kitty25

I work as a PCT now in a hospital & I swear . . . I could not get a job as a PCT or CNA to save my life!!! --- keep in mind, I am a senior in a BSN nursing program! Unfortunately, it all comes down to who you know- if you have an inside connection, you will get the job. I applied to 2 hospitals before I asked a clinical instructor (who works @ my current employer) to put in a good word for me. So- my best advice is to find somebody to give you an edge, especially if you have no previous healthcare-related work experience. Good Luck!

WOW- so i just searched this whole thread for Algernon's results. what's up man??? remember . . . it's just a test that you can take again! :heartbeat

Thanks! - what a great story . . . very amusing- probably because your personality fits me to a "T." I graduate in December, unfortunately- I DO have a job waiting on a passing score, so I'll be sitting in the 9 hour, 4 day review class. Hope you pass, Good Luck to you!

Thanks for the input WolfpackRed- I guess my biggest concern is coming straight out of school into WFUBMC's 3 month orientation compared to Forsyth's 6 month plan. I'm also a little intimidated by the open floor plan of the ICU at Wake Forest- it seems like a strange setup, what do you think?

Big (& EXCITING) decision to make: I am a December new grad & have to make a decision of either working in ICU @ Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center or Forsyth Medical Center. I have been sorting out pros & cons based on my personal needs/wants, but would be eternally grateful for any outside input!

paacollins - If you could find out whether or not Baptist actually starts new grads in an ICU setting I would be grateful; Good luck on finding your dream job!

Thanks so much, paacollins! My last semester is this fall- I'm in Charlotte, & desperately hoping to get my preceptorship in ICU. I will check out Winston-Salem. Are you planning on working there? --- Neuro ICU sounds interesting as well.

~ I have seen many good critiques of the new grad fellowship program @ WakeMed. However, I do have one question- I understand that in order to apply for this program, I must submit an application online- they have all of their jobs posted (including fellowship spots for new grads); my question is: do I need to wait and apply for a spot specified for ICU? ~ Also- do you live in the area? If so, how do you like it? I've never really spent any time in Raleigh. Thanks again for the input.

Hello- I will be graduating with my BSN in December, & am wondering if anybody has information about new grads starting out in a critical care setting in NC. ~Much Appreciated

quite an interesting article- i've always been intrigued by the topic of weight issues related to NT altering drugs/mental health concerns. i guess it really depends on the individual (client)- whether or not they gain or lose weight w/ concurrent use of SSRI's. i've mostly known people to lose weight with the addition of this med regimen: it seems as though as their mood improves, energy levels increase thereby allowing them more freedom to participate in daily activity. thanks for the post: the latest info always helps us to think a little bit more!

REUPTAKE INHIBITOR: SSRI's inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, allowing more of this neurotransmitter available; in a sense- increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain

when i first started clinicals, i just had to have a specific nursing brand shoe. i chose a cute pair of nursemates, OMG- the most UNCOMFORTABLE shoes i have ever worn! after my first day, i ran out & found a pair of all white pumas & they were a godsend- the most comfy shoes i've ever owned.

- i agree! - i am a north carolina soon-to-be BSN graduate (dec '08) considering a BIG move to Anchorage. i would also like any info about current & near future job opportunities. my dream job is to start out in ICU; however, the requisites on local hospital websites for critical care jobs all demand experience. i understand that ICU jobs offered to new grads are a "rare find" in almost any location, but if somebody knows otherwise - i would certainly be appreciative! ~thanks

hi, i am currently a junior in the bsn program @ uncc. yes, it is an extremely competitive program. in order to be accepted for the upper division (the actual nursing program), a calculated application gpa is the most important factor. it differs from your standard gpa because the science courses are weighted. they take into account all of your previous college credit. in addition, a bachelors degree is positively included in the process. my personal advice: get in touch with john sugg (a counsler for the health & human services dept. / pre-nursing). he is extremely helpful and will lead you in the right direction concerning application policies & any pre-reqs you may possibly need. ~ as far as my opinion of the program: i love it!!! the profs are amazing, the material is top notch, and the expectations of our standards of practice are of the highest quality. before i entered, i anxiously assumed that my life would be hell due to the overwhelmingly negative rumors. i also feared that uncc would not properly prepare me for the nclex or actual practice (b/c of decreased passing stats). however, i now realize that relying on rumors only encourages unnecissary worry and ultimitely promotes self-defeat. i am confident of our nclex pass rate increasing in the near future - in the end, we are responsible for ensuring our own academic success, and i promise you that the program and its educators receive my up most regard. ~ if you need any other info from an insider's perspective, feel free to ask!