MiaKeaRN

Try http://www.chiapasproject.org

We also have people in our class who try to make everyone think that they are doing exceptional, but really aren't doing as well as they pretend. Not only was it going on in our nursing classes, but has carried over into summer courses with the same few people. Personally, I could care less what others get on their tests. If it makes them feel good to boast about their high grades, then so be it......they won't be signing my paycheck when I graduate and I just don't let them get under my skin.

If you don't have to buy the ATI books, then don't do it. There are a multitude of good NCLEX style books that you can purchase that have CD's with thousands of questions for practice. We HAD to purchase the ATI books and I don't think they're worth the $$$. In fact, the students have protested so much that they may be taking them off the "required" list. We'll still have to take the ATI tests during the semester, but we can use the books of our choice.

This is a great thread! I don't have much to contribute here, but I am learning so much from the detailed explanations. :flowersfo

If you like the idea of the medical field but do not want to do the hands-on type of stuff, why not look into medical transcription? I have worked from home for many, many, many years doing transcription/medical editing and have been able to be with my daughter every day (put her on the bus when she was in kindergarden....now I'm here with her when she gets home from highschool). It's the perfect career for anyone with small children. My background in medical transcription is what got me interested in nursing. I am now going into my 2nd year of an associates degree program. I don't think I will ever give up transcription, as that is where most of my work experience has been (I currently make more as a medical editor than I will as a graduate nurse)....but nursing was my life-long dream. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do. :icon_hug:

As a student, the last unit that I was on in a VERY BIG city hospital was filled with nurses and techs who spent a lot of time online (shopping at Target for Christmas gifts, playing games, pricing new cars, just to name a few). One patient's daughter walked to the desk because her mom's call light was being ignored and wanted to know why.....and then I guess caught a glimpse of the Target website up and visible for all to see. She didn't do anything at that time, but apparently she went all the way up the chain of command in the hospital....and eventually 2 nurses & 2 techs lost their jobs. I don't think they lost their jobs for just that particular occurrence, but they pulled logs of internet activity and tracked their time online. I am not a techie person so I don't know how this could have been tracked, but I do know that 4 people lost their job because when they should have been providing patient care they were surfing the web (with a lot of documentation logged on their internet use).

I will keep you in my prayers. Keep us posted, okay? Hugs to you. :icon_hug:

Hi there, I was an MT for 20+ years and am now pursuing a nursing career. I worked from home for 13 of those 20 years and made a very good income. Honestly, I will probably make about the same as a graduate nurse as I made as an MT/medical editor. I do not plan on giving up my current position, but when I graduate hope to work 2-3 days as an RN and 2-3 days from home as an MT. If you have a little patience when you first get into transcription, you will gradually build up speed and make good money. Most people give up after the first few months because they are not making 15.00 to 20.00/hour....but within a year or so, if you have good accounts & dictators, or at least are working on the same accounts, you can build up shortcuts & use word expansion programs and really kick some butt. It is honestly a wonderful way to make a living...in fact, many of my coworkers are wondering why in the world I would give up my comfy position to venture out into the "real" world. :chuckle Good luck!!

We just had a very similar conversation at clinicals with our instructor, and she said basically that if you go into psych nursing and later decide to go into another specialty it would be difficult....but that skills can be re-learned and for us not to shy away from applying for psych positions after graduation for fear that we could never be hired on another unit. Great topic!!

Just remember that you were a student and didn't roll out of bed one day and suddenly were a nurse. As a first year student, we have been limited with what we are allowed to do....and in my situation we were very intimidated by the nurses and aides on the last units we were on. Most of the time the nurses do not speak to us, treat us as if we are not welcome, and definitely don't go out of their way to want to teach or show us anything. I'm not a slacker, but I'm not paid to be an aide.....especially when the aides who are supposed to be on duty are sitting at the desk ordering stuff off the internet. I take care of my patients, provide excellent care within what I have been trained and authorized to do by my school & instructor, and I don't stand around with my hands in my pockets.....

Hi Everyone, My long-term goal is to become a hospice nurse, although as a student I know that goal is a long way off. I have heard from several nurses that I should probably go into a hospital setting for at least a year or two prior to applying to hospice. For the time being, while I am in nursing school, I have been offered a position as a PCT at a local hospice. I am so excited to have this opportunity and want to make the most of my time there. Both of my parents were cared for by hospice, and the outstanding & compassionate care that they received is what has made me want to pursue this specialty. I can't wait to get started.....hopefully orientation will be scheduled soon! Any words of wisdom for being on an inpatient hospice unit will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Your heart is in the right place. Trust me, I think we have all felt the same way at one time or another with school. Don't let it defeat you....keep your head high and your eye on the the light at the end of that tunnel! Hugs. :icon_hug:

Normal laboratory levels vary from facility to facility and 135 may not be a normal for the facility that this student is at.

We are allowed to review our tests, but are absolutely not allowed to write anything down. I don't think you did anything wrong, but this is the perfect example of why I don't share any of my notes with other students. You were being kind in offering your notes, and someone took your kindness and turned it around. I'm so sorry that they did this to you.....I don't know how much more you can appeal it since your instructor was in the room while you reviewed the tests.

I think that they would definitely consider you for a job either as a CNA or as a PCT. You have a strong background, just with some time lapsing since you last worked. Go for it!! Good luck.