DonMcAllister

DonMcAllister

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About DonMcAllister

DonMcAllister has 7 years experience.

My background: Long story short, I graduated from Rutgers University thinking I wanted to be a doctor. I decided not to become a doctor, and a few years later went to nursing school to become a nurse. I then became an ICU nurse. I loved it in the beginning, but became burnt-out. I later worked in a nursing facility on a subacute rehab floor, became a nursing supervisor, and moved to North Carolina where I became a nurse liaison. I love my wife, my four children, my church, and writing.

Latest Activity

  1. FAILED NCLEX W/76 QUESTIONS, need help :(

    DonMcAllister replied to Lemuel_RN's topic in NCLEX

    I'm pretty sure it was the 90 day, but can't be positive. It was several years ago now.

  2. What should I do to get ready for Nursing School starting this Fall?

    DonMcAllister replied to cmariehill's topic in General Students

    I'm with aubgurl: sleep while you can. For now: Sit back and relax. Your instructors will tell you all you need to know. Definitely would supplement their coursework with an NCLEX book to further understand material and questions. I came from univers...

  3. a new grad needs advice

    DonMcAllister replied to Twinmom06's topic in Job Hunt

    That is very unfortunate. I remember hearing how some hospitals don't like to transfer new nurses with under a year experience. That being said, If I were you I would just be honest with that manager connection you have, telling her you regret choosi...

  4. Keeping Focus during a 12 hr Shift

    DonMcAllister replied to rednotebook's topic in General Nursing

    I never had a problem with focus working 12 in the icu. In fact, I was so busy, I typically didn't eat until 2-3 usually. Between charting, hourly vital signs, issues arising, etc etc, 12 sometimes didn't feel like enough time. That being said, there...

  5. FAILED NCLEX W/76 QUESTIONS, need help :(

    DonMcAllister replied to Lemuel_RN's topic in NCLEX

    Kaplan is a great idea. Where I went to school it was mandatory to take. They included it in the final semester as part of the curriculum, not only to help us but also to help themselves look better by ensuring great pass rates among their students. ...

  6. Opening or Closing Doors?

    DonMcAllister replied to oldcatlady71's topic in Urology

    I was an ICU nurse for a few years, and there are definitely skills that will help in that setting, but I think many view dialysis as highly specialized. You might definitely be better off trying to get into ICU/onc floor instead of pursuing dialysis...

  7. What should new LTC nurse know??

    DonMcAllister replied to scrublifenurse10's topic in Geriatric

    I think setting expectations would be the main thing. I worked in LTC as a supervisor, and the main thing we all want to know is what is required of us new nurses. Many facilities don't do this and many new nurses don't think to ask it until problems...

  8. Really Odd Question

    DonMcAllister replied to Whovian's topic in Pre-Nursing

    I was pre-med, then later went into nursing after graduating with bachelors degree at Rutgers. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I read a lot and I think it would be a good idea to take a year and travel. You can then apply for nursing school...

  9. Am I the only one who hates 12 hour shifts?

    DonMcAllister replied to jdubs99's topic in General Nursing

    I used to hate 12-hour shifts when I worked in the surgical ICU. The only thing I liked about them was that if I schedule it back to back, I open up several days off of work. That's something I miss now that I'm 8-5 as a nurse liaison. Still like the...