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...

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 abo...

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 ...

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 y...

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 lo...

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 i...

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 wo...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 boo...

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...

Yippee!! I just got my first Christmas Card today! Thanks Celicastrtrcr! It's now officially Christmastime!

I use my PDA all the time. I have Skyscape's Nursing Constellation Plus - it has Taber's, Davis' Drug Guide, RN Notes, Diseases & Disorders, Davis' Lab reference and a bunch of other's that I use less frequently. Seriously, I use mine many times...

Get a tutor. A student who's a semester or two ahead of you who aced this class and understands how to prepare. You've already spent $1200 on this class - don't waste it! Protect that investment of time and money. PS - you may find that you are in...

I work two 12 hour shifts a week as a CNA in a hospital that's 30 minutes away. That's the minimum required to maintain health insurance benefits and that's critical for us because it's not available through my husband's job. With 24 weekend overnig...

When people are overwhelmed, sometimes it's important to remember how to eat an elephant. One bite at a time. Look at what needs to be done taking into account what ways you need to receive the info you need to know and break it down into steps. Focu...

I like Shout with Resolve for stains - Something really tough like blood I would rinse in cold, spray, and then scrub well with a toothbrush. So far, it's never let me down. I'm frugal, but I wouldn't wear white pants with any remaining signs of a...

I'm in my first semester of NS. I'm in my late 40's and there are quite a few other students in my class my age or older. I feel like I fit in well, and life experience makes me a much better student that I was the first time I went to college. Don...

In our facility, if the sitter is a CNA they wear scrubs because they are able to perform that patient care role for that patient as needed while they are their sitter. Other people who are sitters, but not CNA's, usually wear nice street clothes (n...

My advice? Budget. 1) Financially - eliminate everything extra. Learn to do without. Cook from scratch and do it in bulk. Look at every expense you've had in the last year and eliminate everything that you can. Be brutal. Consider the cost ...

I have a TX that I bought for school. I have Skyscape's Nursing Constellation Plus and I think it's well worth every penny. I use it constantly. I always have it in my pocket at clinical and use it often to look up dx, meds, terms I'm not familiar...