snoozie64

I'm an RN and started in a busy (read hectic and stressful!) urology clinic that performed many invasive procedures. We did trans-rectal ultrasound biopsies of the prostate, cystoscopy, vasectomies, and various catheterizations (suprapubic, hypospadias, and "normal"!). Our patients were very sick and often dying from cancer. We often provided education on home care and various options for end of life care. It was challenging and humbling. Then I moved to a different state and became a float nurse for specialty clinics and it was a lot of phone calls, computer messages, and hardly any patient contact, other than indirectly. This kind of clinic nursing is way different and I don't like it as much as my first job. I feel like I'm more of an administrator than a nurse. So, to answer your questions, yes most clinics are community oriented in that the community accesses care through them. In some clinics, the MA will do most of the shots, assist with minor procedures, and room the patients. Other clinics, like pediatric clinics, the RN is more involved and medication administration and knowledge are important. The hours for clinic nursing are prime, usually days with no weekends or holidays and no on call. The pay scale for clinic nurses reflects the good working hours and clinic nurses typically make 5-10% LESS than hospital nurses. You probably will not use the skills you learn in school very much in the clinic. We do a lot of triage on the phone and medication refills. You can become board certified by the American Association of Ambulatory Care Nurses after 2 years of working in ambulatory care. It's a credential that validates the work we do in clinics and it shows you take the work seriously. I hope this helped you and good luck with the rest of school!

Pie in the sky, but maybe you should ask if the manager would provide you a good recommendation for another position within the same facility? One that works with your life balance better? I mean, a raise and a good performance review mean something, right? Plus I'm sure there are other positions available within the health system where you work. Break out of your comfort zone and explore some other options, like monkeelouise said.... What's the worse thing that could happen? you have to stay where you are?

Wow, sounds like fun, really! I am starting a new job in a hospital-based urology clinic and it seems very challenging to comprehend all the admin, assist with procedures, and patient teaching that gets done in a single day! Kudos to you for ALL you do! Seems like you manage to keep a positive attitude as well! I hope I can live up to all that.... :-)

I can already tell you all will fit right in.... My cohort was wonderfully diverse (we had a PhD going for her BSN!!!) with 13 men and we were similar in our ability to completely dissect and stress over every aspect of every assignment, test, and discussion (said with much love and fondness!!). It's also interesting to note that we had a great student who was waitlisted and came to us as we started--she's got a job at Vanderbilt in TN as part of their RN intern program! So even if you don't get in right now, there's still a chance!!! Good luck Duke ABSN Fall 2010 class hopefuls! :icon_hug:

Thanks so much for the holla!! It was a great ceremony and I'm so glad to be done..... but now I have to study for NCLEX and get my resume together and apply for all those "non-existent" new grad jobs.... It's still GREAT to have it in the rear view mirror Good luck to you ALL and it sounds like you will have a terrific cohort!

Hey there! I am getting ready to finish my schooling but not my learning. I've been on this forum for some time now; from pre-nursing, to student and finally, to graduate! I've read many a vent, article, blog about this treacherous time immediately following graduation. I am not intimidated or afraid; instead, I am mostly curious. Curious about what experienced nurses want and look for in their new team mates. I have witnessed first hand in my clinicals places I would not work if paid a million dollars! The cleanliness of a work space (and especially the break room!!!) says soooo much about how the folks who work there feel about each other and the job they do. On some units bad days are the norm and no amount of "new nurse exuberance" can change that. But most of my experiences have been good, even great in the case of my final clincal experience in the MICU at the VA where I would gladly work without pay.... until I needed to pay back my darn loans! What I have learned as a student is that many nurses want a competent, flexible, willing to learn, not too irritating (includes those too afraid to do anything without a committee to those who wade in blindfolded and make extra work for everyone!), (did I mention willing to learn?) and of course always willing to help member of the team. My inexperienced view from the bleachers is that we all (new nurses and experienced nurses) sometimes model less than desirable traits and end up fighting an uphill battle when we should all be pulling in the same direction--the one where patient care is the priority and personal graffiti is shed at the door. So, I was wondering if any of you with experience dealing with us new grads, (the good, the bad, and the ugly!) would mind sharing the problems we caused you and how you overcame our shortcomings to work with us anyway?! Who knows, maybe your words will spare another nurse the headache or maybe even keep a novice from antagonizing a perfectly nice charge nurse in the future! Thanks!

Well, you know, the job market here is not that great! There are so many new grads and few positions for us. Hopefully things will be better in the Spring. I know financial aid was a huge deal for me but after all is said and done, it was easy to pay for school up front-we'll see how repayment goes ! I made a mistake in my timeline-I applied in November of 2007, not 2008! I was finishing up Foundations and wondering how much harder it was going to get-wait til Spring! It was crazy for us! Hopefully you all will have a great, organized and relevant semester! Good luck!

