buddhababy2monster

You're not alone! I work evening shift on a neuro/brain injury floor of a free standing rehab hospital. The census is usually 27-30. If we have more than 4 nurses on our shift it's like a vacation. I have not been spoken to about staying late to chart, but if it becomes a problem I will leave. I take care of my patients first, but I'm not comfortable about skimping on my charting either (many are). 7-8 patients on a rehab unit is not safe and leads to a very unhappy group of nurses/aides. The patients deserve better. It's actually very sad and very very dangerous.

Glad to be of help! I only worked 6 - 8 hrs/wk, but I had 2 little ones at home. I wouldn't recommend working more than 10 -15 hrs/wk. Certain times are busier than others, so having a flexible job is helpful. Good Luck!

People started interviewing as early as Jan., everyone knew which units they were working on before graduation. I decided to work in rehab after graduation. I like spending weeks/months with the same patients and seeing them get better. I didn't know what kind of nursing I wanted to do before starting the program. As for the program, some quarters were easier than others. Peds clinicals were a joke and a complete waste of time. I worked part time throughout with a 3 and 5 year old at home. You can't cram, pacing yourself is the way to go. They do try and stress you out, though! We were required to take some masters courses and these were the biggest joke of all. They seemed irrelevant and required too many papers and group projects. Overall, the clinicals were great and I feel confident in my new job. So far my class has a 100% NCLEX pass rate - which proves how well they prepared us.

I just graduated from FACT, but didn't get a scholarship - which I am now grateful about. Methodist is all telemetry,OR or ER. You interview for any available position. It does not have a good reputation, 99% leave after the 2 year commitment. My friends there now are MISERABLE. At Jeff, you're free to interview for any position as well, except ER. If you like huge, impersonal crowded hospitals this is the place for you. A few people in my class got out of scholarships by giving them up to others in the class. It's only 2 years, but you take the risk of being very unhappy. I'm very excited about my new job, an experience I wouldn't have been able to get at either Jeff or Methodist.

I also passed with 75. If you had a lot of teaching/priority questions I'm sure you passed. I had to wait just a few hours shy of 48 hours to find out through quick results. Don't stress, ending at 75 means you did an awesome job!

I'm also taking mine on 7/17. I'm concentrating on doing questions and more questions. Just have confidence that you have the knowledge, the tricky part is learning to apply it to NCLEX type questions. Wish us luck!

thekewi - I was FACT, how about you? I know one girl from my class had a scholarship and accepted a position in the NICU.

I was talking about Philly. The CHOP here is part of UPENN.

I just graduated from Jeff and had my neuro rotation in their ICU. It was a great learning experience, you'll see everything! It cemented my decision to start my career in neuro rehab. I imagine working with peds would be way different, especially emotionally. If peds is your passion, go to CHOP. As a hospital, Jeff is huge and crowded with tiny little patient rooms. I REALLY don't like the teaching environment on the floors. So many doctors/residents/students/nurses all having attitude problems and clogging up the halls. All the nurses seemed to really like the ICU, though. Many in the step down units were hoping to be transferred over there. You should be proud to have been offered the job!

I've heard 48 hours - NOT counting weekends. That's why I scheduled on a Tuesday!

I have over $120,000 in student loans. I just graduated from an accelerated BSN program in May. My repayment is more than my mortgage and I can't see anyway to pay it off faster than 30 years unless we hit the lottery. Nursing will pay less than my previous career and I wasn't comfortable with the repayment then either, so what the hell - I just tell myself it's something I'll pay until I die. I just keep reconsolidating for better rates.

NJ doesn't give any temporary license. You must pass your NCLEX to start working.

I second this, everyone should complete this book before nclex - well worth the money!

I'm a new grad starting in rehab (neuro) next month. I'm hoping for a good experience, I've been told I'll see EVERYTHING because anyone can have a stroke or head injury. Wish me luck!

Thanks for all your help, I understand how you get to the answer now. It's great seeing the different ways to come up with the right one. Wish me luck on my quiz!