may8755

I am a Neuro nurse with almost 2 years experience. Recently, I applied to Vandy's dual CNM/FNP program but did not get accepted. My dream is to become a CNM/FNP to work with underserved populations, so I am planning on reapplying next year. Any advice on what I can do to strengthen my resume to become a stronger applicant? I have been trying to move to Women's health, but am unable to find a job in L&D because I don't have related experience. I would appreciate any advice/words of wisdom! :) Peace and Blessings, may8755

I am from TN and I have accepted a Nurse Resident position in the Adult Health Track. I start on July 6th, also. Hello everyone starting in July! Kris, like you I put Women's Health as my first choice, but they aren't offering any positions at this time thanks to the wonderful economy. :wink2: I hope to transfer after getting experience in Adult Health also. I can't wait to meet everyone and get started as a nurse! :-D

I am currently a BSN nursing student, set to graduate in May 2009. My plan is to work for a year in labor and delivery/women's health after I graduate, then start a dual program to be a Certified Nurse Midwife Family Nurse Practitioner in Fall of 2010. The program is a two year program. I would love more than anything to be able to do rural and international nursing and do something like Doctors Without Borders after I finish my Masters. With all of this in mind, would it be advisable to work for a year as an RN, then try to get into the Certified Nurse Midwife Family Nurse Practitioner program? Could I get into the program only having had a year experience as an RN? Any input you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

I have a friend who graduated Nursing School in May. She is working during the summer on a pediatrics floor. In the fall, she is set to start her Masters to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care. Her focus is on Hematology/Oncology. I didn't have a chance to ask her where she wants to work once she graduates from the Masters. I am guessing that it would be in a pediatric outpatient cancer clinic. I want to be a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner but work on a general Med Surg floor, as a hospitalist PNP. Is there anyone else who wants to do something like this, and if so, how are you going about planning which school and program is best? I have been searching for schools that accept students in the Fall if they graduated the Spring of the same year, and I have found a few. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I am currently in Nursing School, set to graduate in May 2009. Once I graduate, I would like to work for the summer and then start the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program in Fall of 2009, possibly at UT Knoxville or Vanderbilt. My dream place to work would be on a general pediatric med-surg floor in a Children's hospital rather than a clinic or a school. If I become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for Primary care, could I still work on a general Med Surg floor? I know I wouldn't be able to work in the PICU or Peds ER, but would I still be okay to work peds med surg? I am trying to get this all figured out so I can apply in a timely manner for the program that fits what I want to do. Any help would be greaaaaaatly appreciated. Thanks! ~Meira

I :redbeathe this thread. it makes my day to read it! :chuckle

I take pretty much the same thing every day to clinicals... On Sunday night, I make a big pot of Whole Wheat Pasta with vegetables. After it is done cooking, I portion the pasta into individual tupperware containers. Each night, when I am getting my stuff ready for the next day, I grab one of the containers and a piece of fruit and some raisins, or whatever I feel like putting in a lunch. While I do end up eating pasta with vegetables everyday for lunch, I do have some variety as far as what fruit I take. Its soooooo cheap, considering the box of whole wheat pasta is $0.78 from Walmart and I throw in a bag of steamed veggies. Very healthy, filling lunch! and don't forget the coffee! (this is what my clinical group looks like in the mornings -----> :smilecoffeeIlovecof the psych hospital we are in now so graciously gives us free coffee, all you can drink!)

Good luck with that! Let us know how it goes. remember, deep breaths! think of your happy place! :onbch:

Everytime I tell people that I am studying to be a nurse, the reply is always the same. "Oh, you are so much smarter than that! You should be a doctor!" :angryfire It infuriates me every time I hear it. Nurses do so much more than they get credit for, and I know nurses who are a lot smarter than some doctors. Just because nurses are not in school as long and don't get paid as much as doctors, DOES NOT mean we are not as smart. I happen to want to be a nurse because I love interacting with patients, who are human beings in need of someone to take care of them. Nurses get waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more interactions with the patients than the doctors do. Has anyone else been told the same thing?

Today in clinicals (Labor and Delivery) I tried to start an IV on a pregnant woman who was due for C Section a short while later due to her baby being breech. My clinical instructor was talking me through it the whole time and I wasn't nervous, but I had a ROLLING VEIN! Needless to say, I couldn't start the IV and my instructor had to take over and start one on the other arm. I almost cried. It was the first time I tried to start an IV on a real person (as opposed to the plastic arm in Lab). Has anyone ever been able to start an IV on a patient the first time they tried? I somehow feel like a failure because I hurt the patient for nothing. Does it get any easier?

I graduate in May 2009 also, and it does feel far away to me. I have to finish 3 more semesters of nursing school plus an Honors Thesis before graduation. I am in a BSN program, so I have already been in school 2.5 long years. Good luck to all the May 2009 graduation nursing students (and Nursing students everywhere in any stage of nursing school!!!!) :redpinkhe

I'll be 21 when I graduate in May 2009 from a BSN program, almost 22 since my birthday will be 3 weeks after graduation.

I am not a pediatric nurse yet, but I must say, this is VERY INSPIRATIONAL. All the things I have read are amazing. I am just starting nursing school, and I want to be a pediatric nurse. This gives me even more to look forward to! Thanks! dancing with excitement, may