cns48

Hello, The organization you are looking for is the North Carolina Association of Nursing Students (NCANS). Their website is: http://www.ncans.org. You may want to go through your school's chapter to become a member. It is a great organizationa that prepares nursing students for their role in the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA). It is also great to meet and relate to other nursing students going through the same thing. I just graduated from UNC-CH and was a member of NCANS and definitely plan to participante in NCNA. I think that it is very important for nurses to participate in their professional organization and NCANS will provide you with that foundation. CNS48

Hello Everyone, I am a new RN who will be working on a cardiac stepdown unit and wanted to see if any of you have any suggestions of what supplies I should invest in. I have a Littman stethescope and after a little while may invest in a true Cardiac stethescope. Any other suggestions? CNS48

Rex Healthcare in Raleigh is a smaller hospital than UNC and Duke, but it is a great hospital that has Magnet Status and an excellent reputation for treating their nurses well. Visit them at: http://www.rexhealth.com

First I want to say do not be too hard on yourself. I have heard that many people who did well in nursing school still do not pass the NCLEX. I know that this is a difficult time for you, but you know that you are meant to be a nurse, so don't let this one thing discourage you. There are many nurses and even nurses managers who are excellent nurses, but did not pass the NCLEX the first time. This is just a little test, but don't give up. I would suggest continuing with Kaplan, but also study with Saunders. I like it better than Kaplan because it gives more detail information and explain a lot of the concepts better. Keep your head up and remember that this test is something that we all must get through and that it has no impact on the type of nurse you will be.

I first just want to give all honor and thanks to God. I truly know that no matter how hard I studied I could not have passed the NCLEX-RN without him. Next I want to say congrats to you all as well as thanks. I had my exam on July 9th and all your words of encouragement were so helpful. I did not post anything, I would just read through the board. I cannot believe that I am finally a RN. Passed after computer stopped after 75 questions!!

Can you please tell me what "priority book" you are talking about. I am currently using Saunders and the Kaplan book. Thanks CNS48

I am originally from DC and am a senior nursing student at UNC-Chapel Hill. I also have a degree in another field. Personally, I chose to do the 24 month program at UNC rather than the 14-month program. Both of these programs are very competitive. Still apply, but I would recommend considering the 24-month option at UNC as well. It is a good program. I took my prereqs through the community college(cc) system. Interest is high in nursing, so it can be difficult getting into classes. So I just took classes at any nearby cc that offered the courses and even took my nutrition and developmental psych courses online. I took classes at Wake Tech, Johnston CC, Piedmont CC, etc. I believe that taking courses through the community college is a good option. First it is much cheaper than a university; second, they tend to offer more classes in the evening, so I could go to class after work; and finally my professors were just as knowledgeable as other professors anywhere else. Thus, I highly recommend it. You can go to the following website to see what courses you need can be taken online. Type in the name of the course. For example if you need a developmental psych course, type in "psychology" and it will give you a list of all the psych courses offered through distance education and which community colleges offer them. http://www.ncccs.cc.nc.us/folder/ As for CNA training, most of the community colleges also provide CNA training and you shouldn't have a problem finding a job as a nursing assistant at any of the hospitals in the Triangle area. Many of my friends are working as CNAs while in school and the agencies are happy to have them simply because they are nursing students and it may be an opportunity for them to recruit you after graduation. You may go to the following site to see which cc are in the Triangle area. http://www.ncccs.cc.nc.us/colleges_map.htm Feel free to send me a private message for more info.

I am in my second/senior year of UNC-Chapel Hill's 24-month program. I also have a degree in another field. I considered applying for the Accelerated Program, but I am glad that I decided to stay with the 24-month program. Any program in nursing will be strenuous, but the Accelerated program is really tough. However, many people have gotten through it. For me, I needed a program where I could have a little more time and it is still tough. I had a 3.4 from my previous degree, but I did very well in all of my pre-requisite courses. I know people who had lower and higher GPAs. They truly look at the entire package. My class is a mix of traditional and second-degree students. Due to the fact that interest in nursing programs in at an all time high, I would highly suggest that you apply to multiple schools. Overall, I am very satisfied with my program although it is very challenging. Send me a private message if you want more information.

