jb32

Yeah, I guess you can say it's a study-type question, but is used in real-life critical care. I'm not sure if the protocols in PACU would correlate, but my question has to do with, like I said, categorizing a patient as stable, unstable, moderately stable, etc. For example, a young patient that comes in with a couple of lacerations from falling down while running, with nothing wrong other than the scrapes, would be categorized as stable, I'd assume. A patient with a trach, unconscious, I'd assume would be unstable? I'm not sure what moderately stable would be. So with that said, your experience in PACU may help, you tell me. Any insight would be good.

For example, where would a patient coming in with asthma be categorized? Where would a patient with chest pain be categorized? How about a patient with a broken leg?

I was just wondering how do you categorize the stability of a patient (e.g. stable, moderately stable, unstable, etc.)? I'm assuming it has to do with ABC's, but what makes a patient moderately stable, or not stable? What types of diagnosis would fall under the various categories? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Everyone, I just started clinicals and constantly had questions as I went through the motions. One thing I think would be helpful would be if there were some sort of book/guide that I can bring with me to clinicals, that has the element of Patho, where I can look up different diseases, signs and symptoms, causes, risks, but also has nursing type information (i.e. interventions, what I can do as a nurse, etc.). Does anyone know of a book like that? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

done!

i think the only things they look at are math and reading, which made up your composite, and is pretty good as it is. i'm pretty sure those letters from your volunteer work will only help, probably making a big difference. i don't know if you should take the TEAS to up your score, only because it's pretty darn good already. i wonder what would happen if you got a lower score on the TEAS. would they look at that or the NET? hmm...

they were something like: last 60: 3.7-ish science: 3.4-ish net: 94% composite i also had no medical experience. i've also seen people with somewhat lower grades than me that were accepted, and people with higher grades denied. with that said, i think one's essays are pretty important. but like i said, your stats are good enough to get in, no problem!

mtarshis, you have really good stats, one that would be good whether there are a lot of people applying or not. not to burst your bubble and i'm just being realistic, i think san mateo and san francisco are both considered "less competitive." being that i applied for 2009 summer terms last november, the breakdown was something like san mateo (75), sf (75), and oakland (160), as to the number of students that applied. i know compared to last year, as you probably know, this past fall semester had almost 200 applicants compared to 112 or so last year, which is almost twice as many. it may very well be that the san mateo campus is less competitive, but i think it's more so during the summer, when there are other choices. this time around, there are only san mateo and sacramento, which are very far from each other, so many people that would've applied to oakland and sf would apply to san mateo as well. and with the economy, many people may be looking for new careers, which may have been the reason for the spike in applicants this past term. i don't know, just something to think about, i guess. but like i said, you have pretty good grades, so you've done what you can! good luck! :)

yeah, i agree with lunaflaura. i think it would be a waste of time and money, working towards a bachelors in order to get another bachelors. that 2 + 2 program sounds like a plan if you could get in. you might also work towards getting associates degree as an RN, which you can then work right off the bat and get your bachelors after, or get your associates as an LVN and get your bachelors as an RN. that way, you can save money.

ohh, i see... that makes sense. best of luck to you, too! i hope everything works out!

Hey Mamma, Yeah, I live in the South Bay, and I'm contemplating whether I should move closer to San Francisco or not, so we'll see what happens with that. I completely understand that you can't even think about applying at this point with your situation being the way it is. At the moment, I don't really have anything or anyone that I necessarily have to think about, so my situation is a little less complicated than yours. But yeah, definitely, when the time is right, and the feeling is still there to pursue nursing, go for it! I am. Thanks for your help!

Hey Mike, Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it. Yeah, I've heard only positive things regarding SMU, mind you these are people that are applying there. So I was looking for a more unbiased opinion, I suppose. I wanted to hear what possibly nurses had to say, or SMU graduates or people that have heard opinions from other professionals like yourself. I've tried to look up some program rankings and such on SMU to no avail. It's good to hear that SMU, at least from what you know, has a good reputation. I'm definitely not one of those people that are "buying" their degrees. I'm gonna have to pay back all the debt when I'm done, and I've worked hard to get accepted. I'm happy to hear that the money I'm going to be putting in is somewhat more justified. Thanks again for your help.

I am starting the ABSN program this Fall 2009 in San Francisco, and I have heard certain things on the reputation of Samuel Merritt's nursing program. Because I'm wondering of the job outlook after graduating next year, I am curious to hear what others have heard or know regarding the reputation of Samuel Merritt nursing graduates, whether they're good or bad. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, I finally got it today. Congrats on getting in!

still didn't receive the acceptance mail. anyone get it yet?

well, since you have them all completed, i think that puts you ahead of certain people right off the bat. what should also give you hope was that my grades weren't that great, at least compared to those i have read that applied. my last 60 were in the mid to upper 3's, with my science gpa in the lower to mid 3's. my net was in the 90's. i also had no medical experience. i guess along with more prereqs being done, all i can really think of that may have helped me this time around (since i'm sure it wasn't my grades) were my essays. keep in mind that since you aren't being interviewed, this is basically the only thing they have to get to know you and to base their decision on. so you have to try and sell yourself the best you can with what you have. if possible, maybe take a look at your essays (all 3 of them) and make sure they contain everything want them to know. see if you can update just those things from the ones they have right now if you want to change things. i hope i've helped and didn't confuse you more. i don't know if these things would help you, but those are really the only things i can think of at this time that may have helped me get in this time around. don't give up, really. i really had little hope this time around, especially after finding out how many people applied. you always have a chance and i'm an example of that.

haha, thanks! yeah, i just won't feel completely like it's real until i receive the mail for some reason, i don't know. the biggest change that happened between the first time i applied and this last one was the number of prereqs that were fulfilled this second time around, in my opinion. the first term i applied, i think i had maybe 3 or 4 prereqs that were "in progress" or would be fulfilled by the the time the term i applied for started. this second time around, i had only 1 prereq in progress when i applied, with me finishing up that one class last month. so to me, i think they may look at those who have most, if not all, their prereqs done, more highly than those that don't. i'm not sure if you're in that boat, izzy16, but that's what i think made the biggest different this time around. i hope that helps.

izzy16, yeah, i somehow got accepted this term. i got the call last week, but i haven't received anything in the mail yet, which supposedly should come at some point this week. so i'm anxious to be formally accepted, so i know i'm officially in.

izzy16, no, you don't have to pay another $50 to reapply. just have them reclassify you as applying for the next term, at least that's what i did this past term. for those who were accepted, have you received the letter in the mail regarding "actually" being accepted to SMU? please let me know. thanks.