srose

Hi, I'm a soon-to-be RN (graduating in 6 weeks!) in the US. I would like to work in England or Scotland someday...well, sooner than later, considering the results of yesterday's election. But that's another story... Anyway, I am planning to become ICU certified (CCRN) and chemo certified (ONS) within the next two years. I am wondering if these qualifications will be recognized at all within the UK nursing system...and if not, what sort of additional education/certification does a UK RN need to become an ICU or oncology nurse? Any help/advice/information is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Hi, I have a year left of nursing school, then after working for a year or so I'd like to get ICU certified and do some travelling. My dream is to live and work in the UK or Scotland. Does anyone know if the US ICU certification would qualify me to work ICU (ITU) in England or Scotland? Kaylesh, can you tell me the name of the agency or the way that you initially got set up in Scotland? You can PM me if you want. Thank you so much! Rose

I'm a nurse tech on an oncology floor at a university hospital, and I LOOOOOVE it! I've learned more there and from the nurses than I would have in just clinicals, and it makes my clinicals for school sooo much easier. Take the opportunity while you can!

Hmm...sounds like you are suffering from Acute Terminological Inexactitude. Definitely a serious condition.

I work on a bone marrow/stem cell transplant unit, where all of our patients are neutropenic. They shower every day, and are encouraged to walk the hall at least once a day. They don't wear masks or gowns in the halls unless they are on droplet or contact isolation to protect the other patients. Of course they usually cannot leave our unit. I remember learning in school and orientation that most infections they get are usually from their own flora anyway. What kind of unit is your patient on? On a general med-surg floor, I don't think I'd let her walk the halls. Ours is probably different since we follow standard and neutropenic precautions for the entire floor, air is hepa filtered, etc. Rose

Looks like I found this thread a little late... I'm also an American who would love to be able to work in England or Scotland at some point...just wondering if anyone knows how much experience is necessary before applying to a nursing agency in the UK?

They fit everyone differently, and they're also hand-made, so you may have to try on a few pairs to find ones that fit just right. But I've got two pairs now, one that I've had for over a year, and I LOVE them. I sort of justify spending the $100 by the fact that they don't wear out as fast as sneakers do so you won't have to replace them as often. The only problem I have with them is that they become a little uncomfortable if you are standing for long periods of time (hours) without walking around, but I dont' really picture myself 'just standing around' too much as a nurse!

I've also heard varying reports of how high points are each quarter, and I think that maybe if someone who is accepted turns it down, they just go right down the list, point-wise, so it's that would explain why the lowest points accepted for a particular class may differ from what our original acceptance letters said. I'm not sure how often Shoreline updates its webpage, but I do know that plans are in effect right now to update the Student Nursing Association webpage in the near future, so keep checking back for more info. Also, even though the minimum point score has increased each quarter for the past year or so, since it was so high for this quarter, I really don't think the minimum will get much higher, and may even go back down. But that's just my opinion!

i think that for the past few quarters at shoreline, the minimum points required to get in has gotten pretty high. i've heard that it's usually highest for fall quarter entry. i think the highest possible is somewhere around 136 or 140, and for my class the minimum may have been around 118. i was really surprised they'd get that high, but they had over 200 applicants. i like the system however because it's completely objective and you can calculate and project what your points may be before you apply, so you can figure out how many quarters of pre-reqs you have left, etc. some of the pre-reqs required are actually co-reqs, and could be taken while you're in the nursing program, but at this point you need to have them all completed at before starting in order to get the necessary points to get in. also, you get additional points for being a CNA or working in the medical field, so that might be something to look into. i was able to get an advisor at shoreline, who's an instructor in the nursing program, while i was completing pre-reqs, and she was really helpful with helping me determine when and in what order to take the classes i needed, as well as helping me through the application process. rose

hi tony! i'm not sure what stage you are in your search process, or how much you know about shoreline yet, so i don't know exactly what kind of info you're looking for, but i'll try to help. to start with, shoreline admits a new nursing class each fall, winter, and spring quarter, of 30 students. admission is based solely on a points basis, and points are determined by your grades in the pre-req classes and previous work experience. there is no wait-list...if you don't get in when you apply, you can just keep re-applying. the nursing program admission pamphlet tells you exactly how many points are awarded for each class and grade, so you can calculate your points and see how close you are to getting in. the program is full-time, takes 6 quarters, no classes during the summers. only day-time classes are offered in the nursing program, although most the pre-reqs have night classes. we start clinical experience right away, in the third week of the first quarter. i found out during my search process that seattle-area employers seem to really like shoreline grads, and often prefer them over other schools in the area, including some BSN programs. i'm only in my first quarter, but so far, i really like my instructors and the organization of the classes. all the instructors seem really committed to helping students succeed. i hope this info helps, please let me know if you have any questions or want more specific information! rose

I'm at Shoreline Community College in Seattle, so I can tell you about it if you want. I did lots of research into the other ADN programs in the Seattle area also, so maybe I can help you there too. Let me know on here or PM me if you want more info! Rose

MollyJ - I read that book too, and I loved it. My father uses it in a course he teaches on multiculturalism in counseling, and I really think that every healthcare student should read it. Just my two cents :)

I also take a prescription for my migraines, a sumatriptan. When I've gone to donate blood in the past, they say it's fine as long as I haven't taken it in the last 12 hours. Of course, now I'm barred for life from donating blood since I lived in England during the "mad cow disease" outbreak!

thanks everyone, for being so helpful!! i feel almost silly now, for wondering if i could really be supportive to women in labor if i'd never had a child myself, once i actually thought about all the men who are in nursing and all the different labor coaches that are probably out there! i think i'm going to hold off on the doula class for now...since i'm starting school in january i guess it wouldn't be feasible to be a full-time student and have clients as a doula.

Hi everyone! I'm kind of new around here...not yet a nurse or even a nursing student, but I've finished my pre-reqs and will be starting nursing school in January. I'm considering taking a training course at a midwifery school to become a doula. My question for you is two-fold...I've never had a child myself, so I'm wondering that would be a problem when trying to help laboring women, like if they wouldn't trust me enough since I'd never been through it myself? And also, is it unrealistic to think that I could be a doula occasionally while going to full-time nursing school? Should I take the course anyway? (The class costs $450 so it's a big decision!!) Any advice at all would be really helpful! Thanks!!