jam0601

I did a year of med surg after graduation, went to dialysis for two years and am back training on med surg. I admit I am a bit overwhelmed but I have only been back on the floor for 3 weeks and I am working for a much bigger hospital. You have experience which most hospitals are looking for.

I had my 9 year old son pin me. He was so understanding of me having to study over the last 4 years. I also wanted him to know how important an education is.

Did you sit down at your computer and do any CD's? I really believe that anxiety is the biggest causer of failing the test. I did over 3000 questions on my computer and just got use to reading them. I had no anxiety at all when I took the exam and I feel it is because I sat down for that test the same way I sat down at home. Practice with the CD's do a hundred or so a day and read the rationals of the ones you get wrong. Good luck, attitude is a big factor too!

I got to thinking about this when I spoke with some of my class mates who have taken the test. None of them have had calculations. Don't you think that that is odd, that as a nurse they are not testing us on calculations? I do. Just my thoughts

If she has a hobby, encourage it by may be a gift cert to continue that hobby. It is very important to have an outlet. I just graduated in May, it took me 4.5 years to get my BA degree and during that time I did not make time for hobbies. I regret that. I also can't wait until after I take the NCLEX so I can read a book that doesn't require any brain power.

Take something of value away from the person with the hiccups and tell them that they can't have it back until they hiccup again. Seems to always work. Make sure it is of value though. Jill

I am taking an NCLEX review right now and we were told that if you are testing between 75-85% on the review questions then you are doing very well. Good luck and let us know how you did. How your pedicure is relaxing. Great idea!

Hi, I just graduated yesterday from USM! I have to agree with Sadie in regards to the community partnership. I felt the time used in the particular partnership I had could have been spent else where. Granted, the partnership I had was just getting started. Mine was only 3 semesters though. Leaving USM I have only one bit of advice for you......keep in constant contact with your advisor(s). This last semester alone there were 5 people, that I know of, within my class of undergrads (out of 35) who got phone calls telling them at 11th hour that they may not be done with the program. I personally have had communication with the Dean of Nursing in regards of the need to address advising. She has informed me that CON is currently working on a software program and things should hopefully get better in the future. Good Luck! USM new grad 2004!

I will be on med-surg. I have to say that I feel I am pretty lucky as I applied at three hospitals and this hospital was my top pick. It is a very warm community hospital and the staff is great. I will be working 11p-7a, 4 days per week which is fine with me. It works out well with my family and I think I will be able to synthisis info better without all the hub-bub. Or am I just kidding myself? :) I am laughing Thanks for the reply, Me

So, I graduate in a week and I have a job waiting for me after graduation. I am currently up to three patients during the day shift (3a-3p practicum) and feeling a bit like...is it ever going to all come together. I know eventually I will be up to 6 patients (possibly 7). I consider myself pretty organized but still a bit overwhelmed. We document everything (not by exception) and that takes a lot of time. How long after graduation did you finally feel things come together....or did they ever? :) Not complaining Me

My preceptor has PEPID. I just signed up for a 10 day free online trial to see if I can navigate through it easy. Seems to have a lot of info and easy to navigate. http://WWW.pepidonline.com Jill

Mine is a prestige too. I have changed the ear pieces it that didn't help. I have also tried a few Littmans. Huge difference between nursing school and real world as far as listening. Thank you for your reply, Jill

Mine is a prestige too. I have changed the ear pieces it that didn't help. I have also tried a few Littmans. Huge difference between nursing school and real world as far as listening. Thank you for your reply, Jill

I seem to be having a hard time hearing with back ground noise and I was wondering if you with experience can recommend a stethoscope that amplifies well. Getting a tad frustrated. Can hear normal otherwise. Thanks, Jill

I seem to be having a hard time hearing with back ground noise and I was wondering if you with experience can recommend a stethoscope that amplifies well. Getting a tad frustrated. Can hear normal otherwise. Thanks, Jill

As student nurses have any of you taken any ATI testing? My school just started using these last year. We have to take the exam to get our grade but what we get on the exam is not included in our grade. I just took the ATI RN indicator and it said that I scored within the top 25% in the country. According to my percent correct it states I have a 94-97% chance of passing the boards the first time,which I find odd since I have yet to study for them. I was wondering if anyone knew there chance of passing and how it went. Thanks, Jill

Thank you! This is really interesting. I appreciate the information.

Good idea, I'll give it a go. Thank you so much, Jill

I am your boat too. I am in Southern Maine and due to graduate in May and I know that the rest of the country is talking about a shortage but it isn't happening here (yet). However, if you want to be a CNA there are tons of jobs. One of the local hospitals is paying nurses to be CNAs (not sure if it is at the same rate or not). Good luck, Jill

I am doing my practicum on a med/surg floor. I was surprised to see that a patient was not identified as having a mental health issue until he was there for 5 days. It is all documented as far as the behavior he was displaying and they even knew he was bi-polar. Have you seen this where you work? Is there not enough training available? I was told that there is an unpaid workshop available in this facility on how to deal with aggression but to me mental health is different. I am thinking of doing an ethics paper about this and I have done searches in medline, cinhal, psyc, and on the net but I am not coming up with anything. I have seached under....ethics, psych, tertiary care, mental health, acute care, medical/surgical, general health system but not finding much of anything. The problem is out there are people just not writing about it? I am not asking for help on my paper, just some direction might be helpful. I am really interested in learning about this. Thanks, Jill P.S. I also posted this under psyc

I am doing my practicum on a med/surg floor. I was surprised to see that a patient was not identified as having a mental health issue until he was there for 5 days. It is all documented as far as the behavior he was displaying and they even knew he was bi-polar. Have you seen this where you work? Is there not enough training available? I was told that there is an unpaid workshop available in this facility on how to deal with aggression but to me mental health is different. I am thinking of doing an ethics paper about this and I have done searches in medline, cinhal, psyc, and on the net but I am not coming up with anything. I have seached under....ethics, psych, tertiary care, mental health, acute care, medical/surgical, general health system but not finding much of anything. The problem is out there are people just not writing about it? I am not asking for help on my paper, just some direction might be helpful. I am really interested in learning about this. Thanks, Jill

I am a mom, wife, homemaker.......I consider that a full time job

Yes, I will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX. I just thought it was weird that they brought this up now. It was brought up when we were discussing writing up our resumes They told us that when we list our degree it is not a BSN.

We were informed in our senior leadership class on Friday that we are not getting a BSN we are getting a BS with a concentration in nursing. What is the difference? My school said that a BS is valued more than a BSN. I can't say that agree with that. Any idea? Thanks, Jill

I am due to graduate in May and I wanted to know what you asked or wished you had asked during your interviews. Thanks! Jill