CalicoKitty BSN, MSN, RN

Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care

Three cats in the yard. Life used to be so hard...

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All Content by CalicoKitty

  1. CalicoKitty

    WHC Residency Program

    CalicoKitty replied to amdc's topic in General Nursing

    Why would you wait until January to take the NCLEX? I'd advise taking it as soon after graduation as possible while everything is still fresh in your head. Regardless, if you plan on taking it in...
  2. CalicoKitty

    WHC Residency Program

    CalicoKitty replied to amdc's topic in General Nursing

    I applied when I saw the job listed in their Employment section. They just started a new residency program last week (End of July?, previous ones this year were in February and April), so it will...
  3. CalicoKitty

    SO mad...and not sure I should be.

    CalicoKitty replied to AngelfireRN's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I went with a friend to have her pregnancy terminated. I believe it was her first time. She was "old enough to know better". I think she was only with the guy once or a short period. While at the...
  4. CalicoKitty

    Nursing school=stress=hair loss???

    CalicoKitty replied to katinthehat29's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I have some serious hair loss likely due to PCOS (poly-cycstic ovarian syndrome). It is a metabolic disorder associated with obesity/overweight and increased risk of diabetes. Sadly, I haven't found...
  5. CalicoKitty

    New Grad Nurse, First Job Question

    CalicoKitty replied to RN2bNicole1988's topic in First Year After Licensure

    You should probably post this question in the state you work in. There's sections for states under U.S (Right side between Career and World). There may be others that have discussed it
  6. CalicoKitty

    What is your nurse-patient ratio?

    CalicoKitty replied to Starfish, RN's topic in Medical-Surgical

    I'm on a ~30 bed gero-med unit. Some pts are somewhat independent, most are on falls precautions (bed alarms, assist oob), and maybe a third need help with feeding and incontinence. Some ostomies,...
  7. CalicoKitty

    Will starting in psych put me at a disadvantage in the future?

    CalicoKitty replied to spdaydream's topic in Psychiatric

    Some larger hospitals may have a more medical-psych units (psych patients with other medical problems). Also, as Hygiene Queen posted, there are some hospitals with a gerontological medicine floor (I...
  8. CalicoKitty

    PLEASE HELP! Washington Hospital Center Interview on FRIDAY!

    CalicoKitty replied to luvtonurse's topic in General Nursing

    It is a job interview, look professional. I wore a suit (black) with pants, but I think most women wear skirt suits. Since it is getting hoter, I'm sure a nice blouse and dress slacks/skirt would...
  9. CalicoKitty

    Hospitals hiring NEW RNs

    CalicoKitty replied to britt88knee's topic in General Nursing

    Washington Hospital Center has many new grad positions. I think the next cohort will start in July. I believe there are a few other programs that have new-grad stuff, check other threads in this...
  10. CalicoKitty

    how is gpa calculated for the accelerated BSN program

    CalicoKitty replied to katherinejoy's topic in Diploma, ADN, BSN

    I had a decent (3.2?) average from my community college, but I bombed my bachelor's (and had a 2.8ish). When I decided I wanted to go to nursing school, I went back to the community college and...
  11. CalicoKitty

    Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs?

    CalicoKitty replied to GadgetRN71's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    I'm Atheist. Sometimes I wonder if I'm more humanist, since I sometimes like people, but then I feel that kind of makes me think humans are superior to the other species on the planet. Then, I think...
  12. CalicoKitty

    Dismissed charges 3+ years ago in Florida

    CalicoKitty replied to PinkLadee73's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Allnurses can't really give legal advice. I would try to get both charges expunged if possible. I don't think normal jobs will get records of dropped charges, but I think states/federal stuff can...
  13. CalicoKitty

    Documentation by PCT's

    CalicoKitty replied to jennilynn's topic in General Nursing

    I wish our automated blood pressure cuffs could 'determine' respirations. But, if they are documenting something that isn't true, then, it is false documentation. If it is an assessment, then it...
  14. CalicoKitty

    DNR- Do Not Treat?

    CalicoKitty replied to GinaCat's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I think I had a DNR that had additional information like DNI (intubate), no not treat hypotention or bradycardia, and no not call rapid response. I don't know if that is typical of all cases, but in...
  15. CalicoKitty

    Need some help. Insight, support, just something

    CalicoKitty replied to jamie.glaze's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    I know it isn't easy, and I can't say I've tried it, but there are a few posts suggesting being more proactive in trying to get a first job. Suggestions (often in the First Job Help section under...
  16. CalicoKitty

    Well, the "customer" satisfaction survey.....

    CalicoKitty replied to LobotRN's topic in Medical-Surgical

    I don't like the satisfaction crap because it relies on people giving something five stars or whatever. I know for myself, when expected to review something, I don't just grant the highest rating if...
  17. CalicoKitty

    Need Advice on Certifications - New RN,BSN

    CalicoKitty replied to trina9230's topic in First Year After Licensure

    From what it looks like, you need about 2 years of experience to get some certifications (like Gerontology). I think PALS is another training/certification like ACLS but for pediatrics (I'm not...
  18. CalicoKitty

    How long after graduation did you wait before taking the NCLEX?

    CalicoKitty replied to aachavez's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    I took the test as soon after I got my ATT (which I applied for immediately) - within the same month as graduation. I was a little nervous about not having any real "study" days (I think I scheduled...
  19. CalicoKitty

    Relocating to DC - what's the life of a RN in DC like?

    CalicoKitty replied to minibee's topic in General Nursing

    The area is the DMV (DC, MD, VA), mid-atlantic, sometimes NoVA (northern Virginia). If you live in Maryland or Virginia, and get their respective nursing licenses, they are compact states and you can...
  20. CalicoKitty

    I'm done with nursing

    CalicoKitty replied to Blue4me2's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't let one job in one field of nursing discourage you from nursing forever. It seems like you got a terrible fit, and a position with very little support. Even if you were to stay in Psych,...
  21. CalicoKitty

    asking for letter of recommendation - but graduated for 1 year already..

    CalicoKitty replied to miniangel729's topic in General Nursing

    Instructors from my school formulated a "generic" letter (ie not to a specific institution/floor) and sent them to the school office (so, I could easily request additional copies as needed). When you...
  22. CalicoKitty

    WHC July 2012 residency or Feb 2012 residency

    CalicoKitty replied to SUstudent's topic in General Nursing

    Congrats,
  23. CalicoKitty

    Why did you take up nursing? What's your story?

    CalicoKitty replied to Joe V's topic in General Nursing

    I just read through the 7 or so years and 113 pages of "why"s.. I saw my story in bits and pieces throughout. My grandmother and my aunt were both nurses. My grandmother was a psychiatric nurse and...
  24. CalicoKitty

    WHC July 2012 residency or Feb 2012 residency

    CalicoKitty replied to SUstudent's topic in General Nursing

    Good luck, KPassafa! nurs_I_want_to_be, I work on a med-surg floor. So far I like it, but it is definitely a busy floor. Since I'm still early in my orientation, my head hasn't started exploding yet....
  25. CalicoKitty

    Washington Hospital Center RN residency

    CalicoKitty replied to Guan's topic in General Nursing

    I heard back relatively quickly (I forget how long, but only a few weeks before a call back), but that could just be luck of application timing and stuff. After the interview, I heard back in a few...