NewBeginning

Fun! Is it supposed to be a specific "skill" or a topic special to mental health. A few things come to mind: 1) Mental Health Nursing Assessment versus the good ole Head-To-Toe. 2) Obtaining informed consent for psychotropic drugs 3) Recognizing escalating patient behavior and interventions to use to de-escalate prior to acting out behaviors. 4) Seclusion / Restraint policies. 5) CPI techniques These are just a few that popped into my head that may be good, easy teaching projects. Good luck!

Have been thinking about all that started with ARMC in April. Hope that everything is working out nicely for you all!

Didn't they JUST hire and start training 20+ new grad nurses? I thought they hired to staff both facilities. What happens to all of those nurses with one of the two hospitals shutting its doors? Hopefully this all turns out well for everyone involved!

Oh wait, just went back and read whole thread.....how long was classroom orientation?

It does seem short. I started at a psych facility this week. The first 5 days was all new hire orientation (for nurses, receptionists, social workers, BHT's). Next week the nurses that were hired start nursing specific training. We will start 3-4 weeks of classroom training next week then several weeks of training on the unit. If you don't feel quite comfortable, ask for more time training. It couldn't hurt to ask. Worst case they say no....best case, they give you more time and you are able to continue your dream of being a psych nurse.

Congrats to all GCC Weekenders. I started that program in Jan 2011. If you have any general questions, please feel free to ask. I know there are a couple of us on here who would be happy to help in any way we can. We were fortunate enough to have some great allnurses.com folks answer our questions and give us lots of helpful advice. You'll be starting before you know it!

Congrats to the GCC Weekenders. I started that program in Jan of this year! It's a lot of work, but lots of fun as well.

OK, just started a nursing program last week. We were trying on gloves (non-sterile) to get a sense of what was needed for supplies for the semester. I grabbed an XL and with some effort, stuffed my hands inside. I would have preferred slightly looser, but whatever. I can deal. However, one of the clinical instructors watched my struggle with the gloves and raised concern about difficulties that may arise during sterile procedures and needing sterile gloves. She pulled out a size 9 and with a little effort, and the assistance of the nearest 3 people standing next to me, I was able to get my hands inside. Needless to say, had this been an actual procedure, I think the gloves would not have remained sterile but for a few miliseconds. The school is going to look to see if there are larger sizes they can order, but expressed not being able to in past situations. Now, I don't consider myself or my hands freakishly large in any context. Am only 6 foot tall. Surely there are others of you that have had some difficulty with glove sizes. Any advice? Brands that run loose, or in sizes larger than 9? I have searched on-line and 9 seems to be as large as many stores carry. Any 10's out there that can tell me where you/your school/your employer have purchased sterile gloves for the plus-sized hand?? Many thanks!

Has anyone received notification that they have been enrolled in classes yet? I know there is a payment deadline coming up this Fri. Am a little nervous I may have missed something. Thanks

Many congrats AZCodeBlue. Look forward to meeting you and getting this show on the road as well!

I received a note that orientation packets for the weekend program will be sent out towards the end of November. Wish it was sooner, but at least I know to not be watching the mail so closely until then!

I hear you on there not being a "perfect" time to start. We have a pretty busy family life as well, but only forsee it getting busier, so no time like the present to start nursing school. Oh, and actually, I am male. We have two daughters and my wife is in a relatively new career. It's going to be hectic until we get the pace down, but we have every confidence (almost) that we can make it work out.

Hey mom2twinz and layciem. I was accepted to the weekend program as well. Super excited after such a long wait. I live in the West Valley. Look forward to getting to know you better in the coming years! There is a slight chance I may have to use my one time deferral and start in Fall 2011. Hopefully that won't be the case!

Yes, sorry. Was April 9, 2009.

Yeah, just got placement in Glendale Weekend Day program. My timestamp was in April. Don't recall exact date and time since the application status screen is still down until 2:00. Congrats to all those receiving word today!