TRR8021

I'm accepted to the May cohort but I'm taking the bridge course so I suppose I won't be in classes with any of you guys haha. I'm a little nervous about it all. Especially the cost. Anyone have any recommendations for scholarships? I've done a few searches online and plan to apply to everyone I can possibly find that I may qualify for!

Why have ADN programs if hospitals don't want to hire RNs with an associates?! I have a BSN, but that's crazy to me. I'm sure if that's the case at RIH, they will help you bridge over to the bachelor's by offering classes/tuition reimbursement. I'm pretty sure that's what they do at Miriam. I would apply anyway.

I used Saunders to prepare for my exam last year, and personally, the actual NCLEX exam was easier than the prep book! Truly. Other people I know said the same thing. My school also utilized ATI so I used that along with Saunders to study. I mainly used the CD-ROM from the Saunders book and the practice exams from ATI because I wanted to get the actual feel of the test. It worked for me. I passed with 75 questions.

Yeah, I worked for Mollen this year too and facilities don't really care about this type of experience. I recently interviewed at a rehab/LTC facility and the ADON asked if I had experience and I said "I worked at a retail flu clinic" and she said "oh, but no hospital or floor experience?".... I didn't get that position. I don't know if it was for lack of experience or what, but the manager spoke as if she wanted to hire me during the interview, but then she never returned my follow up calls (which I find very rude. What is with the rudeness in healthcare?! That's for another post).... In any event, it's nice to have the flu clinic experience of interacting with the public, but that's about all it does as far as furthering your nursing career, IMO. I'm a year out of school with no nursing job and I'm getting worried now. I applied for many local openings and for 2 of out of state new grad positions just to see what would happen. So far, I received one notice that I didn't get selected. I'll keep applying. I have a compact license and I'm single with no kids. I want to go to graduate school too, but I would like to work at least 1 day as a floor RN before starting another nursing program I will stay positive, though.

You should probably take an instructor led review class like the one by Kaplan. Also, did your school use ATI? If so, maybe you can ask the nursing department at your alma mater for the codes to do the review tests online? I would tell them your situation. You are their graduate so they want you to pass NCLEX too! Those will help you with content and get you used to taking a test online, but in actuality, the NCLEX exam is much easier than ATI, in my opinion. So if you can tackle the ATI review, you'll be in good shape! You'll need a good NCLEX review book, too. My school recommended Saunders so that's what I used. If you can't afford the Kaplan review course, write out a study schedule and stick to it. Block out certain hours of the day exclusively for studying so you don't get side-tracked or start procrastinating. Having a study partner is great if you're that kind of learner. Personally, I never liked study groups and can focus better on my own. Good luck. You can do it! You already conquered nursing school, got your pin, graduated, and now you will pass NCLEX and have RN after your name!

LOL even the nurses that were mean to you all semester long get happy when the donuts arrive! Sugar sweetens everything! haha

Yes, we did this all the time when I was in nursing school. Like others have said, do it on your last clinical day. We would all chip in as a group to defray the cost, but when I did my final senior clinical, I bought a box of Christmas cookies and a Thank You card of my own money and gave it to my unit (it was December.)

How about the nursing home or SNF? You could try a doc's office but they usually staff Medical Assistants... You could look for a job in the clinics/urgent care facilities too. I know of a few people who went straight to working in the clinics as new grads. You never know what can happen so it's worth a try to apply!

I would go for it. I'm not sure if you'll be more competitive, but like others said, it can't hurt. You'll get experience in the healthcare environment and form relationships with nurse managers all while caring for patients in the most fundamental way. Most of my classmates that were CNAs or nurse interns in the hospital landed an RN job shortly before or soon after graduation. Whether or not you get the CNA cert, I would definitely apply for a student nurse intern position at your local hospital. I wish I had pursued it more adamantly as a student!

I feel your pain. I've only gotten interviews in LTC and Skilled Nursing facilities. 0 hospital interviews. Thankfully, I still have my non-nursing job. Check sites like indeed and simplyhired. There's some new grad listings on those sites. I saw some in states like NE, NC and SC to name a few.

I've never heard of that. I would think it wouldn't show a heart rate at all if a lead is off. You can always check the HR manually, re-attach the lead and compare. Could just be a faulty EKG machine

Hi there, luvnursing13. I don't think it matters where you do your pre-reqs. If CCRI is a more economical choice, I would do it. Just make sure that your courses at CCRI are comparable to RIC's courses. I believe the Admissions Office at RIC has a reference book that you can use to make sure you're taking the right course. I'm sure CCRI will have a resource too. As for the schedule, it can be a full course load if you want it to be. As a 2nd degree student you can petition to take all 4 intro nursing classes together. That's a lot to handle if you plan to work too. When I was attending, the schedule was 2 morning classes back to back and at least 1 afternoon class which met 2x a week. Basically, you have class 4 days a week. You can check the online course catalog on RIC's website to get a feel for the schedule. I actually took a slower route through the program since I was working nearly full time. I ended up taking 1 or 2 classes per semester. It depends on your personal preference, how strong a student you are, and how quickly you want to get through it. Personally, if I had to do it all over again, I would go to one of those direct entry graduate programs to become an NP lol. Now I have to go back to grad school one day. Oh well. Good luck with the program!

Oh congrats on the new job! Did you land a hospital position? I actually have an interview this week for with a SNF. Hopefully it works out!

2nd degree is not a strike against you at all. You sound like a great candidate. As long as you have all your prerequisites done and your application completed and in by the deadline, you should be all set. Your GPA is stellar so there's no issue there. I was a 2nd degree student as well and got in perfectly fine.

I'm not familiar with either programs, but I would suggest going slower at the state school and getting a student nurse intern position once you've done your med/surg clinicals. Becoming a CNA in the hospital would be a great experience as well. All of my classmates that were CNAs in the hospitals or student nurse interns ended up with jobs not long after graduation! I wasn't able to do either and am still looking for work lol. Plus, I feel the CNAs/interns have an advantage in clinical because they are already familiar with the system of things in the acute care setting. Not to mention, they can form relationships with the nurse managers who will remember them and recommend them when they apply for RN positions later on.