C2CNurse

I agree with previous posts that, although it's alright with having discomfort viewing female genitalia from a personal standpoint, it stands to question if this line of work is right for you. Such care is an essential part of your day and an important one at that since stool and urine enzymes can easily cause skin breakdown leading to infection. Ignoring a part of the population means you're specializing in only, in your case, male care. And, in general, hiring someone like yourself, at this point, would not be the best choice for an employer when other CNA's have acceptance to performing such important interventions on anyone. That said, should an employer condone such accommodations (which I hardly think is possible unless they are in desperate need to hire someone), allowing such an accommodation means that you're request potentially increases the workload of someone else, a colleague, which is completely unfair (unless everyone on the team agrees with such an accommodation). I would suggest taking a more clinical approach to pericare rather than, as one poster put it, looking at female genitalia as a sexual area. You don't need to necessarily like it, but you must become comfortable with it. It's vitally necessary that you not only become comfortable with such care, but be diligent and comprehensive when providing such care since any discomfort managing this very personal area of a patient's body will only result in substandard care, and this is not acceptable. Me, personally and professionally, I could not work with a CNA with such a request for safety reasons alone. However, the more you do it, the more (I think) you'll become comfortable with the process. Remember, it's an important intervention and vitally necessary for both sexes.

Nursing is a second career for me. My story is that I worked in the entertainment industry prior to nursing school. In that industry, I was told how difficult it was to not only get a job, but to earn a living. As tough as it might have been to enter, I entered that industry, always worked, and earned a great living. I still can. Upon graduating nursing school a few years back, I was interviewed by a local television news station about new graduate job prospects. Knowing the competitive nursing climate, I told them [and millions of viewers] that I had no worries about getting work. Within a week of that interview, I was offered several positions and took one locally at a prestigious hospital [who are currently in need of nurses, both new grads and experienced]. In both cases, I accepted the obstacles faced and believed I could overcome them. I completed all those 'status quo' efforts to obtain work... I foraged through job boards; worked up a smart resume; researched hospitals (both locally & nationally); thanked 'everyone' who I came in contact by sending thank you letters to both visiting recruiters and those who offered & conducted interviews with me; capitalized on my strengths; and absolutely remained flexible. My position was that as a 'new grad' my first two years would serve as an extension of my education, so although I remained focused on my goal to obtain a position on a cardiothoracic floor, I would remain open to other opportunities because I wanted the nursing experience. Regardless of industry, there are individuals who have it tougher than others for whatever reason individual to them. I had no more experience than those graduating who were half my age. With that, I capitalized on what I could offer like life experience and an ability to remain fearless of falling flat on my face [best learning experiences yet]. Ultimately, I get work because I set up goals, believe in my success, and am willing to do whatever work it takes to achieve a successful outcome. I once read where a person could not find a job in a local town, and was depressed about opportunities there. Well, as a simple example, if that town has only five jobs, and there are six people looking for a job, then it appears that one of those people may not work. In that case, you might need reevaluate that locale, change the scenery and explore. But, if that town is your only option, then one option is to convince that town to either expand hiring or create a need on your own. Unfortunately, being inflexible can really hurt you. And sometimes you must simply move on. For all you new grads, there remains a need for nurses, new grads and experienced alike, in many, many markets provided you remain flexible. In some markets, not so much! Accept the barriers presented and learn to overcome them or move on to those other markets. You will, no matter the statistics, no matter what the naysayers say, succeed provided you create and put into play an action plan. Remain positive, be kind, and enjoy the process without carrying a chip on your shoulder, too. It may be easier for some to succeed than others, but remain steadfast in the work you put into your plan and in the belief you will overcome and achieve.

Funny, I'm sure we all crossed paths at one moment or another. The protests made for an interesting experience, too. But, all in all, it wasn't a painful interview. But, as with all interviews, one never really knows what seals the deal and what doesn't. We all have relatively the same skill level, I'm guessing, but it may come down to personality and how well we got along with the interviewer and how well the interviewer believes we will get along with the other staff members. Remember, they are hiring someone to integrate with an existing team. And, it's important we all get along and work well together. So, they're weighing those things too. Not an easy job, I'm sure, considering all the applicants that showed up in just the time I was there. Good luck to everyone!

Sorry, EllyBC, just saw your post. I'm interviewing with CTICU.

majesticred, what day do you interview, and can you share your experience with it when you do?

Hi All, Just received a call from UCLA for an interview. I live on the east coast, so they are, indeed, calling people who live out of state. Good luck to everyone!

Yes, classes start the 11th, but we'll all be there for the formal orientation on the Friday prior (8th). As for the books, you'll need to sign up for your Onyen account. Since you've been accepted, you should be able to do that now with your PID. Once there, I'm guessing you were already registered since we were all registered by staff for our first semester (exception: labs, we must do that ourselves... still sections open). Through "Student Central" via your Onyen account, you can look up your account and see what books are required. I'll hit you up with a complete list via email should you not receive anything by, say, Monday. Just let me know. :)

We only had the preorientation. Orientation will be the Friday before class start. However, most of the information regarding compliance, financial aid, background check, etc is on that CD. If you don't get it soon, let me know. I can probably send you any document, privately, via email (I won't post them on this site). Don't worry about a thing. There's quite a diverse group of people accepted into the program willing to help out their fellow nursing student. That support, I hope, will only grow stronger. The staff are incredibly supportive, too, toward those accepted, and they are a great resource for information. Don't hesitate to contact them (although, I'm not sure of their holiday schedule). There's some info I just can't post here due to privacy issues. But, rest assured, we are all here for each other. Just be prepared to work hard. It's not easy, but it will be worth it. Yes, indeed! :)

Yup. I had to revisit that old thing. It's a formality, however. From what I understand, if you do have a bachelor's, it is not much considered. Although, if it came down to choosing between the last possible applicants, between two people of equal credentials and essays, the high school transcript may come into play. But, I highly doubt it. Your bachelor degree GPA will undoubtedly be factored in your overall GPA.Good luck on your application and have fun with the essays. I mean that, have fun. I enjoyed writing mine once I got into it. And that energy will come out in the essay.

