madampomfrey

Hi everyone! I just passed boards and started working in a Peds CVICU. The majority of our patients are infants so I have found that my new Littmann stethoscope is way to big for this teeny babies but a new chest piece is nearly as pricey as a totally new stethoscope. Does anyone have any advice on a good neonate stethoscope thats not extremely expensive? Thanks for any advice you can provide~Madampomfrey

Hi everyone! I just graduated and have accepted a position in a Peds CVICU. I started yesterday and found out today that I passed boards. I am super excited but very nervous because there is still tons to learn. I wish you all the best as Peds nurses!

I too am currently debating this. I just graduated nursing school and my sister gave me a voucher for the stethoscope of my choice for grad. I have been told that the Littman Cardiology III was the way to go but I went to the store and think I hear heart sounds the same in it and the classic II. The classic II is very lightweight and I like that. But I will be working in ICU so I'm unsure if this is really the best way to go. I don't want buyer's remorse. Suggestions?

KentuckyRN2Be, I also did a full semester of Health promotion but I also go to a Kentucky school. I know that seems boring but it is helpful and makes sense in the long run. To answer intensity_too: I am in my final semester so we are currently covering ventilators, respiratory failure, resumes and cover letters.

I know that several hospitals have this option, I for one chose not to take it. A coworker of mine has a contract but the problem with this is that she had to sign it before starting classes and clinicals. She ended up hating the facility and is in the process of finding out if our hospital will buy out her contract even though they do not do contracts they do loan repayments. I am planning on having a facility repay my loans for me. I am glad that I did not sign a contract since my interests have changed which changes the hospital that I want to work at. I do believe that contracts are a good thing but make sure that you like the facility and know everything that they have to offer and compare to other facilities. Know the contract inside and out.

I too am graduating in december and can't wait!! This semester I'll be taking public health nursing class and clinical, professional issues, high acuity, and my practicum (120 hours with preceptor), so I will be doing 14 hours this semester.

My school requires a 3.0. When I applied I had a 3.4 and was made an alternate but guaranteed a spot next time around but by then I had a 3.6. The good thing is that once you get in your GPA doesnt matter. People who came in with 4.0s haven't done well and others like me that originally fell below the bar have excelled. I think this is why my school is considering changing some of their admission requirements because they currently look basically at just GPA and science grades.

I think it depends on your program. I am going into my 4th semester and I have a 4.0 as far as nursing classes go. I actually have done better in nursing school than I did in my prereqs.

You know you are in nursing school when you begin to practice therapeutic communication with your roommates right after having a long discussion about their bodily functions all while eating

TNMommy, I am in the BSN program in WKU school of nursing (it includes the ADN program at the community college and the BSN and MSN programs on the main campus). They don't give priority to Kentucky residents (I am also from TN). But they are hard to get into and I have heard that the ADN program requires experience as CNA but I believe this is a rumor (the BSN program does not). I love WKU's nursing and it is worth the struggle. If you have any questions I have answers! (or will try to get them) ~Madampomfrey

I am currently taking an ob/peds class. We are doing it like option 2. We meet for 4.5 hours once a week. The first 2 hours are ob then we have a 30 minute break followed by 2 hourse of peds. I like this because listening on one subject for 4 hours can be difficult. We also have biterm clinicals. So have the class is in peds clinical while the other half is in ob clinical. So, splitting up time works best for us.

I have to agree with CRNASOMEDAY25. St. Francis' is the best. I currently work there as a tech and I did work at Baptist. I found many of the nurses at Baptist rude and they didnt care about explaining things to me or teaching me anything. The nurses at St. Francis are always thankful for anything you do and they always want to teach you. They often come find me whenever there is something interesting to observe or do. I currently go to school out of state but I am making the very long drive once or twice a month just to go home and work at St. Francis for the weekend. I'm sure the other hospitals are good and some people do have good experiences at baptist but I definitely prefer St. Francis and they also pay me more as a tech than Baptist did.

I just started Pharmacology this week and I am already overwhelmed and felling doomed. :trout: Could someone please give me some tips on how to study for pharm or on some resources or study guides that may be helpful? I have tried to do the reading but it all seems to be over my head and everyone else seems to be freaking out and just as clueless as me. Any advice would be great. Thanx.

I would start at a hospital you like or think you might like to work at and contact their nursing recruiters. You may want to do this at several hospitals and see what they have to offer you. Be picky!

I agree with Swtooth. Buy a cheap one or see if you can just borrow someone elses. I have only used mine a handful of times (mainly just when we were learning vitals) so I wish I hadn't spent the money on one and just borrowed from someone else. ~madampomfrey

I just finished my first semester so my hardest class so far has been Fundamentals. To tell you the truth I am not a study all along person. I know its bad but I do better when I cram. I prepare to cram ahead of time by making my note cards as I go but I wont study them until about 3 days before the exam. so I maybe studied an hour and a half a day between all my classes but when I had a test I could easily study 10+ hours. This works for me and I pulled off all A's but this does not work for everyone. I think it only worked for me because of my learning style and I didn't have any other responsibilities to make the cramming impossible. I know that many of my friends would study 2 hours a day and then 6-8 hours on weekends. So it really depends on your own personal study habits and learning style. Good luck!

I am currently a tech at Baptist and another memphis area hospital. At baptist I make 11 something and then differentials. I currently get paid a good bit more at the other hospital (St. Francis) but that is only until I finish this next semester. (many of the Techs I work with work at more than one hospital). To be a tech you only have to have finished your fundamentals course. I have only been doing it a week but so far so good. A lot of the nurses really take you under their wings and want to show you everything. And the schedule is great. Good luck. I highly recommend it.

Thank you for the test name. But perhaps I was misunderstood or I mispoke. I am looking for information in the form of resources on these two conditions. We have done a lot of research but the sources are often very vague or specific to a particular cause so I was just wondering if anyone knows of any source which may have more in depth information than most. Thanks.

I have a twin sister who has vasculitis. She recently began to develop tingling in her feet and her doctor said this may be neuropathy and be a sign that her vasculitis has become systemic. She said the doctor mentioned some kind of test involving a needle to check for neuropathy but she didnt catch the name. I have only completed my first semester of a BSN so I had no clue what test she could be talking about. Do any of you have any idea and do you know anything about vasculitis because there seems to have been very little research done on this condition? Thanks for any info you can provide.

First of all, congratulations on getting in. Second don't be nervous, prioritize well, and make study groups (its amazing how different your notes can be and sometimes it is good to divide and conquer in a class that the professor speaks super fast). Also, you might want to get the book Test Success: Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students by Patricia Nugent and Barbara Vitale. One of my teachers required we get this and it actually helped! Good luck!

Hi! I am currently in nursing school getting my BSN and have found that many hospitals offer programs for student nurses after finishing their first semester. These give you experience, money, and flexibility. All that I am required to work is 8 hours every two weeks and they understand if I have to call in because of school. This may be the way for you to go. I have found that hospitals are very willing to please nursing students (due to the shortage) so they will work with you. But as long as you prioritize working and going to nursing school is possible. Good luck and study hard!