Cpt ATP

*This was working days, never worked nights.

Final Post for those who dig deep... I’m a firm believer that not talking about pay doesn’t serve the individual, but more so used as a suppression tactic for employers to keep profit margins and payroll tight, so ill just go ahead and spill the beans of what I earned in more detail in 2021 as a newer grad. I have been a nurse for only 1 year and 6 months. Started in PCU, then went to ICU, then finally at a cardiac PCU. Since 2021 is my first fiscal year that I have completed working only as a nurse, I want to give you the rundown of what can be done if you’re willing to work a lil extra for a new grad. Work Summary Overall Worked in Kingman while commuting from Flagstaff up until April, due to enjoying my nursing school experience in Kingman and hating my nursing school experience in Flagstaff (where I went to school). Moved to Pheonix in April and continued the commute to Kingman while gaining experience in their ICU until august. I’m loving the city. While commuting back and forth, I got a per diem job at Banner PCU to stay in town more as opposed to picking up extra in Kingman, but Covid surges meant Kingman incentives were pushing towards higher rates, so I worked mainly in Kingman. With intent to leave Kingman ICU w/ management aware, I attained a job at Mayo Clinic PCU within 1 month searching for a lateral ICU move but got an opportunity to work at Mayo! So, Lets start in Kingman 01/01 to 08/24 (my first gig) … From 01/01 to 05/16 I worked in general PCU: This paid $29.57/hr. Weekend Differential – $2.20 extra for Sat/Sun. Incentive Bonus for extra shift $150-$500 per shift w/ 1.5X pay for shift (this leaned towards 500 in peak pandemic times). Took 1 2 wk PTO vacation 3 days/week Incentive shifts picked up = 12 (Averaging 1.09 shift per 2wk pay period). 12 weekend shifts From 05/16 to 10/25, I graduated to an ICU position The pay difference was @ $29.57/hr. base + $2/hr. Differential. Weekend differential unchanged at $2/hr. Incentive shifts leaned towards $500 per shift w/ 1.5x pay due to covid ripping the town apart. Cause for my short term in ICU was ONLY geographical in nature. 22 weekend shifts. Took 1 2 Wk PTO Vacation. Incentive shifts picked up = 9 (Averaging .9 shift per pay period). There was milage stipend and hotel stipend that I essentially call a wash as they were out of pocket costs were covered w/ minimal extra income added. For Kingman – New Grad Job $78K YTD $59K Net From 05/06 to 10/16, I got a PCU Per Diem at Banner in PHX This paid $41/hr. flat. I have peeled off from this job and primarily focused my main job, but still hold this position because you never know… 9 Shifts picked up. Average 0.75 shift picked up concurrently with the ICU in Kingman and those incentive shifts. Also, concurrently w/ Mayo Clinic orientation. This was helpful in transition from Kingman to Mayo as I couldn’t work overtime during orientation at Mayo yet. For Banner 1 Yr. experience. $6K YTD $5K Net From 09/27 to 01/03, Mayo Clinic PHX Cardiac PCU. 1 yr. PCU experience, 5 mos. ICU experience, PCCN and CCRN certifications. $37.39/hr. and overtime/holiday shifts being double pay. No weekend differentials. Have begun to start cranking out overtime here. Couldn’t work overtime until off orientation which I requested to end early but… 13 Overtime Shifts (Average 2.16 per pay period). For Mayo – Current Position $33K YTD $21K Net Grand Total $117K YTD $85K Net ~200 Shifts worked for the Year 43 Overtime/Incentive Shifts Picked up (0.83 Shifts per Week for the year) 2x two-week vacations paid by PTO No sick time taken I just want to increase transparency so that you can know what you’re getting into when you are taking out loans and are fearing what the pay outlooks like when your out of nursing school.

