Hi everyone!!

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Hi Kim .... nice to have you on the forum. I am also new to this forum and find it great reading. I looked into WCU for my BSN and it looked like a great program. I needed a little more flexibility with my time and opted to go online for the BSN. Good luck with your program and with boards once you graduate.

FNP grrl · Jan 19, 2004

hi there wcu nurse & RNPATL! nice to meet some homefolks. i graduated from the WCU FNP program 1.5 years ago myself. i currently work at Mission Hospital doing orthopedics/emergency medicine as an FNP. dream jobs for me as i am a long-time ED devotee.

looking forward to getting to know ya'll better. i'm always happy to brag on western NC!

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Hi FNP grrl ... thanks for the welcome. I am working toward my NP and will get it done one day. Sometimes it seems like such a long draw out commitment, but I know in the end, it will be great. Currently I am attending UoP for my BSN and MSN. Once that is completed, I plan to do my post graduate work at WCU. Thanks again for the welcome and look forward to chatting with you on this board.

wcu_nurse · Jan 19, 2004

Glad to hear so many of you are from the western part of the state. It's so nice here! Western is a great school, it's small but there are some great professors here, especially in the nursing program. It's amazing to look over the last semester and see how much I've learned! And it's quite overwhelming to look forward and see how much left I've got to learn. But,l love it!

I'm pretty worried because Thursday and Friday we have clinicals all day (every week) and we're going to be doing our first iv starts and injections. Any advice you guys? I think after my first one, I'll be fine. Just a little anxious!!

Take it easy and BRRRRR stay warm!

Kim

[email protected]

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Kim - I have to agree with you .... living in Western NC is great and the people are real down home and friendly. Good luck with your clinicals on Thursday and Friday. As far as IV starts .... for me, the best advice I could give is make sure you have good lighting and remember to take your time. Have confidence in yourself! With IV's .... I am either great or bad, depending on the day! There are days when I can't miss a vien and then there are days when I just can't get them .... not sure why that is, but I hear the same thing from other nurses. Anyway .... good luck and please remember to post and tell us how you did. Patrick

PS - it is down right COLD here today!

wcu_nurse · Jan 19, 2004

thanks Patrick! You're right, at least that's the same thing I've heard. And, they tell us not to base our feelings on success only on how we do with ivs and injections. If we did, we'd all remember some "BAD" nurses. I think it's attitude that matters the most and compassion. I'll let you guys know how it goes. But don't worry if it takes me a while to post because usually the only free time I have is on weekends.

I think I'm very blessed to have found this forum. Y'all are great supporters!

It's down right Cold here too!!! I'll send some warm air your way if I can find any, k?

KIM

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Thanks for the warm air Kim ..... just got it :roll I remember when I was in LPN school (in 1983) .... the instructors gave us each 10 small vials of normal saline. We were suppose to draw them up in preparation to learn about IM injections. Well, I took mine home and emptied the NS out and filled them with Vodka. During class the next day, we were injecting oranges ..... several of us did this .... we injected what was suppose to be NS into our oranges, only, it wasn't NS, it was vodka .... I think that was the single most interesting way to learn aboput IM injections (of course, you have to remember, I was only 18 years old at the time) .... anyway, we ate our oranges at lunch and were falling asleep the rest of the afternoon. It is funny to look back at now, but if we were caught, we probably would have gotten into some big trouble.

wcu_nurse · Jan 19, 2004

Patrick, that's just hilarious!!! We didn't get to do all that!! We had silicone arms and iv cath start kits to play with in lab and that's it. Isn't that crazy? ! Sounds like nursing school was a blast for you too. Good ole NS!

wcu_nurse · Feb 13, 2004

Hi Patrick! Just wanted to let you know that the IVs went great. I've also done some SQ injections and seen some surgeries in the OR. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply....i'm sure you remember how nursing school is. ...looks like we're gonna be stuck in winter forever....pray for sunshine! I was wondering how things are going with you because it looks like you haven't posted in a while! Take care!

~kim

Thanks for the warm air Kim ..... just got it :roll I remember when I was in LPN school (in 1983) .... the instructors gave us each 10 small vials of normal saline. We were suppose to draw them up in preparation to learn about IM injections. Well, I took mine home and emptied the NS out and filled them with Vodka. During class the next day, we were injecting oranges ..... several of us did this .... we injected what was suppose to be NS into our oranges, only, it wasn't NS, it was vodka .... I think that was the single most interesting way to learn aboput IM injections (of course, you have to remember, I was only 18 years old at the time) .... anyway, we ate our oranges at lunch and were falling asleep the rest of the afternoon. It is funny to look back at now, but if we were caught, we probably would have gotten into some big trouble.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 13, 2004

Hi Kim ... great to hear that everything went well for you .. that is great! I have been fine .... been busy with many things here ... I have posted on several threads, but have been involved with my new job and learning everything, so have not had much time on the computer.

We received 4" on snow last night! I agree, I think we are stuck in winter and I, for one, am ready for spring! Take care and keep up the good work in school. Patrick

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2004

This is really neat to be in the NC forum. I am in nursing school at WCU and just got a job at haywood regional medical center. (30 minutes west of asheville for all you who love asheville!! )
I have 3 semesters left until i graduate with my BSN. I'm really glad that I've chosen nursing....
I look forward to talking to y'all... i think this has the potential of being a great support group.
_kim_
[email protected]

Hi there!

I am a nursing student in Michigan but am moving to North Carolina when I graduate and HRMC is a hospital I am looking into. What do you do there and do you plan on working there when you receive your BSN? How do you like it there? My husband and I used to live on Fort Bragg some 7 years ago and we love it in NC.

Also, I noticed you've had some time in the OR for clinicals. Do you remember any of the Surgeons names? I have a friend who just moved there so he's a new MD in surgery at that hospital. Dr. Alfred Mina. Did you meet him? Anyways, I hope you get this message and I'm looking forward to hear how you like HRMC. Thanks for your time!