I cannot kudos you twice, otherwise I would.

Nursing is an incredibly demanding profession. There are guidelines and steps created for a reason. Nurses follow them as I'm sure I will find out some day. A mistake was made. You own it. You realize it. Now you must be completely and utterly honest, first, with yourself. No holds barred. That may mean being tough on yourself, tougher than your clinical instructor. But don't beat yourself up. The purpose is to learn from your mistake, not become more fearful. I've been in business for many many years. I've heard every excuse in the book in my former line of business. I imagine the committee has, too. If I were one of those members, I would want to see that the person that clearly committed the mistake took ownership of it; understood why it occurred; and what they would do in the future to prevent such a mistake from occurring again. I'm sure there's more to it than that (I'm a new student just entering the profession, I have a lot more yet to learn). However, I would want to see evidence of the aforementioned three elements. Of course, outlining those elements certainly doesn't guarantee you a free ride from responsibility or demerit, but what it does do for you it help you learn from, what could have been, a deathly mistake. As for your clinical tutor making what is perceived as a harsh decision, it may be that you were so close to the end of the clinical that weighed heavily on that decision. I hope it wasn't impulsive, but had you made the mistake earlier on at the beginning, you may not have been failed. Maybe your tutor believed at the level you ascended to, a mistake like that should have greater impact on you going forward. If it were me, I would sit down with your tutor and have a heart to heart. Not to change their mind, but to understand the situation more. So you can be a better nurse. The best that you can be. You were interrupted at some point during a process. Did you believe you were you one hundred percent sure that you were administering patch properly? You only know that for sure. But if there was any doubt, and you felt pressured because of, say, time and how starting the procedure over again would negatively impact your schedule, then you must reckon with yourself and truly understand how such a pressure can negatively impact your patient. IF that is the case. But you really only know the true case. Whatever happened, dissect every thought process that led you to that mistake, no matter how difficult that process may be. You'll be better for it. I hope it all turns out well for you. And I hope you learn well from this. Don't be afraid of the profession, just continue to respect it.

See you at school, Renee! Congratulations on making such a tough, albeit wonderful, decision. Your father, I'm sure, is very proud. :)

Taz, is that what they told you? If so, that is truly great feedback! Now you have something to work with... I'm guessing grades and prereqs had nothing to do with it. That's even better. An essay can always be improved. You're in good shape.So, not knowing what you wrote, I will tell you that you want to get started on editing out any extraneous colloquial information, and keep the good parts. With the three essays I submitted, I created approximately 13 revisions of each one. I would write honestly on the first version. Then edit for clarity. Insert some entertainment value. Then, as tough as it was, had four people read them and provide feedback. Then I made several more edits. The last few were touch ups for sentence flow (I had my girlfriend read everything every step of the way... it was tough some of the criticism, constructive as it was, but helpful). Don't be afraid to share them with friends and family. You don't need to follow everyone's advice or critique, but it's important to solicit their "honest" impression... no holding back. You decide, then, what works for you. Honestly, if it's just the essays, I'm glad to hear that's all it was. The essays are the simplest to address. Keep us posted, Taz. We'll be holding a place for you at the study group in Tarheel country.

ReneeSuzy, Just to tag on to momofthreeboys' post, you can just show up to the TEAS test on Sunday after orientation (I was told it was fine just to show up to preferred test session). I'll be there for Dec. 6th test @ 4pm (right after your orientation). Don't worry about the TEAS test either. From what I have been told and read, it's straightforward and will not prevent you from remaining in the program whatsoever (just in case you were worried if a poor test result to hurt you). Nevertheless, I am so happy to hear that you will be joining us. You will discover at pre-orientation how supportive the nursing program staff will be as we progress through the program. I can already tell that your fellow students, too, will be just as supportive. You are just going to love this program. I imagine all of us will. And I can't wait to join you, momofthreeboys, and everyone else as we walk together in Carolina Blue during graduation in just a few short years. Be sure to introduce me to your father since I want to take photos of his smiling face as he proudly watches his daughter accept her degree! :) My best wishes for you, your family and your father.

Congratulations, Nic. Go for it. You're also looking at a BSN degree at a great college. I'd go for UNC. But check out the orientation and ask a lot of questions. There will be a lot of people attending just as excited as you, so you might find that UNC is the place for you. This is your opportunity. Tazluff, sorry about the news. But still stay positive and persistent. After chatting with the director, you may find out you were borderline. If an opening comes up, you might be able to take it. Did you apply to the ABSN or BSN? Please stop back and tell us what they said (if you care to share, that is). :)