AG89

Hi there! Seeing that this topic was last updated in Feb. of 2015, I wanted to verify that the process is still the same. I'm currently looking at recruitment options for my doctoral dissertation and was hoping to use allnurses as a possible option. If the process has been updated, could those updates please be shared. Thank You! ~Annika

Congrats on being accepted! May I ask, is this an accelerated program? Because that would certainly change my response a bit. But assuming this program is the "typical" 4 year track I will say that I've heard this from many nursing colleagues over the years. Doesn't matter if it was an Associates program, a Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate. Schools will often say students shouldn't work because they want you to focus on your education and they don't want to give you any false hope that the program is easy. Just like with any other school environment - some courses will be easier than others. For those that are easy, you may not have to study as much as those that are harder for you. The key is to set up a study program that works best for you. Map out your class schedules, assignments/tests/quizzes, and your work schedule. It may be a bit rough at first but soon you'll figure out what study schedule works best for you. Do this each semester as the courses will change. While it's nice to have a set work schedule, try to ensure flexibility in case you need to do additional studying for an exam or project. There may be semesters where all of your courses are difficult, so ha being that consistent and routine study program will certainly aid during those times. Also, look into different study m those such as reading and recording your notes. That way you can listen to them on your way to work or as you run errands. Hopefully some of this was helpful. Best of luck!

When I first graduated from nursing school, I was obviously applying anywhere and everywhere. One place, a post-op assisted living type of place, offered me a job on the spot. I learned that I would be the only RN for the entire facility on the overnight shift and was expected to care for pretty complex patients without any support. I immediately turned them down because the vibe I got from their director, along with the information they were providing me, were serious red flags. I worked too hard for my license to be in jeopardy this soon into my nursing career. Fast forward a few years later, I got a call from HR at an organization I had applied to years prior. They were in desperate need of staff as the unit was very medically complex, high patient acuity, psych. overflow, etc., and they had trouble retaining staff. Knowing that there were challenges, I decided to take on the position because I knew it would strengthen my nursing skills (both clinical and non-clinical skills). While there were days where I just wanted to leave and never go back, I ultimately did end up loving the unit and my coworkers. Unfortunately, many of them left to pursue other interest, which left those with negative and toxic being my coworkers. Eventually I too left the unit, but would not trade those years of experience as they truly strengthened my "nursing character," (if you will). While the job/unit you're describing now does seem to be putting up red flags, I would try to use any and all opportunities to grow and develop. Not every job in nursing is sunshine and rainbows; learning how to deal with different types of people (patients, providers, nurses, etc.) in different types of environments is a key component in continuing in this profession. Just make sure that you do not do anything that you feel would compromise your ethics, values, and your license. In other words, don't let the potentially toxic environment bully you into a compromising situation - no job is worth that! I wish you the best of luck!

While already suggested, I found it extremely helpful to practice on stuffed animals or family and friends. Start out by writing down all of the appropriate steps in a given clinical scenario and read them through a few times. Then, put those notes away and start practicing on a stuffed animal/toy and say each step out loud as you are performing it. If you forget a step, quickly glance at your notes and put them away again and keep going. Once you are finished you can review your notes in their entirety and see how well you did. Fix any mistakes the next time you go through that same scenario and do this until you no longer have to consult your notes. Once you feel comfortable performing this on a toy, you can move towards practicing on family/friends. This will provide you with a more "patient" experience, which can sometimes interfere and leave you feeling like you don't know what the steps are; when in reality you DO! Additionally, it might help you to record these practices so that you see what you're doing/where your mistakes are/what can be improved, etc. Furthermore, observing someone else (either in person or through educational videos) can help in further solidifying the sequence of steps that need to be complete. The key to any learning is to identify how you learn best and incorporate as much of that into what you're trying to learn as much as possible. If you are more visual, then instead of writing out the steps, use pictures; if you are more hands on, then get a nursing buddy to help practice. Hopefully these suggestions prove to be helpful.