Dani_Sanchez777

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@caliotter3 Thanks for the response! I've been getting so many mixed answers around this. Mainly, because this incident was when I was a medical assistant and a lot of the folks I've talked to say it is a whole different ball game with nursing. I have considered calling up HR and just asking. I have no idea why I haven't done that yet honestly. But again, this is great advice and I really appreciate it! Danielle

Hello everyone! I am a current nursing student in my senior year and I am looking for some advice! About 10 years ago I was hired at a really well known hospital in our area as a medical assistant. Long story short, I was very young (20) and learning how to cope with panic attacks and anxiety while working in an extremely toxic work environment. My manager would walk into work and tell me I look "disgusting and ghetto" because I have very curly hair and she said I needed to "fix it" (I would wear a ponytail at work) She would constantly tear down employee's emotionally and verbally and it was just overall a really unhealthy situation (she ended up getting fired after I left). Overall, I just had a really hard time in that clinic and it wasn't a great fit for me (or anybody really.) I ended up transferring to a branch of the same organization a year later and I was fired the first month because I came down with the flu two weeks into work during my probation period and ended up hospitalized due to complications. It took me out of work for two weeks and I was let go once I came back. (I was totally okay with this because it was completely out of my control.) I went on to work for another reputable hospital in our area for 5 years and had an amazing experience with incredible upper management support. I left when I started nursing school and still remain in contact with them. My question is, will my experience and firing as an MA affect my chances of potentially getting a nursing job at that same hospital that I had some issues with 10 years ago when I graduate from nursing school? Or, is nursing a whole different entity? Has it been so long since that happened that it won't really matter? ANY advice is welcome! I just would like some feedback on what I should do in the event that this may pose an issue and how to go about dealing with it so that I don't miss out on any opportunities and also, that my younger-self didn't ruin anything for me. ?? Thanks all! Dani

Hi @Rschael! So the amount of days you're physically on campus depends on what session you're in! Also, it depends on if you're doing your prereq's there. I personally did not have any prereq courses at Chamberlain because I was finished prior to admission. The first session I was there twice a week for 3 hours a day. Second session I was there twice a week 3 hours a day. Third session I was there twice or three times a week (I can't remember). I had health assessment 1 + lab and patho. After that I had class 3 times a week; Fundamentals twice weekly and Health assessment 2 lecture one day a week and lab a different day). This session I have funds lecture once a week, clinicals one day, and pharm for 6 hours on one day. So, it just depends! They offer some of the prereqs online and I believe nutrition is online as well as informatics but I think that's all. Again, I might be totally wrong (I don't have my stuff in front of me to tell). But honestly, it's amazing. I love our school. I love the program. No regrets at all and I wish you nothing but success in getting into a nursing program! ?

I feel that this should be a lesson for you as you move forward and look for a new job. For me, when people are late, it comes off as disrespect. I was always taught by my parents that if you're not 30 minutes early, you're late. I've never had once incident of being late for work except when the huge fires in CA shut down our freeways because the fires jumped. This is something you just have to own and move forward with a more reliable plan so that you aren't late or inconsistent in the eyes of your employers. I hope you find a new job soon ❤️

@KatieMI Thank you for all of that! I think it's fair to say that as students we LOVE a nice set of rules to go by (like they tell us we would). We do get drilled that you go in a specific order and if you don't, you don't pass the exam or check off, but we also are taught that as we progress through our program and out into our careers, that our intuition and experience will be vital in making decisions about our care for each patient and situation individually. I love the point you made about these rules and comparing them to the Ten Commandments. It really puts it into perspective that nursing is NOT just a set of rules.. rules are necessary, but what I gained from everything that you said is that for school we do need to follow our set of rules; to learn, to pass , to understand the basics of what we are doing and why we are doing it. But out there in the real world, we will follow new sets of rules and we need to be able to think critically and focus on the situation at hand for each patient individually. ?

