*Renee*

I'm a new grad nurse and will be working part-time (per diem) after orientation. My boss is super flexible and will even let me do my orientation pt if I want to, but I'm going to go ft just to get it done this summer b4 dh starts school. Anyways, I think it's possible if you just find someone willing to work with you and lay all your cards out on the table right away so you both know the situation. We are in desperate NEED of nurses, so I've noticed hospitals are willing to work w/ just about any schedule. HTH!

Just found out today I passed NCLEX after taking it on Tuesday. I had 75 questions with mainly priority, infection control, 3 select all, some med/surg, and no calculations. I am SO thrilled right now. I'm definately on cloud 9! Thanks for all the encouragement and well wishes! Good luck to those taking it soon.

Hey Jumpwinter, I actually just graduated from the MCC Nursing program this past May and my husband will also be starting in the fall night program. As far as instructors go, most of them were pretty good...though at night, you may get different teachers than we did during the day program. I think the few teachers who weren't so good have either retired, or have began only teaching a few times or just during lab or just doing clinicals. I'm not sure if she's doing clinicals or not on Saturdays, but ********** was my clinical instructor 3rd semester (days) and she was AWESOME! Very strict, but she made you learn and know your stuff and by 4th semester, the group of us who had her were way ahead of the game compared to many of the other students. ************* (who is also an instructor at MCC) is also a great clinical instructor, especially for your OB/Maternity section because she's also a current OB nurse at MMH. I think that section is during semester 2. (At least it was went I went). As far as clinicals go, I'm not sure where you live in the manatee county area, but the majority of the hospitals around here (as well as around the nation) are using Meditech and EMAR, which is the computer based charting rather than paper....the only hospital not using it was MMH. So, if you plan on working in a hospital after graduation, I'd suggest picking at least one or two hospitals that will train you on Meditech/EMAR. I work at BMC, and I enjoy it there, though I didn't do any of my clinicals there. It's probably my favorite of all the hospitals....Doctor's (which is where I did my last semester) is very nice as well. I also hear LWR MC is very nice, but slower, so you may not get that as a choice other than when you do your OB/Maternity section. I also went to South Bay Hospital in Sun City and it was nice...just smaller. Good luck with nursing school, and remember to have some fun in your life during these next two years!!

It was the worst experience I've ever had! It is SO crappy leaving a test that means so much and having absolutely NO idea if you passed or failed. I felt like I was guessing on about 95% of the questions. I ended up w/ 75 questions total with a mix of priority, meds, infection control (my least favorite), a few choose all, and NO calculation questions. I just have no idea what to expect. It's so hard because I feel like the majority of my answers were pure guesses and I don't think that's a good thing... I also feel like the past month + of studying was pointless seeing as how the majority of the questions I got were out of nowhere. I'm scared and am going to be so anxious for the next 48 hours.... How'd everyone else do that took it today???

I keep seeing posts about Suzanne's study guide for the NCLEX, but have no idea where to find it or information about it....any help? TIA.

I had my pinning ceremony on May 4th. It was AWESOME! Then, to top it all off, my hubby threw me a suprise graduation party last night...I was shocked!!! It's such a good feeling being *done*! Now, just as long as I pass the NCLEX the 1st time, I'm good to go. I too already have a job, so I'll be taking it asap. Anyone not doing a review course?

Well, I know it's hard to get into being a school nurse. I would LOVE to do that, but there's just not a demand for that like there is hospital nurses. I'd say, see how the day at the school goes, and if you like it, give it a try. The worst that could happen is you don't like it and you go someplace else. Nurses are needed badly in clinics and hospitals....so, you can pretty much pick and choose your job. It never hurts to try new things (especially if you already know you're not too keen on hospital nursing). Hth!

We've been told we have to wear all white to our pinning ceremony in May. The official vote was that we wear "something we could wear to work." So, I'm sorta at a loss about what to actually wear. I went yesterday and bought white "scrub" pants that look more like trousers and a white "Scrub" top that looks like a faux wrap top w/ embroidery around the collar and I think it looks nice. But- I feel like that may not be dressy enough for such as an important occasion. What are others wearing? Do you think scrubs are appropriate, or should I get slacks and a blouse or a suit? TIA for any opinions. BTW- our affiliate school is also pinning their nursing students w/ us, and they'll all be wearing blue polo shirts white white pants and a white lab coat. It was suggested we do something similar, but we didn't have a majority vote.

