krltdy

I have to agree. Show me the mechanical chest movements of a 24 weeker on a vent or oscillator with settings turned up so high, you just know they're going to get a pneumo. Show me a micro with IV's in nearly every limb, their scalp, and their umbilical cord. Oh, and don't forget all the desats. To me, this show did not depict what really happens in the nicu.

Thank you both for your insight. It just seems like such a fine line, and would like to approach the subject professionally, without too much emotion attached. That will be very difficult, since that's mostly what drew me to become a nicu nurse. Again, thanks so much!

So, I'm the mother of a nicu grad. She was in the nicu for about 3 months. I've kept in touch with most of the nurses that took care of my peanut. My question is this: do you think it improves or decreases my chances of gaining a spot in the nicu? On one hand, I have experience that most nicu applicant's don't have, which is the raw, suffocating agony of having a child there. I know what questions most parents will ask, before they ask them. I know what it's like to have to decide whether your child a DNR or not. I pretty much have all the terminology down. But on the other hand, I don't want them to think that it would be too emotional or close to home. Please be honest, and tell me what you think. Thanks!!!

Thank you so much! Wishinguponastarcna: Being from Louisville then, you know how hard it is to find somewhere to do 120 hours! Most of my fellow students haven't found a place yet. I hate it for them. At the same time, I'm so overwhelmed with excitement, I can hardly contain myself. Scared to death too!

Hi all! Let me give you some background information first Three years ago, I gave birth to a 24 weeker. After watching the nicu team in action for a few months, I decided I HAD to be a part of this profession. I had always thought about it anyway, but was intimidated. I'm graduating the LPN program in a few weeks, and have been offered an internship at that very hospital. I will start the RN program in about 2 weeks. I'm exhilerated to say the least. They don't hire LPN's, so really they are doing me a HUGE favor! I'm looking at this internship as a job interview. What can I do to really stand out? What should I NOT do? I'm really nervous because I consider some of these folks friends, after all, they did save my peanut's life. Thanks for any input!

Freenursetutor.com has an excellent interactive tutorial! I learned it in a matter of 30 min.....seriously

Actually, it was NOT a homework question. I just couldn't wrap my head around why htn would be one of the first signs of dm. I spoke with my instructor, and she agreed with me, but added that I left out the aldosterone. Thanks everyone for your input.

Thanks everyone for your help! I'll let you know what I come up with :)

I need to answer this question: Why is HTN one of the 1st signs of type 2 DM? Here's what I came up with, but I still don't see how it could be one of the first signs because HTN usually has no s/s, and with this theory, the person probably already knew they had DM . 1. Consistent and continued high blood glucose levels, which leads to: 2. Narrowing of renal artery, which leads to: 3. deprivation of blood to the kidney 4. Kidney then produces more renin and angiotensin, thereby 5. Causing constriction and resistance in peripheral arteries thoughout the body, which equals: 6. HTN Thanks for any input!

To my incredibly insecure classmate with a personality disorder: Quit talking about everyone behind their backs, it really does show your insecurities. 95% of us agree you must have a personality disorder, and we really don't like you. We're just being nice. I mean, why else would you fly off the handle in maternity clinicals? Why else would you act like an A$$ toward the sweetest clinical instructor we've had yet? You know it's bad when a nurse from clinicals pulls you aside and says "What's with the loose cannon?". There's a reason you didn't get to see deliveries during maternity clinicals. Hope you figure it out. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, quit joking to other people about this person being gay, or that person. Nobody really cares how long it's been since Anthony's seen a lady parts. We love him, and you made him feel incredibly uncomfortable telling the instructor just how long it had been, you dim-wit. Another thing, yes I do make straight A's. I work hard for them. It's none of your business what my grades are. I don't know why you ask me what they are if it makes you feel so bad. I'm not in competition with you, we're not even in the same league honey.

