msleely

At this point I have decided to continue with the ACNP program. I am taking 2 classes in the Fall and they are universal to all of the NP programs. I will probably talk with the dean of the program when the semester begins to make a final decision. I am still on my TDA shift but debating on doing PRN. The great thing about the TDA shift is that I still qualify for tuition reimbursement which is $5200 for the year. The health benefits are not a big deal since my husband covers everything else. The only thing is PRN staffing is the first to be cancelled and if I switch I will really need the money to pay my tuition. So, I guess I'm still having issues, but I know something will work out. I appreciate all of the comments.

Thanks for the replies. My goal is to work with cardiac pts in a clinic setting and also round in the hospital. I would prefer not to be solely in the hospital but that option is not a bad idea either. I have started looking into 7a-7p positions with the hopes of still working some weekends but I am just so over working every weekend. TDA is a nice shift because I still get paid full time, benefits and tuition reimbursement but I don't want to do it any longer. I just don't want to make the wrong decision especially since I will be starting back to school after a year off.

Well, I will cut the story short but I was enrolled in an ACNP program and took about a year off (family issues). I reapplied and just found out today that I was accepted. I currently work on a cardiothoracic tele floor (basically PCU with 4-5 pts). CABG pts fresh out of ICU, thoractomy pts, and other tele overflow. I am not sure if I should continue the ACNP program or switch to FNP. I worked ICU as a new grad but only for 1 1/2 years. It has been 3 years since. I don't want to work in ICU as an NP but it seems like that is a factor with the ACNP degree. Please give me some insight. Also, I currently work TDA (Sat/Sun) nights. I am so ready to get off this shift because I have a 3 year old and I'm missing my weekend family time. I picked this shift because of my schooling but I just wanted to hear from RNs that work other shifts and able to maintain in school. I have 1 more core class and then will begin clinicals. Any suggestions about shifts....I don't mind working some weekends I'm just tired of working every weekend. Please Help. It will be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi, I was trying to get information on a telephonic case manager position. I had a phone interview with UHC and wanted to talk with someone who has worked in this position. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

As a recent grad(May 2007) I wanted to put in my 2 cents. I think that for some nursing school is hard because most of us have to continue to live regular lives(working, families) while in nursing school and it is so demanding. It is very time consuming. Even when you're not in class or in clinicals you still have tons of work to do. And the typing thing is good but for some of our papers we had to use at least 7-10 sources (credible sources) and there was a set of rules which made a source credible. You had to research journals, and organizations. (Just wait for the fun stuff). For some people some classes are easier. I dreaded pharmacology but had an enthusiast instructor and I performed very well but I had to study my butt off. And with nursing school some things are not the real nursing world...it's the real NCLEX world. I believe you will do great, but don't overload yourself. It can be a very rewarding and stressful process, and also you may be a good study buddy for someone so share the wealth of knowledge.

I live in Mckinney but I work at WNJ in Sherman. I graduated from UTA Spring 07 and I was use to clinicals at the bigger hospitals in Dallas, Ft. Worth and I really didn't know what to expect at WNJ. It is a small hospital but I like it. My co-workers are helpful and supportive. Most of the patients have lived there forever and they usually are very sweet. Large elderly population in the area. The drive is not bad because you don't have to worry about the Dallas traffic. It use to take me 2hrs for a 45 minute drive heading to Arlington. What area do you want to work in? Don't let the small town fool you...I am originally from New Orleans (21 years) and I love working out there. Sorry I can't say much about living out there.

I also had this problem. I was doing well initially with the Kaplan questions and then about a week before my test my scores got lower. I just took a day or two off from the questions and when I went back to it I just tried to focus and limit my distractions. It helped....but I think my main problem was when the number of questions increased. The more questions I had to answer the easier it was for me to lose interest and get distracted. I took my Nclex at the beginning of June and passed with 75 questions. Remember to take a minute when you need it. Sometimes you actually need a breather from the studying as hard as that may be. I think Kaplan's questions were great and I feel that if you can do well on those questions you will do well on your test, because some of those questions are very challenging. I hope this helps someone. Good luck and many prayers.

