MaineEMT2RN

I wear Black Dansko's for everyday. I've had the same pair for three years now (still look great!) and can definitely tell you that they last and are very, very comfortable. Worth the money because I don't have to replace them. At clinical I wear a pair of white Dansko's, but at my job as a CNA in a hospital I wear MBT sneakers. Again, pricey, but for twelve straight hours of running my fanny off, you can't beat these.

Absolutely - but I can honestly tell you that as an EMT in the field I was totally unaware of the risk of cross contamination OR of the value in preventing it. It just isn't part of the culture. Not once in all of my EMS training was I educated about DRO's After reading about what you're doing, I'm thinking about pouncing on this with a letter to the state EMS board and offering to put together some training with the company DH and I work for. I can see great benefit from education and training in the EMS community.

Reading this thread reminded me that in my EMS training, the only discussion of infection control is in protecting yourself. I never had any training, or even awareness of my role until I began working in the hospital. In the field, the linens are changed, but it's seldom that stretchers get cleaned, equipment gets wiped down or that hands are even washed between patients. I'm sure pre-hospital is where many of these bugs are transferred from one pt to another and "hospital acquired" may really be PRE-hospital acquired. Disclosure of infection status as well as effective and mandatory training on infection control for ALL care providers is critical.

It was a very short time - a little less than a week. It wasn't any longer than that because I started working on the floor 1 week after graduation.

You definitely want to get those early homework assignments done. Seriously, you will be so glad that you tackled it ahead of time. The first few weeks have the most homework - it really lightens up a lot after that. You won't need scrubs until you start going on the floors. It will be a few weeks, so you've got some time. I didn't do a whole lot of note taking. Mostly just highlighted the key point in the book, did the workbook assignments, and the practice tests at the end of the chapters.

I was an EMT-B for a year before starting nursing school. It definitely gave me an advantage in terms of experience, but also gave me a nice income. Per diem EMS work can fit in nicely with an ever changing school schedule. Also, some hospitals look for EMT's to work as ED techs - a great way to get my favorite benefit: Tuition Assistance!

Dear Lord! Micro and chemistry at the same time? My worst nightmare! However, I know people who have done it and done well (and actually enjoyed it!), but I could never be one of them. I took micro last summer. It was the only class I took and it kicked my fanny! I got an A, but never could have if I had other classes to study for at the same time. CLEPping sociology sounds like a brilliant plan. Good luck!

I was in the group that began last March. Great program! I agree with the previous poster - the instructor is amazing! There is homework (workbook assignments to go along with the textbook chapters) that is time consuming, but not difficult. I worked 36 hrs/wk during the program and did well. I missed one question on my state test. One of the best things about the program is that HR works hard to take care of the new MMC CNA's. Everyone in my group who wanted to start working right away had a job waiting for them after graduation, and many of us are still there. Most of us worked as companions while we took the course so that we could spend some time on each of the floors to get an idea of where we would like to work - it really helped when it was time to apply. Good Luck!

There's also http://www.noodletools.com. Many colleges have a subscription for their students, so no cost to you to use if your school participates. Check with your school library to find out. Noodlebib is easy to use and offers many options. Also, for an online version of an operating manual, I would apply the format on "Nonperiodical documents on the internet" in APA 5. According to these rules, your citation looks good to me.

Regarding school organization, BeautifulDisaster does what I do. Have a system to manage all the paperwork (binders, dividers) and use it religiously EVERY day. Do your school work in one spot in your home so your things aren't likely to be spread all over. Use some sort of calendar system (I use iCal on my laptop and it syncs to my PDA so it's always with me and current) and literally schedule all important things and be specific (everything on your syllabus, study time, grocery shopping, housework, time with family, work - I even schedule sleep because I work weekend nights!). To keep life fairly sane, also schedule time to maintain your space. During break I do come monster cooking so I have a freezer full of meals that can be on the table quickly and without added trips to the store, and I also do some significant stocking up of basics (canned goods, frozen veggies, toilet paper, trash bags, etc.) to keep those extra trips to the store to a minimum. Who has time during the semester? Use this break to get your home really in order, get rid of all unnecessary stuff (we spend a ton of time maintaining useless stuff), and make sure you have everything you need ready and available and that everything has a place. Practice OHIO (only handle it once). If you pick something up, put it where it needs to go right then and there - never ever put anything down anyplace else. Is it trash? Is is a book from your bookshelf? Dirty dishes, laundry - OHIO applies to everything in your home (and your car :-). This one rule has made me appear quite organized to the unsuspecting eye. Little do they know.

I got this bag from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDPT54 It's a toolbag, which means that it's very durable, has tons of little pockets in side and out, and has a wide opening at the top so that I can see everything in there. I always keep my stethoscope, small spiral notebook, BP cuff, penlight, scissors, extra pens and sharpies, gum, hand sanitizer and lotion in there. On the day of clinicals I don't have to run around looking for the essentials. I also usually toss in some water, a little cash (just in case), and a snack. In my pockets I carry two clicky pens and my PDA (with drug guide, lab values, Tabers, etc). I don't use a clipboard, I just staple the papers I need together, fold them in half and keep them in my pocket. If I never set them down I can't lose them. Also, as soon as I get to the site, my stethoscope comes out of the bag and stays around my neck. As other posters have mentioned, they tend to get "lost" when not carefully supervised.

Palm TX with a memory card ! A great tool I use every day!

YEAH!!! You must be a great leader -- Congratulations! God Bless you and keep you and those who depend on you safe. From our FF family to yours :-)

We spent a fortune on 1st semester books as well, but I just got my books for second semester and the grand total was just over $200. Many of the books we got first semester are books that we'll use throughout, so there were only a few specialty books needed for next semester. I've always done really well with half.com and amazon. Never had any trouble and usually spend much less than at the bookstore.

TX with Skyscape's Nursing Constellation Plus. Worth every single penny. I use it every day at school, at clinical's, at work. I also use SuperMemo software - it's a great flashcard type of program. And I recommend getting the hard case. Trust me on this one! My case is dented but my TX is like new.