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I just got my first travel position for Seton Medical Center and am looking for other travelers going to Austin in March and April! Anyone have any good ideas for living arrangements also while I am there? Thanks!

We started with 50. And now are at about 36 I believe.

Hello everyone. I am a student at Louisville galen- finishing up 2nd quarter evening. Actually- kind of getting stressed as i have some final things coming up. I have been reading and see that a lot of you have questions- but it doesn't seem like that many students are on here, I would be glad to answer any questions! I know when I first started- I was scouring anything and everything to put my mind at rest at what it would be like... As far as orientation goes- the four hours are actually taken up by quite a few different people talking to you. They talk to you about parking, the building, what to expect, rules and the student handbook. And a student will come in and answer questions which is nice. They also do a game where you get to know other people that will be in your class. Its not too bad...and you get a tshirt! :) The only advice I have is just to rest and get ready- b/c once you start you really have to get focused and be prepared to study a lot. My brother is in the day program first quarter and I know he has said that its kicking quite a few peoples butt! We lost about 15 people first quarter, some from personal reasons- but quite a few from grades. The other students will become some of your best friends- how could they not? You will see them everyday!! Good Luck- and if you have any questions, just post them on here, I check this pretty frequently!

wow. I don't know that I could do that after watching the video! Very very interesting though- thanks for the post!

Well fellow students, I have come full circle. Last night- I got to put in my first foley catheter on a 85 year old woman. This is a huge deal for me. The one thing I was scared half to death over, and now I am the 2nd person in the entire class to have completed the procedure in clinicals. (We are in 2nd quarter but first quarter that we have done clinicals). My CI told me that my patient had been ordered a catheter, I just told her ok, I definitely want to watch- and she kept staring at me, until I finally said what? She just smiled and said grab your gloves kiddo- you are doing this! I almost passed out then and there. The first words out of my mouth were ok, but I haven't practiced that much in lab. But she walked me through everything- and I got it in on the first try, and the sterile field wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I felt a little lightheaded afterwards- I don't think I was breathing the entire time lol. Just wanted to share my excitedness. I told my CI and my other classmate that it was an adrenaline rush not like I have had before (and i have bungee jumped!)...it was crazy!!!! This is how I felt afterwards!

MY BAD- i THOUGHT I WAS POSTING IN THE LPN.

Well fellow students, I have come full circle. Last night- I got to put in my first foley catheter on a 85 year old woman. This is a huge deal for me. The one thing I was scared half to death over, and now I am the 2nd person in the entire class to have completed the procedure in clinicals. (We are in 2nd quarter but first quarter that we have done clinicals). My CI told me that my patient had been ordered a catheter, I just told her ok, I definitely want to watch- and she kept staring at me, until I finally said what? She just smiled and said grab your gloves kiddo- you are doing this! I almost passed out then and there. The first words out of my mouth were ok, but I haven't practiced that much in lab. But she walked me through everything- and I got it in on the first try, and the sterile field wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I felt a little lightheaded afterwards- I don't think I was breathing the entire time lol. Just wanted to share my excitedness. I told my CI and my other classmate that it was an adrenaline rush not like I have had before (and i have bungee jumped!)...it was crazy!!!! This is how I felt afterwards!

i personally use bigwords.com- I have told most of my nursing school friends- and now they all use it! Saves tons of money!

Hi there! I am doing an LPN program with my brother. I am a few months ahead of him, but as he is full time day and i am part time evening, he will eventually pass me. Next quarter we will share the same classes, and then he will go ahead. I'm excited though, b/c then he can give me the tricks of the trade and books that won't be as expensive! Its funny, we share a class right now, and we are so competitive...we thrive off it, always have. He takes a test, lets me know what he got (different teachers) and then when I take mine we compare. Right now- Im winning! He just grumbles while I pump my fist :) But we both love it- gives us motivation!

