intuition

I have found that in the E.R. I started out in right after graduation, the nurses really do want me to succeed. They are willing to help out in any way they can and will answer questions that are appropriate.

There are no positions available in the E.R. I would have to go to a different company due to there are no openings in the areas I am interested in transferring to and also the hospital I work at is a very small rural hospital that doesn't have a lot of variety or positions.

Hi, I have a question. I graduated in August, and began working in an E.R. at the end of August. The only position they had open was a weekend program, which I took. I have found that the weekend program is too hard when I have young kids at home. I am wondering how long I should stay before trying to switch to a different area, so that I won't have a hard time trying to get a job since I have limited experience time? I have 3 months into nursing thus far.

I did my preceptorship in the E.R. I loved it! If you have never stepped foot into an E.R. it can be very overwhelming at first. If you like adrenaline and not knowing what is going to happen next, you will love it. As for advice- Take in everything the doctors and nurses are talking about. Even if you are just standing there, you have the ability to learn so much from just listening. -Show an interest in what is going on. If you stand there like a bump on the log, the staff will pretty much write you off as just another student who will be there for a short time. Ask questions and don't make the nurse have to repeat his/herself twice. -If you have nothing to do, help clean rooms or change the trash. It sounds so simple, but it goes a very long way. -Enjoy it! Some people find the E.R. sense of humor very morbid or pessimistic, but that is the way the staff has learned to cope with the bad things they have to see on a daily basis. -There may be things that you will see that are heartbreaking. There is death, abuse cases, suicide attempts, and so forth. If you need to step away for a moment afterwards, it is understandable. Just let someone know you will be back in a minute. Even staff members have to step away once in awhile. I hope this helps.

I graduated mid August, worked as a G.N., and passed boards on Sept. 9th. I figured I would sign up right away, if I didn't know the stuff by the time I graduated than I wouldn't know it. That my own opinion though. I think it is very individualized, you are the only one that knows for sure what is good for you. Good luck, I hope you do well in your future endeavors.

Good luck to any taking the test tomorrow, I will be saying a prayer.

Hi All, I have been watching this thread for the last couple of weeks. My NCLEX-RN is scheduled for September 9th. Thus far I have done 100 questions a day either Saunders or Exam Cram (averaging about 75 on Saunders and 85 on Exam Cram), read the entire Kaplan 2010 NLCEX-RN Review book, and am reading my weak areas in Saunders. Does anyone else have any other recommendations? I took the ATI predictor and it said I had a 99% chance of passing NCLEX, but I feel like I don't know enough. I have made out a sheet to study all normal lab and theraputic medication levels, so that I can look at that in a glance. Anyone's advice would be appreciated.:redbeathe

Congratulations, I am so happy for you!

Good luck, I will be praying for you.

Des SW The pinning ceremony was last night, I am not going to the graduation ceremony due to it being in May of next year.

Well I had my pinning ceremony tonight. I am a graduate nurse!!!! This day has finally come! I just wanted to shout it out to the world! Now to gear up for NCLEX!

Congrats, any pointers would be helpful. I have my pinning ceremony tomorrow, and am anxiously awaiting the ability to schedule my NCLEX.!

Congratulations, I can't wait to get to that point. How hard was NCLEX?

Well, I actually made it! I just finished my last class of nursing school today. I can't believe it, it still has not sunk in yet. We have our pinning on Friday, hopefully then I will begin to realize that I am done. It has been the longest, hardest, and most rewarding 2 years of my life. For all the mothers out there who have to work, raise a family, and go to school full time- It can be done, just hang in there!:redbeathe I can't wait to get pinned and finish the next step, which is NCLEX! I am done, I am a graduate nurse, wow I can actually say it!

It depends on the teacher, ours assumed you knew the normal functions of the body.

Learn what your instructor expects from you. Make sure you are prepared before you get your clinical instructor when performing a skill. Have all pertinent information at your fingertips, to make the med. pass check faster. For ex. know the Potassium level before having the teacher check the Lasix order. Be open to constructive criticism, don't get defensive as soon as the teacher points out a weakness or something that needs to be worked on.

I felt Pharmacology was much harder, IMO. I think it also has to do with the teachers you have. If you had a great A&P instructor, Patho should be easy. My Pharm. teacher expected much more from us than the Patho. teacher.

Show genuine interest in what the preceptor has to say. My internship preceptor said when she found a student that thought they knew everything, she wouldn't waste her time on them.

Christine N, I am about to graduate next week with my ADN. I was wondering what on-line program you went through and how long was it?

It sounds like you probably tested positive for the Benzo's, it is part of the usual employment drug screen.

I transitioned from worker to student. I felt the previous positions as unit clerk and CNA really helped through nursing school.

Congrats, I will be there in 23 days! I can't wait!

We have a 50 something year old in our class, who is also single. She will be graduating with the rest of us in August, so yes it can be done.

1.)Emergency Room 2.) Wisconsin 3.) I have worked with the organization for 10 years, I worked as a nurse tech. throughout my last year of school. It saved the company money by hiring me due to not having to do so much training. I had to fill out a transfer application, no interview was needed. * I highly recommend trying to work as a nurse extern during, at least, the end of your schooling so that you have your foot in the door somewhere.

Boyer, if you want some excellent info. I would suggest you read Daytonite's post. There is a wealth of information throughout her posts, I have learned a lot through the last couple of years from her.