NCLEX ReviewJust took my NCLEX this morning and want to give my honest opinion about the study habits I used and how I felt after taking it this morning! Used UWorld Exclusively for my Qbank Questions review and did all 2183 questions.Scored in 58th percentile throughout w/ 55%-85% but averaging mid 60's for the most part.Scored 61% on the self assessment towards the end w/ a good chance of passingUsed Nurse Achieve to take Computer adaptive tests (4 total) to finish up my final week of prep (use code FREE30 and give two fake emails to get 30 days!).Got 3 Pass grades and 1 Solid Pass.The NAU ABSN program uses Kaplan for tests and case studies BUT...if you click "go to study plan" you can access the Kaplan Qbank which can be bought seperately, but is free for you if $$ is an issue!This strategy was done over the course of three weeks w/ about 100-200 per day (gradually increasing test length and # of questions). Skimmed the rationales for stuff I didn't know but never took notes (just not my style). I took the day before the test completely off and free'd my mind from NCLEX! I finished the NCLEX in 62 questions in slightly under 30 minutes and walked out feeling like garbage!!! As a 4.0 student who walks into all tests w/ the utmost confidence as a mental strategy, this was an expected but devistating feeling. I still shook LOL, but I just put on a smile and listened to some jams on my way back from pheonix! Moral of the story! this test is hard but this is intentional! if you test well, you will encounter questions/diseases/scenarios that you have never seen before, but you are still passing!I didn't really get your typical questions like lab values questions, med calculations, ekg's, or obvious ABC/CPR questions which lets you know you are testing in the difficult questions (good thing!).NOTE: if you finish too fast or have bad palm scans/errors, your Pearson Vue Trick will not give you a good or bad popup. You will get a "results on hold" popup. that will go away within 48hrs and allow you to get your pearson vue good/bad popup. I got the "hold" message but 6 hours later, I was able to get my good popup PVT!The program is in the midst of pretty nasty year w/ covid and other political strains across the country. But I think that our faculty is doing everything needed to make you succeed! Remember that all schools are having a tough time w/ clinicals, SO AZBN will have to make changes that will allow you to get your license! Keep your head up and CRUSH IT!

Hey @skettios625 If I'm being honest here, the name of the game is in oxygenation and circulatory dynamics. Think about ABCs of nursing, it's all about these two things. As long as you understand the importance of what happens to tissue when it isn't being oxygenated (hint: it dies or doesnt perform it's function as effectively) and what happens when you don't have good circulation (hint: too little fluid means less oxygenated blood circulating OR too much fluid and lungs get filled with fluid - leading to bad oxygenation) you shouldn't need to review anything. The classes do a great job of going over any of the need to know basics of when electrolytes, oxygen demands, and fluids need to be addressed as well as the medications/interventions needed. I would come into nursing school with fresh eyes since established knowledge is helpful, but not really required. Don't sweat it, you got this!

Part 2 (Final)Clinicals (408)The response by the nursing department was pretty swift and effective. Groups of 10 or so students went to Kingman KRMC to complete their hours (in a similar fashion to fall med/surg rotations where you rotated through different units with no particular preceptor and 3 of us had a dedicated preceptor) or they went to the flagstaff community health testing center to help with Covid-19 screenings. I'm pretty sure everyone has completed their hours by now and we are now in the clear for graduation! 450C (Leadership)No need to go into detail with this class since its pretty much no different than what we have seen in the online courses prior to this one. Seems like an easy A! In Summary...Pretty pleased with the program, especially with how they were able to get us the clinical hours needed during the covid situation this Spring. I'm honestly not stressing the NCLEX and feel like it will be a breeze (but I'm still gonna drill questions leading up to it!). I feel very prepared to begin any new grad program out there and am look forward to an externship at KRMC at the end of the month/beginning of may where I will transition into the new grad residency (post licensure) and continue learning as an RN, so if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask away. If you do KRMC for fall rotations, you'll see me in the PCU hopefully! - Cpt APT

