melloyello13

I worked as a case manager for a homecare agency for eight months and I was a new grad. In my situation, the case managers were pretty much used to make sure documents were in order. We also ordered services like rehab, DME supplies, HHA services, handled complaints, and wrote doctors' orders for them to sign (this is just a short summed up list). I really did not use my clinical knowledge for much, which is very different from hospice or hospital case management. I do feel that you need a good understanding of patient needs to be a case manager, but it depends on the type of case management. In my situation, the visiting nurses were doing all the patient assessments and just reporting back to me so I could put everything in order and start the process. You might have to do that aspect for yourself though so that might be an issue if you don't know what to look for. On the other hand, alot of the visiting nurses were new grads themselves, so they didn't have that strong of a clinical background either. We had a separate billing department so I was not involved with insurance companies at all. I had to have a basic understanding of what insurance did and did not pay for though. My work hours were 9-5 mon-fri, no weekends, no overtime (though many case managers stayed late to complete their work with no pay), no on call. I really did not like case management because I wanted patient contact but hospital RN jobs were very difficult to come by in my area for new grads. It involves alot of paperwork and alot of time looking at a computer screen. If they're willing to offer the job to someone that doesn't have a lot of experience then you will probably be fine with it. The case coordinator at my hospital isn't even a nurse and I've been told that she's been doing a very good job.

I have several tattoos which have been done professionally and within the last five years. I can't get an MRI because the magnetic force affects the ingredients of the tattoo ink and causes burning (which I'm guessing is due to the metalic components).

This is sort of late, but as a tattooed nurse, I felt that I should respond. I have many tattoos up and down my arms and a few very visible ones on my fingers on both hands. Additionally, I have piercings and I have dreadlocks (I'm white, so it's a little more unexpected on my hair type). At work, I always have all my piercings removed and wear long sleeve shirts under my scrubs. I try my best to keep the tattoos covered because people do pass judgment (unfortunately). Since visual impressions are a major driving force in determining someone's professionalism and character, I don't want the way I look to cause me trouble. In nursing school I had a professor who made a negative remark about my hair. I was a little upset over it, because basically what she said was that I would not be able to get a job. Turns out, I was one of the first people from my graduating class to get a job! (I graduated in Dec 2009 and it is and was VERY difficult to find work as a new grad in NYC). Additionally, I just got a new job at a hospital in upstate NY, where people are not as open-minded as those from NYC. So the way I look has not gotten me into any trouble thus far or inhibited me. I make sure to carry myself professionally, I treat everyone very respectfully. When I go for interviews, I dress VERY professionally to make up for the tattoos and the hair that might be distracting. Truth is some people will hate tattoos while others will love them. Depending on the facility dress code, you might even be able to keep some uncovered. Because I have so many I cover them. But honestly, if you use some common sense and are cautious, you will be fine.

Laguardia didn't help me. They don't really have the capacity to help their students. There just aren't any jobs. What Laguardia did do was provide information about possible internships with hospitals which are supposed to help you get a foot in the door. I would recommend that you do an internship if you can a semester or two before you graduate (most hospitals want you to have finished with Med Surg I). Though if the hospital has a hiring freeze, it might unfortunately not help. I didn't do an internship, which I kind of regret. Not too long ago, hospitals would recruit nursing students right out of college, and they would have jobs immediately after getting their license. That's not the case at all anymore. The key is to apply to as many places as you can. I applied to 50 places, and got ONE call back. I emailed, faxed, called, applied online, went to open houses etc- and one response. I've read on forums about new grads applying to even more places and not getting a job. By the time you graduate, I think the economy will be significantly better in terms of job prospects. Thank you for your wishes =) It's been a long road, but it all paid off in the end.