I took my NCLEX Monday and found out today I passed with 75 questions. I started feeling bad because I really didn't feel horrible when I left. I felt confident that I did well. I am always on this site and a lot of people talk about how they cried and felt miserable but for me I just was happy it was over. I will admit, I really wanted it to stop at 75 so when I got to number 75 I got a major headache and started feeling dizzy and then the screen went blank. I thought about it like this I know I hadn't done horrible to actually fail with 75 questions...I figured I would have been given a few more questions. By today, I started getting anxious, but still confident. I did a lot of Kaplan questions and a lot of the question trainer questions were difficult and I averaged about 68-71%. I would suggest like everyone else says lots of questions. I read Kaplan and some of Saunder's but I tried to focus on areas where I knew I needed a little work and just do a quick review of the others. I hope this will help someone

I took a Kaplan class a few weeks ago and this is what was told us. 1)First identify the topic (sometimes they give you all this information and you have to make sure to focus on what the question is asking) 2) Is validation required -assessments or implementations in the answer choices -do I need to assess more before I act or is there assessment info -any assessment info in the stem of question -if there are 3 implementations and 1 assessment in answer choices that may be a clue (not everytime but sometimes you made need additional assessment info) 3) Maslow: physical needs priority -if all answers are physical do not always use ABCs (ask yourself does ABCs makes sense given the topic) -do not always select respiratory answers 4) If all answers are physical or psychosocial determine the outcome of each answer (which is appropriate to the topic) what is the expected/best outcome I will tell you this information has been helpful for me. I have also run across questions were ABCs are an option but it doesn't go with what is going on. Also with the 3 implementations and 1 assessment I try to pay attention and make sure that I have adequate information or if I need more. The outcome is also a good technique. Sometimes all of the answers seem good but I'll think of what will come from each and what is most appropriate. I hope this helps you.

One of my instructors told us that cheese cube/slices are a good source of protein. She said to pack some with you and if you need a snack it is good brain food.

I was waitlisted at UTA and not accepted, but the next semester I was included into the new group and waitlisted again. A couple days before orientation I was called. I was only a semester behind of the semester I intially applied for. I will be graduating in May so if you really want it, a way will be made for you. I will tell you it was very difficult, and I was ready to give up many days. Stay positive and stay prayed up. Remember God's time is not always our time. Good luck!!!

I am graduating in May and I really wanted to do a CCU or Telemetry internship. There is one hospital that I truly wanted to work at and I interviewed but was not offered the job. I have interviewed at another hospital for a Telemetry internship position but there are only 2 spots. I am trying not to get discouraged but I really had my heart set on the first hospital. I really do not want to work on a Med-Surg floor but I will if I have to but I don't know what to do. At this point, I am almost out of options. I won't find out about the other position for about another week. I just need a little encouragement or any advice. Thanks

I will be graduating from a BSN program in May and I am so confused about what area to go into. I have always wanted to work in pediatrics, but when I did my critical care rotation in CCU I loved it. During my pediatric clinical we were very limited on what we could do and I didn't enjoy it as much as I did CCU (adults). I was able to spend one day in PICU and I did like it but I am so confused. For as long as I can remember I wanted to work with children and had plans of becoming an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner. Now I don't know how to decide. I will be applying for internship programs soon so I need to figure something out. If anyone has any suggestions please share.

My first choice was C. only because I was thinking of compartment syndrome. I did not pick A. because it makes no sense to put an icepack on a cast. Also, if pain medication was given and your patient is c/o pain worsening that indicates that something is wrong. Another way to think about it- would evelation of the arm really help if the pain meds didn't help....probably not. I know it would have made more sense if there was other assessment data. I will tell you I am at the end of my Senior I semester and I have realized that they like questions(like this) where none of the answers make enough sense given the information. You will encounter these type of questions a lot. I know they say calling the doctor is usually the last choice, but try to picture what is going on with your patient. I understand where you are coming from because I feel the same way after taking a test where none of the options are what I would have done. If some questions confuse you or don't make sense just try to rule out the things that wouldn't help the situation...sometimes this is easier if you know exactly why it won't help or what will end up happening with the patient. I hope this help, I have also read nursing books with tips for answering nursing style questions. It is better to be prepared for these type of questions, because most instructors already have a reason for why the question is valid.