cwhagat

I recently transferred to a hospital, oncology/med floor. The nursing council as recent as August 2010 agreed to VS q12 (0600, 1800) for all pts on this floor unless otherwise ordered or PRN nursing discretion. I don't care for this policy: when I come on flr at 2300 the "current" VS are outdated as far as I'm concerned, so I typically drag equipment and do own vitals when assessing pts. Really slows me down. Hospital argument is based on the lack of evidence for qshift vitals.

I paid for STNA (CNA) training 2 summers ago and then sat for the state licensure exam. I worked temporarily for a home health service until I finally was hired at the closest hospital. Pay sucks for the work you do, but the "foot in the door" at the hospital and the experience gained from working with and observing nursing staff is immeasurable. I continued to work PT while completing nursing school. I graduated this month and have a nursing position waiting on me, it's mine once I sit for Boards and pass!

I'm sorry, I'm just now beginning to prepare seriously for my NCLEX. Earliest I'll be able to take it is end of Sept/first of Oct. My question is: what does SATA mean? Thanks

I took the STNA exam Sept, 08. The written portion is very straight forward and common sense based. You'll do fine with it. The practical skills portion is timed and is exactly as turtlerain described. It is best if you talk your entire skill steps outloud, not only for your benefit but for the examiner and the "patient", especially for the bolded, required steps involved. I had haircare, restraints, and vital signs plus handwashing. Be careful about the sizing of the vests when it comes to the restraints. I verbalized the vest by size in relation to weight and the examiner was looking for color designation. She failed me b/c of that, I contested it and it was ruled in favor of me. The vest sizes overlap somewhat on size, based on weight. Be careful and you'll do great. Good luck!

Congratulations for following your dream. I returned to school at 51 to also follow my dream of being an RN. I graduate this August at the age of 54 and am so excited! I have had the full support of my husband and adult children. Good luck,

Here is a book given to us in my nursing program. Math for Nurses: A Pocket Guide to Dosage Calculation and Drug Preparation, Edition 6, by Mary Jo Boyer. It's really good and has been very helpful to me. I am finally in my last term, graduate in August and am also a very nontraditional aged student. Hint, my youngest is 26 and getting married the week of finals this summer! Good luck, math is a matter of practice, practice, practice.