Kbs1299

Anyone on here applying for 2010 admission in Pitt? I know I met at least on Pitt hopeful at my Hamot interview...

Has anoyone gotten any news yet?

This year I read somewhere that they are accepting 20 students. I am eager to interview but nervous as well. Not sure what I should study up on....

I'll be coming up from Virginia. Do you know if you have an interview yet? I submitted my app just under the wire, so I haven't even gotten a confirmation of receipt email yet.. I have spoken with the secretary so i know they got it. Do you have ACLS and PALS and everything else already? I lack PALS and really hope that I am able to interview despite that. We shall see I suppose....

I hope to be interviewing this year. Any tips?

UVa doesn't pay that great, and I can't speak for the other hospitals there. I love the unit I work in at UVa but cannot stand the organization as a whole. I am getting everything out of them that I can and moving on. They are decent for tuition reimbursement (when you go to get your BSN) and health benefits (don't know how those compare to the other places). They take decent care of their nurses but there are still a lot of unhappy nurses. I suppose you'll find that most anywhere. If you do chose UVA, I suggest an ICU, as the mentorship program rocks (I did it)! Plus the acute care units are constantly plagued by understaffing and heavy patient loads. If you opt for a different hospital, then choose UVa later, you will make more money coming in, so I am told....

Hey there, Not to say you should just bail but... If there is such a nursing shortage, it seems that you should be able to find a more suitable unit/hospial. I started in an Thoracic/cardiac ICU at a hospital with an awesome orientation program and love it. I applaud you for takinf 6 patinets, even if you feel you can barely manage it. I don't think I could. I am stressed with two. Anywho, my thoughts are look for something more suitng. and if that's not an option, talk to your manager or even HR to see if you can't find a way to feel better adjusted..... Hope it helps.

None taken. We have a formal training, sort of where we train with perfusionists during cardiac cases. Tohugh, there's really not much to it.

I never wnet to school for the position, it was on the job training. I am not certified, but am making around 24,500 as a base. 'Course there's overtime and call pay shift diff. Its not too bad.

As an anesthesia technician, I can tell you some. I don't really know the difference between an Anesthesia technician and technologist, I have never really pursued (went after nursing insted). As an anesthesia tech, my primary duties were assuring adequate supplies were avail to provide anesthesia, assisting with line placement and intubations (though somewhat minimally), assisting with fiber ooptic and difficult intubations, asssiting with spinal and epidural placemen.... Basically whatever an aesthesiologist needed, I was there to help. I also woud set up fluid warmers, IV's, pressure trandscer lines, hookup and assist with a swan..... I think its a cool job but I had more funb doing it a private communtiy hospital than I do at a teaching institution (too many stinkin residents!). Although, I do run the cell savders at the teaching place which means trauma call. Hope that provides some of an answer! Jim

I've seen around 30% of my class drop out. Some decided nursing wasn't for them after the first day of school, others lost focus and some just plain don't get it. I think Its a person dependent thing. As long as you are able to put the time in you need to, you should be ok!