ICUgeek

ADN2003 how is Carbondale going? Considering heading that way since it's close to home so any info on the hospital would be great!

I know this post is starting to die down but just wanted to see how many of you are doing this program long distance? I noticed it is an online program but wanted to see how far away you all will be from the campus? Thanks!

I spent last winter in Tampa, but not with Baycare. If I ever went back I would go through them though. I've heard good things about the company as well as the housing. I was told by a few people it was over in Clearwater on the beach so that's a plus. I wasn't a fan of the Florida Hospitals ( I was in Zephyrhills-avoid that place) but at least with Baycare I hear you can pick and choose which places you will work in. Hope this helps!

Hey all! ICU nurse here looking to head to Arizona for the snowbird season in January and wanted to get your opinion of where to avoid or where to try to go. Current assignment doesn't end until Dec but thought I'd get a head start on the hunt. I'm hoping to actually avoid Phoenix and would really love Tuscon, but anywhere will do. Also, if anyone has opinions on being a Banner internal traveler please do share your experiences! Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I received a call from Aureus Medical the other day regarding a travel job but wanted to get some opinions before I agree to anything. Anyone have experience with this company-good or bad?? Thanks!

Rod, Thanks for all the advice on rv living as well as tax preparations! My question to you is what is the prevalence of tankless water heaters in an rv? Also, have you found that companies are willing to pay mileage for the rv to a new assignment or is that pretty much at your own expense? Thanks again!

Thanks so much for your input!!! I can't wait to get started traveling! What kind of RV do you use? I am interested in a class C realistically speaking, but am extremely worried about needing to pull my car. I don't know how I'd fare on the busier roads!

RNERHOUSESUPOR- I enjoy reading your posts from your travels as I plan to start traveling this time next year. I would really like to see the country from the RV and plan to have a friend join me. She is a well seasoned traveler so I will at least have her for advice. My question is, since we will both be night shifters, do you ever have any problems with safety as far as leaving the RV behind in the park unattended? How would it fare if we were to take a long weekend away for a trip? Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Just wanted to say that I will also be starting the Residency on the 26th. I'm also an ADN student from out of state and had the same worries, but it wasn't an issue. I have heard from more and more hospitals that it doesn't matter what degree (ADN or BSN) and in fact many hospitals like ADNs because most of those schools have more hands on clinical time. The Residency interview was scary in my mind, but the 3 people who interviewed me were sooo nice so it was not nearly as bad as I feared. Mythreegirls- I will look forward to seeing you in a few days at the luncheon! I had no idea that so many people applied-I'm still amazed I was one of the people they picked!

Hey guys- I take my last final tomorrow and I'm hoping to test in Dec. as well. I want to wish everyone good luck!! You can do it!:yelclap:

Do you have to take a HESI exam before you graduate? If you do then I would definitely recommend buying a HESI book. When I took my exit HESI that book was the only thing I studied and the only reason I passed. I really like how in the book they have boxes of "HESI hints" on the pages, and they do show up on the test. I can't speak for the NCLEX because I am taking next month, but if you have to take a HESI test then I would highly recommend buying the book. The one I have has a dark purple and dark green cover, but I know they just put out a newer edition. The tables in the back of the book are good for lab values on various ages (those helped alot too). Plus it came with a CD with practice tests (which I never did very good on even though I passed the real HESI...oh well). In my opinion money well spent!! Good luck to you!!

Hey guys I was just wondering if you knew when we would find out that our background checks were all good and get our packets? I'm going crazy thinkin about all the little things that could go wrong!! I will feel much better when I get my packet and know for sure (those "investigative comsumer report" things sounded intimidating!). Nurseyaya did you call them and ask about why you were put in Adult Medicine? I hope you were able to get that sorted out! Can't wait to see you all in January!

Thanks so much neurorachel. That is actually my plan too. I want to get a few years experience under my belt and then do travel nursing for a couple of years. Are you happy with your assignments so far? I just got the acceptance letter emailed to me last week so I don't even know where I will be working or who my manager is yet. The Residency Program doesn't even start until Jan 26th but I'm already excited. Any other tips you have to offer? I hear parking is a real mess is that true?

I am graduating from their program in Dec and there are very mixed opinions about JCC. Obviously the administration does suck and they don't seem to be organized to some degree, but I do think that the program is good. They are re-vamping the entire program so I cannpt vouch for the new way things are going to be done, but I don't have much to complain about. I know everyone hates on it, but yes they are cheaper, and yes they have amazing pass rates. I just went into the program with the attitude that it will suck no matter where you go because any ADN program is super intense and you just gotta jump through the hoops to get to the finish line. A lot of students want to be babied there like high school which the program definitely won't do. I say go for it, why spend an outrageous amount of money for the same education? I will vouch for them on the fact that we get way more clinical time than anyone else around which makes a huge difference with your comfort level when you are out on your own.

Don't let your partner or classmates discourage you from becoming a nurse! Like a previous poster said, EVERYONE has something that gets them- I'm getting ready to graduate and I can handle just about everything, getting puked on, pooped on, bled on, you name it, but the mere SOUND of suctioning sends chills down my spine and makes me queasy. I don't mind actually doing the suctioning it's just the sound, even if it's at the other end of the unit, if I hear it I shudder. Even nurses and students are allowed to be human- we deal with gross s***t (literally!) and we have earned the right to gag every now and then! :yelclap: