SummerC

I agree with the post above. We are going 'baby friendly' which during the process, is hard. Of course with any change, you will find resistance. We can wait up to 48 hours to feed a baby until we have milk, which is hard to do for a screaming full term baby. On the plus note, we have donor breastmilk which surprisingly, a lot of families are open to. It is only temporary if a mom wants it used until her supply increases. And those babies who can't have mom's milk (i.e. substance abusing), the baby can have breastmilk right from the start, which is very beneficial for babies who need the immunity boost. We also have to pay for formula now, which has significantly reduced the amount and types of ready to feed formula we stock. Also, we have an order for oral colostrum care for infants who are NPO, less than Lastly, kangaroo care is encouraged to be done once a day, if possible (most of the time not depending on baby's instability or mom/dad's schedule). These are the big initiatives that we have been implementing. I am sure there are more. Hope this helps.

I agree with Baby ER. It is written by a man who had his baby in the NICU I work at. His baby was pretty healthy, there for a short period of time. But he went back later and observed doctors, nurses, infants, deliveries, families, etc... All to get the different perspectives from the various people involved with the NICU. It is interesting how dated it is, like Darynash said. But for me it is interesting since I work at the NICU it is written about, and boy does Edward Humes nail the personalities of our doctors and nurses that are still here.

With our system, we have two ways of doing it with our tubing: 1) The medication is The medline is approx .5ml (0.4ml + tubing to the IV is 0.1ml). So we push the med through and apply a 0.5ml flush onto the med-line. The 0.5ml flush is then placed on the smart pump over 15-30 minutes. We just do volume over time since 'normal saline flush' is not an option, so it is entered in as .5ml over 30 minutes. 2) The medication is >0.5ml and given 15-30 minutes The medline is approx .5ml (0.4ml + tubing to the IV is 0.1ml). Since the medication is > the distance of med-line and tubing, we have to use another microbore. We attach medication + 2nd microbore and push it through till med hits the tip. Then we attach med + 2nd microbore filled with med to the medline and push the med (usually will be about .2ml left in syringe) so that the medline + 2nd microbore are filled with med and flush. And then attach a 1ml flush to 2nd microbore and put the flush on the syringe pump over 15-30 minutes. 3) Medication such as Vanco (in a 5cc syringe) drawn up at for example 2.2ml. We put that med on the pump (attached to the med-line) and run 2.2ml over 1 hr, and then attach a flush (0.5ml) in the same syringe size (5ml syringe size) on the pump and run it at the same rate (2.2ml in 1 hr) so the flush runs in at the same rate as the med. It is important that when you do it this way you use the same syringe size as the medication drawn up, since the smart pumps read the syringe sizes. This was so confusing to our nurses when we started this in March, but we have guidelines next to every bed-spot reminding us of the proper way to do this. What a headache at first but it made sense after a few times of doing it. Hope this gives you an idea what my unit does :)

We use Sweet-ease for brief procedures (lab draw/IV start) lasting less than a few minutes long. I think we have to use it within 1 minute before the procedure. Also have to document it as a pain intervention, pain score, and follow up pain score after the fact. Personally I do not use them with infants who have suspected abdominal issue/NEC/etc. Others say it 'absorbs into the subglossal membranes only' but I don't really want to take the risk. To each their own I suppose. Sweet-ease are not to be used for a crying/fussy infant.... Although sometimes I wish it was allowed for those term/NPO babies, but don't we all?

I am pretty new to the NICU scene so I do not know what other NICUs look like, but we have a couple private rooms we use primarily for isolation and bereavement. But who knows, this might be a standard everywhere else! :)

I just got hired with them and was oriented with about 70 other new grads. From what I've heard, there is a hiring freeze for new grad positions at LBMMC too. We are lucky we all got in while we had the chance. However the next batch of new grads (June), may not have as much luck. The economy is effecting the nursing industry. New grad programs are expensive and time consuming for hospital units, they make the most money hiring experienced RNs who need a couple weeks of orientation, not a few months. So I would contact HR if I were you, since the most recent new grad batch just started. Good luck

