kss0740

Congrats!! I'm in the same boat. Just found out I got a spot at the VA. I had the same feeling- knew it was for me from the moment I precepted there. I just love the population. Some of my classmates couldn't stand the facility. IMHO, what the VA lacked in modern equipment (on the floor I was on at least) they made up for with great, highly qualified nurses and really good patient ratios. The VA system is great- very secure, wonderful benefits, retirement that can't be beat. I would recommend putting in your 2 week notice but seeing if you can stay PRN. I don't know if all VA's have nurses working 8 hr shifts... but that is the only barrier I could potentially see to staying PRN at your current job. Best of luck!!!!

I was called by a nurse recruiter at the VA today and was told I was chosen for a psych RN position after an interview last week. I can't believe this and feel shocked, humbled & completely excited! This is really a dream come true. Some of my classmates hated precepting at the VA.....but I LOVED it and really can't wait to work with this population. I was told that after a background check and physical, a final salary offer will come. I'm a relatively new grad RN- had license since July 2011 and have worked as a charge nurse in a psych hospital for 3 months. My background in psych is fairly heavy- I have my BA in psychology, MA in counseling and am a licensed counselor. Nursing is a career change for me. I have over 8 years paid FT experience in psych. I'm new to the VA system and am wondering if the VA will consider this experience as a related bachelors and/or masters degree since I will be working exclusively in psych? Some private hospitals will, others will not. Does anybody know what pay grade/step, etc I might expect to start out at the VA? Will this experience count? I know all states are different, but I believe they operate on the same grade system....? Thank you!!! :redpinkhe

Hugs :redbeathe

This afternoon, I was told by a fellow MCCD student that 200 nursing students failed to secure preceptorships during their 4th block. This apparently happened this past semester (occurred district-wide, thats why the number is high). This was due to lack of availability of slots. I am soon to enter block 4 and am curious about the legitimacy of this rumor......... Seems like it simply can't be true. 200 students is a very high number! I also thought it was the school's responsibility to find students preceptorships when the time came. How could that fall through so badly? I'd be lying if I said this didn't make me nervous. Has anybody else heard this & is there any truth? Gosh I hope not!

Thank you for your responses. I would think the more hours the better..... but when you look at preparation overall (clinical & lecture), NCLEX statistics put the pass rate of MCCDNP at 91 percent with NAU at only 85 percent. The NCLEX is where my license will come from, so I'm on board w/the program I'm at. Certainly they are doing something right Hopefully the 96 hours does what it needs to! All of my friends who are nurses say that the most important thing is getting through school & passing NCLEX, and that most of your hands on skills will be learned & improved with time on the job. Here is a link to NCLEX stats from AZBON: http://www.azbn.gov/documents/education/Statewide%20NCLEX%20Results%201996-2004.pdf

I am in the GCC weekend program, and am hoping to hear from GCC weekend students (or, any maricopa students who have been in block 4) about preceptorship scheduling. How is the preceptorship scheduling done? Do you have the opportunity to request a preceptorship location or the hours you are scheduled? Was anybody able to do their preceptorship on nights or weekends? Thanks!!

I have had two personal friends who have had extremely poor experiences at Arrowhead hospital. One almost lost her life due to a med error- which was totally sloppy & preventable. Overall, Arrowhead had poor nursing care, bad staffing ratios, poor sterile technique, outdated equipment.

Nothing is a sure thing anymore. It is hard and depressing being a new grad. A mentor of mine graduated 9 months ago and still has no job. I remember when nurses were offered 10k new hire bonuses just a few years ago. GONE are those days! Have you seen this AZBON article regarding new grad hiring statistics? Check it out: http://www.azbn.gov/Documents/News/2010/Employment%20Newly%20Licensed%20RN.pdf Here is an interesting USA Today article posted in July- has info about new RN grads not getting jobs & it being a national problem http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-07-09-1Anurses09_ST_N.htm I'm still holding out hope that this is just a cycle that is happening with the economy being so down. It's expensive to train new grads. I don't see what other option hospitals have..... however...... because current nurses are aging and retiring. According to the USA today article, "Large nursing shortages are still forecast as aging Baby Boomers need more care and millions of additional Americans get insurance in 2014 under the nation's new health law. A Vanderbilt University analysis last year — before the health law passed — predicted that the U.S. will be short 260,000 nurses by 2025" 2025...... Only 15 years away. i'll hold my breath- NOT

How did you study for the block 2 HESI exam? Anything I should focus on? I remember feeling like I was walking in blindly to the block 1 HESI because our school did nothing to prep us. When I asked about study materials, they said "just review what we've done in this block so far". Not very helpful. I did alright, thankfully Thx in advance for your advice.

Nursing school is different than what we take in pre-reqs in that it requires critical thinking. Pre-reqs give you a good knowledge base for school, but they don't teach you how to answer questions the "nursing school way". Getting your mind to master how to answer questions in the format that they are asked in nursing school may be the key to success, and the root of the problem here. I'd advise buying a good NCLEX study book and using the CD-ROM to go over NCLEX style questions on your computer. It is quick, and a great way to study. In my opinion, it will help you with material, but most importantly will improve your critical thinking skills. I struggled with critical thinking in block 1 too. All of the answers on exams seemed to be correct to me. I really struggled to pick the BEST correct answer. After buying an NCLEX study book, things turned around right away. Good luck!

Wow, I've never even heard of anything like that. Not a fun situation to be in. I'd call the board and ask them about what to do. I'm sure it won't cause a problem. It isn't like they can deny you employment or a license for traffic infractions. Plus, you were honest about it. Sounds like more of a pain than anything. I'm sorry! BLAH FINGERPRINT CARD PROBS!!!!!!!!!

Just a word of caution for all of those starving students out there (i'm in block 2 and know I'm not the only one!), these books might not stay the same for when you start the program. You may invest in these texts, and need to buy new ones should your campus have a different text, or the edition changes. I spent almost $800 my first semester on books alone (and I bought lots of used books!) I would suggest buying an NCLEX book so you get used to critical thinking type questions. I really like Saunders & Zerwekeh (sp??) NCLEX review books. I'm not sure if I'd suggest buy the other ones and start studying like that yet....... but best of luck! :) I can tell you are motivated :)

Just an FYI- I was told that Glendale Community College does not allow online CPR classes for RN students.

In any position, you work under the scope of that position and license. THATS IT. If you have RN skills but are working as a CNA, you use CNA skills ONLY (since that is what the scope of wat that position entails). Also, you cannot call yourself a CNA if you are not a state licensed CNA. It gets tricky. Here is my own example. I am an EMT. Right now I'm also a block 1 nursing student. Even though I have current EMT certification, I could not legally perform EMT skills as a block 1 nursing student because that is not in my scope of practice as an RN student. Should somebody code with me standing next to them, and an AED is right there and I know how to use it but haven't been trained as an RN student (EMT training only) so it isn't in my scope as a student....... that is a whole different ethical discussion & involves good samaritan laws, etc. I won't even start with it.

Congrats on completing your program!! I wish you the best of luck with your exam! Most of us are hurting for money right now, and I suspect you will be hard pressed to get a donation. We have probably sold these books & CD's after using them to help get out of debt. If you don't get a donation, I suggest you go back and do all of the NCLEX reviews at the end of each chapter/unit. Did your cohort do the elsevier Potter & Perry online book? They have really helpful online reviews. Also, you can buy used material on craigslist if you are lucky enough to find it, as well as places like half.com & amazon Good luck!!!