Ready2GradMay09

For those that can remember, what if any orientation did you receive for your NP position outside of the general corporate/hospital-based orientation and EMR training? Was there any orientation at the practice level? If so how long, and what experiences did this include? Were you offered/paired with a mentor?

Thank you all for your responses. It seems the general consensus is that those who had live/face-to-face evaluations felt better prepared. I know online programs have become more popular, but I wonder how adequately students are being prepared for the clinical setting? What are your thoughts on the preceptor teaching these assessment skills during clinicals?

I am curious to learn how your NP program taught the advanced physical/health assessment course? Were there any face-to-face requirements, or was it done online? How were you checked off? Did you feel prepared? I precept NP students, and am trying to get a better understanding of how other programs teach this. If you could let me know what school you attended that would help too!

I work as an FNP in family practice, and I work three 12-hour shifts. I was previously working four 10's, but needed a change. I homeschool my kids, so being off more days during the week was important to me. Also, Our patients were complaining about not having late access. Our last appointment of the day was previously at 5:00, which is not convenient for most working patients. I pitched the idea of working 7-7 to my managers, and they liked it. So far, my evening appointments are booked everyday! I should also add that I am full-time, 1.0 FTE, but my contract provides for 4 hours of admin time per week. So I do not have to have 40 patient contact hours per week. Working the 36 hour schedule fulfills my obligation.

I recently found this post, and found it most helpful. I just relocated back to Indianapolis after a 6 year hiatus. I completed nursing school in NC at a local state supported community college, and have over a year nursing experience as an RN. After completing an interview, and almost being offered a job (HR told me they were preparing my offer letter), I was told that I could not be offered a particular position due to my school not being NLNAC/CCNE approved. They are in the process of being approved, it is just very expensive and community colleges often do not have the funding. So in the process of all this I have discovered that St.Vincent, St. Francis and Wishard are a few of the hospital systems that do not require this accreditation for their applicants. However, most positions I have encountered recently require experience (so not much help for new grads). The solution for this is to complete higher education at a CCNE/NLNAC accredited school. Hope this information helps somebody!

Thank you guys so much for your help, these are some really great ideas. You have given me a lot to work with. It seems like a lot of the ceremonies share some of the same trends- speaker, lamps, pinning, etc. We were planning on including a picture slide show, and I like the idea of presenting the instructors with an award. Keep the ideas coming!

I have a question to the May 2009 graduates. I am the president of my nursing class, and we are preparing for our pinning ceremony in 2 weeks. What does your school do special for pinning? Do you light lamps, have a speaker, give awards, sing a song, etc...You get my drift? I am trying to figure out something special and unique to include in our program. Let me know what you guys know or have heard of.

I am 23 years old, married and the mother of a 3 and 4 year old (soon to be 5 at the end of this month). When I started nursing school they were 2 and 3. I think sakura_SN's post is definitely on point, especially since she said she doesn't have kids. Some important points mentioned: 1. Support system: God Bless my husband, because if it was not for him I know (not think) I couldn't have done it. He helped me clean, cook, run errands, and even took the kids off for me while I studied. 2. Guilt: You are not going to be able to get it all down, but give yourself grace. Don't expect to have a spotless house after you just had 12 hour clinicals and have to come home, put kids in the bed, and study for an exam in the morning. The dishes can wait! At times you will feel like you are the worst mother in world, especially when your kids look at you and say "Mommy, are you going to school again??" It's enough to make you want to cry. But, you have to remind yourself that you are doing this for them, and they will soon reap the benefits of the sacrifice you made. I feel like at times I missed valuable parts of my children's lives, but then what better time do it then when they're young-heck they won't even remember it when they get 10! 3. Balance: My first semester of nursing school God spoke to my heart about this very thing, and I have always tried to keep this straight: God-first, family-second, school/friends/etc.-third. If you remember to put God first in everything you do, he will help you to keep the other things in line. Through the grace of God, I have never had to miss a Sunday of church to stay at home studying. I need Him more than I need to be a nurse. He has helped me to organize my life where I realize when enough is enough, and when it's time to just close my books and go play with my kids. I mean after you have studied something for 10 hours, when is it enough? I think women are designed by God to "hold it down," if you know what I mean. In Proverbs 31 it talks about the virtuous woman, and she did it all. She was a wife, a mother, a seamstress, a homemaker, an entrepreneur, a realtor, a manager and still managed to be beautiful!! Is that not us? I am graduating in May (with Honors) at the top of my class, and was selected by my nursing class to be class president- and still have my sanity (at least I like to think so). My class mates often joke with me about being the only one in my class who hasn't started smoking or isn't on some sort of anxiety/depression medication. God is good! Congratulations, and know that with God all things are possible- I wouldn't dare try to do it without Him. Pray for me because I am going to add one more thing to list after becoming a nurse- homeschooler. I am going to homeschool my kids! Boy, I am really going to be on my knees then!!! I wish you the best.

Here are some links to a couple of different websites with some interview tips and questions. http://nursejobs.com/nursing-interview-questions.aspx http://www.accessnursing.com/rn%20resources/interview%20tips%20for%20new%20grads.mht Congratulations, I graduate in May. I actually have 2 interviews on Monday, so I was just looking this stuff up..

What state do you live in? I would recommend going to your state board of nursing website. There are probably links there to different programs in your state. I live in NC, and this is a link to the various RN-BSN programs in our state: http://www.ncbon.com/content.aspx?id=400 . Of course, you could always apply to these schools as an out-of-state student, but tuition would be extremely higher than applying to a program in-state.