phillystudentforlife

I was wondering if the Excelsior program has the 200 hour faculty-supervised option that will allow one to sit for the NI certification.

To Student200977: It's so crazy for me to read your post because it's almost as if I am going through so much of the same things as you. And I wonder if this is just what you have to go through as a nurse in the beginning, and if after a year of doing this, that it all clicks and you finally can empty your bladder more than once a shift, ya know. I hope that you can hang in there. Do you have some sort of program at your hospital where you can talk with other new grads, to see if they are going through the same thing? We do have that at my hospital, so I will see next time we meet up, if they are going through the same thing as well. Take care, and if you need someone to talk about your frustrations with, feel free to message me.

Hi! I'm a new grad, working on a busy med-surg floor. I've been on the floor during day shift to begin and will start on night shift soon. By the end of my orientation, I'll be expected to take care of 7 patients (and 8 or 9 some night shifts when someone calls out.) I really almost can't fathom taking care of 9 patients. Every week has had its challenges and successes. It gets so tough sometimes, but keep coming back because I do like the hospital and the floor and know that anytime I've started a new job in the past, it's always been so hard in the beginning. Also, the other nurses are doing it and they seem fine. But I'm still wondering how I will learn to do this -- take care of 7, 8 or even 9 patients on a busy night shift safely. My time management skills don't seem to be working so well. Any suggestions? This is so hard to do!

Some places in PA hire nursing students and you are hired on as a nursing extern. Then, after you graduate from nursing school and get your license, you can take part in a nursing internship or nurse residency program. You may also work as a graduate nurse after you graduate from nursing school and before you obtain your license. Also, around here, some hospitals have what they call a "two step" program where you work in telemetry or med surg and then transition to critical care areas such as ER or ICU.

Still, it never hurts to try. I was talking to someone who worked as a medic for an ambulance. He said that they did take volunteers and would provide training. So it is at least something to look into.

Hi! That's a big decision that you will want to thoroughly consider. To my knowledge, there are Holistic Nurse Practitioners. You would need to become a R.N. and then go on to pursue an advanced degree as an NP. I'm not sure if this is the only avenue. I'm currently looking into this career path. There was an article on a holistic N.P. on nurse.com . I would suggest weighing what you will be doing with each job, where you will be working, etc. There are a few chiropractic/massage therapy/nutritional counseling offices in my area. Maybe research the career outlooks of both. Are you an entrepreneurial person? Whatever you decide, I believe that if you are creative and flexible, you will find a way to practice whatever specialty you go into.

Hi. I am in a similar situation as you. I am getting ready to graduate in May and am also interested in holistic nursing. I'm looking into volunteering at one of the local hospitals. There is one in my area with a center of integrative medicine as well as another one in a wellness center. Also, I saw something on nurse.com about becoming a holistic N.P. You could try google searching it. Best wishes!

I think it depends on where you apply. In the Philadelphia area, some of the Center City hospitals prefer BSN RNs, but some hospitals will take you as an ADN/ASN if you sign an agreement to get your BSN within a certain amount of time. Also, if you work in the suburbs outside of the city of Philadelphia, it is much easier to get a job as an RN without your BSN.

Does MSO4 stand for Morphine sulfate, or magnesium sulfate? Thanks!

Hi Hiddencat, Just curious -- in regards to your post, which hospital isn't hiring ADN grads?

Hi. You are right. There are a number of opportunities for RNs with an associates degree. I met a couple CCP grads (who recently received their AAS degree in nursing) in my clinical and at the hospital where I volunteered -- both were in Philly. I did hear something about New York moving toward hiring BSN graduates only. Don't know if it will definitely happen though.

CCP's program is very good. Drexel's is very good as well from what I hear. I actually read somewhere that Drexel's NCLEX pass rate was nearly 100 %. I've talked to a student who was doing very well at Drexel and another one that had dropped out of the program because it was so intense. I think that the extra clinical experience you get from CCP is invaluable.

Also, can an RN find work with a chiropractor or with an OT?

Hi. I am a new nursing student and I'm exploring different specialty/career paths. Does anyone know if it is possible to work in a Physical Therapy office as an RN, or would it be possible to assist a PT as an RN?

Thanks for all your encouragement. I really appreciate it!