HouTx BSN, MSN, EdD

Critical Care, Education

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All Content by HouTx

  1. TB is still endemic in many parts of the country, so this is not uncommon. There are tons of us (me included) that 'converted' due to TB exposure in the clinical setting. I converted in my 4th year...
  2. Gah! Working for that doc would have been awful... you dodged a bullet there. I am sure you are already 'casting a wide net' in your job search so I don't have anything better to add. I just want...
  3. HouTx

    New grad orienting a new grad?

    First of all - your picture is adorable, but if that is actually you, please change it. It is very important to maintain anonymity on any social networking site, but it's absolutely critical to do so...
  4. HouTx

    Exploring Options

    If you don't have a BSN, there are very few acute care options for you as a new grad in the Houston metro area, but based on your speculation about returning to graduate school, it would seem that you...
  5. HouTx

    RN EDU

    May I suggest moving into Health Information Management (HIM). These folks manage all of the clinical documentation - no patient contact at all. There are various levels of educational
  6. HouTx

    Torn - advice appreciated

    You are definitely not alone. Over the years, I have mentored a lot of nurses who have moved from clinical to "support" positions as their careers advanced. I always warn them to expect a grief...
  7. HouTx

    Texas Medical Center

    St. Jo & LBJ are not part of TMC. St. Jo is close, but it is now for-profit (owned by IASIS) and all TMC hospitals must be not-for-profit. TMC hospitals are BSN only when it comes to new grads...
  8. HouTx

    4 months orientation and STILL struggling, help!

    Take a breath. Your fear and anxiety are palpable. I'm going to veer off on a (possibly unpopular) different direction here and outline something for your consideration. In order to successfully...
  9. HouTx

    New Grad

    I think it's time we (nurses) openly acknowledge that acute care (hospital) nursing is not the only place that "real" nursing occurs. Acute care job opportunities are decreasing due to multiple...
  10. HouTx

    RN to BSN or RN to MSN prigram

    You are very smart to continue working in a hospital on a PRN basis. This really keeps all your options open & ensures that your acute care skills remain proficient. If Advanced Practice nursing...
  11. HouTx

    Finding job in Houston

    There are a lot of commuting options for people who work in the Texas Medical Center (TMC), including ride-sharing & van pools. But the commute can be daunting - especially for newcomers to...
  12. HouTx

    Getting over a weak stomach!

    Familiarity & repeated exposure to noxious stimuli will take care of this problem. We all went through the same thing. The most important thing is to prevent the patient from seeing your...
  13. HouTx

    Struggling first semester student

    Your instructor is familiar with your academic performance based on first-hand knowledge. Her/his advice was based on accurate date, whereas AN responses are coming from a projection of our own...
  14. ^^^ definitely this ^^^^ Interviewing - like all other skills - gets better with practice. Sounds like you did everything right, including making sure you researched the organization. Hiring...
  15. OK - point of clarification. I believe that there are only 2 "accredited" (ACEN) LVN programs in Tx - but all of the other 90 or so programs are approved by TxBON... so their grads are OK to take...
  16. HouTx

    Precepting

    If only all our preceptors were as conscientious as you, it would be a much better world for new hires/ new grads. I suggest that you clearly communicate expectations in terms of measurable outcomes...
  17. HouTx

    Fire / Nurse?

    Have you thought about transitioning into paramedic? It would provide the same sort of first-responder environment that you enjoy now. While Emergency Nursing may be an area of nursing where there is...
  18. YIKES - I feel your pain. My organization's policy is to require collaborative agreement on any software selection. The 'business owners' (people who will actually be using the darn stuff to do...
  19. Very interesting. I have never encountered an organization in which CNA staff is salaried. This is obviously very beneficial to the employer, but sucks big time the staff. BTW, overtime means...
  20. HouTx

    MSN online

    Online is not everybody's cup of tea. It may not be yours, so it would probably be a good idea to have a 'plan B' if it doesn't work out. BTW, entry-level statistics is a course that is widely...
  21. HouTx

    Showing courage in practice

    I forgot who said it, but essentially, courage is doing the right thing rather than the easy thing. I have a wonderful example - from a new graduate..... working nights on a busy med surg unit, she...
  22. Just want you to be aware. NCLEX pass rate for SAC is very low for 2013 (68.8%). I have no idea what is going on there, but continued low passing rates will jeopardize their
  23. HouTx

    I want to know the truth.

    PP advice and information is accurate. Most science/math courses 'expire' after 5 years. I don't know of any way to determine the proportion of 'pre nursing' students who don't actually make it into...
  24. I think that the MANE articulation program would be your best approach... less expensive, but really any longer to obtain your BSN. Most states are developing similar articulation programs as part of...
  25. HouTx

    Who can solve this ethical dilemma?

    It's not an ethical question because this is not a 'gray' area. As licensed professionals, we must adhere to the legal standards. In this case, (assuming an adult, competent client) NO consent = NO...