Hey everyone.... I have been hiding away studying for the last month or so... getting lonely (I'm not too good at the complete-isolation thing).
I am a new grad... I moved to Miami for nursing school, finished, passed NCLEX and realized that Miami has one of the worst job markets (especially for new grads) around. Anyway, I would move, but my wife is in nursing school now... till at least December. So, I figured, while applying for every job within a 1-2 hour drive I should learn as much as possible.
I took ACLS, PALS early this month.
I joined ENA and signed up for TNCC and CEN and have been studying for them this month.
I worked as an EMT and ER Tech before moving to Miami, for 2 years. So, I found a lot of the info from that and these four certs to overlap. I have my TNCC class this Thursday & Friday and then my CEN exam the following Monday.
I have been doing using Jeff Solheim review from Med-Ed (and they are awesome). It was affordable at $125.
I have watched all of them two times, and have listened to some (while at gym or running or driving) an additional time. I have taken 3 of the 7 tests that are in the book I bought from ENA. I have read most of the TNCC book. I have also read about half of an EKG book.
So far my average score is 76%, not bad considering I took the first one before any studying... if I drop that my last two were 81% and 78%, so I can't complain, but I would like to break 90% on at least one of them. I know TNCC will help me acheive that goal. My current subjects in need of further study are: Medical, Neuro and Psych.
I know that most TNCC/CEN takers have been nurses for a while (recommendations are 6 months and 2 years respectively), but I figured it wouldn't hurt to do it, I will be more marketable, and it will show my dedication to ER nursing and initiative.... and most importantly it was fun and I learned a lot. If I had a job offer come up I would pounce on it, but in the mean time, I will keep applying and studying.
I am looking forward to testing my knowledge... I know there is a big difference between book knowledge and practical application and I am happy I have the EMT and ER Tech experience for that reason, but I can't wait to improve on my "nursing" skills soon too.
Anyway... I just had to take a study break, and I figured this would be the perfect forum... thanks... off to read about EKGs and review some of my practice tests, before the wife gets back from clinicals (I have to help her study for a pharm test)
