AndiePi

Hey guys! Long story short, I'm a PICU nurse and the hospital I work for is changing my hours and switching me to a general peds floor (Which in itself isn't a problem, but its more the hours that are the issue). So, I'm interviewing for a PDN company in a few days but my old job wants me to call them tomorrow so they can finish the schedule and put it out (with my new hours and position). Dilemma is, do I tell my old job that there is a chance I will not be available for the next schedule since I'm getting a new job, or do I wait until after the interview and for sure have the new job and allow them to add me to the schedule? Oh, and I'm like 99% sure I'll get this job, from what the recruiter said on the phone. All your opinions would be helpful!!

Ten calls in two hours....that's harassment...legit.

I just got hired on a PICU as a new grad as well, and its for 12 hour overnight shifts. I've never worked nights before and am curious to see how I adjust. I'm just super excited that I got my dream job straight out of school! Since it's 12 hour shifts that's only 3 days a week, so I think I'll be able to handle it. Are you going to be doing 12s too?

The NLN study guide has practice questions in it, and they are exactly like the questions that are going to be on the test. Know definitions for terms...like amplitude for example because they'll ask stuff like that. I remember when I took mine there were oddly a lot of questions on circuits...so I guess know that, but then again every test is different. My best advice is go through the study guide...most of the science is stuff from high school science and you should probably remember some of it, but anything that doesn't make sense...google it. I made flashcards of the bolded words in the science section of the study guide (the ones I didn't know), that really helped when it came to taking the test. The study guide is an overview and if there is something you don't FULLY understand from it, then really you should look up a second source, I used wikipedia...doesn't have to be all scholarly..just so you understand what it IS. Don't be afraid of the science...its not super intense or anything, you'll do fine if you study and refresh your memory from high school. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

When I started college I had no idea what I wanted. I flip flopped between anthropology, socioiology, and psychology classes because they interested me the most. I ended up transfering to a university from my community college, and decided to major in journalism.....long story short I ended up hating it! I was never good at science and never in my life considered nursing....until I was working at a restaurant job and a very nice lady was telling me about how she was going into nursing. It was like I was struck by lightning....she was so passionate about it, and she was working full time with kids and going to school! I was so impressed by her, that I decided to look into it. I figured what would it hurt to take a CNA class and an anatomy class and see if it works out. I loved it!!! For the first time in my life classes were challenging, I ended up finishing second in my anatomy classwhich I was able to prove to myself that I can learn science! I just got accepted to nursing school and am starting in january.

Thanks for the replies. So I expect it will get easier, but never really go away....which depending on the way you look at it could be a good thing. Ill look at it as a way to understand and empathize with people's pain.

I'm going to be starting nursing school in January, and I'm a little nervous. When I did clinicals for CNA I noticed that I had a lot of sympathy pains when I'd see someone who had a sore, or if someone was getting an injection. Its something I can deal with. I was still able to do what I needed to do, and I wasn't grossed out or anything along those lines. I'm just wondering...is this normal? Will I always feel this way? Is it worse if I'm the one giving the injection? There's no doubt in my mind that nursing is what I want to do, I guess I'm just curious if it will always be like this or if the sympathy pains go away eventually, once seeing these things becomes an everyday commonplace sort of thing. Can anyone relate??

I'm starting nursing school this January too! I'm super excited about it. My only question is.....are nursing classes similar to anatomy and physiology classes, cause I did real well in those. I was planning on applying the same sort of study habits to the nursing classes.

I applied for spring 2010 start! I just handed in my application, I heard they will start reviewing them on th 18th. I really hope I get in! Advice for previous post, study and do well in the pre reqs, and I recommend a study guide for the NLN. I'm going to be selling my study guides if ur interested. Let me know.

I think u should always strive for the best. I agree with the previous post as well, its important that u learn as much as possible so that u could be a good nurse.

Hands down....Chemistry.

I hear you! I am in the last semester of nursing pre-reqs right now. I'll be applying for this coming spring! Good luck to you, and in many ways your journey is just beginning!

The stability and security of nursing, I think, draws a lot of people to it. Especially with the recession lately and a lot of people looking to change jobs. People are always shocked when I tell them how I hear its hard to find a job when you graduate as a nurse, so there are definitely a lot of misconceptions out there. Thats really unfortunate for the people who go into nursing and then after putting in all the energy realize its not that easy!

I just found out that I passed my exam! :yeah:I'm so happy! Now, to find a job....and make millions...

Hey everyone! Just wondering for the people who got into Harpers nursing program for fall 09' what kind of NLN scores did you have, and how did you all do in your A&P courses?