@LibraNurse27 @Jedrnurse Hahaha! No, I wasn't shouting. ? I must have hit ALL CAPS on my iPad keyboard when I wrote it. I wasn't paying attention ?. I'm not upset at all about this; I'm a good rule follower so this never bothered me. What bothers me is that student was so mean and rude to our super sweet professor for not calling the board of nursing on the spot making the rules change! ? I 100% get why we would not poke and move things around before listening with the abdomen. The other stuff, I'm fine with following the rules. Although my classmate does pose a good question/point... They're in that way for a reason ? @Pixie.RN "Yes, but she is asking why don't we just be consistent and auscultate everything first? At least that is how I read it (after re-reading, LOL)." -- THIS is 100% correct! This is what the student was asking (which I do think is a good/fair question to ask). Just, minus the whole anger bit ?.

In class the other day we were going over the abdominal physical assessment. A student became frustrated and was asking the professor, “why is the abdominal assessment in a different order than the rest of the body? Why don’t they just make the rest of the systems the same order as the abdomen?” All body systems except the abdomen: Inspect, Palpate, Percuss, Auscultate Abdomen: Inspect, Auscultate, Palpate, Percuss Does anybody have a good answer for this? I get why the order is the way that it is. But, the girl does have a point (Even though I’m not sure why it was making her mad...). Why don’t we do the rest of the body systems in the same order of the abdomen? ? Thank you!

@ngoc_n Hi! So sorry for such a horribly late response! I've been super busy with finals and try to stay offline! For me, I took all of those courses except O-chem. I HIGHLY recommend attending an info session because they go over EVERYTHING you need; even if you don't plan to apply for another year. Also, if you get in touch with an advisor, they can submit your transcripts in to the admin team and they can tell you which ones will transfer and which ones don't. They can even tell you which ones you don't need. I went in with the following: A&P 1&2 with Lab Micro with Lab Nutrition - but they make you do again (you can attempt to test out but from what I've heard no one has and the one they offer is way different than general nutrition) Poly sci Critical reasoning (philosophy) Business Ethics Stats and general algebra (which I believe are both needed) Sociology Psych 101 (intro to psych) Chem with lab Lifespan Development Humanities courses (which I believe included my history courses) All of my English courses... I'm probably missing a ton because I did all of my classes to get an AA & to enter a nursing program. Again, I highly recommend talking to an admissions person to get all of the info and get connected with the admissions team so you can see what else you would need if you even need anything. I hope this helped! I'm currently multitasking and I really hope I got you all of the info you're asking about! If I missed something please ask! I'll turn on my alerts ? Danielle

@BSNRN1994 Hi! I am SO sorry I never responded! I didn't have any notifications on! Did you ever hear back from John Muir? I'm sure my interview process as an MA is completely different than as an RN. But even for me, my interviewing/hiring process was pretty extensive. When I was first considered, I had to come in to take a test to check my competency. Then after passing that, I was called in for a 1 on 1 interview with an HR manager. After that I was on a panel interview with 3 managers. Finally I was offered a position after that process! I listed at least 3 very reliable professional references at that time and I listed all of my related employment (which was at Sutter in SF and PAMF). Wishing you a ton of luck on landing a job!! Keep me updated!

@Corena We are both taking Health & Wellness. In Jan we start Health Assessment 1 & Patho!

Hi @Corena, First off, WELCOME! Our campus is deff not big but it’s perfect for our current student population! Me and Ema are in the same cohort (we graduate December 2021). Do you know what courses you’re in for November? So far, I love it. Our prof’s are great, our school is very clean and well kept; I think you will have a pleasant transition. Feel free to add me on IG! @danisanch89 ❤️

Hi there! I am a current student at the Sacramento campus! ? Hopefully this helps you a little! PRO: I went in with all of my prereq's completed. I believe I am the only one in my class that doesn't have any and a few other girls only have one or two prereq's so they're in the same cohort as me. If you took the right courses, they will transfer them! Also, my program is only 2 years and 16 weeks long vs 3 years. PRO: You will save a ton of $ by completing all of your prereq's prior to admission. I cut my program down in half; maybe more. PRO: You are not in class 5 days a week. For prereq courses, most of them are online and the days you are in class (say for A&P) those classes are 3 hours, twice weekly. PRO: The program is straight forward. The financial aspect is straight up. PRO: So far the prof's I have met are incredible. CONS: Some of my classmates are doing prereq's online and they aren't fond of it. Especially the ones doing math courses online. Also, I have been told that A&P is extremely time consuming and hard when doing it at the college. You need to be able to stay on top of your studies and in the worst case scenario, be able to teach yourself. All in all, I am extremely happy with my choice to attend Chamberlain. Graduating with my BSN was non negotiable so my only other options were 4 year programs which are unfortunately incredibly competitive. Chamberlain Sac Campus was also highly competitive, but I am blessed that I got in and I would not change my decision to attend at all. It's an incredible program. As far as the LV location, I would get on Instagram and search for people at that specific program and ask them questions. They will likely be open to answering. Hope this helped some!! Best of luck to you!!!!!! Dani

