EMB1548

I had a 25-year-old who still worked full time as a RN teach our pediatrics class, and a 26-year-old precepting me for my final role transition who had two years of ICU experience. They were some of the best teachers I had. If you have the passion and are willing to receive constructive criticism on your teaching style I think you can do it!

Hello! I am in orientation for a CICU as a new grad, but there is a girl in my cohort who has four years of experience who is placed in a specific transitional course as well as our fellowship program. She has a background on a transplant and oncology unit. We have specific CICU courses we take, and as new grads, we are placed in a critical care residency with all new NICU, PICU, and SRU (experienced float nurses who also want to float in the ICUs). During this, we are also orienting to the unit. It's a lot of learning and hours there and at home but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I would ask in your interviews what their orientation process entails. As someone who did her final clinical and is now starting on the same floor, you are totally capable, because you can think critically, work under pressure, and prioritize your patient care. Good luck!

Just wanted to update everyone and let them know that I passed using NCSBN and Saunders! I did the comprehensive test in the back of Saunders and went through and reviewed my most common missed subjects each time I would take a quiz out of both out of NCSBN and the Saunders book. I spent a lot of time quizzing primarily though where I at least would do 200/day. I went in expecting 265 questions and came out to only doing 75. It's definitely more critical thinking than content! I studied for about a month. Thank you all for the kind words and support!

Hi Friends, I graduated Nursing school and I am extremely strapped for cash. I'm a Nurse Extern but every time I pick up shifts I get called off due to low census including when I try to pick up on other floors. I feel as though there's a lot of pressure to buy all of these resources and I just cannot afford to do that between bills and paying the licensure fees at the moment. If I have a Saunders review book and YourBestGrade that I used to study for the Hesi, do you think I'll be okay? I know that many nurses suggest UWORLD and Klimek, but in all honesty, as much as I'd love to do them I just don't have the means. On the Exit Hesi, it took me two tries because my class needed a 900. The first time I got an 897 and the second a 908. Do you think I'll be okay? Also does anyone have any suggestions?

You could do insurance like Humana or do research, but a lot of times these companies are looking for nurses with a least one year of experience. NP you would need clinical experience as well. I would suggest Peds possibly? No matter where you go, it's a very physically demanding job. I would suggest if you're adamant about nursing to look into IV teams, dialysis, radiology, cath labs, outpatient, community nursing (like going to schools to test hearing, etc) or holistic nursing if you're looking for something a bit kinder on your body. Med-Surg is hard, TCU, and ICU is all challenging on your body even with good body mechanics. The experience is needed and prepares you, though! Best of luck to you!

Hi! Senior here: My school did not require us to be CNAs at all. After our first semester of nursing school was done (an 8-week clinical and skills lab with fundamentals and holistic). We were considered hireable to nurse assistant positions which many times our clinical floors snatched us up, lol. In my case, my preceptor actually talked to a manager she knew after I told her that I applied to a list of jobs and she just so happened to know her. I also worked in admissions at my school, and for our 4-year BSN program, it had been decided that aide skills and fundamentals would, of course, be the focus of the first semester. Before I started nursing school, I had actually gone to a 2-year institution during the summer to get my CNA because I wanted to get ahead before I started. At this community college, you could not start your nursing classes until you had passed the KNAT (CNA licensing exam for KY). I would suggest talking to an advisor at a school you're interested in. I would totally suggest it, wherever you go you'll end up doing these skills anyway and you'll have the confidence and experience compared to your fellow classmates. I wouldn't say you need to absolutely work as an aide because some people just can't. I've worked at my job for two years, and in the process they allowed me to train as a clerical and now I am an extern. I liked learning the clerical role because now I know a lot of the more challenging technical consults and work lists along with PI checks and prevention protocols. An extern is essentially a CNA who can perform certain skills under the delegation of an RN like taking out catheters and IVs and other skills. If you're not sure if you want to be a nurse, be an aide first, because if you can't be an aide because you don't like it, then you sure wouldn't like being a nurse. You should look into holistic nursing! A lot of them are certified in massage and get certified in acupuncture. They also work in the hospital setting for pain relief! It's very cool!

Hello! I am a senior graduating this May and I have been super anxious and excited about a job opportunity that I interviewed for back at the very end of February. It is a competitive operating room position that I didn't think I would even receive an interview for, but they do hire new graduates. I have a lot of shadowing experience in various operating room procedures and have assisted physicians in emergency procedures at the bedside at my current job. I hit it off interviewing with the experienced nurses where we talked about working with varying personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and the soft skills that I have gained in my extern job and from my school organizations. When I went to the managers and the educator I was a little more nervous and it felt like they were more so giving me information about the work environment, requirements, and the educator gave me an in-depth breakdown of their training and orientation period. I think the main thing that I added was how I was interested in evidence-based practice and research to further improve patient outcomes. I like to look up recent studies and research whenever I'm studying for class so this is absolutely something I did not add to fluff up my interview. Plus I actually had fun doing research for my capstone and it's something I am passionate about. I enjoyed the interview, but I think all of us type-A personalities like to question everything we do. The time span they gave me was that I would hear back in a month or so, but that if I do not hear back to follow up with them. I shot an email out today since it has been more than a month, and I heard back quickly saying that I would know by the end of the week. Do you all think I have a chance? I just think it is a little odd since I have talked to my recruiter when she was on campus talking to my class. She had recognized me and told me it will be a few more weeks before I know (this was mid-March). If not, I'd love for some interview advice to make me a stronger candidate in the future! I never expected to hear back for an interview and regardless I would reapply in the future with some experience under my belt. I've worked in a hospital for two years and just felt like this was somewhere that I could serve my patients and play my strengths, so regardless of where I end up, I fell in love with the atmosphere and want to work at this hospital. Sorry this is so long and have a nice day!