I'm in my first Quarter now. I bought a Jansport rolling backpack, a digital recorder (I don't use it), a lanyard to hold my school badge, a good lunch bag (no refridgerator at River Rd. campus), a couple 2" binders, one 4" binder to put things in after I have finished a section in each subject, several one subject notebooks, lots of highlighters, black pens, #2 pencils for tests, a ton of notecards, a clipboard w/storage for clinicals, Littman classic stethescope, disposable pen lights, bandage scissors, Nursemates. I also bought an Ipod Touch, but won't be using it until 2nd Qtr.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and wisdom! It really means a lot to me to have a place to express my fears. I have tried to put this in the back of my head, and move on until I know something concrete. I did speak with 2 instructors yesterday, and they were VERY supportive of me. I feel somewhat more at ease now :)

So, this past Friday I had an MRI done because I had lumps on the back of my neck. I seriously thought it was tension in my neck because I've really gotten myself worked up over starting school this week. As it turns out, I have several swollen lymph nodes. I received a call yesterday from my Dr. telling me she's making an appt. with an ENT to have a biopsy done. I am scared like I have never been before. I know my health is paramount, but I am really worried to miss any school to have this done. I guess if I have cancer, it won't really matter anyway. I will miss, but I really hate it! Today is only my 3rd day of school! How should I handle this with my instructors who really don't know me yet? Sorry, I just needed to get this off my chest.

great thread!

Monday: Lecture 8-4 Tues.: Clincial 7-3 Wed.: Lecture 8-4 Thurs: Lab 8-4 Fri.: Lecture 8-4 We will get a 1 hour lunch on lecture days.

I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Galen nurses! As a matter of fact, when my daughter was in the hospital (about 6 months total) some of her BEST and most caring nurses were "Nurses by Galen". They really knew their stuff, which is the reason I am attending Galen!

Congratulations and good luck Jsadler827!

Jsadler827: If you go back to somewhere around page 9 of this thread, you will find all the info you're looking for, and then some. I suggest reading the whole thread, there's a lot of helpful information. It has everything from supplies/equipment needed, how the uniforms run in size, where to get titers and immunizations, etc.. Hope this helps!

I guess I was just lucky b/c they told me in April that there were available seats for July, and I will be starting in July. I myself never felt like I was being mislead.

Don't be nervous about the CPAT! The content is very easy. Just be sure to watch your time. When I took the test, I had maybe 3 min. left before I had to start the next section, and you are not allowed to go back to the previous section. Good luck tomorrow! We do not get the uniforms from Galen. We have to get them from a company called Nanco Uniforms. The cost is $37.00 for the top. We get the uniform pants and our scrubs from Cardinal Uniforms b/c we get a discount on them there. I can't remember how much the pants and scrubs were, but they weren't too bad.

So far, not including tuition, I'm out $1,000.00. I did buy all required books, including 1 optional anatomy workbook. After going through the workbook, I'm really glad I bought it. I also bought 2 sets of scrubs, and 2 sets of uniforms.

To me, it has absolutely nothing to do with politics. Keep yourself and your baby safe by getting prenatal care and having a knowlegeable person there who can take charge of a sticky situation. Plain and simple.

She did not want a Midwife. She wanted no outside help at all. She also did not seek prenatal care. She is now pregnant with her 6th child, and will be having another unassisted home birth. She has had a sonogram (in her words) "to rule out twins". I see nothing wrong at all with having your child at home, I certainly would've loved that experience. I do however, think prenatal care is of the utmost importance. It would make me personally feel better if there was a Midwife there as well. I am a bit sensitive to this b/c I'm a mother to a former 24weeker d/t placenta previa, preeclampsia, and subsequent abruption. Going to the hospital saved our lives. The hardest thing I've ever done was to watch my little 1 lb. daughter on an oscillator, and being told she wasn't going to make it, over and over again.

Just finished watching "Twins By Surprise". I'm just wondering why in the world anyone would insist on having an UNASSISTED home birth these days! Just b/c someone has had 3 kids prior, it does not mean that something can't or won't go wrong. This woman had no prenatal care, except urine strips she performed herself. She went into labor 6 weeks early (she knew she was 6 weeks early), and still would not call for help. She wouldn't allow her husband call for help either. Both babies were born in the footling breech position. One twin was significantly smaller than the other d/t an unfavorably attached umbilical cord. I just do not understand the rationale.