suture_self

Hi gang, I never thought I would arrive at this place in my life, but unbelievably: Here I am. I was recently accepted to grad school at Georgia State University. I'll be following a dual track program that focuses on becoming an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist (ANP/CNS). I'm really excited and anxious at the same time... I just don't know what to expect. I've been employed full-time as a Flex Team Nurse for almost six years. My employer would allow me to go part-time, if needed. I've got two young sons (5 and 4 years old) and a loving and supportive wife. Admittedly, I'm blindly moving into this new chapter of my life. I have no idea what I can expect in terms of time constraints, academic work, clinical periods, tests, and so on. What I seek is someone who has been there or who is currently enmeshed in such a program to enlighten me. Any information would greatly be appreciated. THANK YOU!

Hi there. I've been an RN working a Medical / Surgical floor for the last handful of years. I'm also a family man with two baby boys at home and a beautiful wife. We get by on my modest earnings alone, so I'm wondering if anybody out there has an idea about how I could supplement my income by finding additional work OUTSIDE of the hospital (ie: phone triage, legal nurse consulting, part-time work at an office, etc). I could work overtime at the hospital, but I am hoping to increase my experience in a different field of nursing while retaining some semblance of a home life. I've got an Associate's of Science Degree in Nursing, almost 4 years experience, and will soon obtain my Medical / Surgical Certification from ANCC. Thank you in advance for the help.

My NET composite was 78 and I had a 4.0 going in, with all pre-reqs out of the way.

I would like to get my ACLS certification as painlessly as possible, and by "painlessly" I mean cheaply and quickly. The cheapest way (in fact, I would be making money by attending the classes) would be to get certified through my hospital, but evidently they only hold classes once or twice year and only allow nurses to participate that 1.) have been with the hospital for at least a couple of years (I have not) and when 2.) the hospital is more or less guaranteed a return on their investment (apparently most nurses who get certified immediately move on to more lucrative careers elsewhere). And so, my nursing colleagues of GA, do you have any recommendations for a legit, inexpensive program that could help one attain an ACLS certification? Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure about the Stockbridge / Mcdonough area, but I think you'll do fine if wages are your main concern. I just graduated in December and found a job as a med-surg nurse at Northside Hospital making $22.00/hour. That's not including shift differentials and incentive pay. If I were to work the 7p to 7a shift, then I would add an extra $3.00/hour to that rate. I'm guessing that with your experience you'll be able to make a least that much, if not more. Hope this helps.

Hi Gang, What better way to get the ol' foot in the door than to meet the very people who do the hiring at a JOB FAIR? In Atlanta, they're ubiquitous. In fact, there's one coming up: http://www.nationalcareerfairs.com/monster/index.php?p=career_fair_city&city=Atlanta&state=GA&year=2007 But don't go without reading this first: http://www.son.jhmi.edu/resources/career/center/resources/jobfair/ That's my 2 cents.

CODE BLUE!!! My thread is dying a slow, painful death.

I'm a nursing student who is one semester away from employment. Yes, I'll be graduating in December (if all goes well). So naturally I'm sitting here pondering what kind of nurse I want to be. Of course I want to be the best nurse I can be, but that's not what I mean. What I'm wondering is what speciality (if any) I should get into after getting tagged with that wonderful "RN." I've considered the ED, cardiology, gerontology, and peds. I've also thought about rounding my education out with two years on a med-surg floor before pigeon-holing myself. What would you do? Or what have you done? Thanks for the input.

Thanks for the kind words and support, fellas. A little encouragement goes a long way. Especially on days like today.

I'm into my first three weeks of nursing school and I just can't seem to get it together. Up until the beginning of this semester, I've pulled a 4.0 in EVERY class. However... I took my first test and scored a 74 (75 is passing). I went to do my first skill check-off today (aseptic technique) and got an unsatisfactory. Apparently, I moved my sterile field with a gloved hand at the border, as opposed to the center of the field (where it's not contaminated). For a guy who's used to doing well, this stinks. I'm giving all I have to give in the studying arena... and still coming up short. Help.

I never imagined the responses to my thread would be so comprehensive and enthusiastic! I must say that I am overwhelmed with gratitude as well as humbled by everyone's experience and advice. Such a wealth of knowledge... Thanks!

Here's the scenario: I was about to leave for home from my microbiology class, when suddenly another student (a nice lady who moonlights as an LPN) starts up a conversation that... well, I found intriguing. She said that she knows more than most newly-graduated RNs do. She said she's constantly instructing them on this or that - and that they defer to her and her judgement most of the time. Like I said, it sparked my interest because frankly, I might be one of those guys one day. I wouldn't be completely helpless, but c'mon... as a newly-graduated nurse, how can I (or anybody, for that matter), with limited clinical experience, be expected to know everything? And so I'm wondering: What advice can existing RNs and/or LPNs give to RNs who are still wet behind the ears? What kind of dynamic (ie: working relationship) can be mutually beneficial to both helper and helpee? Any stories? Am I opening a can of worms?

WOW! CONGRATULATIONS!!! By the way, I'm glad you both posted to this barren thread... I was beginning to think that noone has ever graduated from GPC! You've given hope to us all... and not moment too soon. It's a great gift. Thanks.

With GPC's graduating classes getting smaller and smaller every semester and with all the horror stories being bandied about, I thought it might be fun (and informative) to hear from the graduates who actually made it through GPC's nursing program. What was your secret to making it through? What advice can you give us gluttons for punishment? If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently? Thanks!

Dmarie - Thanks for the honesty, not to mention the lengthy reply . You basically confirmed everything I already knew... The fact that roughly 10% of their classes graduate is GPC's dirty little secret. When I brought this fact up to a lady on the nursing faculty, she more or less looked sideways and agreed that yeah, it is a problem. When pressed on WHY it's a problem, she put it all on the students. I found that to be unfair. I really believe that educators and students should be able to meet each other half-way. If what I hear is true, then this just doesn't seem to be the case in the nursing program. I think the school is having a hard time staying viable and they know it. Therefore we get courses such as LINK for Nursing, a class intended to prepare the student for the rigors of nursing school; and Medical Mathematics, a refresher course on basic math skills and conversions. While these are genuine attempts at reform, the real issue of educator "connectedness" has yet to be addressed. Again, it's all on the students. I know there are a lot of people who think that all of this negativity will get us nowhere. I think that's true, but call a spade a spade. If it's screwed up, say so! Don't ignore the problem. Trust me, it won't go away. I really believe there is a responsibility teachers have to their students and vice versa. It's just that quid pro quo that has gotten me my thrid 4.0 in a row. Simply put, I worked hard to get where I am, but I'd be fool to say I did it completely alone.