Hello MommytoZion, UNC Hospitals offers a residency program for all new grads in a variety of specialty areas. They also offer an Educational Loan in return for a work commitment. Feel free to visit their nursing website at:http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/Nursing. Under nurse employment you can learn about their residency programs as well as the financial assistance they offer. CNS48

I am a nursing student with one more year of school left. I am a student at UNC-Chapel Hill and am considering working at either UNC Hospitals or Cape Fear Valley Health System. Being a student at UNC, I am quite familiar with what this hospital has to offer for new grads. Can anyone provide information on Cape Fear Valley Health System. It is very important to me to work for a hospital with a residency program and I understand that Cape Fear Valley has residencies for 3 areas. What is this hospital like for nurses? How is the clinical ladder, opportunity for professional development, etc. I had heard that they had a bad reputation with their nurses in the past, but that this has changed now that the hospital is trying to get magnet status. I also saw a commercial where they have instituted nurse-patient ratios. Can anyone provide any information about this facility. I am not sure what area I want to work in, but it is very important that I work at a facility that supports new nurses. CNS48

Thanks for all the information. I have one more year of nursing school to complete, so it's still early for me. I see the value of getting at least one year of medical-surgical experience as well as starting out in psych. I think it will depend what is going on once I graduate from school. Thanks again.

I am nursing student with one year of school left to complete. I have thoroughly enjoyed all my rotations thus far (med-surg, pediatrics and psychiatric nursing). I am the type of student who could see myself working in each of the rotations I had. Before I started my psych rotation, I just knew I wouldn't enjoy it. I must say, it has been the best rotation I've had thus far and truly believe I would enjoy working in this speciality area. My clinical instructor even told me more than once that if I am truly interested, she would recommend me for my school's combined PMH Nurse Practitioner/CNS Program at any time. I have concerns about whether pysch would be a good area to start out in. My clinical instructor for my rotation started out in psych and she is excellent. However, other psych nurses have told me that I should start in another area like med-surg. One nurse told me that he started out in psych and now he could never do much of anything else because he has lost most of his skills. Another nurse told me that in today's psych world, patients are very much medically compromised, thus having some other experience like med-surg would be very instrumental. Is it beneficial to start in another area? I am a second-career student, which means I am much older. I don't have time to spend years and years in med-surg and then move to psych, especially if its what I know I want to do. What are your thoughts? What are the pros and cons of going right into psych nursing straight out of school? CNS48

I am applying to UNC-CH traditional BSN (24 month) program. I have heard great things about their accelerated program, but it is very challenging and has a competitive admissions process. They have tons of students knocking their doors down due to their great reputation. I know someone who applied for the accelerated program and was denied, but they did offer him admission to their traditional 24 month program. It is my first choice, but I am applying to other schools just becuase it is so competitive. Visit their website at: http://nursing.unc.edu. Be sure to try to attend one of the upcoming open houses, if possible. Good luck and welcome to NC. CNS48

This is a good topic and I appreciate all opinions. I believe that there are great nurses who come from a variety of degree levels. But I think it is unfortunate that some nurses in the profession devalue education. Once again, I think it is great that nursing is a profession where you can enter at a variety of levels, but every nurse should aspire for higher education and more knowledge. Even the nurse who starts with a BSN should try to better him or herself. As times change and healthcare advances, nurses must be current in their knowledge base. Experience is definitely important, but it does not substitute for education. Higher education doesn't necessary make you a better nurse, it gives you a wider knowledge base and a wider perspective to pull from. I wouldn't say that higher education is better, but it surely makes a difference (formal or informal education does). People in other professions do not debate whether education makes a difference, so why does nursing? I agree with the person who said being a good nurse is an individual thing. I also agree that continuing education is good as well. Everyone doesn't need a Master's degree or PhD. But at the same time, we must look at what nurses are required to do and think hard if the current educational system prepares them for it. Most people will tell you no! Also, I agree that nursing will continue to be at the bottom of health careers if education does not keep pace with other healthcare professionals. For example, physical therapist require a Master's Degree. Not trying to degrade anyone's profession, but they do not have to do nor know half of what nurses need to be able to do and know to be competent. So while it is great that nursing has a variety of entry points and this should not change, we must think about how advancing education once you enter the profession will not only empower us individually, but as a profession. Most of all it will empower and ultimately benefit patients.

I am not a nurse. At least not yet. I am preparing to apply to 3 accelerated programs as I already have a degree. I am somewhat interested in nurse anesthesia, but want to wait and work as a staff nurse first to see what I enjoy. I know I want to ultimately get a MSN, but not making a decision so soon. I often hear pre-nursing or nursing students say they want to be a CRNA and most of them do not know what the specialty entails. A lot of people see the high earning potential and this drives their decision. Does this make you angry as a CRNA and why did you decide to become one? I do not think it is wrong to want a career or position that gives you good financial compensation, but I think it is wrong to based your decision on that one thing. I think people do not consider that first of all the competitiveness of the programs (to get in) and the high level of autonomy and skill the job requires. What do you all think?