live4rachael

Background: I've been a peds nurse for almost 6 years and am incredibly passionate about it. I have recently started my MSN program in Nursing Education. I was just assigned a clinical rotation to teach two different lectures to the undergraduate pediatric class: one on the family centered care of the child during illness/hospitalization, one on cardiology. (I have lots of good video clips for cardiology, and that one isn't for a couple more weeks.) The family centered care class is next Friday; I was just granted access to the textbook this morning and am working on my slides. Yippee! :) Question for all of you peds RNs: Do you have any extra examples of those situations where kids do not understand a procedure or have a fear that is unique to their age? I have come up with a few examples but am hoping to come up with some more. I feel like this is a point I really want to hammer home in the class - how important it is to communicate on a developmentally appropriate level, to ease their fears... The communication piece with kids and their families is just so critical, trying to eliminate unwarranted fears and develop trust. This is clearly a big piece in the preschool stage of magical thinking. I remember early on in my career hearing things like "won't all my blood keep coming out" (because there's an IV we placed and drew blood from it), or thinking that taking a blood pressure means we are drawing blood. The textbook mentions the example of "will the CAT scan mean I get scratches". Any other funny (or sad) examples you've experienced? I know I've experienced more of these, but they aren't coming to me.

Yep, I went to MUSC, worked as a tech through school, and got hired on the same unit (which was my hope all along). Peds Sub-specialty unit (heme/onc, liver/kidney transplant, and diabetes).

Just curious... what things would you want to change at your hospital for either you or your patients? Or, what things would you tell your administrator that you LOVE about your hospital? I'm a new grad RN. Just want to know what the more seasoned RNs out there can envision, or what you love about where you work now (that may be different from where you used to work).

Totally depends if you have school aged kids and where you're working. School age kids? Working at Trident? Summerville for sure. Working at MUSC? No kids? West Ashley. I have a child and work at MUSC and make the commute from Summerville strictly for the schools.

I commuted from Summerville all 4 semesters and now continue to commute from here for work at MUSC. As a student though I paid for a parking space and now I just park in Hagood. For 8 am classes I was able to leave at 6:45 and make it in time. For 7 am for work now, I have to leave at 6 am (and that includes the Hagood shuttle). If there is an accident on I-26, Dorchester Rd was an alternate route I frequently used.

I hear you completely. I have an BA from 2000 and then started working on my MA in HRM before I changed my mind. Being in a program that highly encouraged us to go on towards a DNP, I heard "just a nurse" a ton and I'm perfectly okay with it. Eventually I might want to do the Educator role but that's way down the road. So yeah, you're not the only one and be proud of it. :)

I give as soon as I am eligible and have for about 3 years. Nothing related to nursing school. I got tattoos a year ago but our state is completely legit so I was able to keep giving. DH and I both do this.

Yes, those are the big hospitals. There is also East Cooper as well. I just graduated and started a position at MUSC. There are currently a few RN I positions posted at MUSC, and I have heard from classmates that Trident only looked at applications so long as you already have taken/passed NCLEX. Good luck!

It's totally worth it. Our ABSN program is 16 months and I've managed it married, with a 2 year old, and a part-time job as a tech (20 hrs/wk). Not easy, but worth it. :)

I'll be ready to sell my uniform tops any time after next Wednesday. :) I have 2 lab jackets (1 small, 1 medium) and 2 tops (both medium). I'd sell all 4 for $30. (You can wear whatever white pants you want.)

I'm about to graduate from one while being married, with a 2 1/2 year old, and working 20 hours a week as a student tech. Definitely hasn't been easy but well worth it.

40 spots? I can't IMAGINE they're cutting slots (which have been at 60). All we hear about is how they don't have $$$...

Experience could technically fall under essay, recommendations, and resume. So although it doesn't have an exclusive category, it comes into play.

I'm in an ABSN program right now and also working 20 hours/week as a student tech. It hasn't been easy but I have a great spouse who is very supportive (and also sees the goal in May), and I also gave up the dream of the 4.0. The experience is invaluable compared to a few GPA points. My grades are pretty good, but not the 4.0 I originally dreamed of - and that's perfectly all right. If you can't do the job thing, definitely volunteer. Nurse managers will recognize you with that as well. You won't get to do as much but it's still better than nothing at all. Good luck!

Try getting a 94.4 and that still not being an A. It would be nice if everything was standardized. Any other school and I'd have a 4.0 right now. But I finally got over it after I came to the realization that a nurse manager isn't going to pick someone else over me because of that alone.