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.:)

I was also surprised at OU's grading scale for nursing courses. It does seem harsh to me also. But I plan on attending OU for my master's anyway. If you still want to attend OU for your BSN it might be a good idea to speak with a counselor and explain how the GPA impacts students who want to go elsewhere for a master's. It would be good for them to know why someone is not considering their program.

My pediatrician had me make up a cream that contained a small jar of vaseline, a small tube of zinc oxide cream and 2 tbsp. cornstarch. She called it Gramm's Ointment. It worked very well for us.

Well now we know what is wrong in the classroom -- the principal has set the tone and is not willing to accommodate your son's learning style. This means the teacher doesn't have to do it either. It sounds like they are blaming you for the way your son learns. I can't imagine a problem with dating work! I agree with mama d that a different class -- actually a different teacher -- might help. If you can't find a college student, how about an advanced high school student to work with your son after school? mama d, I finally taught my kids the "old" way of doing basic math. My daughter told me that it was a lot easier for her, especially when she got into algebra.

Words of encouragement and advice from a former middle-school (public) special education teacher: I know it's hard to realize that your son is going to need significant help, but with but help the situation will improve. If your child is learning disabled, he is going to need a cheerleader at home as he struggles to learn in the school environment. You will be his biggest fan! Educate yourself about his particular learning disability and become his advocate. As soon as you have your diagnosis, please look into special ed funding through IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). It is possible that your son may be able to receive services under this law, even though he attends private school. Above all, don't give up! Students who did the best in my classes were from homes where the parent was involved in the child's education. You are already a good role model. You care about completing homework and understanding answers to questions, and you take the time to work with your boy. There are many children who are not so fortunate. Obviously I don't know the entire situation, but I don't think that being upset in this instance has scarred your son. If he is doing his best that's all you can ask. Until you both understand how to work with his disability he may have significant difficulty with homework. Is there someone else who can work with him on homework from time to time so that you don't get so frustrated? And what has the teacher said? If I had a student with 3/4 answers wrong consistently, I'd be calling the parent for a conference. I'd also be recommending testing. And above all, please remember that no matter what anyone (including teacher or doctor) says, you are the expert on your son. If you think your son needs help, then he does. Go mom!

I agree with xadunzo about the waiting period. I'm also in OU's accelerated 2nd degree program. I checked into OCC and found out that I would graduate a year later than with OU, plus I would have to go back to school to finish my BSN if I wanted it. Even though OU costs more, I figure I'll make up the money in that year of employment after graduation.

Heard today via email. I made it! Sending positive thoughts your way... :redpinkhe