LaurynRN

I too am worried but reading this thread is like latin to me. I don't know a thing about deferment, COA's, subsidized or not, certified or not.I am really lost and not even sure when to start to apply for loans (I start in 2010). Does anyone have any idea where I can define all these terms or how to begin? Thanks!!

I did not have the flash cards but did make my own while watching Laura's DVDs. I also bought the Core Review book that the previous poster talked about. I got the Pass CCRN book as well, the book was worthless, the companion cd rom was priceless with multiple random test questions that you can also take by system if there is one thing you want to focus on.

:chuckle No offense taken. Clean up is an understatement! Most ICU's don't have aides to help either. Just yesterday I cleaned up poop every 45 minutes for one of my GI bleeders! In ICU there is alot more bodily fluid going around from NGT/OGTs, drains, ETT's, and wounds (i.e. traumas). So yes, we do ALOT of dirty work.

Like others said, I wouldn't get discouraged with age, it's only a number. The way I look at it, I don't want to be 50 at the bedside still helping people onto bedpans....I know my back won't last that long! I had a 3.8 GPA, only a 960 on my GRE's, um, I recommend preparing for at least 6 months before taking GRE's. I studied for about a week and it was a lost cause..... I needed way more study time. I am certified in Med/Surg (did that while working on an organ transplant floor) and got my CCRN before applying. I also work part time at a local University teaching clinicals. I work in an ICU that has diverse patients including neuro, trauma, medical, and surgical. I applied when I was there about 18 months and with the wait time I will have another 18 months experience. Almost all the schools in my area have waiting times for 18 months to 36 months once you get accepted. I was just accepted for starting class of 2010, soooo, I would start applying as soon as possible after getting into ICU if the long wait time is also the case with the schools your interested in. Look into nurse extern positions in the ICU, it'll give you a head start! Keep trudging and good luck!!!

congrats!!!! :up::nuke::balloons::cheers:*wine:anpom: i just found out today i'm in at nazareth in philly for 2010!

a surgeon. Having a baby at 16 really put a wrench in those plans, but fortunately I was able to find another way to help people.

I was a Med/Surg nurse for three years before going to ICU. If I had to do it all over again I would have started in Stepdown first, then went to ICU. Personally, on Med/Surg is where I developed my gut instincts. I always used to say "Med/Surg nurses don't need monitors to know when somethings wrong", lol. Everyone is different though and only you know what would fit best! Good Luck!!!

I would also ask about the admission process into schools. Recruiters have notoriously enhanced the truth but if you dig deeper you will find answers. I would bet money that it is very competetive to obtain "permission" to apply and go to school. Please, please, please, research everything that recruiter tell syuo before making any decisions.

We use tape and have found that most stablizers don't allow for aggressive mouth care. I would love to see some that do.

Not sure about the length of the program, I don't think there is a sifference in rank or pay. I graduated from an online program...and have an interview next week!

I am interviewing with Naz on the 25th, class starting in 2011.

jfk6668, I have been in ICU since 10/06, have a cert in Med/Surg, just got my CCRN, GRE's ...only a 960 (I told Karen the coordinator to squint when she looked at my score because it might look higher, haha), GPA 3.8. I also am adjunct faculty for a local University so I'm hoping that helped. I originally applied in November, that was before they needed GREs for the interview. Before December of this year they were interviewing without them and accepting with the assumption that you would take them before you started. Also, you need a personal statement which isn't listed on their application. So, since November I drug my feet with getting my CCRN and taking the GRE's. I do know that they are doing additional interviews in October.

I wear scrubs and a white lab coat that usually comes off about 2.5 seconds after being in a room! I try to keep my jacket on for the first few weeks in a new facility so that the staff nurses can differentiate me from the students but it is so cumbersome!

Interview at Nazareth in Philly Sept. 25th!!!!! I'm pooping my pants on a daily basis, :chuckle

I didn't like the Pass CCRN book but loved the cd rom it came with. I recently took my CCRN and GREs. I did awful on GREs, didn't study for that at all but was trying to just get it over with (not so smart). Now for the CCRN, I have been in ICU about a year and a half when I took it this summer. I studied for a day and a half, seriously. Now, I did that because I am an idiot who procrastinated. I did pass but do not recommend cramming. In those two days I watched the Laura DVDs twice and did tons of questions....I think my brain did smoke at one point. Good luck and I'm sure you'll do great with one month to prepare.

Oh yeah, think about it all the time! My intent growing up was to be a surgeon, but I had a baby at 16 instead. So, needless to say it was very life altering. I have since had three children and have been married for ten years and I know I could do it but would probably wind up divorced! haha I keep warning my hubby what CRNA school is like and how tough it will be but I have a feeling he has no idea!

