Just a couple of questions

[kimy]

Hey, I'm Kim and I'll start the first semester in August (all pre-req's are out of the way). I have a couple of questions though and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.....

I'm going to be hitting the pavement hard tomorrow to find a part time job (had to quit my ft job b/c of the course load last semester) and I'd really like to start gaining experience before clinicals actually start....I have to have some income and realize that my school said not to work more than 16 hrs a week once they start but I'm going to HAVE to do that.....This is an EXPENSIVE endeavor.

1. Is it hard to get a position in a hospital w/o having prior experience (and w/o actually having started clincals yet)?

2. I have to get my equipment pretty soon and am at a total loss....The director told us to get a moderately priced bp cuff and stethoscope and I don't have a clue. I've tried doing a search on google to see if I could find some sort of buyers guide to kind of guide me in the right direction, but came up empty handed.

Thanks!

Kim

[Cyberdoula]

JMO, but If I were you, I would get a decent stethescope. I had the idea of getting a a $35 scope when I first started 2 years ago and I am so glad I didn't. You will be learning on this thing. You will be needing to hear things you are not used to hearing. You don't want to guess around with murmurs and advintitious breath sounds. I got the Littman Master Classic II and it has been a good scope. I graduate in 3 weeks and have a job in CCU starting soon. I will be getting some sort of cardio scope.

Now as a job idea...Last summer, I taught myself and then took a class on Basic Dysrythmia. I became a certified monitor tech and LOVED it. I won't be working for the same hospital that I had worked for, but I gained a ton of experience and met a lot of great people. I highly recommend it! Holler at me if you would like, [email protected]

Beth

[Cyberdoula]

JMO, but If I were you, I would get a decent stethescope. I had the idea of getting a a $35 scope when I first started 2 years ago and I am so glad I didn't. You will be learning on this thing. You will be needing to hear things you are not used to hearing. You don't want to guess around with murmurs and advintitious breath sounds. I got the Littman Master Classic II and it has been a good scope. I graduate in 3 weeks and have a job in CCU starting soon. I will be getting some sort of cardio scope.

Now as a job idea...Last summer, I taught myself and then took a class on Basic Dysrythmia. I became a certified monitor tech and LOVED it. I won't be working for the same hospital that I had worked for, but I gained a ton of experience and met a lot of great people. I highly recommend it! Holler at me if you would like, [email protected]

Beth