Nurse Refresher Classes at Boston College

[echmorrill]

I am super excited that I found a position in an ER for my first job as a nurse. ER is definitely the speciality I love most, and I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to start out here! But I graduated from school 2.5 years ago, and I'm very nervous about loss of skills during that time (I had to move overseas right after school for my husband's job). I did a few nursing internships over the years while I was overseas, but I've never worked in a paid clinical role. I am looking at some of the nursing refresher classes at Boston College (PIV, phlebotomy, adult health assessment) to help regain some confidence, but these are just lab-based classes and I won't have time to enroll in a formal practicum anywhere before my new job starts.

1) Does anyone have any experience with the nurse refresher courses at Boston College?

2) Do you have any advice for otherwise preparing for my first job in the ER? I feel pretty solid on theory still, but I'm really just looking at getting my hands dirty (well, scrubbed and gloved, and THEN dirty) to regain confidence with the basics, like inserting IVs, taking blood cultures, identifying heart and lung sounds, ECG reading, and other common ER skills.

I plan to look into TNCC and CEN certifications after I start my new job, and I already have ACLS. I could do PALS, but I'd rather wait and get it through work (where it will be paid for). However, I'll do whatever I need to in order to be prepared and safe on my first day. Looking forward to your advice and thoughts!

[emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am still in nursing school and have thought about taking this as soon as I graduate. (Yup, that's how I feel at this point) I have heard nothing but good things regarding BC's courses so I am looking forward to it come May 2017.

Wishing you all the best, the ER is where I hope to end up also

[echmorrill]

Just FYI, I ended up enrolling in a few classes and I had a mixed experience. The Adult Health Assessment class on day1 was little more than PPT slides that had NO useful information. Spending 10 seconds per slide on odd, unusual eye problems or skin lesions just isn't useful in a clinical role. I took the phlebotomy class and that was a little better because it had much more hands-on practice. I unfortunately wasn't able to complete the Health Assessment class because of conflicts with work, and I was pretty unhappy that I couldn't get ahold of ANYONE in regards to refund/rescheduling. The admin never returned any of my MANY emails about the problem (which I sent way in advance of the conflict). So I basically just lost several hundred dollars, with no communication from the school. I'm wary about re-enrolling in anything moving forward. I will say that one week on the floor is better than a semester of powerpoints, and I'm fine in my new job (although slow, and still making silly errors). In retrospect, the classes weren't worth the money for me.

[emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thank you for sharing your experience. This definitely makes me think twice ... I snagged an ED Tech job but had to decline at the last minute due to my FT job conflict when it came to orientation. I hope to earn a bit more vacation time and use it next time I apply. I figured that would get me the best experience possible