Pittsburgh nursing student

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I am a student in Pittsburgh finishing up my freshmen year. I have a question for the working RN's of Pittsburgh. Do you suggest specializing right away or working on Med-Surg for a few years for experience?

I have another year to decide, just wanted some input and suggestions.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Rotor EMS, Ped's ICU, CT-ICU,.

If you want to specialize, do it as soon as you are able to get a job in that specialization...right away if able.

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Specializes in Med/Surg < 1yr.

I'm a Pittsburgh student also. I was considering doing med-surg just so that I would have a well-rounded background when I found my niche and that if I didn't like one thing, the med-surg background would give me enough experience to try different things. I would like to specialize in L&D upon graduation but I heard it's very hard for new grads to get into.

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Dorselm and momx4...............where in Pittsburgh do you go to school?

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Dorselm and momx4...............where in Pittsburgh do you go to school?

I go to Ohio Valley General Hospital, School of Nursing

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Does Ohio Valley have a diploma program? Is it full time or part time? Do you like it?

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Yes Ohio Valley is a diploma program. It is full time but I have been taking classes through the years to relieve that schedule. i have 4 children and life is hectic. So I can only concentrate on nursing classes right. So got the other classes out of the way before I started. I chose that school because its small and I need that one on one.

Good luck!

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I know what you mean by hectic...I have 5 children, so I would probably want to do it the way that you are..........get the college courses out of the way first. Thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg < 1yr.

Sorry it took so long to reply. I go to Shadyside School of Nursing. I am in my first semester but it is a really good program. It's a 22 month diploma program. I will graduate in Dec 08. So far, I really like the instructors. Can you believe we've already had an episode of cheating???? Our class will be the first class to go through this simulation program where we will be put in a simulated hospital room with a simulated dummy that can spit up have IV's blood drawn, can poop, pee, get catheters....the whole nine! I'm excited but very nervous. The instructor will be behind some glass and will watch how we interact with and care for the patient. I can't wait. In my opinion, school is not difficult there is just so much to learn. I'm a CNA at an LTC facility so I work doubles on Sat and Sun from 7 am to 11:30 pm. Then I'm in school Tues-Fri. All while raising 4 teenagers.

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Wow! You sure are busy, Dorselm! I have 5 kids........oldest is 12....and I am actually waiting to hear about fall acceptance to Shadyside. I did really well on my entrance exam, but I've been out of school for awhile, so I don't know how much they will take my transcripts into account. That is SO cool about the simulation......I would be so up for that! I'd love to hear how it goes...when will you be doing it?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.
Sorry it took so long to reply. I go to Shadyside School of Nursing. I am in my first semester but it is a really good program. It's a 22 month diploma program. I will graduate in Dec 08. So far, I really like the instructors. Can you believe we've already had an episode of cheating???? Our class will be the first class to go through this simulation program where we will be put in a simulated hospital room with a simulated dummy that can spit up have IV's blood drawn, can poop, pee, get catheters....the whole nine! I'm excited but very nervous. The instructor will be behind some glass and will watch how we interact with and care for the patient. I can't wait. In my opinion, school is not difficult there is just so much to learn. I'm a CNA at an LTC facility so I work doubles on Sat and Sun from 7 am to 11:30 pm. Then I'm in school Tues-Fri. All while raising 4 teenagers.

DorselM, I'm one semester ahead of you at Shadyside SON. We just did our first SIM lab in Nursing 102. It was a lot of fun and I felt it was useful as well.

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Hi DorselM!

I am also a student at Shadyside in the evening/weekend program. I am starting my transition next semester and graduating in June 2007! I am scared to death. We had our Sims experience at Wiser during our PEDS/OB rotation. It was a great experience but also very humbling:rolleyes: . You have all these big ideas till your patient starts to crash and then it's like "help!":rotfl: Shadyside is a great school with alot of wonderful instructors. I was very fortunate to have been given a chance to a part of such a supportive class and have made a lot of great friends. Good Luck to all!

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