Sam I Am

From my experience as both a tech on Med/surg for 2 years and as a nursing student, I can tell you that Med/Surg is the armpit of nursing. It is constantly understaffed and overworked, in addition to being a dumping ground for the patients that no one else wants. I have nothing against med/surg nurses or techs, I'm simply stating a fact. It's hard work, and is often under appreciated or "looked down" on by other nurses. Having said that, working in a specialty area is MUCH different. I currently work in an ICU stepdown unit and also get floated to the ER/ICU a lot. Those areas are totally different; staffing is usually better, there is a lot more autonomy, and you're treated better by other staff. Sad, but true. Personally, I feel that med/surg should get more respect, but they don't. Don't judge the entire nursing profession by 1 area or 1 hospital; it's a great profession. In addition, the clinical experience as a nurse will be invaluable to you as a PA or NP. I don't know much about CRNA, but I don't imagine that clinical experience would matter that much since you'd just be putting people to sleep. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I don't think they've spread to 18 states, as I'm pretty sure their constant violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act would get them shut down if they expanded too much. Having said that, I used to work with a tech who graduated RN school & was offered an awesome internship at Parkland. The manager where we worked together reported her for job abandonment on her last day of employment because she left at 6:00, after clearing everything with the house supervisor & charge nurse, so she could take her husband to the airport. She started her internship at Parkland the next week & during orientation was informed that she was no longer a "valid candidate." She immediately knew what had happened (this manager pulls stuff like this all the time), and hired a lawyer. She filed suit against the hospital, the manager who reported her, and I think GroupOne as well. Long story short, 2 weeks later her "record" was cleared up. I also met an agency nurse who was reported. He hired an attorney & filed a counter suit against that manager. In addition, his lawyer called GroupOne directly. Again, in less than a month, it was all resolved. Most of the people who have so many problems getting their records cleared are asking GroupOne to remove the black mark because it's wrong, a mistake, etc. They don't care. All they care about is getting paid by their clients. You have to threaten them and the person/institution that reported you to get any results. It's nasty, but there you go.

I live in the DFW area and you do have a valid concern. I've known 2 people who have been reported: 1 (a tech who had just graduated from RN school) filed a libel suit against the manager who reported her, the hospital, and (I think) GroupOne as well. It took about 2 weeks for her "record" to get cleared up. The 2nd person was a monitor tech & he had to relocate to the Austin area to find work. Neither of these people did anything wrong or violated any laws, they merely pi**ed off the wrong manager. GroupOne only exists in the DFW area. So, if you live in another area there is no concern.

I'm in the 3rd semester at Collin County. We don't do summer courses here, so Brookhaven will get you out faster. Other than that, I can't tell you which school is "better." Between clinicals & work I've been to quite a few hospitals in the area, and I don't think it matters very much where you go to school. Some schools have a better reputation than others, but in the end we all get the "RN" title. I can say that Collin County has an outstanding reputation, for whatever it's worth. It also is the most cost-effective school around. I will have paid about $2500 out of pocket by the time I graduate. That includes pre-requisites and nursing school. Hopefully someone else can give you more insight on Brookhaven's program. Collin County was the only program that I applied to, so I don't know much about other programs.

I have 2 kids, but they're both in school. I work as a tech in a hospital; sometimes I can study at work, more often than not I can't. Working & going to RN school is tough, but you can do it if you really want to. You'll need a LOT of support, especially with such a young child, but it can be done. Last semester, a single mom with 3 kids graduated from the program. There is a woman in my class who has 5 kids. Another has a special needs child and works as well. Don't let your problems stop you from following your dreams. It will be one of the hardest things you've ever done, but it CAN be done.:wink2::wink2::wink2:

I work full-time while attending RN school here in the Dallas metroplex. It is tough, very tough, but possible. You'll need a LOT of support from family, friends, etc., but it CAN be done. I go to school during the week (Monday - Wednesday) during the day and work Thursday - Saturday nights.

I'm in the program at Collin County, set to graduate in May 2010. In my class, the lowest person accepted into the program had 14 points. I don't know if it's become easier or harder, though, since I started. Good luck!

How much experience are hospitals looking for out there?

Hello All, I am currently a nursing student living in the Dallas area. I graduate in May, and would like to move to San Diego after graduation because, well, it's San Diego & I have family there. A couple of questions, though: Where are the good places to work in San Diego? I'm looking for a good hospital with good nurses so I can learn as much as I can and enjoy going to work. To me, the people I work with are almost as important as the work that I do. What about getting a license in California? I think, looking at California's Board of Nursing's web site, that once I pass NCLEX-RN I can practice in California. However, I've heard that may not be true from nurses at work who have lived in California. Any advice for an almost newbie getting ready to go out into the "real world" woulf be greatly appreciated.

Hello! I'm a nursing student currently living in the Dallas metroplex. I graduate next May. My family & my wife's family both live on the west coast, mostly in San Diego. I love it out there & want to move back, but I'm concerned about the cost of living, the economic problems California is having, not knowing what hospitals are good places to work, etc. What are some good hospitals in the San Diego area? Who is hiring? Can I support a family & put my wife through nursing school in San Diego? I'm open to working in just about any area. I'm more interested in working with a good team & good nurses so that I can learn as much as I can when I graduate. To me, the people that I work with are as important as the job that I do. Any advice for a soon to be newbie would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :nuke::wink2: