MInurse2b2010

I think there are some threads on allnurses about this. I'd just be professional in dress and be prepared to answer questions about your reason for interest in the cardiac telemetry floor/hospital/nurse assisting. Also: firm handshake, make eye contact. Maybe think of a question or two in advance that you can ask when they inevitably say, "Do you have any questions for me?" It sounds like you made it past the first round of interviews -- congrats, that's an accomplishment these days!

I haven't read the entire thread, so my apologies if this is old information: My understanding is that orientation (for the Fall cohort) is held in May to allow for forms, like the physical and immunization information, to be completed. I also understand that no lectures/clinicals are held during breaks in the middle of semesters (like Spring Break), but that some students use the time for extra study or writing previously-assigned papers that may be due in the days after break is over. I believe that Christmas break, because it occurs after the end of a semester and grades are due by mid-December, is a complete break -- I would imagine the only assignment to be securing books for next semester, of course :) Good luck to all students in the ABSN for fall 2011.

I had never worked nights before my nursing job. I did work days as a CNA/nurse assistant (both long-term care and hospital) and during clinicals. Some things I like: less drama, more teamwork. We are busy, it's just a different kind of busy. Time passes more quickly for me. I listened to my preceptor (a night nurse with literally decades of experience on the unit) and tried her tips to adjust my sleep schedule -- still getting used to it, but on the whole I really appreciate nights. And of course I'm grateful to be employed and for the shift diff.

Also in SE Michigan Job offer June 2010 Graduated Aug 2010 Started Sep 2010 as graduate nurse Licensed Oct 2010 My unit staff and manager are endlessly supportive, and I am very grateful! I :redbeathe my unit!

blue 1018, I would recommend that after you do the reading & study the PPT's, you use the disk that came with the book to review & take a look at the study guide questions, if you have the guide. I don't think it's required with our section of pharm. The study guide questions are comprehensive and cover points that are not emphasized in the reading. But the disk is a good review too.

I'm a brand new hospital NA now. The fun part of being a LTC CNA for me was interacting with the residents. Since they remember the past so vividly I heard wonderful stories about life anywhere from 50-80 years ago. A lot of WWII memories, from both sides of the conflict. My ladies & gentlemen were appreciative. But when the chance came to work at hospital, I jumped at it, since I'm going to nursing school later this year.:)

Hi kale1, I start Sept. '09. Taking my last requirements... As to what to do, I don't know your situation, but I took a job as CNA since I'm new to healthcare. Travel sounds really good to me, but alas I can't afford it! Good luck in the reading!

Hi kale1, I also have pharm with Sally this semester. After patho I was freaking out when I read the syllabus & saw the assignments -- like 8 chapters in the first module! But the chapters are short and to-the-point. The reading goes fast and we don't take the test for about 2 weeks.

In my admittedly brief stint as a LTC CNA I made nearly $12 per hour in Oakland county suburbs. This was for a unionized, licensed position, not for assisted living. I've never worked assisted living, but my understanding is that the starting pay in assisted living is substantially less than $12/hr. People who worked both told me that although the pay is less for assisted living, the resident population is much more independent.

Hi steph7510, I took anatomy at OCC because of the cost. Also, since my prior degree is not in science, I was a little concerned about squeezing anatomy into one 15-week class. At OCC Auburn Hills I took Anatomy 2630 in the Winter (January - April) and 2640 in an accelerated summer session (May/June). That way I got about 22 weeks of anatomy. I enjoyed my teacher and the class, and the preparation definitely helped with my patho class this semester at OU!

Hi Anne36! I tried to pm you, but I guess I haven't posted quite enough. I took microbio of health & disease at OCC Auburn Hills campus. It met once per week for about 3 hours. People who were successful in my class were good at memorizing and attended regularly. There was also extra credit. It was a pretty fun class and not very stressful if you had studied. I thought it was much easier than anatomy! No textbook -- the prof had made his own for us to use. I took BIO 1530 before I took 1570 since I went to high school during Ronald Reagan's first term and also wanted to enter OU's accelerated BSN program. In my particular 1570 class I think you would be o.k. if you had bio in high school. I hope this helps!

Hi, cs81! I completely understand about the GPA. You want to be competitive. If there is no one else, perhaps speak with a counselor at OCC and/or OU. I found the counselors at Highland Lakes to be very helpful in developing a plan of study, even though I was upfront with them about my preference for OU. Only you can determine what would be too much. Some questions to consider: do you work full-time? how easy is it for you to learn new concepts? how much time could you realistically spend studying? We used only a few formulas in my chem class, but we needed to be able to manipulate them mathematically. I did science pre-reqs in one year (fall, spring, summer) but I don't have a full-time job, so I had a lot more studying time than some others in my class. :)

Because I wanted to apply for OU's Accelerated BSN, I needed Intro to Chem (Chem 1000). I took all my prereq's at OCC. I would recommend the rate my professor site to get an idea about the teachers if you can't get feedback yet. I also didn't have previous college-level biology or chemistry, but it went just fine. I discovered that I needed extra study time in biology at first, to learn the vocabulary. If you take intro to chem, I recommend brushing up on algebra. My instructor used a lot of formulas, and she expected us to work on them in class. The fact that you're brushing up on math now means that you'll do well in class because you know how to study. Good luck!

Back in 1994 (in the financial field) I had 60% base pay for short-term disability. It began after all sick time was used and lasted for 90 days. I was happy to get it. This was a small company of about 35 employees. We had good benefits & we didn't have to pay our premiums while on S/T disability.

It seems to me that you have 10,000 good reasons to go to WSU! I'm in the middle of an OU online BSN course right now & I must say I prefer the lecture format. Good luck whatever you decide.:)