IgotitIgotitIgotit!!!

capribry · Mar 9, 2006

Congrats!!! I'm a pre-nursing student and just got accepted into nursing school starting in Sept. I hope I get accepted into the program that I wanted just like you!:balloons:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

Good news! Best of luck to you!

Jolie, BSN · Mar 9, 2006

Fanaroff is a good book, but not as user friendly or easy to understand as Merenstein.

For a newbie, I'd recommend that you continue to search for Merensetin. Fanaroff is more for intermediate-advanced level study.

GOOD LUCK!!! and ENJOY!!!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

Okay, I have kind of a dumb question.

I'm stressing out about...scrubs. I know. But our uniforms are heinous, and now I get to wear scrubs for the first time, which in my program is a Very Big Deal to get to wear scrubs in your practicum. So I have two questions:

1) Is ninety bucks for three sets totally ridiculous? I'm not trying to look hot or anything, but the ones I've found that look like they have a chance of actually fitting are NOT the ones that cost ten bucks a piece.

2) I'm actually stressing about the prints. Is it possible to get too cheerful a print? I mean, obviously an angel one is probably out, cause some of the babies are going to end up BEING angels, but what about curious george? I found two really pretty florals, and there's a curious george print that I fell in love with, but do you think that isn't appropriate? The NICU isn't fun and games, I'm well aware, but I like them. Also, do you think maybe I won't be taken seriously? I'm 25, but could easily pass for a decade younger.

I know I need to chill out, but I'm doing that "control the things I can control so I won't completely freak out about the stuff I can't" thing that I do oh so well. Like the ten minutes I spent in the bathroom doing and re-doing my ponytail before I met the NM today. And the long convo I had with myself over shades of lipstick. Pink is too young looking, but not red, maybe nude, no, that washes me out....

I need a nap.

rnpilot · Mar 9, 2006

I worked with Av Fanaroff for about 12 years. He's a nice guy. I consulted his book a lot and learned much. However, starting out in NICU, Merenstein and Gardener is the book to study, IMHO. It is geared towards nursing. Use Fanaroff to look up the odd case and M&G for the day-to-day. M&G cuts to the chase for nursing. If Fanaroff is all you have to study, study the systems and development- lung, heart, etc. There's lots of interesting, unusual stuff, but if you at least read the intro basics, you'll be way ahead. Good Luck!!

Jolie, BSN · Mar 9, 2006

Okay, I have kind of a dumb question.
I'm stressing out about...scrubs. I know. But our uniforms are heinous, and now I get to wear scrubs for the first time, which in my program is a Very Big Deal to get to wear scrubs in your practicum. So I have two questions:
1) Is ninety bucks for three sets totally ridiculous? I'm not trying to look hot or anything, but the ones I've found that look like they have a chance of actually fitting are NOT the ones that cost ten bucks a piece.
2) I'm actually stressing about the prints. Is it possible to get too cheerful a print? I mean, obviously an angel one is probably out, cause some of the babies are going to end up BEING angels, but what about curious george? I found two really pretty florals, and there's a curious george print that I fell in love with, but do you think that isn't appropriate? The NICU isn't fun and games, I'm well aware, but I like them. Also, do you think maybe I won't be taken seriously? I'm 25, but could easily pass for a decade younger.
I know I need to chill out, but I'm doing that "control the things I can control so I won't completely freak out about the stuff I can't" thing that I do oh so well. Like the ten minutes I spent in the bathroom doing and re-doing my ponytail before I met the NM today. And the long convo I had with myself over shades of lipstick. Pink is too young looking, but not red, maybe nude, no, that washes me out....
I need a nap.

1. Yes, $90 is ridiculous for 3 sets of scrubs, especially since you may only wear them for the duration of your practicum. Unless you have a permanent job lined up, and know that you will be able to wear these scrubs for that job, I wouldn't advise spending that amount of money.

2. Please don't stress out about prints. There are too many real problems in the world to waste energy on prints :). Please find out exactly what the dress code is for this unit. Some hospitals allow only hospital-owned scrubs. Some require staff to purchase their own, but set color and style guidelines. You don't want to purchase something only to find out that it isn't allowed on the unit. As for prints and colors, don't sweat it. NO ONE looks "good" in scrubs. They are designed for practicality and comfort, not style. Newbies who show up on the unit all dolled up with perfect hair, makeup and ironed scrubs stand out like sore thumbs. Your babies won't care what you look like!