I too say go for it! Oh, and I'm jealous! I am interviewing next week and am so nervous. I have only applied to one school and am regretting putting all my eggs in one basket. I am also in Philly, where are you starting?

Make the jump! Aren't there other hospitals and other ICU's to choose from so you can avoid the 8 month long class. (Having said that I wish I had an 8 month class when I started!). Your post reminded me of my predicament when I left Med/Surg. I worked on an onc/organ transplant unit where we practiced medicine on a dirt floor so to speak. I had done charge, precepted, etc, and knew it was time to move on. I hated going back to being the low man on the totem pole. I went from doing the schedule at my old place to being at someone else's mercy. I left behind all my friends that I worked with . I am nearing the end of my orientation at my new place. I moved hospitals and everything but I don't regret it yet. It is an awful feeling to start all over and go from expert to novice in 2.2 seconds. It's awful to not know anyone and be the newbie. But I still pick up shifts at my old hospital whenever I need a boost of confidence and a reminder of why I left. There I am still an expert and 'everyone knows my name'. It soudns to me like you are ready for a change. I didn't want to be one of those nurses who stays because it's all they know. I didn't want to get stuck. Good luck to you in whatever you decide!

I spoke with my manager today. He agreed that if I do not feel comfortable then I can stay on orientation, which is good news. I think it is only fair that I receive the same orientation that everyone else gets and so does he. I did get a nice big cold sore from the stress of worrying about it but now I am pleased. I feel a bit silly for not feeling ready but I am assured by others that it is my right to get as much orientation as I can and that I should be worried. Thanks to everyone for their comments and thoughts.

At my hospital we do not make more for ICU. They base pay on years out of school. They also have a $3.00 an hour pay raise when you are certified. I make $31.50/hr and a bit more for eves, weekends, and nights. I was allowed to receive the $3 bonus per hour with my CMSRN but have two years to obtain my CCRN (since I am new to ICU)

Bluesky, The class sounds like an excuse to who? An excuse for my manager to let me complete orientation or for me to stay on orientation? After I talked with my precptor she was appalled that my manager would ask me to be off orientation without the critical care course and dysrhythmia. My preceptor asked around to the senior nurses who are also just as shocked. What happens when I need to take my patient off the floor for CT and I can't ask anyone a question? Every nurse my preceptor and I have talked to (including charge nurses) said that it is outrageous. Basically it was my mangers responsibiity to enroll me in these classes and he dropped the ball. There are classes in Jan. but they are all full, which means that I didn't get in it. Some said that they can throw me over to Med/Surg until I can take all the classes I need. When I am in on Thursday my preceptor and I are going to talk with my manager and see what we can come up with. I feel like I am a competant nurse but this orientation just hasn't been enough. It really doesn't make much sense to me. Other nurses that came from ICU in other hospitals get 12 weeks, same as me. Then we have to sit in hospital orientation class for the first 2 weeks, then trauma class for a week, and if I were to have the other classes that would be another 2 weeks. That only leaves like 7 weeks of floor time, just not enough. My biggest concern is that if something did happen it would be my license on the line. Thanks again to all posters for your opinions.

Ruby Vee, I do not know rhythms at all...which is the scariest part. I have taken an active role in learning them, I have been going over some and reading books on how to interpret.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I am so happy to hear about what others think

Hello all, I am orienting to ICU after being on an oncology/organ transplant floor for three years. I started in October and am supposed to be through with my 12 week orientation on Christmas Day. Up until now I have only had one course relevent to critical care, I did take the trauma core. For weeks I have been asking about the critical care course and a dysrhythmia course and my manager has been not giving me any solid answers. Last week he told me I may not be able to come off orientation until my classes are met in January. I was fine with that. HOWEVER, yesterday he informs me that I will not be attending the critical care course until Feb/March and he is still not sure about the dysrhythmia class. He basically tells me that I will be off orientation without these classes. What do you think? Do I have a right to fight it? Is it worth it, the classes I mean. My gut tells me that I shouldn't let him do this but I am not sure because I don't even know what the courses are like.

Amy, I just did it. I worked oncology/organ transplant for three years and just moved to ICU. To answer your question, the change is hard! You have to be willing to go from expert to novice overnight. I left a place where I knew the answers, to one where I know nothing. I am still on orientation and leave everyday feeling like my brain will explode. I would've never imagined that there would be so much I didn't know or never even heard of. I decided to switch after getting my cert in Med/Surg. I figured that I knew that I didn't want to do Med/Surg for the rest of my life so why not try to find my niche. What I try to remember is that any job change is traumatic and frustrating. Whenever I need a confidence boost I go back to my old job on Med/Surg and work per diem. There I am still the expert. :wink2: