rickelli

Hi I am in my capstone for my BSN and I am having trouble with my PICOT and have not got much help from my instructor. I have always had trouble with PICOT questions and when I don't get helpful feedback from my instructor that doesn't help me. My PICO has to be implemented and evaluated in a 4 week period on my floor. I decided to use Safe Sleep and the question I submitted was Will the parents of newborns (P) who are taught continuous Safe Sleep education during their hospital stay (I), as opposed to parents who did not receive continuous teaching © more likely to know and follow Safe Sleep recommendations during their stay (O)? My instructor says "that is a research project. If you remember we indicated that you should stay away from vulnerable populations of which newborns fall into that category. Is there something that you can do with staff related to your subject? My response was "I thought that this would be more focused on parent education through the staff? Adding crib cards to each crib which lists what safe sleep is, printouts in each post partum folder with all the other education that they are given. I don't know how I would word the PICO for staff and safe sleep." She responds that maybe I should try compliance of staff in utilizing the protocol. So I came up with another For post-partum staff (P) does compliance with teaching Safe Sleep education to patients during their stay with the use of crib cards and information sheets (I), as opposed to non-compliance with Safe Sleep education © more likely to reduce the amount of baby falls (O)? I have not received a response from her and I really need to get started on this. I am frustrated because I feel that if it is not correct I am just going to keep going back and forth. Any help or advice would be appreciated Thanks Kelli

In this economy you really have to be willing to do anything. NICU, PICU and nursery is usually just a small portion of your clinical experience.

We started block 1 with classroom lectures and lab. We learned basic skills in the lab portion and then once we were signed off (had to be signed off by a certain date) then clinicals started. We went to our local hospital and did all the skills that we learned or tried to do the most skills we could. Each block you do more but block 1 and 2 is nothing compared to blocks 3 and 4. Blocks 1 and 2 we had to do almost all of our skills with our clinical instructors not the nurses on the floor. By the time your in your 3 and 4 block your lab time is short and clinical time starts pretty quickly. Nurses are usually expecting you to know more and trust you more now. Most of your skills can be done with your nurse instead of having to call your instructor to come and do skills with you (much faster doing things with the nurse on the floor) Block 4 was the most amazing which is critical care for us. I learned and did so much in this block and really felt like a nurse. At this point I think we only had one lab day (simulation day) and then straight to clinicals. Oh and from block 1-4 we had to pick patients and do care plans every week. Once we passed the program then we had preceptorship for 8 shifts we follow the same nurse and take care of her patients and of course she is there but we are trying to be independent at that point. Nursing school is great but at the same time over welming but worth it in the end ? Good luck. And all schools do things differently, this is how it was for me.

Just like someone else said don't over study it really isn't necessary. I would have to say that Kaplan is the most like the NCLEX, and yes kaplan is hard but worth it. I think the videos are also important to watch. I just took my NCLEX last week and passed in 75 questions. I studied since March 10 when I graduated and I didn't study everyday. I think my nerves made it worse than it really was. Remember it is about knowing how to critically think through a question not memorizing content. I was so worried all the way to the day I took it, but once I got in there it was important to leave your anxiety outside. Just keep telling yourself that you can do it and stay positive. Don't wait to long either. I didn't start using kaplan until the last 1 1/2 - 2 weeks and wish I had it earlier. Good Luck

Hi I am in block 4 my opinoin on the nursing care plan books is you need more than one. I have 4 one was in our package of books the school had us buy (ackley) and I didn't care for that one at all so I purchased a few more. The best ones that I feel got me through are Nursing Care Plans by Gulanick/Myers: ISBN # 978-0-323-03954-3 OR Nursing Care Plans by Doenges/Moorhouse: ISBN # 978-0-8036-2210-4 These are fantastic and have a variety of nursing diagnosis. I wouldn't of made it without these books or my care plans wouldn't of made it :). Hope this helps and Good Luck

I am a banner fellow at EMCC in the middle of block 4 now. 1. What type of PDA is the best or most useful? Where can I buy it? Cost? Never used a PDA. I did invest in a lap top. 2. Study groups? Very important to get with a study group. Everyone needs to be equally responsible. I dont know where I would be without my study group. 3. any books I can purchase to prepare me or help me through school? I have a ton of extra books that have helped me through school. If you get the same nursing diagnosis book we did (ackley)I would suggest getting a couple different ones to help with your careplans. I have three additional care plan books and I used them all. I also used the study guides for the med-surg and maternity book which I had to buy myself as well. 4. Should I try getting a volunteer position or prn job at another hosp besides banner? I would save all your extra time for studying and careplans. If you don't pass the tests, you dont pass the class. And when you start clinicals for 12 hours sometimes 2x per week your will get burnt out. 5. Anything that you wish you did or couldve done if you could go back? I dont think I would change a thing if I could go back. Good Luck!

Funny how time flies by when your super busy with nursing school. I am actually done in March because I am in the accelerated program. Just finished my last clinical days in ICU last week. Block 4 seems to be rushing by me. We signed up for preceptor positions last week. It just seems so fast now, and I can't believe it is almost over. Good Luck to all of you starting your last semester. It is tough but extemely interesting, especially in the ICU. We were all so nervous in the beginning and now we are almost done :). ---Kelli

I can only comment on the accelerated program part of your post. I am in the EMCC accerlerated Banner Fellows program which is 16 months. It is very fast paced and it seems like we never get a break but I am already in Block 4 and I just started last Oct. We started after the traditional students and now we have passed them up. I would say it is worth it to just keep pushing through but it can be over whelming at times so just be prepared and well organized :)

Dont be sorry for asking what to expect. It is normal to be nervous and wanting to be prepared. I wasnt prepared when I had my interview and actually thought I was until they started asking questions that dealt with their mission statement LOL. It doesnt have to do with the right or wrong answer, I think it has to do with the kind of person you are. I thought I did terible in my interview but hey I must of did something right because I am almost done with Block 2 of the Banner Nurse Fellows :). I have never thought of any of the other applicants as competition just fellow students who want to be nurses like me. It is all about working together as a team to become great nurses :). Good luck to you all.

back2class, I am really enjoying the nursing program and the people I have met. There is a lot of work involved but I still find time to watch tv, spend time with family, and go to the movies on occasion. Life doesnt stop like some would say it just becomes more challenging at times. When clinicals start you become a little more occupied because of care plans. I felt like I had no confidence in clinicals in block one but that changes as well. I feel I have a lot more confidence and can do a lot more in block 2 and I dont feel nauseous when I go to the hospital this block LOL. Critical thinking is a big part of nursing school and that is how the test are. Block 3 is supposed to be a lot harder than 1 and 2 but I am excited because it is OB/Peds which is my favorite. Good luck to you and just remember that nursing school is what you make of it. It can be hard at times but fun and amazing at others. I have learned that I am not the only one that gets nervous we all do :)

Nursing school is not easy at all and you have to learn what works for you when it comes to studying because a lot of the material is self taught or self directed learning. Nursing school teaches critical thinking. I would say that it isnt as hard as I thought but I am sure block 3 will kick my butt :). Study groups help and clinicals help a bunch. Good Luck everyone.

I am sad to see the Banner Fellows program ending after the July cohort. I got the same email as a previous post did. I am very thankful that I was able to get in and only have one more month of block 2. Banner nurse fellows is a wonderful program and I hope that the economy in Phoenix changes so they can bring it back. Those that get into the July cohort should feel very blessed Good Luck to you all!

OCD_MOM I am not to sure if we have to go to that peds hospital or not. Probably but if I could just stay at Banner Estrella for all of the other rotations I would be happy. I am pretty sure they are going to make us rotate between the three hospitals and then maybe peds at Cardon. Where did you do LTC? We aren't always told everything it just comes to us in waves LOL. Organization would be a good thing but I dont see it happening. Well glad that everything is going so well for you the tests are a big stressor for me but I always do well so that is all I can ask for. TTYL---Kelli

OCD_mom How excting to be starting clinicals, we are preparing now. We will have break and then come back and a few weeks later we start out clinicals. It is funny that you just met your clinical instructors we have been with ours since the beginning and they are all wonderful. They come to our lab classes every Mon and Tues. I am so happy to be starting off my clinicals at Banner Estrella and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get to stay there. We probably will have to rotate between the three hospitals Good Sam, Thunderbird and Estrella but that will be ok too. Good Luck with your clinical days :)---Kelli

I dont think that another Banner Nurse Fellows program starts at EMCC until next October. I know that gateway starts in March. I think the deadline for that was Oct. I am at EMCC in the Banner Program and we just started this past Oct. so I dont believe that they start again until next Oct.You could always call EMCC and double check. But I am pretty sure that March would be gateway and MCC and then in July would be Gateway and GCC and then October would be Gateway and EMCC.