Yes the first semester was HELL with pathophys and pharm. I promise the program will get better once all the pieces start fitting and things start to make sense. It all seems like a mess and its hard to put two and two together, but once you are in the 2nd semester or halfway through that, it all finally clicks and you are like, AHH i get it now. The patient education is just where you develop a plan to teach like discharge instructions or teaching about signs of infection or diet changes or anything that can apply to your patients. We didn't have to do a teaching plan until our OB semester, so we taught about breast feeding, bathing the baby, how to change a diaper, problems to report to the dr, etc. So I'm assuming you'll just be teaching to your patients based on their statuses. 2nd semester med-surg is similar to 1st semester, but a little more in depth so just imagine the patients you have now, but you'll take more responsibility on. I'd say start reading the two books that talk about diseases/education/care plans, written by Ignactivicus or something. I swore by that book in 2nd semester (and 3rd semester also) because it helps connect co-morbidities, basic pathophys, drugs, and careplans... And although the stipend you get from LBMMC is partially taken out in taxes, you get alot back in April for tax refunds.

Capstone classes are just 'general education' classes which are different from your nursing classes. ALL CSULB students wanting a bachelors have to take these 'elective classes'.. There is a long list of classes which fall under the capstone category which complete this section, and you can pick what you want.. They range from like geography, parenting, human sexuality, study of comic books, health care administration, etc.. So you can see how diverse the range of capstone classes you can pick from.. http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/registration/ge_courses/special.html that has the list of them. Capstone classes require a minimum amount of pages written in that semester (usually like 10-15) so it would be good to get these elective classes out of the way so you wont be writin these papers in nursing school when you should be doing careplans!

When I applied, I was applying for the Spring semester of nursing school, but decided to apply for the university to start in the Fall. I was set on CSULB so I only applied here for when I transferred. Although I wasn't in the program yet, I took mandatory "capstone" classes which you need to graduate and one nursing pre-req.. I applied that Fall for the Spring semester and I got in. So I kinda put all my eggs in one basket and got lucky. If you feel confident about your grades and TEAS test, I would recommend doing that to get the three mandatory capstone classes out of the way while you can and not worry about them later or having to apply for admission for Spring (I know that they are not taking any students in the middle of the school year because they admitted too many students, but I'm sure if you got into the nursing program they would let you into the university).. Just my advice! :)

I think you start after you finish the NCLEX, which is like a month or two after graduation. We graduate Dec 19th but I dont think we take the NCLEX until late Feb. Depends on which semester you graduate...

Well it all depends... On where you live, if you are working, if you already have supplies (stethescope, blood pressure cuff, etc)... The books, uniform, supplies the first semester cost the most, so there isn't much left with the stipend.. But the other semesters I think there is a good amount left. But it is definately not for rent or anything else, as it won't cover much, but maybe a trip to the grocery store from what's left over lol. Soo I don't know your situation but it's not going to keep you out of debt, but it will help take the edge off the financial burdern of nursing school. Hope that makes sense

I dont think so. I think maybe 25 in my semester group have signed the contract. But LBMMC lets ALL trimester students do their clinicals there, so there are a ton of students doing clinicals, regardless if they signed the contract or not.

Since I am contracted with LBMMC, I get a 'stipend' for each semester to cover books/tuition/etc.. It is $3500 a semster, WITH taxes taken out. So yeah. But I do owe them two years of my time when I graduate so that is the other part.

I am in the trimester program, which I am so happy with. If you are in the trimester, you are done in 2 years (have to take summer school) versus 3 years (basic program doesn't have to take summer school). If you are in the trimester, most of your clinicals will be at Long Beach Memorial (since they have a lil aggreement for the trimester students) and if you are in the basic program, you have clinicals all over (which I hear is good since you get to experience many diff hospitals). Since I did most of my hospital clinicals at LBMMC, we had clinical teachers who are employed through LBMMC and CSULB so they know the facility well and actually have their offices at the hospital. I LOVED every one of my clinical teachers at LBMMC. The schedule is hard at the beginning but gets easier towards the end. You should have room to fit in a GE each semester, depending on how much stress you can take :) I would recommend doing the CNA thing during school, because it helps you get experience with basic care and stuff. My friend did it starting her 4th semester and she enjoys it alot.. I think the first three semesters it would be hard to have a job, but after that it gets a lil easier.

I am in the program right now, finishing my last semester. I love the program here. There are awesome clinical and lecture teachers, with a few duds, but that's always expected. The school partners with Long Beach Memorial and other hospitals in the area. If you want, you can sign a contract with Long Beach Memorial so that they pay your tuition/books and you can work for them two years after. It is what I did and I am very happy with my decision, as working there for two years right after graduation will be a good transition. Let me know if you want any specifics!