Wow- I have been reading this thread and I don't really know what to say. I am a nursing student right now, and it amazes me that people are starting to lose their compassion and maybe aren't giving the best care to people that are receiving government help due to things that may have been completely out of their control. And actually this thread hits too close to home. This is my job. I work in the hospitals and go up and see private pay patients and if they are eligible, help them by applying for disability and medicaid on their behalf. You may even call me an enabler, and sometimes I have to give myself a reality check that this is what our government has come to. Sometimes its really frustrating because you see the people that are in constantly and choose never to turn their verifications back in because they don't care, even if they qualify. BUT you also see the people who really need the assistance. Do you know how many times I have had someone cry to me because they don't have the money for prescriptions or they are homeless and have a serious problem that has nothing to do with being healthy or not- sometimes its the luck of the draw. I have had to tell myself many times when i get upset with 15 year olds that are living on the street that they did this to themself, but then you have to think, people just get into really bad spots in life and its our job to care for them, no matter how much many they have or how entitled they may feel. One last thought- nurses and doctors honestly shouldn't even know if the pt is there with insurance or medicaid, thats a need to know basis. I know at my hospital only the financial counselors and or care managers who place these pts in rehab or with home health are supposed to know the pts financial situation. Could be a hippa situation don't you think? And don't we have better things to do than worry about someones financial situation- im sure they are worrying enough for the both of you...

Hi! I think it is great if you can manage all of that and still get that college experience. I was in a sorority (not during nursing school), but had many friends that were premed,nursing,vet, all very hard majors and they managed to do just fine. A sorority in my honest opinion is "you get out what you put into it". And that is the honest truth. I myself did a ton of stuff, always busy, volunteering, on multiple organizations and teams. I played intramurals and did the different fraternity weeks, and I will tell you that it was the best time of my life, and I miss it a lot. Most of the time, sororities have sign up's for different things, so its whomever is able to participate at that time. Being in a sorority means a lot of different things to different people. Some say that I paid for my friends- but I say that I didn't pay enough if thats the case. Don't let anyone tell you all the stereotypical stuff about sororities- most don't realize that many of our leaders in this country were greek. Like I said, its what you put into it that counts. Time management is key. Pick the activities that you are most interested in and do those. You don't always have to be at the "house" or going out to the fraternity parties. Just participate the most that you are able to and realize that you don't have to do everything b/c you do have a child at home and school to worry about. But I will say, some of those girls will become your lifetime friends, and you will have memories to last a lifetime, plus there are always alumni activities to participate in afterwards. I say go for it!! Good Luck!

Hi! This is actually what I do for my job. I screen uninsured patients at a local hospital. We screen for medicaid, disability and charity through the hospital. If you do not qualify for mcaid or disability (single parent with minors or are disabled) then the hospitals USUALLY have some kind of charity/dsh program for self pay patients. But you do have to be under certain income guidelines for this, but they are fairly high depending on the number in your hh. If you do exceed the limit, most of the time, they give a pretty high percentage off (we do 50, others do 80) then put you on a payment plan. Its ok, dont freak out, most doctors are pretty willing to help you out as well, as the charity programs only cover hospital bills. Don't wait for care just because you don't have insurance, they legally can not turn you away; don't let it get worse!! Feel Better!

Good Luck DarkRainyDays!!! Hang in there, you will probably do a lot better than you think!

Hi AniRn! I read your message, and I really hope that you find something soon, its out there keep trying! The reason I am writing is because my ex boyfriend used to work for Maxim as a healthcare recruiter. You can take this for what its worth, and all i know is just from his side of the story. He hated working there; which he wasn't a nurse, but he used to tell me that it was really unorganized, and that the nurses were quitting left and right because they were overloaded and being asked to do things they weren't supposed to be doing. But that is here in KY, so Im not sure if its different there or not; I hope so for your sake! I would post something in the regional and see if anyone has anything to say about maxim there. Good luck! I hope you find what you are looking for!

Hey everyone, something that I have been thinking about on my day off; the wonderful support system that I have. And that I am planning on writing little notes to those that have been so supportive of me getting into school and these first couple of weeks. I am going to thank my mom and dad for constantly asking me how everything is going, and letting me live at their house rent free! Even at 25, I wouldn't mind that A test going up on the fridge My boyfriend for telling me how amazing I am and reassuring me when I get stressed out that things won't work out. Plus, he keeps telling me he will help me when I need to study flashcards! He's the best :redbeathe My best friends for calling me and checking to see how things are going...that goes a long way! I hope everyone out there has an awesome support system, thank them somehow!!! Who would you thank?