North Lake/El Centro - Fall '06!

LKG6 · Mar 30, 2008

So December grads don't get a graduation? I'd rather have that than a pinning ceremony.

We are invited to the May graduation but I haven't heard of anyone who wants to attend. Our pinning was a beautiful ceremony, we had only nursing students and their families and friends there. I think most of us, if not all of us, concentrating on our RN career now and don't worry about El Centro anymore.

By the way, as I know, only one person from NLC didn't pass NCLEX on the first time. She did pass a few days ago, though.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2008

That's good to know....that she passed the 2nd time. :)

I did want to do graduation, and the pinning.

Graduation just because, pinning because that is what is suppose to happen.

At the NSNA convention they were giving away a free class portrait (with individual photos of each person placed together in one frame). I walked by and they asked, "Would you like to sign your school up for a free class portrait?"

I just said, "Umm...no. Our school doesn't even bother to give us a pinning ceremony." :spbox::angryfire:madface: :banghead:

(And yes, my badge DID have the school's name on it!)

JaxiaKiley · Mar 30, 2008

I like the idea of a pinning ceremony since it would be smaller and more intimate.

LKG -- Ya'll may not worry about El Centro, but don't forget about us

mysterious_one, ASN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

well, I finely ,after one and a half week of praying and struggling with the decision, accepted an intern position at Charlton in the L&D, yeaaaaaaaaa. The reason, I was offered initially 3-11, 8 hour shift, and I had another offer at Arlington Medical Center for the 7 to 7 pm shift. I wanted to stay at Charlton so bad, since I am doing my externship there, so I begged my manager to let me do at least the night shift (12 hours). I just could not see myself being away from my family 5 days a week from 3 to 11. She finally said yes, and so I accepted. I am so happy:bowingpur:yeah: and thankful to God.

JaxiaKiley · Apr 3, 2008

Congrats! I'm glad that things worked out.

This may seem like a silly question, but what is the difference between an externship and an internship? Every time I think I have it figured out, someone uses them in a way that doesn't make sense with what I thought.

Thanks for any clarification!!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

Congratulations, Mysterious_One!!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :up: :nurse:

Jaxia...."EXternship"-is the one you can apply for during your first semester of nursing school. Most require one semester of skills/lecture, then you can work as a Nurse Extern while your in nursing school. Nurse Externs can't give meds.

Interns, or GN positions are what you apply for during your last semester. It is for when you graduate. Start applying early. I got offered my position in February, and school started in January!!! (Especially if you want a position such as OR or ICU. There are not many of these, compared to Med-Surg.)

I went with UTSW because of their 9 month internship for the OR, compared to HCA's 6 month. $$ was about the same.....$23 for UTSW, $22.85 for HCA.

I did clinicals last semester at UTSW-St. Paul, and this semester at UTSW-Zale Lipshy. I was partial to St. Paul...I was born there, plus my mom worked there when I was little. :) ...BUT.....I love Zale Lipshy! It's a nice surgery-based hospital. I haven't had a problem with any of the nurses, and most go out of their way to help you. Also, the instructor that Katie recommended, FY, is the one I have. She's great! She talks to you as a peer....not as a high-and-mighty instructor looking down on the little degenerates. LOL

I liked Ms. P also, but FY is more talkative in personality. :)

Ok....I think I'm out of :twocents: pennies. LOL Back to studying! :clown:

LKG6 · Apr 3, 2008

Congrats! :w00t: Enjoy it.

Katie

well, I finely ,after one and a half week of praying and struggling with the decision, accepted an intern position at Charlton in the L&D, yeaaaaaaaaa.

mysterious_one, ASN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

Thanks everyone,

Jaxia, an extern is usually allowed to do nursing skills except giving meds and you don't have a patient load, at least this is how it is at Charlton and Methodist Dallas. I have been in the L&D for this last semester and here it is a little different then Med/Surg. I basically am doing the job of an OR and L&D tech. I learned how to scrub in and assist during C-sections (hand the instruments to the docs) and lady partsl deliveries and on the side I get to do IV's and foleys. It helps tremendously to get you prepared and more comfortable in the clinical setting, and if you can be in the unit you want to eventually work at , that is an added bonus.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

Most of the EXTERNS I have talked to didn't even have to interview for their graduate INTERNship positions.

So, I agree, it can definitely be beneficial to work as an extern where you will want to continue working as an GN/RN.

mysterious_one, ASN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

I had to do another interview with my manager and the educator of the L&D internship, but it was ok. And it was also to give me some more info about the program.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

Did you have to interview AGAIN for the internship, or did they just come offer you the position?

Seems kind of strange to have to interview for floor you've been working on.

mysterious_one, ASN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

yes I had to, originally there were 4 externs but only 2 intern positions avaiable. Also I think they wanted to see how serious we were, because L&D is an acute area and requires us to learn ACLS and other special training like fetal monitoring ,and our manager made it clear to us to be absolutely sure, that this is something we want to do. Then when we interviewed she also said that there were some full RNs interested in the intership position also. So I was not even sure if I could get it, that's why I applied at Arlington Medical Center also. One of our externs decided not to interview and at the end, the rest of us three all got hired.