kc_jellybean

I know what you mean...my farewell party was epic :cheers: and it's surprising how much I'm going to miss my co-workers and my smelly ol' unit...2 shifts left, but I promised I'd come back and pick up over Christmas break... Wondering if anyone is up for carpooling??? Got a place near Hulen Mall, so if anyone is in that area and interested, PM or email me! Looking forward to meeting everyone...

Just there 2 days - have family in Katy, but there just wasn't any time to get together. I applied to TCU, too, so I am TX bound (from MO), 1 way or the other! If you didn't live in Houston, would Baylor still be your 1st choice? I was so impressed with - and intimidated by! - their program. I don't think their clinical exp can be beat...

Have not heard back from Baylor, but have been accepted elsewhere and need to let them know by Th. Naturally, there are things I like and dislike, or rather, am unsure about, regarding both programs. I just want to be able to make an educated decision, **if** it comes to that. Who knows - I may not be accepted to Baylor, and the decision will be made for me!

Had my interview and was totally impressed w/ the program, but *not* impressed w/ Houston in the slightest! Maybe such a big city is off-putting to me...I know "where" shouldn't really matter, since I will be holed up w/ my books, not out experiencing the city... :icon_roll Anyway, just curious if anyone out there got accepted to Baylor but chose another program, and why! Thx in advance for sharing!

Thx for the reply! (Friend interviewed @ Barry and had to take a written exam...I was just wondering what type of clinical questions to expect, if there was a written exam, etc. I know she had to do calculations, like stoke vol, etc. on her test.)

Just had my interview @ TCU - it was such a warm and friendly experience, but I can't help but worry my performance was weak, my answers to vague and casual...ACK! Met some people who had interviewed @ TWU and it sounds like it was downright harrowing...just wondering if anyone has any insight on the Baylor interviews - more meet/greet like TCU or on-the-spot like TWU. Any info would be appreciated!

Thx for the replies, I will look into the journal! :)

Am planning on submitting my app to CRNA school this fall, and I know one of the schools on my list asks clinical questions during the interview and expects their applicants to "demonstrate an acceptable understanding of the roles and responsibilities of CRNAs." :uhoh21: I've printed off the previous post - looks like my summer reading list is pretty much settled! :icon_roll - but I was wondering if there are any journals to which I should subscribe so I will have at least a working knowledge of current affairs re: the field. Any info would be greatly appreciated! PS - Any recommendations for a Spanish-for-healthcare-workers book??

I'm a new grad, graduated in May, did well in school but am finding that bedside nursing is *not* for me. It's hard to put my finger on, but all things are not for all people, right? I even dug out my old MBTI results, wondering if it something was wrong with me - of course nothing resembling nursing was recommended for my profile. My hosp currently has several CM positions available, requirements listed are RN, "good computer skills," and "case management exp." Prior to nursing school, I worked as a life insurance underwriter. Can that count as case management experience? - I'm sure they're referring to actual hosp/health care case mgmt, but I've been wondering if there is a way to sell my existing skill/experience as an underwriter...Several of my former co-workers suggested UR, but how is that different from CM? Plus, I have not seen or heard of any UR folks @ my hosp. Unfortunately, the postings do not list a hiring manager or a contact person I could go to for more information. Since I am essentially a new employee I feel uncomfortable going to my manager with this, with as little info/understanding as I have on the subject of CM, I was hoping to get some info from this site! Thanks for anything you can share!

1st degree = BA in Soc, just graduated in May w/ my BSN from a 1yr accelerated program. I felt like my clinical exp was lacking, but it was my own fault - I did not seek out experiences as agressively as I should have, b/c I felt insecure and, well, frankly, frightened! As a result, I was drawn to an orientation program - "fellowship" - 6 months in length at my hosp. During this time, I have done pretty much every invasive procedure I avoided during clinicals - w/ the exception of dropping an NG. Additionally, my hosp provided all the orientees w/ 1 day in the GI lab to practice IVs. While I still feel overwhelmed, and regularly second-guess my career choice, I have no doubt that the fellowship really helped to fill the gaps in my education. Like one of the previous posts stated, I wish I had worked as a CNA/tech while I was in school - I think this would've helped me develop my time management skills and helped me feel more comfortable in the hospital/clinical setting. (Previously I worked in a ofc for 8 years!) Good luck!

Yes, admittedly I am still uncomfortable with the clinical arena...makes me wonder if pharmacy isn't more my speed. Maybe after I have a year on the unit I will be better educated re: what path I should take!

Thx for the info on TMC...I will definately give them a call! :)

Only 6 months out of school (BSN) and I am not liking nursing at all! I'm not sure if it's b/c I'm still new (ie, uncomfortable, insecure) or if it's the job itself I don't like - so I am not ready to write it off just yet (at least, not on most days). My purpose in going to nursing school and becoming an RN was to ultimately become a CRNA; however, before investing more time and money in pre-reqs, I think I should get an idea of what it is *really* like. Prior to nursing school, as part of my severance pkg when I got laid off from my previous "career," I took the Myers-Briggs Type thing. If anyone here is into that, I would love some feedback. According to their inventory, I am an INTJ/INTP equally. Several of the same health-related professions come up for both types - absent is "nurse." But does that mean I will dislike working as a CRNA (as much as I dislike nursing)? Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any feedback/guidance/advice anyone working as or working towards becoming a CRNA may have for me. Even better - if anyone is in the KC area and knows of a "shadowing" program, I would very much be interested in looking into that. Thanks for reading!

Headhurt - I start nursing school in May and will be shadowing @ KUMC's Coronary Critical Care Unit later this month. I just rec'd my packet that includes a little info on their nursing fellowship program. It sounds like just what I am looking for! :roll The info I have mentions a 12-14wk orientation, but does the program extend beyond that time? I've Googled the program and the only hits came right back to this board! Do you have a web address on the program where I can get more info? I would love to hear your thoughts on the program, feel free to PM me here or at kc_jellybean*at*yahoo*dot*com. Thank you!!!

txnurse2b - I hope you don't mind, but I sent you a PM. Thx!!