Final Semester of the NAU ABSN ProgramThough the semester is technically still underway, and I will report back after it is truly finished, the formal classroom portion is now over. General The feeling is starting to sink in that graduation is coming soon and NCLEX feelings are sinking in. Overall, the pacing lets up quite a bit compared to fall semester since you are mainly focused on Maternity/PEDS as far as hard nursing knowledge. There are two online components that feel like somewhat engaging busywork and Mat/PEDS clinicals filling out the rest of the week schedule. By the end of it, you are pretty much feeling like you can really start to NCLEX prep since you will now have been exposed to all the material of nursing school! 335 Mat/PEDSGeneral Tips This class is not as detail focused as med/surg was imo. This class focused on assessments, interventions for complications, and how to approach kiddos using developmental principles. We are focused on mom/baby safety for pregnancy, birth, and post-partum for the 1st half, and then you will focus on pediatric nursing for the 2nd half. I think assessment is the name of the game for this class, interventions will be based off deviations from normal/baseline. Her presentation material is where you want to base studying off! Quizzes Done individually, but then as a group where some great discussions can be had. Not too bad since there is only 3 totals! EXAMS Here is what ill say. If you have struggled in the past, you may find some relief in this class. She focuses in on what she teaches and that is reflective on what you are tested on. I skimmed the book chapters prior to class, answered questions in the back of the book, and used Silvestri as my assessment/intervention resource. Final Kaplan Haven’t taken it yet to be honest (after Spring break), but I imagine it is just like all the other Kaplans and at this point you have seen all the material so I wouldn’t be to worry about it. (if you tank it, you can remediate for 4/5 of the % back). Other There are concept maps, a group presentation, a small clinical guidelines paper, and Kaplan practice tests. There aren’t very many other assignments during this course, which is fine, because there is a lot of material to get a handle on. 335 ClinicalsThe format is that groups of 10 will rotate to different sites. There will 3 weeks in the Hospital, 2 weeks in the community, and 3 weeks in SIM. You are randomly assigned and where you land may have an impact on certain parts of the semester. I was in the hospital during the first rotation, which was intense because you are walking in with pretty much zero knowledge due to school just starting. The group who did hospital as their last rotation had the benefit of being exposed to more material prior but felt the heat due to it lining up with some exams and papers from the online classes in the latter half of the semester. 3 weeks in the hospital in various Mat/PEDS units 2x per week (we also did some endoscopy for days there wasn’t enough census which was actually pretty cool), 2 weeks in the community 2 days per week (school nursing/birthing centers), and 3 sim labs at school 1 day per week (Friday…). It was fun and kind of opened the possibility of doing PED/PICU in the future which was something I never envisioned for myself. The hospital experience is always nice especially since you feel rusty from such a long break between fall and Spring. The schools were very easy and low-pressure situations (didn’t do the birthing center since males are not allowed). The SIMs were amazing, and there was some prep work to be done, but just show up and get ready to see some real dicey situations! 340 ResearchDiscussions These are familiar to what you may have seen in the fall and not too difficult. Just give an honest effort for full credit on your initial posts and your responses. You will revolve the later posts around a PICOT question you formulate and do research on. Quizzes Nothing new here, I honestly didn’t even read the book since the material she posts for the week is enough to satisfy the quizzes. You have 2 shots at it if you don’t like your grade. No time limits. Papers You do a bibliography paper based on the PICOT and its just like an annotated bibliography (not hard at all!) with a summary on the end. You also do an ethnography paper on a setting you make observations on (we went to the casino…) and is very straight forward/easy. 441 Public Health…Do you like writing papers? This is the class for you… Every week you will do assignments based on topics in which you basically write research papers about aspects of public health. This class was a class that many had great difficulty with, not in terms of actual difficulty, but in terms of mustering up the strength to sit down and do these assignments. Easily my least favorite class of the entire program. Maybe it’s just something I’m not interested, but really felt like I was pulling teeth every week trying to give such a grand effort with these papers. The grading scale is a little skewed since every point lost is a % lost, so there is some acclimating to how our professor grades the assignments. She posted a rubric in the announcements mid-week and I would suggest following that as opposed to what the actual assignment asks. There are quizzes but they are very easy, and you get multiple shots and unlimited time. Kaplan Assessment A There is a final Kaplan that is part of this course for some reason. It is a 180-question test that includes all nursing knowledge. I personally drilled a lot of questions to prepare but may not be needed since I think only 1 person in the class didn’t pass it (you can remediate for 4/5 of the %). This comes the day after a 335 Exam 3 mind you! If you are doing hospital clinicals for your last rotation…stay strong, you got this! PART 2 Coming soon…We now only have 7 capstone clinical rotations to show up to and do some journals on for NUR 408 and there is an online leadership course that doesn’t seem like it will be very difficult to preemptively finish well before May graduation. A Message of UncertaintyCOVID-19 is now starting to cause fear contagion amongst the general population and has begun to tax the healthcare system. Those who have preceptors at FMC and Tuba City are just now finding out that the hospitals are not allowing students for the time being. This is not an isolated situation and seems as though it is happening to many nursing programs across the country. With graduation in the balance, we are awaiting our fates in regards to completing our clinical requirements for our capstone. Luckily my connections in Kingman have allowed me to go there for capstone, but its only a matter of time before KRMC follows suit. I’ll keep you posted “We start by setting the course, we succeed by staying the course” - CS

