Aloha....introduce yourself

[NRSKarenRN]

don't know what happened to the greeting thread so starting anew!

[color=#330000]prmenrs our nicu goddess and myself are now co-moderating

this philly area natives specialty is respiratory nursing since 1977 and home care since 1985. allnurses addict since 2000. i happily wave to you across the ocean....

[KarangRN]

Howzit everyone.

I'm Carl. I was born on Oahu, raised in Waianae and moved to Hilo before high school. I attended Hilo High School (GO VIKS GO). I joined the Army National Guard right after high school to pay for college because my parents didn't have enough money to send me to school themselves. My mother is diagnosed with severe Schizo-affective disorder, which is why I guess I was interested in going into some kind of medical field.

I'm a 31 year old RN that works at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center (a 120 bed skilled nursing facility) in Hilo on the Big Island.

I started my ADN at HCC in 2000 but withdrew on my last semester due to family problems. I did take my NCLEX-PN and worked at Hale Anuenue as an LPN from 2003 until I finished my ADN-RN in 2006. Moved up to Eve Shift Supervisor after that but I had a chance to work in the ER at Hilo Medical Center in 2007 so I took it. After 6 months of stress and a crappy preceptor, I decided that particular ER wasn't for me. My heart has always been in critical care but I love geriatric and long term care nursing too.

I came back to Hale Anuenue in October 2007 and worked back as Evening Shift Supervisor. I feel that even though I only spent half a year in ER, the experience I've gained there benefited me on the unit. Three weeks ago I was offered to do MDS.

So right now I'm doing MDS, and since the hours are compatible with me going back to school I am seriously thinking about finishing up my BSN online next year. Perhaps even moving on to grad school hehe.

Nice to meet all of you and big aloha to all you nurses no matter where you are from. We are all colleagues and the main focus is our patients.

[mo-mo]

Aloha Carl,

Glad to see someone else from the Big Island! What is MDS anyway?

[Nerdy RN]

Aloha all,

I was stationed in Hawaii for five years at Tripler. I worked throughout the hospital so I am familiar with all aspects of it. I currently live in Washington, but I just got here. If anyone has any questions about Tripler please fell free to ask.

Mahalo

[starangel2]

Aloha,

I'm a student applying for UH's BSN program but also considering UH Manoa MEPN Program since I already hold a BA. Anyone know about the MEPN PROGRAM???

[MECP08]

Hi all!! I am a nursing student at HPU starting my level one clinicals in the Spring. I am in the Navy and after having served on 2 submarines, I thought it was time for a career move. So, here I am. I have a lot of questions, so I hope I can lean on my nursing ohana!!

[misssmiley2002]

Hi, I am cuurently looking for a job in hospitals, but they require atleast 6months experience within the area. Since you're working at Straub what ways can I gain my experience for me to qualify?

I'm a CNA. I have more than 8 years exp. in hospitals (in the Philippines), home care.

[misssmiley2002]

Hi runner12, Is there any CNA job openings in Tripler? Would you happen to know the website?

Thanks. misssmiley2002

[tarabrooke77]

Aloha-

I am an RN student graduating in Dec. My husband, son, and I are moving to HI then :) I just came accross this forum and have gotten worried about finding a job. I spent 4 years in the Coast Guard, so I was going to apply to Trippler in the hopes that it would be easier for me to get a job there as a new grad. However, I just read that they do not hire new grads. Is this true? Any suggestions on how to apply for a job without actually living in HI yet? We are not planning to move untill at least one of us has found a job. Thanks!

Tara

[AngelWork]

Aloha! I am a massage therapist in Waikiki and I have some pre-nursing courses done from college before I went to massage school. We started getting pay cuts so I decided to research more about nursing and go to the infor session at KCC. I was not for Jan 09 a res b/c I am 23 and my parents from NJ claimed me (even though I moved to HI when I was 20). ANYWAY-I applied to nursing school in NJ and was accepted with a small scholarship to Felician College of New Jersey. I don't know much about it, and I'd have to radically change my life, but Id get free rent and can live in quiet boring house in NJ cold and live with my parents. I am not sure If I'd rather take the chances to stay in Hawaii get into a school here. Although I live Waikiki, I don't think KCC is good for me b/c Waikiki is too fun. I am thinking about UH Hilo BSN program. Does anyone know about the quality of the program there?

Any advise about nursing school, UH Hilo. My parents and NJ stress me out, but they are supportive of me going to nursing school. Hawaii is my love, but I am worried I won't get into a program, and I will have a hard time transitioning to become a student because most of my friends work in waikiki and are not students. I think Big Island will be easier for me to focus, + I want to to BSN b/c I have 2 yrs college finished already.

[vrgp79]

Aloha! I have been a nurse for 2 yrs in St. Louis MO.I recently married a man in the military and we will be moving to Oahu in July. I thought this might be a good way to meet new people. I am really excited about the move. I hope to make some great friends and also get support on this site.

Mahalo, Viole

[konamomi]

Aloha,

I've been living on Oahu since 11/2005, when I was stationed here (after a few years in Japan). I don't see myself leaving here anytime soon...I'll be here as long as I can afford to haha.

I'm newly registered, but I've read a few threads here and there over the last few months, as I was trying to decide between HPU and KCC. I just got out of active duty military in December (I'm currently in the Reserves), and I am starting school this fall. I was a meteorologist for the Navy, so this is a big career jump for me...although I've wanted to pursue nursing for a very long time. When I was joining the Navy, the Hospitalman rating was completely full, the wait-list was over a year long.

Anyway, the feedback about HPU on this site and others, as well as friends of mine currently in HPU's nursing program has helped me make up my mind to go to KCC instead. I'm attending the Information Session on Monday! I'm so excited to be going back to school. I love to learn, and hopefully I can make new friends (almost all of my friends have recently moved away)

-- Konamomi

[ebenton07]

Aloha! Well I have been away from the Island for a long time and I am looking forward to come back once I get my RN. I am presently living back at home in Flint MI and missing the island life. :yeah: Oahu here I come summer of 2010.