Sunshine0425

Well, I worked on a Med Surg floor for eight months before starting in ICU...I am sooo glad I did. I was so stressed as a new grad on the floor, but quickly got my assessment skills down, time management, etc. I really feel like it helped my transition into ICU so much easier. Especially seeing the tough time the new grads we have right now are having. It is just SO much info to learn. To answer your question, it is true...I didn't get a super long orientation, eight weeks, but did fine. Good Luck!!!

I work there...and love it. I don't have nursing experience at any other hospital, but have really enjoyed working at NO. Do you mind sharing what floor you will be working on??? Some floors are better than others. Pay is good, better than Baton Rouge, comparable to New Orleans. If you have specific questions, please feel free to PM me. Good Luck!

The hospital I work at currently paid off my debt to Tulane. I LOVE where I work, the floor I work on is organized, smells clean and we all help each other out. I don't miss the commute to the city.

I hate to tell you this, but I had a similar experience with them. I had flown down here in 04 from another state to take the PAX test knowing I was moving down here soon. I flew with my 4 week old baby to go take the test and guess what....THEY LOST MY SCORES!! I kid you not, and then they said 2 of my classes were not sufficient to their's. I was furious. I had found they were EXTREMELY disorganized. I ended up going through OLOL accelerated and am now a happy RN going back to school again this semester. Charity is a good school, but I think it can be a big headache trying to get in.

First thing I do on my shift is organize myself first...gather my MARS, make my own little checklist from the kardex, then go assess. This should be your number one priority. See how your patients are doing before passing meds. Some patients go downhill fast and the best thing to have done is a baseline, Vitals, pulses, make sure IV's are good O2 sats are WNL, dressings are dry and intact, and especially pts on fall precautions, I never trust the other shifts "claim" that the bed alarm is set. You need to protect yourself, your license and your pt. Maybe an IV infiltrated on the other shift and they didn't catch it because they had a million and one things to do before leaving their shift. I try to have my assessments done in an hour, take a quick potty break, and then start passing meds, dsg changes, charting etc. Assessments are key!!!!

For me I would ask about scheduling issues...Some places have self scheduling, others it's whenever they will fit you in the schedule, especially as a new nurse. Good luck

Maybe this is something you and your spouse should talk about as far as time mgt with busy schedules. And if you have kids... Bottom line is you are going to have to make a huge commitment for 9/10 months. If you want to get it out of the way quickly I wouldn't suggest waiting around for Tulane in hopes of it being more organized b/c at least for our class it was nothing of the sort, sounds like though things may have become better for the class this year. And I believe you about the 7 day a week schedule...it may not be every week all year long, but I think they are trying to prepare the applicants ahead of time for a very busy schedule. There were times throughout the year that our schedule got very crazy and you just deal with it. In the end it was worth it. I love being a RN and I love where I work. Just an FYI...I really don't feel like there was much *theory* taught, just what we needed to be successful on NCLEX. Good Luck

boozimgm2, You might really reconsider going through the accelerated program...I went through the one at Tulane last year, and yes, there are SEVERAL weeks where we went 7 days a week. We also started from square one...bed making, hand washing etc. Most people in the program had no prior med. experience. There is barely ANY time for anything else but school eat, study as much as you can and then sleep. I am glad I went through the program, but probably would have looked for something more lenient if I already had my PN license. I know the LPN's I work with now, I love them and would never suggest this type of program for their own sanity. Have you looked at any LPN-RN programs that might be less rigorous??

Their new grad pay last year was 22.00 an hour, so that sounds right.

I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and my levels of testosterone are high. My hair has become very curly wavy over the last few years since being diagnosed with this. I thought it was very interesting. I love the curly hair, but could do without the excessive hair growth elsewhere.!!!!!

It is 22 dollars an hour base...And I would NEVER work there. I had all my clinicals for nursing school there. It is dog eat dog and I don't think I ever saw one nurse ever help another. Most of the floors smell terrible and Administration....please don't get me started!!!! Most nurses that worked agency there said it was the worst hospital they had ever worked in I don't blame them. They could offer tons of money and to me it still wouldn't be worth it. I work on the North Shore and Love it!!!!!

I would get the latest edition, or something in the last year or two. Some teachers like to take right from the textbook. Sarah

my wife just left the computer on this website, and i was reading some of your concerns. My wife just finished this accelerated program, and man was it some work. As far as some of your concerns about a medical background. My wife didnt and she got in and did well. Just prepared to study every possible moment. I think thats all my wife did for 9 months. i think 55 were accepted and about (around) 25 plus finished out the program. you have to really want it...

Last year it was 97% pass, one person failed first time around. I feel prepared to take it soon, I am going to take the Hurst review first, and then take the NCLEX asap. I graduate Thursday, and now that it is almost over, I am glad it only took 9 months!!! Just be super prepared to be stressed and have no life. FLEXIBILITY in this program is a must. You have to be committed. Good Luck :balloons: :balloons:

I love my littmann classic!!!! It has been a great stethescope for me. The other side can be used to listen to deeper heart tones...you just click the tubing around the steth. I may be working Peds in a few weeks, and will probably get a pediatric littmann.