Hey Duke ABSN hopefuls, GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL! It is an awesome program and worth all the agony of waiting to hear whether you've been accepted! I'm finishing on the 12th of December and it has been quite a ride! Challenging, difficult, and at times disheartening, but TOTALLY worth it all! And let me tell you that you will be uniquely prepared to enter the field of nursing! Please allow me to share what I learned during the application process: 1. For our cohort there were about 250 applicants for 72 seats. We began with 72 and are finishing with 68-not bad! 2. I applied online from WI in mid-November 2008; notified of interview days via snail mail and chose a phone interview day in mid-January. 3. Had my phone interview on 11 Jan (a Friday) and asked the question about the wait...... Received the best e-mail ever on Tuesday, Jan 15! 4. Moved to Durham and found the hard part was not applying and waiting to hear; it was adjusting to being a student in an ACCELERATED program! Having said all that, I totally remember being in your shoes! They will let you know about the interview before the Christmas holidays; probably around the time we are getting pinned. *You know who* has always been an amazing source of information and she continues to support you after the notification. Those who are not able to make Duke Days do not feel at a disadvantage--they really want students from different backgrounds and not just the good GPAs. Although it is obviously important to impart your commitment and ability to complete a difficult and challenging curriculum in very little time (it really IS accelerated!!!). It feels so good to get accepted and then the hard work really begins... Again, good luck to you all! Susan

Hey, About time slipping by.... I'm 44 and finishing an accelerated BSN program at Duke in Durham, NC. I already had whole 'nother career; successful, enjoyable, and totally NOT in health care! Go where your heart and mind direct you; the money is important but not nearly as important as what really gets you jazzed. Time passes regardless of what you do or don't do; make the most of what you're able to do. The debt is "good debt" like a mortgage and will increase your creditworthiness if you pay it faithfully and completely. It won't bite you unless you ignore it. Pay more than than the minimum (that's just my own dislike of being in debt, you can set up any amount to be paid automatically). The journey will be murky at times but in the end you will do more good for mankind than many ever dream of doing. Okay, that's totally cheesy but it rings true for those of us who are driven to enter this crazy and mostly rewarding profession...!

You are brave to post this comment so I thank you for opening the door.... What you are talking about here is known as sexual politics and it fosters competition based on attractiveness and not competence. This can be bad for you as well as the other women and men in your department. The beauty contest atmosphere (which may be totally subliminal) calls into question everyone's (nurses, doctors, and administrators) credibility to exercise good judgment. Do you provide better care to patients you deem more attractive? One would hope not, but if males are being nice to you because you're "relatively attractive" and that makes you feel you have an edge with them, then one wonders if that same attitude carries over into other areas. It is a gift to have healthy self-esteem; but don't let self-esteem become self-centered and egotistical--I'm not saying you are doing this, just be aware of it.

Having successfully navigated a 21-year military career where I was often the only female electronics technician in the division I can confidently report that I enjoy working with both men and women. My preference for work mates does not hinge on gender but instead on attitude. All of us have bad days (sometimes they last months or even years!), but I have found the best folks to work with and for are the ones who maintain a sense of humor (even if it's twisted) and understand that the only thing we are truly in control of is our attitude. I've seen many articles and posts on this forum about not pre-judging people or situations and assessing information as it's presented. Based on this philosophy, why not let each person make a case for your acceptance based on their actions and words, not their gender. The military is mostly male so obviously most of the people you come to dislike are men; conversely, nursing is mostly female so you will probably dislike more women. In addition to the prevalence of one gender in a profession, there is also a cultural influence that determines the workplace attitude. The perceived difference between the value of being a doctor and the value of being a nurse is powerful as well. Don't buy into the conventional wisdom that one gender is better to work with than the other; there are too many exceptions to that rule!

Thanks nursing-gyyyrl, I am going to the college bookstore today to see what the book actually looks like. Seems to me for $266 it should come with a tutor - My classes don't start until after the Martin Luther King Holiday, but I know many have already started so good luck to us all this semester!

My A&P course is also using the newest Saladin book. I have not purchased it yet, it's $266 and I have been unable to find it elsewhere. I got an excellent deal on my chemistry books and the two "optional" books for A&P through Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but I cannot find another source for the big book. I even went to the publishers website (McGraw Hill) and still could not find it! Would you mind posting the ISBN from the back of the book? Good luck this semester!

Hi all, The UW-O program is the one I am preparing for in May 08. I have six pre-reqs and a CNA certification to complete prior to beginning the program. I am going to apply in Sep 07 for this program. I am also applying at Duke University and possibly Columbia. Most of the pre-reqs for UW-O are required at each of these schools as well, along with physics and psychology courses. A year will pass whether I prepare for these schools or not, so I figure I might as well use the time wisely to pursue what has been a dream for over 20 years. The four months I have spent researching my options have been enlightening and empowering. They say knowledge is power, so go get powerful, tdaddysbug! The internet is the best place to start and these guys have been absolutely wonderful with sharing their knowledge! BTW, I love the "beating a dead horse" smilie, sunnyjohn.... You rock!

Mom to four and survived a layoff? You don't give yourself enough credit! Obviously you're much tougher than you think! Take what you're comfortable with and don't be afraid to test the waters. I believe you will find the years between school have made you a better, more focused student who's ready to achieve whatever you set your mind to, with gusto! Good luck and keep a positive attitude! Susan