Hi, I graduated from Laguardia's nursing program this past Dec. I have also been a Hunter College employee/student since Sept. 2004. The Laguardia clinical component will take you 2 years. Honestly, for most CUNY schools, if not all, the deadlines for Fall 2010 admission are either over, or close to over, especially with their highly competitive nursing programs. I know Hunter College is flooded with Nursing program applicants and even if you apply now, it's too late for Fall 2010 admission. But I don't recommend Hunter College anyways, cause their administration is horrible, and their nursing department does not care about its students. I went through quite an ordeal with the nursing department, so I'm trying to spread the word about the school. Anyways, all personal matters aside, I recommend you attend Laguardia's nursing program. In retrospect, I loved their program. The professors are good, they truly care about their students, and the student body works together. I received my RN license in Feb, and am in the process of starting an online RN-BSN program at Utica College. It is better, in my eyes, to receive your AAS in nursing, then continue on from there. There are several advantages to this: You can start working right away (assuming there are jobs out there when you graduate), the facility you work for may pay for you education fully or partially, the RN-BSN programs are easier to get into than going straight into a BSN program, you can complete your education online if you wish, you won't waste time waiting to start Spring 2011 and you might have to take more pre-reqs prior to starting a BSN program. I understand that many jobs require a BSN. Some hospitals require a BSN, others will take you in if you're working towards your BSN and others have added the BSN requirement due to the financial climate. Honestly, if the economy is bad like it is now, having a BSN won't help you that much. I have heard of students with BSNs that cant find jobs, and students with an AAS that have found jobs (I am one). A new grad is a new grad, whether you have an AAS or a BSN, the job hunt will be tough due to the economy. This is just my opinion based on my experiences and what I've discussed with other people who have gone a similar route as me.

I've made a post about Hunter somewhere else, but I will repeat what I said to the other person. Hunter is cheap, and has a reputable nursing program. But, administration is horrible and their nursing department does not care about its students. They are overwhelmed with applicants this semester and don't know what to do. I know Hunter very well (have worked there/been a student since 2004). I decided to get my AAS in nursing from Laguardia but still took classes at Hunter over the years, even till now. You can take the pre-reqs at Hunter without declaring your major (you typically have to declare your major by the time you have 60 credits), but you can also take classes at Hunter as a non-degree student and not have to worry about the major thing- though tuition will be slightly higher. Getting into Hunter's Nursing program is fairly difficult. I believe the average GPA USED to be 3.5 and now i'm sure it's higher than that. For Laguardia, you pretty much needed a 3.8 and I think Hunter might be around that as well. I got into Hunter's RN Pathway Program (for those who are already RNs), which is easier to get into. I will not be attending though, because the Nursing department sucks. I've heard bad things about other nursing programs in other schools, but Hunter is not the great school it advertises itself to be. If it's a money issue, Hunter is worth it definitely. But if you want the luxury of a smooth education , NYU might be a better choice. As a side note, I have taken organic chem at Hunter twice and both times I had to withdraw because the professors were HORRIBLE.

When I had looked into online RN to BSN programs, I discovered that SUNY Empire State College's program is not accredited. I had considered it until I found this out. I will be attending Utica College this May and so far I'm very happy with the admissions process. We'll see how the coursework and program is.

I will be starting the online RN to BSN program at Utica this May. They accepted 90 of my transfer credits, which means I only need to take 31 to graduate.From what I see on the site, tuition is 335 per credit plus 60 dollars per 3 credit course. So for me (i'm instate) it would be a little over a thousand per three credit course. I dont see why they wouldn't accept out of state students, and from what I saw on the website, it didn't say anything about out of state students paying more than instate.

I know that Hunter College's Nursing programs are in general hard to get into, and even more so now. They have been flocked with applicants due to the nursing craze and economic crisis etc. I know Hunter fairly well. I've been working at Hunter and have been a student there since 2004. I am also an RN who received my AAS in Nursing from Laguardia Community College. I am sure the program is very competitive to get into. I was accepted into the RN Pathway program and chose not to attend. I just want to warn you - if you do apply, that Hunter College administration is horrible, and so is their nursing department. They don't seem to really care about their students. I am speaking from personal experience, and from what I have heard from other students/friends. They are misleading, their advising is not accurate and you might not be able to get into your classes (cause Hunter has more students than it can physically handle). The benefit is that the education is cheap and Hunter College has a good reputation as a nursing school. Honestly, for me, the hassle, pain, and lack of consideration was enough to convince me to attend a private university for my BSN. I don't want to discourage you, just warn you.

i tested (ny) friday, jan 29th and i came out thinking i surely failed. the questions stopped at 75, and though in the back of my mind i thought this was a good thing, i couldn't remember feeling secure about any of my answers. i tried the pearson trick and i got the message, that i can't register for another exam. and 48 hours later, i find out that i passed! it definitely helped ease my nerves a bit, but boy were those the longest two days of my life. so i can say that for me, the trick worked. good luck to you guys and congratulations to those who passed!!!!