MSJ2007

While I can't tell you how the work environment is, my Mom suffered a CVA a couple of years ago and was hospitalized there. We had no complaints about the care, and the nurses seemed to be available and happy to help for the most part. Hope this helps.

I have a Littman 3000 and love it. I have some hearing loss, so I need the amplification. The post above that says it doesn't hang well around the neck is not true for me. I wear mine around my neck easily, although it is slightly heavier than other stethoscopes. Hope this helps.

I am deaf in one ear (born that way) and have struggled at times to hear what's being said. I cannot locate where sounds are coming from, and people who talk softly are very difficult to hear. Point is, after many years of dealing with this, I just frankly tell people that I'm hard of hearing and they'll have to speak up. No one laughs or acts awkward--mostly they are just happy to help. I graduate this summer, so I'm conscious about where I will work. I'm a little concerned with specialties like ER where there is potential for shouting or chaos. BTW, I own an electronic stethoscope. That makes my life so much easier. You might try one if you haven't already.

I'm not too concerned about the variations in pay across the country. I'd just like to know if RNs in the OR make less to start that do RNs who start out on a Med Surg floor or ICU. Does anyone have the answer? Thanks!

I moved from Grand Rapids a year ago with my dh for his new job. I miss the area and our family and friends are there, but we're enjoying Cincinnati too. Grand Rapids gets a fair amount of snow, maybe slightly more than some areas of Michigan due to lake effect snow. The area can be conservative--a high population of Christian Reformed (Dutch) and Catholic (Polish). Of course, being the second largest metro area in Michigan, the diversity is increasing. There are many great areas in Grand Rapids. I was on the SW side in Grandville, and that area and southern parts of Grand Rapids are nice, as well as areas north of town. Not too bad on the far east side either! Good luck to you!

Sure hope someone sees this soon! Thanks for your work setting up the chat room, Lyz. Great idea.

I'd say go straight for the MSN. Here in Cincinnati, Xavier University has an accelerated direct entry nursing MSN that is completed in 5 semesters. I'm assuming the MSN program you are referring to can be completed in a reasonably similar timeframe. Why go to school for a BSN that might take 3 or 4 semesters, just to turn around in a couple of years and spend another 3 or 4 semesters completing your MSN? Skip a step I say. Good Luck!

i'm right there with you ruby vee. i contracted hpv when i was 18...one of the first things i did as an "adult." when i was 29, i had cervical displasia, cin ii, and iii. it scared me! i had been to the doc's office the year before on schedule, and all was well. message here: don't miss an exam!! i just worry that young girls will perceive gardasil as a reason not to get their annual paps.

Great Link! Thanks!

So the Discovery channel-type shows are fairly realistic? I was wondering if the "real life" shows were in fact close to accurate. In particular, are the surgery scenes shortened so much that they no longer represent an actual procedure?

I will be starting the nursing program in May, and I wonder if other students or nurses can tell me if they enjoy watching medical and surgical shows or not? I love watching them all! Will I grow to dislike them once clinicals start or after I become a nurse? What was your experience? Thanks for the input!

I just received my Financial Aid Award letter from my college. I am enrolled in an MN program (similar to a 2nd degree BSN), and I'm shocked that I am eligible for subsidized loans. My husband makes good money, and I work part-time in a retail environment. I earned very little last year. Loans appears to be based more on the student's income, not the spouse, at least in my case. Has anyone else experienced this? Does Masters vs. Bachelors make a difference?

I took the Sociology CLEP last year. I bought a study guide/book with CD. The book contained 3 practice tests. The book contained about 80 pages of reading. I read the book twice, and studied with the tests until I felt comfortable. The whole process took about 3 to 4 weeks. I passed easily. I would suggest giving it a try. Good Luck!

Fundamentals of Nursing -- Potter and Perry 6th edition ISBN: 0323031587 ISBN-13: 9780323031585 Title: Nursing Skills Online for Fundamentals of Nursing (User Guide, Access Code and Textbook Package) Qty: 1 Price: $115.00 Total Price: $115.00 Make sure you get the online Nursing Skills Online too. It's required. www.elsevier.com Hope this helps. I noticed that our schedules are posted online, but I haven't received the registration in the mail yet.

DoveNoir, Just curious where you got the list. A previous student? I contacted MSJ directly and was able to get the to commit to one book that we will need to purchase. Thanks!