fainted when they brought me to my room after my cholecystectomy because he said I "looked really pale." He'd be hitting the floor constantly if something so benign as palor causes him to drop!
Lol. My DH could never work in the health care field. He fainted when they brought me to my room after my cholecystectomy because he said I "looked really pale." He'd be hitting the floor constantly if something so benign as palor causes him to drop!
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
That would be great! I'm a big promoter of medical mission nursing. I've been to Vietnam twice with a medical mission. We go for 2.5 weeks, set up a clinic in a different village and sometimes a city each day. We have physicians, NP's, PA's, Nursing - we have a fully functioning lab, we have optometry/glasses, a dental clinic. I took my daughter the second time and she did her Senior Project on it.
It wasn't so hot - but it did get humid. Gorgeous, lush countryside. The food was awesome! The fruit is amazing.
The people are welcoming and friendly. The government - not so much although after almost 20 years of this happening, things are better. Plus, Vietnam promotes tourism to help with their economy. They need to be nice to foreigners.