abbythetabby

I was hoping some of you might like to help my class. To blow off the stress of the last semester, we're going to hand out amusing awards to students and instructors. We already have a Nurse Ratched Award and Best Use of a Bedpan. Any other ideas?

I'm graduating in May and am considering working for a hospital that sends new grads through the Versant program. Is anyone here in the program? How helpful is it for a new grad? Thanks!

It all depends upon which part of CA you want to work in. In Los Angeles, new grads start just under $30/hr and demand is very high for certain units. Keep in mind that rent for a modest 1 bdrm apt. is $1000/mo. and up.

Man came in by ambulance. His family called 911 after he fell to the floor and was unresponsive. They did chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. Once he got to the ED, he admitted he was just pretending to be unconscious because he didn't...

Oh my gosh. This is right up there on the stupidity list next to my pt who was eating spermicidal jelly on toast for breakfast every morning and was confused as to how she ended up pregnant.

I did end up getting accepted for a Versant residency. We don't start for another two weeks, but I'll be training in the ED. It's an 18 week program with three shifts and one eight hour day of class each week. We've only had an orientation at this...

After reading a few threads here about the reasons nurses are unhappy with the workplace, I'm wondering if conditions are better at facilites that have been awarded magnet status.

So far, I've been doing my work. Yesterday it was 150 NCLEX practice questions. Today it's another 150 plus, reading all my material on burns. Then, if I have time, updating my SRN blog. (Helps me stay on track) How's everyone else doing so far?

Yes, please. I need to be accountable to someone! I have an advanced med-surg/critical care final that's worth 40% of my grade on the 9th. I want an A! There's an ATI med-surg proctored exam tomorrow. They've been pretty easy in previous semeste...

We're doing 96 hours (eight 12 hour days). Just look at it as practice for those 12 hour days you'll be working after graduation! We've been doing 9 hour days for the past two semesters and they always seem to fly by. What's another three hours? (...

Today is our last day of clinical, then a final after spring break and then our preceptorship. I can't wait for graduation! 2 months to go!

As exhausted as I am from our insane clinical hours, I still get up every day feeling excited about going in. One of my classmates saved a life today. How freakin' cool is that? Only 10 more clinical days 'til graduation!!!

I don't have any experince on the oncology floor, but CHLA is a teaching facility (one of the best I've seen!). Several of my former classmates spent a lot of time on the oncology floor and they all had a great experience.

The ED at USC-LAC is a hectic place. Wait time for patients is usually about 10 hours on a good day. Many of your patients will be Spanish speaking. You'll see a lot of people who should have come in much sooner, but couldn't afford to miss a day ...

As sudents we parked in a lot at Vermont/Los Feliz, but I think that was just for the students. They have a shuttle that goes to the different lots. Also, it's right by the Vermont/Sunset Metro train stop. If you live close to a Metro stop, that's...

Our instructors are great about adjusting our schedule so that we can go. I'll be there for a day or two.

Several of the students who are about to graduate with me in a few months are going to ICU jobs. If you're willing to work hard, go for it. A lot of hospitals like new grads because they don't have to break them of bad habits they've learned elsewh...

Yes, there is a Koreatown in the downtown L.A. area. However, I've seen Korean speaking patients in all of the L.A. hospitals where I did my clinical. None of the nurses spoke Korean, so you'd be an asset anywhere in Los Angeles.

I loved my psych rotation. We rotated through different units at a psych facility and worked with patients one on one. Adolescents were the toughest group to work with because they tend to bond with each other very quickly and there was a us vs. th...

Ooh, these are good! Thanks!

Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between a "dull" and "flat" sound when percussing an abdomen? To me those two terms are interchangable. Thanks!

A very belated thanks, Daytonite. My instructor was willing to give me the points for the question, but I didn't need them. However, I was able to share them with a classmate, who passed the class by a half a point thanks to your help. She had a l...

We had an 11:1 student to CI ratio. Trying to find the instructor to pass meds or ask a question was very frustrating. And I am so not a morning person. But I loved clinicals. While waiting for my instructor, I'd read other patient's charts, help...

I only did a clinical rotation there, but I also loved the atmosphere. All of the nurses I worked with were exceptionally professional. Also, they were able to explain why certain nursing interventions were done from a pathophysiology angle. I hav...

Thanks for your post, IMustBeCrazy. I'm considering going into psych nursing when I graduate in a few months. I think your guidelines are very reasonable. At school, they teach us that you really have to know yourself and your opinions before cons...