@amigdale Hoping someone else can chime in here from your cohort, but I did this math last year. Here is my quoted post: " Feb 11, 2019 by Cpt ATP Alright did some research and contacted a couple of departments. Still pretty cryptic on details but here's what I've gathered. We are considered pledge tuition(not excess or no pledge) from what I was told. WUE (they call it wooey LOL) is automatically applied assuming you filed for FAFSA. I personally filed for 2018-19 and another for 2019-2020. Summer is considered apart of 2018-19 school year so this theoretically free up 12500 in Federal loans off the bat, leaving another 12500 for 2019-2020 school year maximum. So we have 25000 in Federal loans allowed (can't get confirmation until the advisors enroll us into courses in the coming weeks). Summer doesn't descriminate on tuition for in or out of state. The calculated cost should be 7152(16 units) + 422(fees for the 17th unit). Add on 800 for nursing fees. Summer = 8374 all students Fall 2019 will cost 8380 (12 unit or above no longer changes tuition) plus 800 for nursing fees. Fall = 9180 WUE Spring will cost 8379 (same as above -1 dollar LOL) plus 800 for nursing fees. Spring = 9179 WUE Grand total of tuition+fees = 26733. WUE So assuming we can take 25k fed and maybe a liberal 1k per month in allowances for living/books etc. A private loan or personal savings of 14k+ will be needed here." Hope that helps!

To the incoming class: The Summer classes will be the same layout... So 330 first, followed by the 10 week full load. This isn't very fun at first, but you get used to it. On that note, you will no longer have Prof. McM*** for fundamentals, and will have Prof Ma*** for both pharmocology and fundamentals. This imo is a very good thing!

@Kiki I just sent you a p.m.

@Kiki Sounds good. Let me know when a good time would be. I'll answer any questions and give my impression of the program.

@Kiki I can't do sunday since I do a graveyard the night before and will be asleep until like 3. Then we actually have an ethnography group thing for a class in which we are going to a casino to watch peoples behavior lol. I'd be up for Monday after 12 (Class is from 8-12). Also, someone has made a spreadsheet that is in the works for those wanting to buy things from the cohort so ill post that when its a little more filled out.

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@nataduma The selection criteria in which NAU chooses students is now won't work this selection cycle due to Kaplans new entrance exam. Keep the faith! I too got the change in status. NAU ABSN program is not automated. Someone is responsible for changing status's within student profiles. I believe this is a good sign. I acknowledge the worst case scenario style of thinking in keeping your expectations grounded but magic is in the air!

