punkydoodlesRN

I got the pop up minutes after I finished my test, quick results today showed I passed!!! My BON (Texas) also told me yesterday that the temp (GN) license is removed immediately if you aren't successful - so that's another "trick" to check.

Where on earth did you find it for that price?? travelling to Haiti to work in a midwife clinic before I begin my L&D job as a new grad and would LOVE to have this to read while I'm there!

I cannot wipe the giant smile off of my face - I keep pinching myself! Not only did I land my dream job, I got the offer before I even graduated!! I wanted to ask some seasoned L&D nurses for their wonderful wisdom & advice... What do you wish you had known about L&D when you first began? What did you struggle with? Any hints to learning? What do you think new nurses should know?

Do a Google search for John Hopkins Interview - should point you to a 13-ish page .pdf with great interview information! Scroll down a bit to get some ideas for questions for you to ask - some people just gave me great advice. I interviewed today :) I wasn't asked any specific questions for pt care, but was asked about how I handled stress, how I would handle a Dr. who wasn't intervening when I felt they should, what kind of people I find difficult to work with, and how I would react if scolded in front of a pt by a physician - more personality stuff. However, some of my classmates who interviewed for a CVICU position were asked direct pt care questions Ie - pt presents with this, what do you suspect/do. Ick! Good luck, wish I had great advice. Just be honest and be yourself! Have an awesome answer prepared for strengths/weaknesses and why you want to be an L&D nurse - those are staples!

Overwhelming majoring of my classmates want ED, ICU, L&D, or NICU. (We graduate next week!!!) Very few have accepted positions in these areas, though some have! Many are headed to Med-Tele units, while majority are still (desperately) seeking. We have a few looking for OR - they have their choice - apparently OR is high demand around here. Two for Psych - they got jobs immediately. We're a class of 200+, so be interesting to see how many actually get what they want. Personally, I wanted L&D, and got it :)

Thanks!! That's exactly the impression I want to give because it's the truth!

Thanks! I'm a little familiar with the unit, as I completed my 120 hr preceptorship there, but still nice to have things to ask them! If they get to ask me, I think it's only fair that I have a few questions in return.

I have landed an interview next week at my dream job and while I feel I am prepared for most questions they may ask of me, one that I'm not is "do you have any questions".... So... Do you have any advice on questions I should ask? What do you wish you had known before you began your L&D career? Thanks!!

Hey guys - if you read through past class threads, you'll see the same "well I was told this, I was told that" story... I KNOW its hard, believe me, I do! It doesn't make it right, but sometimes they say anything to get off the phone - try to imagine how many phone calls and emails they get every day!!!! I remember how much this game sucked, but I beg you all to just take a chill - if you haven't received an email or letter specifically stating that you were denied, then you're still fair game!! They send stuff out in waves, just the way they work - not gonna change. They won't leave you hanging, they'll contact every applicant - It will either be acceptance, wait list, or denial, but you WILL hear back!! Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. And don't hound them - trust me, they take notice!! Students are accepted up until the first day of class. Orientation is mandatory and they don't mess around. Someone is a no-show, they lose their spot and a wait-list applicant is called it. I realize it's hard when you're trying to make plans, but think of it as a conditioning exercise for nursing school - where things change even after they've happened! I'll let you all in on a little secret - the magic key to nursing school is flexibility and patience, and copious amounts of each :) To those who have been accepted - GOOD LUCK!! To those waiting - hang in there, it's not over until you have a letter in your hand... and even then, it's not really over! I am a strong believer in everything happens for a reason and the right time! You'll be a nurse - don't give up!

Yes. The job market is very tough for new grads, even more so now that hospitals are waiting until after the NCLEX to even offer jobs. In the class that graduated last April, only one is still not working, however, that person only recently passed the NCLEX. Now, will we all get our top choice, dream job and the perfect hospital, on day shift? Um, nope. Will we all likely find some work, I really think so. There is a course taken your final semester - Capstone. It prepares you to transition from student nurse to graduate nurse. We've had a nurse recruiter from a major hospital visit the class to talk about how to get hired, etc. In the interviews I've had thus far, the managers have bragged on UTMB students. Methodist hospital has a program called MAPP - Methodist Advancement into Professional Practice. The students who were hired at the end of last year were majority UTMB. (The also get first dips on job interviews!) We're a well-respected program and hospitals like us.

Clinicals: You may or may not get to "chose" - it depends on the course. If students get a say, you may only get to give your preferences for days/times (there are some weekend clinicals) and not have any idea of location other than katy, galveston, or med center (in other words, you don't know the hospital), you may have a class that doesn't give you any choice at all, or you may get to chose your top three locations and you don't control days/times. It hasn't been done the same way twice. It is up to the course faculty to place how they want to. Would I chose UTMB again? Yes. There are definitely times when I want to beat down the school for crazy things, but as I mentioned, the faculty are phenomenal. That was a top priority for me. I have enjoyed it more often than not. Is it strenuous? Yes! Absolutely!!!! My class was the last to complete it in 5 semesters - I can't imagine how crazy-busy they are with just 4 semesters. Is it do-able? Yup. Can you work and complete it? Yup. Is that a good idea? No way. I did it while being very involved in school and active in my kid's school activities. It's all about learning time management and prioritizing. I don't know much about living in Galveston though, as I commute from Friendswood. Sometimes I wish I were on the island, but mostly when I've studied late and have an 8 am exam!

The past 6 semesters have all been 120 accepted. Due to the state mandates, I doubt that number actually decreased; if anything, it should be going up. I don't know about the applied figures for this semester - it varies each time.

I like it. Of course, it has it's fair share of issues - but then again, I don't think there's a nursing school in this country that doesn't! No one can be perfect. I'm graduating next month and feel 100% prepared to pass the NCLEX on my first try (the ATI exit is a different story right now). I have another Bachelor's degree as well as an associates degree and a LVN license, so I've had LOTS of exposure to faculty. And NONE have topped the faculty at UTMB. They all have an open-door policy and truly care about their student's success. We'll be the ones taking care of them someday and they ensure we're the best! My clinicals have been excellent - I've had some in the med center, Clear Lake, and Galveston. Most nurses recognize that UTMB students are special - we have a reputation of being hard-working students. Best of luck! Megster is a great resources (she took my job!) But if you every have any questions, I'd be happy to answer. I remember being anxious about acceptances, then I was scared to start, and now I'm scared to graduate - It never ends :)))

I have several classmates who began an ADN program then were accepted at UTMB, however, they didn't "transfer"... meaning no credits were accepted from their other program - they started from scratch, again. So keep that in mind when making the decision - it's a major extra expense - books, uniforms, courses, etc. Another thing to consider... that was someone else's spot that you just had for one semester then left... some professors find that a poor decision when they learn (have seen it happen with said classmates...) So, just think positively about UTMB for now, good luck!

I had looked at medscape, and countless others. Anything more than around 1.8 hrs was a paid thing, which I wouldn't mind doing if I didn't already have everything I needed for my 2014 renewal!! I gave up and took AWHONN's basic fetal monitoring. I'm about 1/2 done now. It was more than I wanted to pay for this assignment, but realized it can't hurt when I'm trying to land a L&D job as a new grad.