Katie612

I've only been in the PICU for a couple of months and we had a case of infant botulism. Her mother fed her honey to help her constipation, she ended up vented for a week or two, but totally recovered...

Very well said Linda! I couldn't agree more. I am a BSN and my hospital does not allow BSN on nametags. They used to, but families requested that the patients be cared for by a BSN instead of an ADN. Perhaps this should inspire more to go back to school!! The administration is sending the WRONG message here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, Thanks!

I just graduated in December, and unfortunately- there are nurses who hate students. I don't really think you should be so concerned about "bothering the nurses." Your number one concern is to deliver safe patient care and if you need to ask a question or need help and your instructor isn't around, you will have to ask the patient's nurse. Ultimately, it is their patient and their responsibility, so they will likely want to help if you have questions. Make sure you make it clear that you are willing to learn and help the nurse anyway you can. Be humble, admit when you don't know something. If someone is rude, brush it off. Every nurse was once a student, so I have no idea why some of them can be so awful!! Most nurses are willing to have students and share their knowledge and experience though. If you get a bad apple, ask your instructor to pair you with a different nurse. Be respectful, but don't let them walk all over you. You are there to learn, you have a right to be there! Good luck, hang in there!

No, I am employed at the UCLA Medical Center. Someone else thought I meant that too!

I'm a new grad starting in the PICU, can anyone suggest any reference manuals or books I can study before/continue to use?? Thanks a lot!!!

I start UCLA in a couple days. Just wondering if anyone has been through the new grad program and has any advise or thoughts on how it is... Also, where would be a good place to get an apartment? Thanks!

I bet you passed... Remember, if you felt like you knew every question, you weren't above the minimum level of competency. The fact that it shut off at 75 is a good sign. I hope you passed. Good luck!

Good luck Girl! The next 48 hours is the worst... Try to keep busy and not think about NCLEX!!

I took the Kaplan course. It was very expensive, but I felt like it gave me some structure and specific strategies. I thought Kaplan's questions were similar to the actual NCLEX questions and the course book had a lot of great material for review. I also got the optional Q Bank questions from Kaplan. I answered all of those and all of the practice tests that came on the CD with the program, so in all I answered about 2000 questions to prepare, I attended the Kaplan classes, and read most of the course book. I did not use Saunders or any other test prep program. Although I am happy with Kaplan, if there are students who can't afford the $450 or so it costs, I would suggest purchasing the Kaplan book and using some other program to answer questions. I really think answering LOTS and LOTS of questions is Key!!

As far as target scores, I think it depends what review program you are using... I just found out I passed NCLEX with 75 questions. I used Kaplan to prepare and I was getting about 68% average on the Q Bank tests... GOOD LUCK!

EXACTLY!! Now I really feel like I have closed the school chapter of my life! What a great feeling... Well, until I start thinking about grad school in a couple years!!

I just found out that I passed w/ 75 questions! What a relief!! I am more excited than when I graduated last month!!!! Congrats to my fellow COLLEAGUES who passed!! Best of luck to those taking it soon... Katie, RN BSN

May I ask which hospital offered you $30 to start in SO. CAL?? I was offered jobs in SO Cal ($28.75 after 6 mo.) and in Minneapolis, MN (around $26.00) for RN, BSN... Not including shift diffs.

Another practitioner in the NICU is a NNP (neonatal nurse practitioner) that you could look into. They are nurses with a BSN that get an advanced degree and have much more responsibility in the NICU-- prescribing meds, ordering labs, ect...

I am a new grad and have definitely have interest in critical care. I accepted a job in a NICU and I am wondering if its unheard of for nurses to also work on a different floor. I am also interested in adult intensive care and I fear working only with neonates will limit my knowledge and exposure to different things. After I am fully oriented, would I be able to pick up shifts or work a shift a week in an adult ICU? I am just curious if people do this... I realize it may depend on the hospital, managers, ect... Thanks!

Good advise, Thanks!

Where do you think I would get the best ICU experience? Level 1 trauma urban county hospital or a non-county urban, but smaller hospital? Thanks.

Yeah, I am sure you are right... I think since I am so fresh out of school and haven't had much clinical experience to speak of, it still feels a bit strange to care for a grown adult in such a personal way. With children its second nature, I could change a baby's diaper with one hand tied behind my back. Its not so easy with a 200 lb man... Plus I love kids and young families. Don't get me wrong though, I am looking foward to working in critical care... I love the interpersonal relationships you develop with pts and fams... I love learning about the multiple complex health issues critical pts have. I love the fast-paced, high tech environment that the intensive care offers. And most of all, I like being a support for people when they are in such a vulnerable postition, where my kindness and support can make a huge difference in their life!

You are hilarious! This accurate and vivid description is PRECISELY why I don't want to do adult ICU. Lots less poop in a NICU or PICU... Do you think anesthesia schools really prefer adult ICU experience???? Do you think its REALLY necessary to get that time in adult care? UGHH, I just don't want to do it. I get nasauted and gag from poop and breath smells. Blood, guts, pus, I can handle...

Hey, How did it go? I am a recent BSN grad from Minneapolis. I want to apply to nurse anesthesia school in 2-3 years. Can you tell me what the avg. GPA was and years of ICU experience and type of ICU (SICU, MICU, NICU)??? Any advise on how to make my applications stand out?? Thanks!

And you passed?

Hi, I am taking the NCLEX on Friday and freaking out like everyone else... My question is for those of you who took Kaplan, what were your scores on the diagnositic and Qbank tests???? I am getting like 68% average. For those of you who passed (congrats) were your Kaplan scores comparable??? Thanks a bunch!!

Hey, You are not alone... I am struggling with the decision to relocate or not... I am from Minneapolis, MN and have a job offer here and in Los Angeles. I am just thinking what a HUGE transition it will be to move and adjust to a new career...

Hi all, Sorry if this question has been posted before.... I graduated with my BSN in December and I've been offered positions in a PICU (large teaching hospital, top ranked) and a level III NICU (county, urban, level 1 trauma hospital). I am wondering which position would better prepare me for nurse anesthesia school/which position would admissions people prefer... Or is adult ICU better??? Thanks for your help, I definitely appreciate it!