rosemadder

NC will have some changes in their candidate handbook affective July 1, 2012. They are increasing the number of critical steps and made an addition to one skill. Check it out!

Did you take your exam? Here are a couple of tips! Good luck if you haven't tested yet!

I didn't get my CNA before RN school...In my area it is now required. I had no problems with my program without having my CNA though I was a little slow on patient care in the beginning. If it's not required to be a CNA for school and you don't plan on working part-time as one I would skip it.

There are some great videos you can watch. How about taking a refresher skills course?

You can challenge the test. You can also find a private training program that offers skills refreshers as well that are quite affordable. I've seen some for 65.-70. online.

I believe you really learn just the basic skills needed to pass the test and then become proficient at them when you began doing the hands on work.

Fast Track CNA companies are legit and can be utilized to pass your test if you are a self motivated go getter! Whether or not this program is a good one, I don't know. There are reputable fast track companies who have as good a pass rate as schools with longer classes. Ask him if you get a free refresher if you fail the test the first time.

East Carolina University, North Carolina

Virtual Vocations posts online nurse educator positions at times that require a MSN. I've seen some on there for BSN.

It's been five years since I was started nursing but I well remember how I felt starting in that Med-Surg unit. Good luck!

I well remember five years ago when I began my first year as a nurse on a Med-Surg unit with the patient ratio of 1:8. It was a frightening realization that I would be responsible for the care of these patients.

When the job posted says "experience required"...ignore it. Apply and obtain an interview. Although most people prefer to hire experienced nurses...that is not always the reality of what happens. They may get numerous experienced applicants who they feel don't meet other criteria. When I called for an interview on my current L&D job, the supervisor said she was not interested in training anyone but she would talk to me...I interviewed and was hired with 12 weeks orientation. Never hurts to apply and interview.

I just started in L&D but have two years med surg and two years in Hospice on an acute unit. Although I hated Med-Surg the experience was invaluable to me in gaining skills and assessment techniques that will last a lifetime. A lady was recently hired to my L&D unit who was a New Grad...she lasted about a month...it was too overwhelming and she went to Med-Surg. In this critical area, I think having some clinical experience under your belt would make you more comfortable if nothing else. One question you can ask yourself is would the benefit of working Med-Surg hinder or help your position as a L&D nurse. I can only think that learning to start IVs, put down NG tubes, become competent in basic skills, as well as manage diabetic patients among other diseases, care for post op patients, etc would only aid in giving you the skills and confidence needed to jump into L&D. That being said...if you jump into L&D and feel overwhelmed you can always go to Med-Surg...might be worth a shot!

I thought a lot of it was easy and then they would throw a whammy at you. I realized later that I had chosen the wrong answer on a few of them and I didn't know the medicare stuff at all. Who knows???? Hard to say how it will come out.

What med conversion charts are ya'll using? I've seen so many different ones...the ones our pharmacy uses is not what our medical director uses. Can someone send me theirs? I know they are all close but is there one specifically for the test?

I will be 45 this month and graduated from nursing school at age 42. I was old enough to appreciate the learning experience and I think age definitely helped me through school. It was hard as I am a single parent who then had two children at home. I would encourage you to be patient with your spouse and demonstrate to her your comittment to nursing school. You will need her support more than ever as this will be one of the hardest things you have ever done. I am now working on transfer classes and will start an RN-BSN bridge program in the Fall following up with a MSN and possibly a PHd (if I don't die of old age first)...Good luck in your endeavors!

A psych nurse is not only a nurse but a saint...

that and do a slooooooooooooow code...

I think LPNs are great! I have a few friends who are LPNs ...one who is a wonderful nurse who works for three agencies...she loves working in nursing homes (and by the way made more money than I did last year)! There is no reason to replace LPNs.

I am pretty sure you can give the 1/2 legally without a new order...but having to waste the 1/2 would be the hassle so I would give the 1/2, waste the other 1/2 at that time, then leave a note on the chart for the doc stating I would like an additional order for 1/2 (if these were prn's) in case I later needed the larger amount...I probably wouldn't call the doc for this (just leave the note) especially if it was the middle of the night.

What is the ethical implications of a physician who refuses a family's wishes for a Hospice referral and what is the nurse's responsibility.

Trust your gut also...if something seems wrong recheck it...if something doesn't make sense question it. Also, if and when you make a medication error own it quickly. Don't try to cover it up or let it slide...take responsibility and do what's necessary to make it right. Use that opportunity to learn and you will not likely make the same mistake again.

I have used absolutely nothing from my Chemistry class...I will be going to graduate school eventually so maybe Organic Chemistry will be useful at that point.

The similarity between a nurse and a cna lies in the fact that you are caring for another person's needs. A cna (in a fast paced hospital setting) normally spends more time with the patients and has opportunity for providing more emotional support. If you truly enjoy providing comfort and care to your patients then you will make a great nurse. I have found that many nurses think that when they get their license they will no longer be doing CNA duties and many nurses don't...I have worked on Med-Surg with nurses who would sit at the desk and let three of their lights go off rather than get up and go get their patient off a bed pan while their CNA ran around madly trying to meet needs. These are usually nurses who think CNA duties are beneath them and these are nurses whose patients lack in truly being cared for. I would never ask a CNA to do anything I wouldn't do and I would never sit while an overworked CNA tried to adequately care for the basic needs of my patients. Yes, as a nurse you will not be required to do as many CNA duties but as a GREAT nurse you will find yourselves helping your patients get all their needs met.

Two visits to each patient a week sounds odd to me. Visits should depend on the patient's needs, not a number requirement. Some patients need two visits and some may only need bimonthly visits.