Hi everyone, Well, since I'm nearing my graduation date from Nursing school (May 4), I figured it'd be a good time to get my foot in the door at a hospital and start working as a Patient Care Assistant until I get my RN license and can work as a nurse. So, I have an interview on Monday at a hospital I did a couple semesters of clinicals at and I'm really excited and hopeful. It's actually one of my top picks of hospitals I want to work at. So, does anyone have any interviewing advice for me? Questions I should ask, Questions I should be prepared for? I already sent my resume and cover letter, should I bring a copy of each or just my resume? I'll be interviewing w/ the Nursing Director on the floor, not the HR person I sent my resume to. I've heard interviewers like to ask ??'s like: "When was there a time when I made decision that I didnt really agree with?" or "What new programs did I get started or what was a project that I started at my current or past job?" These are toughies for me since I've been a ft student and sahm for the past 4 years. I guess I could use clinical experiences to answer these ??'s, right? I appreciate any advice you can give....I haven't been on an interview in a while, and never for a future "career" position. TIA!!

Hi everyone, Well, since I'm nearing my graduation date from Nursing school (May 4), I figured it'd be a good time to get my foot in the door at a hospital and start working as a Patient Care Assistant until I get my RN license and can work as a nurse. So, I have an interview on Monday at a hospital I did a couple semesters of clinicals at and I'm really excited and hopeful. So, does anyone have any interviewing advice for me? Questions I should ask, Questions I should be prepared for? I already sent my resume and cover letter, should I bring a copy of each or just my resume? I'll be interviewing w/ the Nursing Director on the floor, not the HR person I sent my resume to. Some people have told me to be prepared for ??'s like: "Tell me a time you made decision that I didnt really agree with." Or "What new programs did I get started or what was a project that I started at my current or past job?" These are toughies for me since I haven been in school and a stay-at-home mom for the past 4 years (and out of work). I guess I could use clinical experiences to answer these ??'s, but it's hard to remember specifics. I appreciate any advice you can give....I haven't been on an interview in a while, and never for a future "career" position. TIA!!

If you *know* deep down that you're doing a good job as a student and haven't made any major errors, I'm confident your instructor won't fail you. She'll probably end up praising you in the end for your committment and willingness to learn and excel. Hang in there and just be confident in your own abilities. Only 4 more weeks.....

I was pregnant all during my micro class (I passed while 8 months pregnant). I had no issues in the class and my OB had no problem with me being in there. There was also a girl in there who actually had her baby mid-semester and she was fine as well. There's really not all that much contact with microbes...it's more observation, etc. The only thing I didn't do was a eyeball disection in A&P II because the instructor thought it may not be a good idea. So, I just didn't have to do it (I sure didn't complain!) I really don't think it'll be a problem for you.

I agree with DSplendid. I know it's hard to do, but try not to stress too much about not knowing all the answers. You're only in your 7th month! I'm in my last semester and I, as well as basically all the students in my semester, still feel this way at clinical at times. It WILL get better and get easier. You just have to get a routine and get into the groove of things. As you see the same types of things day after day, it'll become like second nature. There will always be certain things you'll forget everytime, but we're all human and it happens to everyone. Just hang in there.... I too have had some difficult instructors, and it's actually helped me because I made sure I came to clinicals prepared and now if I don't know/understand something, I'm sure to look it up before I ask. But, if you don't know something, ask! No question is a dumb question no matter what anyone else says. They didn't start with all of the answers either and everyone had to learn at some point. There will always ne those nurses and instructors that think their sh*t doesn't stink and try to belittle you, but just remember that you DO know what you're doing and you're just trying to better yourself and become a good nurse. Good luck and believe in your self. My second semester instructor told me at final evals: "You're better than you think you are and you know more than you think you do. Just trust yourself." That really inspired me and I hope that inspires you as well.