Mercy83

my friend recently graduated and started working at alocal hospital about 6 weeks ago. She started at 20 bucks an hour. Thats pretty decent starting wage for Louisville. Cost of living here is pretty good.....not counting gas prices!!!!!! Can but a really nice home in 80 - 100,000 dollar range. My brother builds houses and I'm planning on doing that myself after graduation. Louisville is also a wide open market for anyone with entrpreneual spirit! Go CARDS!!!

Wow. Ya i think it's terrible. I'd be freaking out about it now if it weren't for prayer.....besides I'm already stressed enough. No point in getting upset over something I can't control. So is it Beshears budget that has caused me to lose my loan forgiveness?

Is that rate before passing NCLEX or after? I've heard from several people that they will recieve raises after passing the NCLEX. This stuff is so stressful, especially if they drop the loan forgiveness program. UGH!!!

Ok not to start a panic or anything but has anyone else heard that the Best In Care program that forgives 20% of loans per year for nurses in Ky is apparently running out of funds. I read in the paper yesterday that people taking out loans after June30th probably won't be able to be a part of the loan forgiveness program. I think it will also affect studnets that currently have loans with the student loan people. This includes students pursuing law and education degrees as well. I think it's terrible that legislators would cut the budget for a program like this. Most of the nursing students that I know have loans through the Best In Care Program because they were counting on that loan forgiveness! What do you guys think? Have you heard any updates?

To answer the posted question- I'm in class with people of all shapes, sizes, and cultures. We all have different lifestyles and beliefs. I myself am plus sized and wear 13-14 in pants and XL top. I have found no difficulty purchasing scrubs or uniforms. Every store I've gone to has offered plus size clothing at LEAST to 4X. I always check to see what sizes stores offer because I used to be much heavier. In class we are required to show skin during lab. However, I have never been required to show anything more than my abdomen, legs, back, and arms. The least amount of clothes I've worn to lab is a pair of shorts or thin capris ( for checking femoral pulse, etc), and a tank top that I roll up to expose my abdomen. The curtain is always closed. I was shy at first, but after a while I got comfortable with my lab partner and it became a breeze. Don't stress!! Good Luck

Yeah I'm definately doing the germ thing. I was recently at a cook-out and the guy who was cooking was sweating profusely. I stood there and watched him take his hand ( that was also cooking the food) and wipe the sweat off his bald head. I gagged immediately. And to make matters worse he poked the meat wtih his finger to see if it was done! OMG! And guess what.... he was a manager at KFC!!! LOL. Needless to say as much as I love BBQ.... I didn't eat that day.

As I mentioned in my previous post, a lot of the problem is just ignorance about what each profession encompasses. I'm still in school and every day it amazes me how much information I'm learning in nursing school. Even I, as an aspiring nurse, had absolutely no idea the depth of knowledge that I would be expected to master. My professors, who are all nurses of different educational levels, are some of the most knowledgeable and intelligent human beings I've ever met. And what's more, they have a passion for their craft! Listening to stories about their experinces in Maternity, Oncology, ICU, and a plethora of other areas has ignited a flame of excitement in my entire class. These people are amazing. I want to be a nurse now more than ever.

This question reminds me of the problem that many LPN's have in nursing. They deal with people constantly asking them why they didn't become RN's. I've also dealt with this and I'm still in nursing school. Quite honestly it is demeaning. But a lot of the reason people ask the question is because they have a lack of information. Few people outside of the healthcare industry actually know what nurses and doctors do. They have no idea that our focuses and goals are seperate and unique. People don't see that. They think of nurses as doctor's assistants instead of unique and integral necessities to healthcare. Doctors are definatley a huge piece of pt. care. But think about what life .....and health care would be like without nurses and the wholistic approach. Food for thought.

I probably do! THere aren't too many psych hospitals in the VILLE. GOOOOO CARDS!!!!!

Thank you so much BBF!! That's very helpful. I'm also glad to hear something positive about Uof L hospital. All I ever hear about it is how crowded it is. I'm definately concerned about pays ( I do have bills to pay!), but starting my nursing career with a solid foundation is my major concern. I'd love to get some ICU/CIVU experience. Maybe even peds. I really really appreciate the input.

What are the best hospitals for new nurses in regards to orientation and preceptorships? And what are the local hospitals offering GNs in pay and benefits?

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I work for a Psych hospital and we get a lot of patients from U of L. What kind of preceptorship or orientation does U of L have for new nurses?

Wow I'm so glad somebody else noticed! Im a student in Louisville and I've been tryin to get some info on local hospitals that's not coming from a nurse recruiter! I haven't found one KY nurse yet! This is amazing!

I am here to say that the instructor makes a huge difference!!! I took the first phase of A & P at a public university near Ohio. My instructors were so used to spitting out grades and weeding out students, I think they forgot we were humans just like they were. They offered no help except to say " There are some online videos on Blackboard". UGH!!! So needless to say I ended up with a C in that class. And I worked my butt off for that C! My second phase was taken at a private Christian University. My instructors were so helpful and informative! I went into class expecting to struggle and came out having learned tons! I am so proud of that A! I love teachers who want thier students to succeed!

I am here to say that the instructor makes a huge difference!!! I took the first phase of A & P at a public university near Ohio. My instructors were so used to spitting out grades and weeding put students, I think they forgot we were humans just like they were. They offered no help except to say " There are some online videos on Blackboard". UGH!!! So needless to say I ended up with a C in that class. And I worked my butt off for that C! My second phase was taken at a private Christian University. My instructors were so helpful and informative! I went into class expecting to struggle and came out having learned tons! I am so proud of that A! I love teachers who want thier students to succeed!