[shock-me-sane]

I just wanted to tell you all about a really cool program that I have been doing this summer at my local veterans hospital called the VALOR program. You are eligible to do it the summer between your junior and senior year (it may be just for BSN, not sure though).

I get to work with a preceptor, essentially doing clinicals, but 12 hours shifts where I take one or sometimes two (depending on the acuity) patients in the ICU. I do everything, except verifying orders and I have to have someone else to pull the meds as I don't have access to the pyxis. I page doctors, talk to family and do everything for the patient that the nurse would do...supervised of course.

The best part of it, is that I get paid 80% of new grad pay. 400 hours worth of paid experience. It has been amazing, I feel so much more comfortable with my skills and am getting a better picture of the patient as a whole and the real nursing role.

Soo, because I am loving it so much I wanted to let others know about it. Tuck the info away and look into it next summer if you are eligible. I will get priority being hired after graduation and am going to stay on there as a student tech once my hours are finished. Just passing along a great opportunity.

[danibanani]

That sounds like an awesome experience! Thanks for sharing!

[Alternator81]

I have heard of this too. Another girl at my school that is 3rd semester says that some people in her class are doing something like that. They are paying $18 per hour to students working during the summer or if they have free time during the semester. BSN program too.