New RN Grad, need advice

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I am graduating in May, 07 (THANK GOODNESS!) with an ADN from a highly respected, tough school. I have managed a 3.1 GPA and hopefully 3.25 GPA by the end of this semester. However, I am typically a 91-94% student, and our grading system is A (94-100) and B (87-93), which I think is unfair, but whatever, deal with it right?! Anyways, I'm very close to accepting my first RN job, and having worked in telemetry and ICU as a CNA for almost two years, would one year of "32 bed intermediate care step down unit" that has CABG's, permanent pacers, ACS, CHF, arrhythmias, long term vent pt's, and is considered Critical Care be a good stepping stone to perhaps a year of ICU (maybe more) while I am getting my BSN? In terms of gaining acceptance to CRNA school? Or should I look elsewhere for a straight ICU fellowship, or maybe plan on more years of strict ICU experience (with Swanz and such)? This is a pretty large hospital, but not level 1. Not considered "teaching" at this point, but very close. If that makes sense? Basicly, would one year of cardiac step down with 1-2 years of ICU be sufficient? (This is all "heresay" but kinda sorta confident "heresay", if you will.) I cannot even THINK about entry into CRNA program for at least two years, more likely three, when my wife graduates with dental hygiene degree (hence, she will be the sole provider, or the "bank"!) So minimum of 2 years ICU with one year step-down cardiac. That's my plan, and i'm stickin to it! And also, I hope to achieve at least a 3.6-ish GPA in the BSN portion, since I am a strict 91-94% student, and the school I choose will have a traditional GPA system!

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Brad

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Sounds like a great plan. I would try to get into a CVICU unit with alot of Swans, IABPs, and critically ill patients if possible. From my experience with CRNA programs, they seem to really like the large teaching hospital CVICUs. I was told this by one program director personally. If you have a choice, this is the type experience I would try to get.

Good Luck!

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If you can get straight into an ICU that will give you a good preceptorship coming out of school, then that's the place to be. The more ICU time you have, the better and once you get into an ICU you can pretty much go to any other ICU. If you go to the step-down unit, you still have the ICU learning curve ahead of you. They are completely different animals.

And whoever is saying that a step-down unit is critical care is trying to be a salesman. You don't send "critically" ill patients to the step down unit, let's not kid ourselves.

In reference to the Level I issue, that means little to nothing in reference to a heart program. Levels are in reference to trauma or nicu's.

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If you can get straight into an ICU that will give you a good preceptorship coming out of school, then that's the place to be. The more ICU time you have, the better and once you get into an ICU you can pretty much go to any other ICU. If you go to the step-down unit, you still have the ICU learning curve ahead of you. They are completely different animals.

And whoever is saying that a step-down unit is critical care is trying to be a salesman. You don't send "critically" ill patients to the step down unit, let's not kid ourselves.

In reference to the Level I issue, that means little to nothing in reference to a heart program. Levels are in reference to trauma or nicu's.

Thank you both! Please keep the posts coming!

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I am graduating in May, 07 (THANK GOODNESS!) with an ADN from a highly respected, tough school. I have managed a 3.1 GPA and hopefully 3.25 GPA by the end of this semester. However, I am typically a 91-94% student, and our grading system is A (94-100) and B (87-93), which I think is unfair, but whatever, deal with it right?! Anyways, I'm very close to accepting my first RN job, and having worked in telemetry and ICU as a CNA for almost two years, would one year of "32 bed intermediate care step down unit" that has CABG's, permanent pacers, ACS, CHF, arrhythmias, long term vent pt's, and is considered Critical Care be a good stepping stone to perhaps a year of ICU (maybe more) while I am getting my BSN? In terms of gaining acceptance to CRNA school? Or should I look elsewhere for a straight ICU fellowship, or maybe plan on more years of strict ICU experience (with Swanz and such)? This is a pretty large hospital, but not level 1. Not considered "teaching" at this point, but very close. If that makes sense? Basicly, would one year of cardiac step down with 1-2 years of ICU be sufficient? (This is all "heresay" but kinda sorta confident "heresay", if you will.) I cannot even THINK about entry into CRNA program for at least two years, more likely three, when my wife graduates with dental hygiene degree (hence, she will be the sole provider, or the "bank"!) So minimum of 2 years ICU with one year step-down cardiac. That's my plan, and i'm stickin to it! And also, I hope to achieve at least a 3.6-ish GPA in the BSN portion, since I am a strict 91-94% student, and the school I choose will have a traditional GPA system!

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Brad

That sounds like a good plan. But I just wanted to comment that your school's grading scale sounds right on. I'm at a 4-year university and our grading scale is 94-100 4.0, 89-93 3.5, etc. 75% to pass. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in MICU & SICU.

Cut to the chase, bypass the stepdown and step into the ICU.

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yeah, get into a CVICU if thats what you want, i did as did many others straight out of school..

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That sounds like a good plan. But I just wanted to comment that your school's grading scale sounds right on. I'm at a 4-year university and our grading scale is 94-100 4.0, 89-93 3.5, etc. 75% to pass. Good luck to you!

NO, it is NOT right on!!! If I get a 89-93, it is a 3.0!!!! That's what I am saying! 3.5 would be perfect.

Our C cutoff is 86%!!!!

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NO, it is NOT right on!!! If I get a 89-93, it is a 3.0!!!! That's what I am saying! 3.5 would be perfect.

Our C cutoff is 86%!!!!

Brad, do you mind to share what school would that be? I'm just curious because I'm from PA as well... i just wonder what school has such as grading system.... I can't believe if one gets a 93 would get a B, that's not cool.

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I will be graduating from Penn State this spring and their grade point system is the same as the one that you have listed. In my experience, that is pretty much the standard anymore.

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Sorry took so long to reply, but no i do not mind...LHU has a 93% at a B (aka 3.0)....They give a hell of an education, but the grading system is horrible, esp if you are looking to get into grad school! I am pretty sure that the reputation of the school will NOT out weigh the grading scale. And no, if you are going to ask, they do NOT curve.

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I will be graduating from Penn State this spring and their grade point system is the same as the one that you have listed. In my experience, that is pretty much the standard anymore.

Um, I am almost positive that the statement you have made is totally incorrect. PSU is 94-100 A, 90-93 is an A- (aka 3.5)...and that is all I have to say...cuz I always get above a 90. But my GPA has dropped because my 90-93 is considered a B, which is 3.0. I am telling you, it makes a SIGNIFICANT difference. PSU does NOT use this grading scale. If they do, it is BRAND new. I'm not against the fact that you need above a 94 for an A, but I AM against the fact that a student who gets an 88 gets the same grade as me for getting a 92....NOT RIGHT.

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