busymsybee96

Hi tdb29!! The Walden nurse education track worked very well for me. I'm a busy mom & work nights, so going to a traditional university was not an option. I had co-workers who went through Walden as well. I love that it's on my own time, I am automatically registered for the next classes (they want you to take 2 at a time, but I only do 1 class at a time), & my books just appear on my doorstep. I would highly recommend it! Best of luck to you! Let me know if you have any other questions.

I have worked in OB for over 19 years--mostly in mother/baby. No matter where I work the relationship is always the same. It puzzles me as well. It's like one area believes their area is more important than the other. The truth of the matter is, we are all important. We cannot have one without the other. I wish we all got along better. It does help to organize outside the work place activities...movie night, running groups, progressive dinners while at work. These have helped some.

Hi All! I'm in my final course through Walden University in the MSN nurse educator track. I'm more of a visual learner and I'm trying to get an idea of how my final portfolio should look. I have googled examples and did find one. Can anyone provide any advice? I'm not quite sure what to do with the End-of-Program Outcomes Evidence Chart. I'm still early in the course and maybe our instructor will provide some feedback as we get close to finishing, but just wanted to throw it out there for any pointers. I have all of the portfolio assignments in one location. I really just need to piece everything together. It's just that last piece that I'm not sure what to do with it. Thanks in advance!

Awesome!! I'm happy you love it!

I have my maternal-newborn certification through NCC. Some places will pay for you to get certified & give you additional pay, but not all. You have to renew every 3 years with 45 CEUs. You have to work so many hours before applying to take the exam. I would encourage you to do it some day. I hope you love the world of OB!!!

I would be interested in learning more too! I just started as an adjunct instructor and would love advice. I med with my students last week, but this week we start on the floor.

Macawake....thanks for the food tips. I work nights (going on 8 years) and still cannot find a happy place with my diet. I don't eat big, greasy meals, but do eat Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, canned soup. I'm still leaving feeling hungry and bloated/swollen in the AM.

I have been a night nurse for over 7 years and still cannot find the right balance. I was hoping someone had great advice to share. I know it is possible to live a healthy life style on nights because I have done it in the past, but found it difficult to maintain. Something interfers with my attempt to working out like family needs, or a period of insomnia. I haven't tried working out after my shift mainly because I'm tired and I feel so bloated and swollen. But maybe I should give it a try. I struggle with my diet during my shift and my off days in between another shift. I feel like I am hungry a lot and during strange hours on my off days. They say lack of sleep can make you feel hungry. I'm having a difficult time figuring out when I should eat and what types of food are better for night time work.

I have been a mother/baby nurse for over 18 years and LOVE it! I have also worked briefly in L&D and a pediatric office. I did 3 years of management, but returned to bedside nursing because I missed my moms & babies. My favorite part of mother/baby is teaching. I work nights, so I get to really support my breastfeeding moms and do a lot of teaching on infant care & breastfeeding. I still have a little notebook that I keep in my bag with unit specific notes (ie: VS frequencies, baby antibiotic set ups, etc...). I would encourage you to absorb all you can your first year. Then work towards your certification (if you still enjoy M/B). I have maintained my certification in maternal-newborn nursing since 2000. I also have my certification as a breastfeeding educator. Always remember that we are here to support and educate these new moms. Sometimes we cannot prevent sharing our personal stories & advice; however, these babies are not ours. We need to provide the education and support the mothers' wishes. Some women can get pretty "needy" during their postpartum period. You don't know where this mother came from and what she is going home to, so try to keep an open mind, patience, and compassion when dealing with your moms. Best of luck to you! I hope you love it as much as I do!

I think some hospitals pay slightly more r/t the clinical ladder if you have your BSN. But if your close enough to get your associates, then do it. You can start working then finish your BSN. Many hospitals have programs to help you finish you degree.

The fact that you are nervous makes you a good nurse. Never stop double checking and asking for help if you need it. I have been a nurse for over 13 years. Anytime I give a med (especially one that I'm not familiar with) I always look it up. I have found the nurses that don't express such concerns and appear to be over-confident tend to give less of themselves as a nurse and are at risk for making some big mistakes. People make mistakes. That's part of life in any career that you do. The difference is that you learn from your mistakes. Don't be terrified every time you pass meds, but keep a little bit of that fear to help you remember to double check. I hope this helps some. Nursing can be scary, but you'll get better. My favorite quote is "You have to want it more than you are afraid of it". You can do it!!

I have been a mother/baby nurse for over 13 years. I'm thinking I need a change. The first thing people say is "are you going to the NICU?". I guess that sounds like it should be the next step since I have a lot of well-baby experience. But I'm thinking about working at a Children's Hospital. I'm scared to death b/c I haven't done peds since nursing school. I have kids, but it's not the same. And I may have a choice between general peds floor or inpatient surgical. For those of you Peds nurses, can I have some advice on the transition, and which floor would be less traumatic for a newbie to peds? Thank you for any advice!