I had a TEAS test of 86 overall and like 92 in math (since they count the teas twice, once for the average and once for the math score).. Had A's and B's in my sciences, A's in all other classes (english, math, communication, etc), and I had Biochem in progress (5 units).. I got accepted first try. Just remember, it all depends on the other applicants at the time.. If everyone else applying then has decent grades then your scoring will compare to theirs. Any more questions just ask...!

Wow great story..! I am still a student precepting in L&D right now, but I want to know how do you set up the sterile field, start an IV, get the bed ready, grab extra hands, etc in like 10 minutes... Or do you just deliver?? Ahhh sounds like an adrenaline rush!

From what I understand of the 'good samaritan rule' is that you don't have to stop, but if you do, you are then obligated.

If there is a window on the door I would just write my assessment info on a paper towel and tape it to the window so I can see it from the other side, then just take it down next time I went in.

I agree with the above poster. The practice ones always seem to be MUCH harder. But that doesn't mean study less. Definately review the book and topics you aren't too hot in (look at the practice pdf files that say what areas you miss questions in).. Good luck!

My school requires each student to take ALL of the ATI tests each semester. So far I've done med surg, mental health, fundamentals, peds, womens health, community health.. And this last semester I have to do leadership, pharm, and the 'predictor test.' Our school requires you to pass the test, or you have to do like a remediation test.. But if you fail the ATI initially, I think you can still pass the class if your grade is still decent. I understand the importance of this program, but we all had to pay like 250 bucks for the books and cds and to get a testing code.. Seriously nursing school is expensive enough... And I kind of feel like the administrators are making us do this so our pass rates are very high, just to look good.. I dunno. Oh well.. One more semester left...!

Me too! My pinning ceremony is Dec 19! Our last semester we have to take leadership, nursing research, preceptor clinical, and a lecture in the area our preceptorship is in.. So that means I have maternal-child lecture since my preceptorship is hopefully in L&D. What is this Suzanne's plan I keep reading about? I can use all the help I can get to prepare for boards!

Myself and many of my good friends have signed at the hospital which is paired up with my school. We got to choose if we wanted the tuition reimbursement anytime before the end of the first semester was over, that way we all could get a feel for the hospital. The hospital contracts us to work for 2 years after, because they are paying us for our two years of school (six semesters in two years). Each semester we get a check for 3500 (21000 total) and a lot is taken out in taxes, but hell, the tax refund in April was quite nice :). I have found that a lot of new grads who didn't contract ended up at this hospital anyways. Also, check if that hospital has a new grad program. Apparently this hospital has a great program for those who contracted and they make the transition pretty stress free and easy for the first few months. I think it is definately something to consider if you like the hospital (and see yourself there anyways) and could use some extra bucks for school. Hope this helps.

Ah, giving the clinical professors is much fun. Somehow I am always in charge of the gifts. :) One semester a big group of us had the same critical care teacher and the same psych teacher so we all did an end of the year gift together. (always a good idea to collect money from everyone to split the cost, we always had like 10 students at 10 bucks each = $100ish for each instructor) One teacher loves starbucks so we got one of those clear mugs you can put pictures in.. We made a collage of pictures of our group and the teacher during the semester and decorated it with nursing stationary (from Michaels) and then inside the cup we put tissue paper and the remaining money as a gift card to starbucks and a nice letter. The other teacher we made a personalized album. We bought it from Michaels and we took a picture of each student.. There was a page for each student's picture and an area for a note to write to the teacher about what you loved most, a memory, etc. It was put together really well with stationary paper and a blank album thing. Now those were sentimental.. For my OB teacher we went a little more on the funny side.. We got a picture of her posing (we told her to do a super hero pose, but not exactly what for) and put it on a personalized plaque from a trophy store. And below it they engraved.. "Rachael M., RN, BSN, End of the year APGAR: Appearance: 2 Personality: 2 Guidance: 2 Awesomeness: 2 Rachaelness: 2 Total APGAR: 10" Soo I totally just went gung ho on this reply. Just be creative and use your instructor's personality.. And most importantly, let them know how much you appreciate them! Summer

Hello there! I finished my OB rotation in May and I loved it! As students we weren't able to do vag exams, but we were able to do the head to toe assessment, fundus checks, etc. However, I talked to one of the students in the preceptorship/6th semester clinical in OB, and she said we do get to vag checks with our preceptor. I picked OB as my #1 choice for my preceptorship so I will probably get to try it! Hope this helps. Summer