maiday

I used the Janet Brown book and CPHQ secrets.

Hi! I just passed my CPHQ today. I'm already in quality so career wise, I have yet to see if it makes a difference. I did think it was a little difficult. I think it depends on how long you've been in quality. Quite a bit was application so you'd have to study more if you were new and it would be more difficult.

I would bring a little notebook that you can fit in your scrubs that you can write things you learn. You may not be able to write things down right away but later. You may want to write anything from pertinent info to where you find certain paperwork to how to get ahold of different docs. It's just too much information to remember everything.

Hi brae82, I know this is late, but I just saw this post... or possibly I forgot to respond, not sure which one. Anyway, Yes I worked as a CNA while in nursing school. However, I worked per diem which in my hospital meant I chose my schedule, I just had to work 4 shifts a month. That is totally doable. Also, I could cancel my shift and reschedule as long as it was 24 hours before the shift started (or something like that). I would not recommend full time CNA or even part-time CNA simply because usually even part time is 2 days a week and it's not really flexible. You are part of a unit and you need to be a team player. I was just float so I filled in wherever. Good luck!

We have a ratio of 3:1 both days and nights. We have a secretary most days, unless we have a low census. Depending on census, we will have a CNA or a resource RN, sometimes both (rarely). We do vital signs q2, urine output q4. Full assessment, we're actually in the process of figuring out policy, but at least twice a shift, however it's only charted once.

Hi brae82, Yes, I graduated May 2011 and I got a job right away. I actually started in August but that was because that was when the new grad program started. I work in a progressive care unit which is a step down from ICU and I love it. National has a good reputation in the hospitals as far as I can tell. But honestly most of the schools in San Diego are good and I don't think I've heard bad things about any schools in particular just bad students individually. I think honestly in this economy the school matters less than who you know. I started working as a CNA per diem in the hospital I wanted to work at a year before I graduated. They interviewed all internal candidates first and hired most of the people who already worked in the hospital when they did their new grad RN program. So it definitely gave me a head start. You will hear some bad and some good things about NU, but I would personally recommend the program and I have to friends or friends of friends. In the end, I graduated in 2 years with my BSN and I got a job as an RN. That was my goal and that's what happened. Could it have been a better school in some ways... yes. But I, like you was 30 and I already had a child. I did not have 3-4 years to sit on a wait list AFTER finishing prereqs. Hope that helps! Good luck!

I am not a man so can't give you personal experience. But have a few thoughts. First... nursing is not recession proof and depending on where you live, new grads are having a heck of a time finding work. You may have to start somewhere you don't really like to gain experience. Of course there are still jobs out there, it's just not like it used to be. If you want to get your foot in the door somewhere you may need to find work in a hospital before graduating. Most of the people I know who got jobs right out of nursing school had jobs in that hospital (including myself). 2nd. Men in nursing is fine, not only fine, it's great. I think most places will be happy to have you. Just know you will be asked ALL THE TIME to help with boosts, lifts, etc. Especially being a big guy. 3rd. My manager has a law degree. He's a man, I have no idea why he didn't continue with law but I'm sure his law degree helps him in his management position. However, he is now going back for his MBA because the hospital will give more money for an MBA rather than his law degree... crazy. Hope that helps some. The big thing is really think about nursing and how you will set yourself up for a job right out of school. It's rough out there right now. Of course, may change in a few years, who knows?

Hmmm... that's an idea. Right now, it's just a blanket statement ICU or med/surg. Maybe adding in those exceptions (or something along those lines) could be a way to go. Thanks for the response.