3. You will be taken seriously based on your performance, not your appearance. As a new grad, and in my early years of nursing, I was constantly mistaken for a nurses' aide, because, "You can't possibly be old enough to be the RN." Not only was I old enough, I was knowledgable enough to do a good job. Enjoy the age-related comments while they last. I am now 42 years old, and no thinks I'm too young to be a nurse anymore :)

4. Your excitement and enthusiasm is refreshing. Be sure to channel it in the right way, and you'll do fine.

5. Now, go take a nap!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

Thank you, Jolie. I had a feeling ninety bucks was waaaay too much, but I don't really have a point of reference, you know? I do know I have to buy my own, and they can be whatever print or color, as long as they're scrubs. It's funny because I'm normally SO not a hair and makeup girl. I mean, I'm from Berkeley! Mascara and chapstick are usually the order of the day. It's just when I'm nervous that I wear actual makeup and fret about my clothes. I think I wore makeup to my first two clincals.

I'll definitely hunt down the Merenstein. Even if I can't find it before I leave tomorrow (and in NYC, I should be able to find it somewhere!) I can order it and have it when I get back. Thanks to all you guys for your great advice!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2006

Congratulations!!! I did my senior preceptorship in the NICU where I now work. But ours was only 160 hours, you are lucky that yours is 300! I had a good preceptor though - she made me get my hands on the critical babies from the first day. Others had their students observe for a few days first, then started them slow. Not with mine - she showed me how to suction an endotracheal tube and then said, "You do it next time!" In nursing school, they never EVER gave us a single vented patient, so I was terrified!

I actually don't think $90 for three sets of scrubs is bad at all. That is for 3 pairs of pants and 3 shirt, right? That's only $15 per piece, which is about normal. BUT since you don't know how long you'll need these scrubs - your next job might be one where you wear hospital-provided scrubs - so be careful when picking prints. You also should pick up a warm-up jacket - so maybe try to have all three sets of scrubs in the same color family, and get a solid-color warm-up that matches all three. We have to wear the hospital's surgical scrubs. I hate it sometimes because they're ugly, but whenever I get thrown up on, I love it because I can just run and change!

Here's the book on Amazon - best way to get hard-to-find books.

5th edition (2002) in paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0323014712/ref=ed_oe_p/104-3471334-5173509?%5Fencoding=UTF8

6th edition (2006) in hardcover, to be released next month:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0323033008/sr=8-1/qid=1141939355/ref=sr_1_1/104-3471334-5173509?%5Fencoding=UTF8

I found my copy at Borders Books and Music, though.

Good luck with everything!!!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2006

Thanks, Gompers! I looked at Barnes and Noble today, but they didn't have it. I'm going to try our school bookstore tomorrow. I don't know why I didn't think of that before, duh, it's a medical/nursing school bookstore. :idea: I was hoping to have it before I left for FL tomorrow, but if I can't find it I'll order it when I get back.

I have to admit, part of the reason I'm stoked for this is that, from what I've seen and heard, there's less scut work in the NICU. Ergo, less of me being used as a grunt, ergo, more learning stuff. And even the scut is important, like changing a diaper can also be about learning to interpret the baby's output for signs. The most ticked I've gotten so far in clinicals was overhearing a nurse say that she loved having nursing students around because she doesn't have to do any "crap" that day. I mean, I get the sentiment, but you really only learn so much from changing an occupied bed (at which I am highly skilled and sought after by fellow students) and playing supply gopher. I feel a little sorry for my friends who got med-surg placements.

Unfortunately, when I went to meet my preceptor tonight she had called off sick, so I won't be able to meet her until next week.

Because it can never be said enough times: SO EXCITED!!!

Tiny1Nisolet · Mar 10, 2006

Congrats to you!! I can absolutely relate as I am finishing up my precepting experience in the NICU. It has been amazing. I have the VERY BEST preceptor! We have a great relationship and I anticipate remaining friends even after my experience ends. (I accepted another NICU position at a different hospital) Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I also have Merenstein and it has been so wonderful. I ordered it over my Christmas break from Amazon.com. It is in great condition and I can not imagine ever parting with it.

I also got excited about scrubs. I bought some at the beginning of this semester, though I have not yet been able to wear them. (still wearing school uniform) I washed them and put them in my closet. They are in there to remind me that I am almost finished and graduation is not so far away.

Good luck to you! Enjoy the experience, ask lots of questions and soak up as much info as you can from your preceptor. This is what you have been waiting for, enjoy every second.

Take care

live4today, RN · Mar 10, 2006

i got my senior preceptorship in the nicu i wanted!!! :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:
this is the nicu i want to work in after grad in may. so i'm looking at this like a nine-week, three hundred hour job interview. no pressure or anything. ....................................so excited!!!!!:balloons:

:yeah: congratulations eliza! i know you're gonna make a great nicu rn! :balloons: :icon_hug: :cheers: