wrigh146

Try to get permission to spend a day on the GI procedures floor. Every patient gets an IV before their procedure and those nurses can stick anything! It helped me tremendously. Also, when drawing labs, before removing the needle and applying pressure to close the vein, stick a piece of gauze under it to catch any dribbles until you get the dexterity to keep it from looking like a bloody massacre!

As one professor once told me...Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. It sounds like this manager may be laying the groundwork to clean house. I'd watch my back.

Random question a bit off topic. I never had CP, but had been exposed as a child many times. I had the vaccine 2007, then I still had to have titers done for my new job 2008. Titers came back and they were low. Does anyone know how long I wait before I can get another vaccine? I occasionally work with people in an active shingles outbreak. How at risk am I since I have been exposed with no infection in the past? Any experts in Infectious disease out there? :)

Be aware, all CRNA programs I am aware of require a minimum of 2 years critical care nursing experience. This would mean if you were accepted into an accelerated BSN program (one year minimum to complete) you would still need to work as an RN. To my knowledge there is no entry level CRNA program. I agree with the other post, perhaps PA would be a better alternative for you. Also, at 21, you can't be that far into med school. With your Haiti efforts, while noble, perhaps you have too many irons in the fire. If you scale down extracurriculars, you may find things easier to manage. Stress and exhaustion can derail our best laid plans. I remember how difficult it is at 21 to try to plan your life. Good luck to you:) you will find your balance, but it is never easy. Anything worth doing is never easy!

First, at my facility we have lab, RN, and pharmacy that work together to ensure patient safety, which is the REAL issue here. Lab Techs are absolutely responsible for being aware of meds infusing that could alter lab results. If they are late in drawing a timed draw, they need to make the RN aware. Also, I have gotten many PTT results that were not accurate because lab drew from the arm the heparin was running in. Instead of placing blame we all have to work together to ensure accuracy or we may as well not waste our time.

To make comparable salary in SLP you much have a Masters in that field. Nursing would be faster and more diverse for you. I have a bachelors in SLP and changed to nursing because of the diversity of the profession. I think if you will be relocating often, there are usually more RN positions at any given time than SLP opportunities. My friends in SLP love it but they tend to stay in their jobs for extended periods, making job openings few and far between in some areas. I love nursing and love the fact that if I get bored, frustrated, or otherwise unhappy, I always have the option to change if I choose. I like not feeling "stuck" for lack of job opportunity. Also, nursing is better for me because I enjoy excitement and something different all the time. SLP can be very monotonous and slow progression of patients. This is great for some, but did not suit my personality. Also, with your SW background, I think you would have more doors open to you with nursing such as case management. Just my opinion :) Good luck to you!

Every place has different policy regarding frequency as well as brand and what is provided in the change kit. Our facility implemented the use of the Biopatch which is an added level of infection prevention. I would consult your most recent textbook for nursing procedures for what is the accepted standard. This would be more relevant than one facility/nurse's standard. Unless, of course, you are reviewing a particular facility specifically.

Month, year, season. Sometimes "who is the president of the US" if I get "Bush" I continue to assess with another question, if I get "Carter", I have my answer!

Most textbooks, at least those through Elsevier, have a CD included with purchase to download to your laptop. For the initial poster whose concern was lugging books to and from class, this is an amazing feature. It does, in fact, have a highlighting tool. It also allows you to take notes in the margin along with the book. I would not recommend kindle for textbooks. Expensive and limiting. iPad sounds great and I will probably be purchasing one. It will have word processing ability, but I don't think I will be trading in my laptop quite yet. I need to do a bit more research myself. Also, when researching and writing papers I need to have multiple apps functioning simultaneously. Good luck!

I have found my holy grail scrubs in the barco grey's anatomy line. I am a size 5/6 with a 33" inseam and the small tall sizing is perfect for me. I am closer to a size 6 and the small is roomy at the waist, so if you are smaller, order the XS. There is plenty of length as well, so if you are 34-35" inseam I think you will find them sufficient. I love the soft fabric and tailored tops. They do not shrink and come out of the dryer perfect with no need to iron!

So sorry you had such a terrible experience I am thankful I went the year that I did! Best of luck to everyone :)

7-8am start. Clinical sites varied and we usually did a random pick out of a hat every semester. I had one semester that I was in an evening lab, but my schedule was more flexible. I think those with child care conflicts were able to avoid evening courses. Another bit of advice. If you will be staying in LV for at least 2 years post grad. I know St. Rose offers a student to nurse program that will repay a portion of school costs after fulfilling a two year commitment. This also helps with the issue of job placement. Also, NAP, or Nurse Apprentice positions are part time paid work options that also help you get experience and network for future employment while in school.

baker1bv, is the NCLEX pass rate still high? All I can say is, if you are local, it is still the fastest BSN program for the money. If the NCLEX pass rate remains high, I say go for it. Of all the education I got, the first 6 months on the job is what really taught me how to be a nurse. Getting your license is the main objective. As for teachers, of course the ideal is to have the best, but as adult learners it is mostly up to us to learn. Instructors are there as a resource, not a guide. Maybe not how it should be, but all in all, if your goal is to be a nurse, GO FOR IT! I say there is no time like the present. If we wait until conditions are optimal, it may never happen!

I know a couple of my classmates had kids in daycare close to the school. I would say since you have one in school full day and one half, you could probably arrange your schedule to fit your transport/daycare needs. Usually classes were out by 4pm with the exception of clinical days once a week which were 12 hour hospital shifts. I say the one year program would be workable, but you might consult an advisor at NSC to get the current class schedules. Good luck to you!

I am a 2008 graduate of the accelerated program, was placed right away in the hospital I did clinicals at, and I feel my education there provided me with an excellent foundation for success. I have heard, however, many instructors there during my time have left due to cutbacks. The instructors that left were the ones I gained the most from with one exception. I do know the department head was very committed to student success so hopefully things will continue on the same level.