Hi there! I'm a former employee (I left last month due to starting nursing school). I would say call HR in WC just to follow up on your interview status and thank them for considering you for the opportunity! They are very responsive and helpful; at least in my experience! Good luck! Hope you get it!

@barcode120x I like your style! ? I do have the littmann classic III. Honestly the only thing I don't like is how short it is. I'm not used to my steth being so close to my chin! (sort of like a claustrophobia feel) But, I like it so far. I super appreciate the input!!

@adventure_rn Thank you for the insight! I actually own a Littmann Classing III but I have only used it for blood pressure (as an MA) until now. So, I'm thinking I'm going to wait until I graduate and treat myself with a nice, new stethoscope down the line. Super appreciate the input!!? Danielle

Ahh okay. I have a Littmann Classic III it’s pretty much brand new. I am not a neck wearing type of gal. It honestly bugs me having things around my neck, lol. I had heard the MDF scope is heavier and doesn’t have as clear of acoustics as the Littmann. Is that true regarding the acoustics??

The US needs to do better and pay their nurses so much better. I’m in the Bay Area (CA) and I am close to $30 as an MA. My sister in law was a CNA making $32 at a nearby hospital. I’m praying and hoping for higher wages across the country for the hardworking nurses who deserve so so much more than they are currently receiving. ?

Hi all! ? I need to purchase a stethoscope for nursing school that will go into my career with me. I’ve always used a Littman as an MA, but I would love some opinions on which one is a better option? There are so many pros and cons to both. Help!! ?

Hi there, I really took an interest in your post. I read most of the responses and found them all to be incredibly insightful and well spoken and I will definitely be using all of these wise words as I enter my own journey. I just wanted to throw this out there in hopes it could provide you some encouragement. ? I have been working with a very large organization for the past 6 years. For 4 of those years, I had constant run ins with upper management due to what I thought was me taking initiative, but was being perceived as overstepping and sometimes even challenging authority. I was even placed on probation for this and honestly I thought it was just ridiculous. Although coming across the way that I did was never my intention, it took me a lonnnng time to figure out that it doesn’t really matter what my intentions are if those behaviors are being perceived negatively by the person/people I’m directly dealing with or reporting to at that time. I was so used to a manager that allowed me and encouraged myself and my colleagues to think outside of the box, make suggestions, speak up, etc. Then we had a new manager who was the complete opposite and I had a very hard time adjusting to her style of managing. I figured out in the end it’s all about the delivery, timing, self awareness, and our own judgement calls. I learned it is never appropriate to correct someone, especially someone in a higher up position, in front of a patient if what you’re saying could potentially or in any way seem undermining to a patient or the provider. It creates anxiety, doubt, even fear in the patient because they are already in a vulnerable state, whether they show it or not, and having someone make a comment that might seem harmless could really negatively affect the patient. Now, maybe if you saw water dripping on the floor and offered a towel to help clean up that’s one thing and it’s totally ok to ask if they would like help with cleaning it. But I think what might have been a better approach in your case would be to wait for the nurse to complete her work, observe, wait until you are out of the patients room, and ask something like, “Are there any suggestions you would have if a pt has difficult veins?” If she says no, and you have heard otherwise, write a small note to self and ask your professor. Leave it alone. It seems crummy and I totally understand where your frustrations are coming from, but you have to look at every moment you spend on every site and in every class as if you are in an interview for your future job with future colleagues. Remember, nurses are people too. There are some people that just don’t naturally click with other people due to personalities and trust me I have dealt with wayyyyyyyyy worse. I literally got screamed at by an MD because somebody forgot to green dot his patient on EPIC and he didn’t know I wasn’t working with him. Lol. This won’t be the last encounter like this I can assure you. Cheer up, take a breath, don’t take any of these suggestions personally — just know every single person on this thread I can guarantee has dealt with something similar at some point and it will pass and get better! Just stay as under the radar as possible and you will be out of school before you know it. Sending hugs and high fives to you, friend! You got this! ? Danielle

