bittybritty

Hi Krisd385, I sent my application and then requested my verification. However, I think doing it simultaneously would be the best in retrospect. Try to gather all of your documents and send them all at once. Once they receive your initial application they give you a deadline for the remainder of your items which can at times be tricky. I just organized it with staples and paperclips, and it worked out fine for me. Good luck!

I haven't tried that yet. I'll give it a go :) Thanks

Hello everyone, I recently located to beautiful Queensland from the States and need an interview with home health, community health or public health Registered Nurse for my online BSN program. I promise it won't be super long, just five measly questions. I'm planning ahead, and have 3 weeks to complete it so there's no immediate rush. I would greatly appreciate the help seeing as I don't have my nursing friends back from home. Plus, I think it would provide my class (based in the USA) with a great alternative perspective. Thanks in advance! Britt

When you're suctioning your patients what is their O2 Sat prior to suctioning? Are they alarming the vent? Tachnepic? Whats their peak pressure? Are you getting minimal secretions or copius amts? Basically what I'm getting at is that you should never do something as invasive as tracheal suctioning with out just cause. Also when you're suctioning make sure you're not suctioning while advancing the catheter down the trachea. Britt

gr9153- I just received my approval from AHPRA a couple of weeks ago. I think I may have gone overboard, but I heard the more info you send them the greater chance of being approved. My background is that I'm an ADN RN with almost 2 years of ICU experience. I had a couple of meetings with my dean and we came up with a table with the following columns. I included all of my courses- not just nursing core curriculum. I heard including absences was key- but my dean was very understanding and knew that I was a good student so we just said zero for each. The calculation we used was the same one that our nursing school uses for calculating minimum hours for the state. [TABLE] [TR] [TD]Course [/TD] [TD]Course Title [/TD] [TD]Grade [/TD] [TD]Semester Units [/TD] [TD]Theory Hours Completed [/TD] [TD]Science Lab Hours Completed [/TD] [TD]Clinical Facility [/TD] [TD]Description of Clinical Facility [/TD] [TD]Absences [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] For each theory hour we did 1x (# of semester units)x 18. For each clinical hour it was 3x(# of semester units) x 18. For science lab we used the same equation for clinical hours. I also included copies of every nursing core class syllabus. Most of these I still had, but the couple that I didn't my dean provided. She also wrote me a very kind letter emphasizing all of our accreditation and went over how in the US one receives their RN license. I hope this helps. Best of luck! Oh and be sure to follow their notarizing instructions exactly. Britt

I live in California, and I get 8 hours of straight pay, and 4 hours of OT per shift. If I pick up a 7th day in a pay period (we're scheduled 6 shifts in a 2 week period), I am entitled to some sort of DT... I would definitely consult a lawyer as well as try and obtain an employee handbook.

First off, it is IMPOSSIBLE to know everything for NCLEX. Take a deep breath, and try and focus on your studying rather than focusing on your need to study. Freaking out is not going to do you any favors, so try and relax a little. As far as studying goes, learn the big concepts that will help you navigate your way to the best answer. Kaplan is very helpful by giving you a mode to find the answer you already knew. A few things that I remember from taking the exam: Meds to know: Anitbiotics (mostly cross rxn's, broad vs narrow spectrum), Ativan, Digoxin, potassium, insulin, and diuretics to name a few. Also NCLEX likes endocrine disorders such as Cushings and Addisons. Good luck and don't forget to take at least a day before the exam to take a break from your studies to collect yourself!!!!

I've always taken the approach of why the employer needs to hire me. As in "I'm so amazing blah, blah, blah." It has seemed to work thus far landing me 5 job offers as a new grad in a very saturated market. Employers want the know why you have chosen their hospital, but what they're really looking for why you'd would be an asset to them. It's a fine line between exuding confidence, and reeking arrogance. Just think if you were the hiring manager would you prefer someone who was excited and assertive, or someone passive and willing? Don't give up :)

Hey, I'm a fellow new grad starting in SICU. I worked med-surg for 5 months and was fortunate enough to find a facility eager to train me :) I've spoken with my resource nurse on a few different occasions and these are what she recommended to me: 1) Notes on ICU Nursing: FAQ Files from the MICU: Second Edition by Mark Hammerschmidt Thus far, I'm a third of the way into the MICU book, and I really like it. Its formatted like a preceptor talking to you the preceptee (is that even a word? ha) Everything is broken down pretty well, and its way less dry than any textbook I've ever read. Cost less than $30 including S&H 2) The CD's for CCRN review on this website www.greatnurses.com These were very highly recommended, but I haven't bought them just yet. I'll get around to it, but the $150 price tag is a bit expensive. 3) Podcasts by Jeffrey Guy, M.D. called ICU rounds I've listened to a couple of these and they're pretty good. Just type his name into iTunes and you'll see it pop up. Best of all they're free! and lastly she recommended, 4) Attend as many Critical care courses I can especially during my first year. Good luck! Britt

Hello All! I'm a New grad RN, currently working full time on a Med-Surg/Psych floor for the last 3 months. I am interested in moving to Australia over the next year, and am having a difficulty figuring out how exactly to go about it. I've looked through threads on here, and many of them don't apply any longer since the ANMC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council)went national vs statewide. Also, I'm not sure that it makes a difference but I will be moving to Queensland. I've looked also on the ANMC's website and still feel very confused about what to do to actually get this ball rolling. I feel like I need to start working on applying for licensure, and then dealing with the visa situation. Thanks in advance! -Britt

Wow, okay that's a while longer to wait. I guess we'll just have to be patient!

I'm still waiting to hear back from this unit. Have you heard anything yet?! Its killing me

I am a new grad here in Los Angeles. I took my boards Feb 8th and passed, I called a local hospital this Monday and went in for my 1st interview on Wednesday. I also attended a new grad cattle call on Tuesday at a different facility. I was offered the first job on the spot and received a phone call today offering me the second job as well. My advice-- be assertive. It felt pretty nice to be faced with the dilemma of which job to take and not stressing about what I was going to do. Just as a side note I don't have any previous hospital experience. Try and look at smaller less known facilities, people are less likely to look there. While I could hold off and hope to score my dream job at Ronald Regan CTICU, I am willing (and excited) to gain a year or two of experience elsewhere.

How's her breathing? You mentioned contusions to her chest and being on 02. I'm thinking ineffective breathing pattern, or impaired gas exchange r/t ineffective chest wall expansion. Its usually better to use more actual diagnoses vs risk for. It sounds like she may have orthostatic hypotension too. Were you able to take her bp laying sitting and standing? This would also put her at risk for falls. How's her mental status? You also mentioned lacerations to her head. How was your neuro assessment? Of the diagoses you've listed I would use Impaired mobility & acute pain.

I know that in California we now do not require consent for HIV testing.