@HelloSunshine545 Based off my crude notes clinical hours are defined as such for nau. Quantity - duration(frequency) Summer 9 - 8 hour skills lab(1x per week and is based on your 10 person group that you're assigned) 9 - 8 hour shifts at mental health site(1x per week and is based on a different 10 person group your assigned) Fall 2 - 2 hour open Lab (you schedule them) 30 - 9 hour shifts in the hospital( 2x per week and days depend on where you chose or are placed) 3 - 8 hour Sim labs (based on when you are at the hospital and spread evenly throughout the semester) Spring 1 6 -12 hour peds/maternity hospital shifts(2x per week and is based on 3 rotating groups) 4 - 8 hour community nursing rotations(random placement, 2x per week and is based on 3 rotating groups) 3 - 8 hour Sim labs(maternity based, 1x per week based on 3 rotating groups) 1 - 2 hour open Lab(you schedule this) Spring 2 7 - 12 hour shifts at your capstone site(you choose this, try and get a nurse to precept you in fall if you can, you will work their 3 day schedule for 2.2 weeks or you can spread it out) Total hours = 660 (totally could be forgetting about something though!) @amigdale I used an exercise pathophysiology and the accepted that. Had to petition it but that was pretty easy to do. It's something they give you instructions for. Save a copy of the syllabus for whatever class you use since they will need it if it's not a perfect match.