Hi there! ? I've been an MA for almost 7 years. My program was 1 year and I know a lot of MA's I work with went to shorter programs. I personally loved being an MA. I worked in almost every single specialty in both front and back offices because my first job was in the float pool at a very well known organization. I spent my last 5 years in Urgent Care and my main duties included vitalizing, rooming, charting allergies, meds, chief complaints and med history. We set up sterile trays, cleaned wounds and did dressing changes, assisted with procedures such as sutures, temp. splinting using devices, administering meds via injection and oral meds, generating referrals, prior auths, and so much more. We did almost everything our nurses did except caths and IV's. My sister in law was a CNA at another well known hospital and the only thing she liked about her job is the need for CNA's was so high that she was approved of a ton of OT which allows for a bigger pay check. My hourly wages were above $25 p/hr plus a per diem differential and night shift differential so I made pretty good money. I also worked in the bay area in CA so our wages were much higher than other areas due to our cost of living being absolutely ridiculous. If you're looking to get some experience on the floor, either professions I'm sure would be fine. I have heard CNA jobs can be a little 'dirty', but you get to experience hands on pt care in a hospital setting and you get to meet and develop relationships with a lot of people on the floor. MA's are usually in an outpatient setting. CNA's also have shorter schooling from my understanding. All in all, I don't think you can go wrong either way. Go with whatever is best for you! Hope this helps some!

Hey hey! It’s super late (I’m up doing Micro lab reports........ ?) but I can’t believe school is starting in like two weeks.... what the heck! I’m sure we will be meeting at the info sesh! Did you get your schedule yet for sept??? I got mine but it’s not updated with my completed courses so I only know of two that I’ll for sure be in - ethics and NR-103-0. And about the grants — I have no clue about them. Sorry I couldn’t be more help! I’m sure if you contact the school someone could guide you in the right direction! Dani ☺️

Hi There! I just came across your post. I just want to encourage you to not compare yourself or pay too much attention to what the next students acceptance into the program is dependent on. I myself struggled in school extremely bad. When I say extreme, I mean straight F's throughout high school along with a few F's going into college. I had undiagnosed learning disabilities and it was a complete game changer once I found out what was going on; even though I was already 26 by that time. Still, if you were to look at my transcripts vs probably all of the other students, it would not make any sense how or why I was chosen over other students. I was accepted into the Sac campus and I start this September. My scores were barely creeping over the pass line (which for Sacramento is 80 I think. I know it's higher in Sacramento than the other schools. My GPA was like 3.40. Just remember if you are meant to be somewhere, it will happen. Try your hardest, keep your options open, don't back down out of fear or intimidation because I almost did after attending the info session. I didn't think I had a chance but my husband encouraged me and I knew in my heart I was going to be accepted where I was meant to be; and it happened. You got this girl!!! Danielle

@caliotter3 Thank you for the response! I am feeling very similarly to what you're saying. @myoglobin Thank you for your response! I really appreciate your inside from a husbands perspective.

Hi Nurses! ? I am starting my nursing program Sept 3rd. It is a full time, BSN program at a private university. I have been a medical assistant with an incredible and reputable company that I love so much for the past 6 years and now I'm in a per-diem position with a requirement to work only 6 days a month (I work in Urgent Care so our clinic is open 7 days a week). The curve ball I'm struggling with is that we are moving 2 hours away from my job so that I can attend my school. My husband prefers that I quit so that I can focus 100% on my studies and not worry about commuting 2 hours away twice a month (which I totally understand) -- I would be staying with a close friend by my job Fri-Sun twice a month to fulfill my requirements if I chose to keep my job. I love my team, I love my company, I love the position I am in; I'm not emotionally ready to break ties with my job. I'd love some thoughts and opinions on this situation from anyone that may have had the same obstacle when it came time to go into their program. Does having a job through nursing school help you when it comes to getting jobs after graduating? Does it look good when a student has a job vs being unemployed during a program when it comes to job seeking? Thank you all!!!! I look forward to the thoughts! Danielle ?