Hi guys! I am doing some research and I was wondering if you all could help me. I currently work in a PCU (progressive care unit), it's a step-down from ICU and when we receive pts from ED, they come with holding orders. Our holding orders state the Dr. needs to see the pt in 2 hours for ICU and 12 hours for a floor pt. The problem is PCU is not listed so some Dr.'s come see the pt quickly but sometimes we will have very sick pt's with multiple drips that do not see a Dr. for 12 hours. We are working to change our ED holding orders/policy but of course it's a huge process. I am wondering if it would be possible to either get information or a copy of your holding orders if possible (blank of course). My questions are: 1. How long are your holding orders good for? 2. Is PCU/step-down/intermediate care listed on your holding orders at all? If anybody knows of any research regarding safe times for a pt to be on a floor with only holding orders, that would be great also. Also, before I get flamed, I am doing more research than just posting on allnurses, but I figured it can't hurt to ask. Thank you for any help/feedback.

Nursing Central was included in my nursing schools orientation so I've had it for awhile. I also had to buy a drug book and the tabers for one of my classes. I never opened either one. Nursing Central has both plus you can look up all kinds of info on diseases and labs. I love this app. To be honest though, I didnt' use it much during nursing school, although now I realize I could have used it much more, I just would forget I had it. We usually weren't allowed our cell phones during clinicals and nursing students on cell phones looks bad (people don't know you are actually using for something useful). I actually use it now as a nurse more. I'm a new nurse and I still have to look up drugs sometimes or somebody might come in with something I'm not very familiar with. Yes, we have drug books and you can look it up in the computer, but nursing central lets you put the generic drug name or the trade name, the book only has one and sometimes will direct you to an appendix. I just need the info quick! (I still don't use my phone in plain site though, I use it in the med room) Although I did pull out my phone once with a pt who had some questions about the drug I was giving her. I knew the basics, but she had tons of questions. I looked it up and read her the info she wanted. She was happy I could answer her question so thoroughly. Probably too much info for you, but I think nursing central is pretty awesome and I will renew it when my subscription is up.

I know this thread is a little old but for anybody still interested... I'm sure it varies from hospital to hospital but this is from mine: The RN will perform stress tests and Cardiology procedures to include treadmills, Dobutamine stress echos, Nuclear studies, Transesophogeal Echos and Tilt table tests.

I'm in CA and the job market for new grads is very tough. One particular hospital offered an unpaid "nurse extern" position for students. It was basically like a preceptorship except you worked for the hospital, not the school. The current hospital I work at offers this also, except it's paid (at a little more than a CNA rate). The point as the OP stated was to get your foot in the door and gain some experience to be more marketable. I had a few classmates who did this. They worked 1 or 2 12 hour shifts every week unpaid. They gained experience but at the end when they graduated... not 1 person was hired. It seemed like a good idea but in the end, if they couldn't afford to pay interns, they probably couldn't afford to hire new grads. My opinion, I used to think this was a good idea (like the OP) for new grads but I am now more of the opinion that it is setting a bad precedent for nursing. Now that I'm working I realize we do WAY to much to not get paid!

I think I'd do the 12s... but 4 in a row is tough and the last 2 on nights... Have a good plan in case you're too tired (stop for coffee or even a 15 min nap). I work nights (or did) and live 60 min away from work. I would sometimes stop half way and sleep a little. It's too easy to think you're ok and start falling asleep. Plus, like others have said, doing the 12s you shouldn't hit traffic. My 60 min commute turns into an hour and 20 min if I need to come in at 8 or leave between 3-6pm.

I think it depends on the hospital. My hospital only gives 3 months orientation with a preceptor and that seems to be the norm. However, I am technically in a new grad program for a year. All that means though is during my 3 months orientation I go to a 4 hour class once a week and then after 3 months I think we have a class once a month but no preceptor. So I think 3 months sounds fine!

Well, you may have already had your interview. If so, hope it went well! If not, here's my 2 cents. Research (if you haven't already) the companies mission and values and try to find a way to work it into the interview. Say something like, "I love that one of this company's values is xyz. That fits with my values so well. As an example, during clinical... blah blah." And I wouldn't gush, but definitely tell them you love this hospital/company, had a great experience with the nurses or whatever. Especially if you're interviewing for a floor you had clinicals at. You can mention how everybody was so helpful/friendly/seemed happy, this reflects well on management so you're complementing them also. Good luck!