EDis4me

I just graduated from the Queens BSN program this past May. I absolutely loved it there. So much individual attention from the instructors! With the differences between ADN and BSN, I'm not so sure there is much of one when you are first starting out....The pay was the same for me as for an ADN nurse. The ADN nurses still know their stuff just as much. I think the main difference that I saw educationally was the emphasis on critical thinking. We had more opportunities to focus on critical thinking in other areas in the BSN program because the program was longer and we had individual classes focusing on the various ways of thinking. ADN nurses are definitely still critical thinkers, the programs that I looked at just didn't have the extra classes like Nursing Leadership, Nursing Theory, a seperate ethics class, stuff like that. However, I have noticed that clinically, the ADN nurses seem to be a little stronger than me as New Grads. If you plan on getting a Masters Degree in Nursing later, then the accelerated BSN is probably definitely the way to go so that you don't have to do ADN to BSN to MSN. I guess it's really just personal preference. On my job, there are many ADN nurses in management, so you are not always required to have BSN to manage. That's just my two cents. Hope it helps

I graduated from Queens BSN program in May 2009. I loved it!! The schedule is not too crazy until senior year in that program. There are 2-3 class days and 1-2 clinical days per week. One clinical day is 12 hours, or 2 of the 6 hour days. Instructors are very supportive, especially clinical instructors. With that in mind, this will be the first year of a new curriculum that has been in the making for a couple of years now, so the set up may be significantly different now. Overall though, super supportive environment, beautiful neighborhood, and lots of opportunities to get involved in the community.

I agree. Gaston Memorial is the place to go. I did clinicals at 2-3 hospitals in Charlotte, but I have been most happy at Gaston Memorial. The atmosphere is so supportive. I have not seen any "nurses eating their young." It really seems like everyone wants you to succeed as much as you want that for yourself. Check out their website www.caromont.org

The system in our ED has a section in nurse's notes called outcomes, followed by a section that says discussed plan of care, goals met/not met. Then 8-10 fields r/t education, vitals assessed, neuro vitals, and a section for rx, crutches, etc.

In my interview I had the question severe chest pain or asthma attack, and asthma attack was correct. My interviewer did say that to keep in mind that in the fast paced ER setting that I would probably be getting interventions started for both patients simultaneously. (i.e. having the tech put the chest pain pt on a monitor and phlebotomy to draw labs while I got nebs started for asthma.)

Hi Everyone, I am a new grad going to the ED. The other new grads and I have been in class for about 2 weeks now per our hospital's orientation program, and this week I will finally have my first night on the floor. (I am 7p-7a). We are to start out running one room and work our way up to four. Any advice for the first shift? Anything appreciated! Thanks!

I passed! It's still not on the Pearson Vue website, but I called the license verification phone number at my state board of nursing, typed in my social, and there it was. My last name, expiration date, and confirmation number. God is good!

I feel the same as you! I just took mine yesterday and cut off at 75. Everyone said you would feel so horrible, or else really good, and I just felt numb! Good luck to you on the wait. Hopefully by tomorrow we will both be very happy!

I just graduated a couple of weeks ago, and I graduated alongside many students in their 40's and up. I think one person was closer to 60. What I, as a twenty something, really enjoyed about this was having friends going through the same things as myself who had more life experience than me. Those in their 40s and 50s had a lot more perspective than I did. I was able to learn about balancing school with work and personal life, how to set goals for myself, and that anything is truly possible no matter what your age is. So, I just want you to know that not only do we in our twenties like being with you guys, we learn a lot from you about the person we want to become. Go for it and good luck!

Thanks for the tips! I got my day scheduled now, taking the advice. Now all that's left to do is study hard and practice questions....

Hi! I just received my ATT today after graduating on Saturday. I'm very nervous (as I think everyone is) and I wanted some advice about scheduling. A friend and I are thinking of trying to schedule for the same test day just to have a friendly face, and someone to calm the nerves just before the test. Is this a good idea, or would it be better to go it alone? Also, we had considered scheduling about 50-75 miles away from our area so that we could just be together, but not be near all of the others that we graduated with, hearing about everyone elses nerves and horror stories they had heard about the ceiling caving in or something during the test. Would this be a good thing, or is it better to remain within the familiarity of home? I know this stuff sounds petty, but we are just looking for ways to feel as comfortable as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Ok. Here's the deal. Both the ADN and BSN program for the Presbyterian School of Nursing at Queens University are under the umbrella of Queens. Presbyterian Hospital no longer has any ties to the program, other than in name, and in that ADN program gets first dibs on clinical time at Presby Main. I am in the BSN program, and I tutor ADN students. Queens is a great school. The lower pass rates are due first of all to changes being made in the programs. In nursing school, you get what you put in. If you do your reading, study, practice NCLEX questions, you will be fine. If you go in thinking "All I have to do is graduate" your boards will not go well. Time management is key. The ADN program right now does 7 week classes, and there are a lot of tests. The main thing I see in the students is that they don't know how to strategize with their test questions (use the nursing process, ABCs, Maslow's) to prioritize questions, and time management is difficult because you have SO MUCH expected of you. But these are both learned skills. The more work you do, they will get easier. I am glad you were accepted and are excited. Don't let anyone have a negative attitude and tell you that you won't make it because you will. And you will be so glad you did. :-) My main advice is to use the tutors. They are on the main Queens campus, and your classes will probably be on the 5th street campus. But schedule appts, make the 10 minute drive and let them help you. ADN, BSN doesn't matter. You will see that sometimes there is competition between the programs. So what? We all come out with the same license after boards. Good luck to you and feel free to post any other questions and I will do what I can to help. Congratulations again!

I am not in the accelerated BSN, but I am in the BSN program. It has not yet begun as far as I know. But I have had several of the instructors that will be teaching in that program and they are absolutely wonderful. I have always felt that I could talk to my instructors and ask them for help in problem areas. They are more than willing to schedule office appointments to talk about ways to help you succeed. Every program has negative aspects, but overall I am very glad that I chose Queens. It really is a great community, and the neighborhood is beautiful! (If that matters...) Sorry I can't be of more help, but I hope this tells you a little.

Do big girl training pants count? I have accepted a job in an ER, but I am still in my program until May. But after reading all that you guys have to say I am definitely super excited! I can't wait to become one of you guys!

HAHA! I will be sure to remember all of these pearls of wisdom when starting my new grad ED job in June. This is way more helpful than a majority of stuff you learn in a nursing program.