Med-Surg 334This is going to be the class that makes you feel smart enough to be a nurse. The questions you see throughout the course may test your patience since they can ask about super detailed info, be poorly worded, or include random aspects of care that are not straight forward. Moral of the story... I showed up to class for spring semester and I saw every single one of my fellow classmates back in class. You got this! General Tips - This one is tough, by this time everyone has figured out what has brought them success. I recommend you stick with that! What I found helpful was utilizing EVOLVE online resources. I Printed and read EVOLVE chapter key points/summary -> used Silvestri NCLEX prep book to stamp out details of care -> EVOLVE Quiz questions. Reading that book will drive you insane and you may find that there are contradictions within the chapter you're reading.The Class is split into two parts. First half will focus Chronic Care and Second half will focus Acute CareQuizzes - Pretty much every single time you go to class, you will have a quiz! They aren't too bad and you can benefit for EVOLVE/Silvestri Questions. She pulls from both most of the time.EVOLVE/KAPLAN FTR - Ill put these together as they are psudo busy work that can give you some good info on specific care of diseases. Low pressure online stuff that is distributed well throughout the class.Care Maps - Due almost every class. They aren't hard to complete and one of our classmates completed all of them within the 1st couple of weeks. Informal completion how theses are graded. You show them to her in class as a class. Low pressure, but dont totally zone them, they can be helpful in making you confortable with the many diseases/illness you cover.La Charity - These are like informal Kaplan test questions. They are focused, but you do them on your own and are not penalized for missing questions. They allow you to gauge some weaknesses you have and give you some of the more interesting questions that I saw this semester.Group presentation - Pick a culture with a group of classmates and do a quick little 15 minute presentation. Easy Peasy!EXAMS - Wont sugar coat it. These were much harder than Summer. You'll wonder why the hell your being tested on like 10-19 chapters in single test. 3 tests are worth 35, 2 are worth 50, and the final is worth 75 points. The class is out of 550 so these can be devestating. It was for me at first (got a 77% on the first exam). However be mindful of how you paint your own weather! Keep moving forward and don't panic! There may be course mechanics that may help you along the way that are not "official"...Kaplan Exam - Not easy to study for due to lack of direction. Its pass or fail, will destroy an "A" grade as with many of the kaplans. Didnt think it was too bad though since its near the end of the semester after you've been exposed to everything.Difficulty - 4.5/5Clinicals 334LI will struggle with writing this part but I will do my best. Overall, this is where some key skills are learned and refined. If you get a chance to do something, hear a nurse talk about something cool coming up, hear the words "We need an IV on this patient"...GO AND MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL! Tips - The way you should approach clinicals and your nurse is with the emphasis in a mutual relationship. You are not their to follow your nurse and be their shadow. They are not there to make all of the decisions regarding your participation. They will teach you things and in return, you should make their life easier in any way you can. IV starts - You will miss! Veins are super unique and can be challenging to stick, but focus on the patient and approach with confidence. Remember that there is someone on the other end of that needle and dont be afraid to ask for help. You got an admit in the ED? Ask your nurse if they need an IV and GO in there and GITRDONE. Grab your instructor if you feel uncomfortable. SHIA LEBOUFE and JUST DO IT!Foley's - You will find that managing the patients position and grabing some extra hands for the bigger patients will allow you to maintain sterility and while not having to deal with a moving target. NG Tubes - Not very difficult. The emphasis is on coaching more than technique. Talk the patient through it or else they will freak out and pull away.Care plan - OMG I despise these things. There are 2 of these, a formal written and an informal "shift change report" style one. Do youself a solid and do it on a person who is not SUPER chronic. I did a patient that had like 15 meds. I deeply resented myself for it. Do yourself and get them done ASAP so that you can move on with enjoying clinicals (Its hard to focus on care when you are gathering all the information needed for the care plans). Busy work - there are things you need to do every clinical that might drive you crazy like room check reports, nurse goal paper work, journals, evidence based "presentation", among others. Every instructor is different, the level of strict rules will vary between each.Open Lab - I believe it goes here or 334, dont remember. open skills lab that allows you to pick things you want to work on skills wise. The instructor will teach you some cool things here. 2 hours each and you need to do 2. Get them in early so that you get IV's stuff down before you head into clinicals. Sims - 3 times where you group up and play nurse with the talking and breathing dummies. they are a fun exercise and give some interesting scenarios for your nursing knowledge. Low pressure, not graded, and really enjoyable experiences.My Soap Box - Trying not to be biased here... FMC will allow students to not travel and be closer to school, their jobs, and family/friends. FMC does not have "recruiter" so being there during the fall allows for great connections to be made for a possible job spot and/or preceptorship for Capstone at FMC. 10 people will do days and 10 will do nights.Kingman - 10 people will do days. those 10 people will have to chip in to carpool, get a weekly AirBnB for 8-9 people (cost us about $33 each for 2 nights stay) and be away from flagstaff. These 10 people will be in KRMC which is considered ghetto, not a "level 1 trauma" center, and partake in "cowboy medicine".It was a financial and emotional cost to go to KRMC, but I cannot allow the absolutely amazing experience I got there to go unaccounted for! It is my personal belief that the amount of hands on learning we got at KRMC surpassed anything I've heard those at FMC get. Nurses didn't eat us, the staff was nice, the patients were great, the aura is centered around teaching, and the town was not ghetto...remember people live there, flagstaff isnt an option for everyone.IV starts? IV med management? Blood transfusions? Foleys? NG tubes? Charting? Discharges? Did a lot of it and didn't feel like I missed out on any skills.Difficulty 3-4/5 - This is a job and it can wear on you if you are working paying job or juggling other things. Sometimes you might feel like your day sucked, its ok you have another day!Informatics 424Wont spend too much time with this one. Neat little class that feels like busy work. Keep at it and dont forget your weekly discussions. Discussions - These are weekly assignments. Posts and responses are 2 days apart minimum. You just have to do some research and get some scholarly sources to post and respond. Not to bad, graded pretty fairly.Wiki - This is something you build througout the semester and the instructions are pretty clear. There were some non-tech people who didnt have trouble with building theirs. QI project - This is the main focus of this class IMO. work with a group of 3-4 people to present how you will improve a imaginary hospital you run. The paper is split into 3 parts and gives you a nice picture of how this might be done in the real world. ends up being like a 26 page paper, but honestly not very difficult.Difficulty - 1.5/5ReflectionIm gonna stand on the soapbox one more time and give my 2 cents. We have a previous degree, maybe a family, maybe some real work experience under our belts, and some knowhow and what a career should look like. I have heard stories of clinical days just being difficult for students based on their nurses. I advise you try to work these steps if this is happening to you. Build a mutual working relationship with your nurse and reset emotions/feelings -> talk to the charge nurse for a different oppurtunity -> call your instructor and ask to be placed somewhere else -> force one positive experience before you leave the hospital and hold on to that. Understand that even nurses are nuanced people and may be going through something negative, but know that a bad attitude is not always acceptable. Control your own weather and make your clinicals experiences truly immersive. Do not be someones shadow for 10 hours. This is the semester where you hit your stride and start to feel amazing about your desicion to become a nurse. Savor it!