devons1972

I hired new nurses who were all across the age spectrum when I was a nurse manager. I graduated at 28 - been a nurse 10 years now. No worries, you can do it!

If a mentor wants to run away after 3 questions - they have no business mentoring! As far as Kaplan goes - I personally did not take a refresher course and passed boards on the first try. I suppose it's a personal decision. I think if you have NCLEX prep books and study them closely, you should be fine. A great deal depends on the questions you get during boards. If you have a weak area (mine was mother/baby & peds and all your questions focus on that area you could be in trouble. That actually happened to a friend of mine. I personally would focus on the areas you are weaker in. If you would feel more prepared by taking a course and that would help build your confidence level then it's money well spent. As far as PALS goes - there should be a PALS certified employee that you're working with who can implement the protocol if need be. It should not fall to you as a new nurse AND new employee. I would just hate to see you focus your time and energy on PALS and get overwhelmed. Ultimately, though, you must do what you feel is best. I found it took me several months before things started to make sense. Yes, I was able to safely care for patients, but it wasn't until a good year practicing had passed that all the pieces actually fit for me. At that time - ACLS made sense because I really "got it". Know what I mean? If you have any more questions - ask away. I wish I had someone who would have answered some of mine when I was in your shoes. Sadly, nurses do tend to eat their young.

Congratulations on your graduation! I was actually a nurse manager for two telemetry units (total of 60 beds and 100+ staff) and the monitor room. I know how exciting it is to want to get certified immediately, but my advice to you is to study for NCLEX and nothing else right now. What good will ACLS do if you (GOD FORBID) don't pass boards. If you get hired on a tele unit they will send you to class (usually for free). Some certifications require that you have a number of hours under your belt before you can go. In the hospital system I worked, new staff had a year to complete their ACLS certification. PALS is only going to be helpful to you if you intend on working with a pediatric population. If you aren't able to get right into a tele unit, I encourage you to think about med/surg. It's a hellhole (I was charge nurse on one) and a dumping ground but the assessment skills you will gain will be incredibly valuable. I worked med/surg for a year and a half before going to ICU and I cut my orientation in less than half because I only had to learn the equipment and the advanced procedures done at the bedside. Let me know if I can be of any other assistance to you and good luck on boards! ~Devon

again, having been a nurse for 10 years, all you can do is inform a patient. educate them so they understand the potential consequences of their choices......but ultimately, it is his or her choice. unless someone is deemed incompetent and unable to make choices legally, you can not force anyone to do what s/he does not want to do.

"i was told that i will be admitted as a pre-nursing major and if i take 16 credits at usf and have 2.7 gpa, my status will be change to nursing major." these are the words that you wrote. if you were told you'll be changed, then simply fulfill there requirements. just be sure that it's someone from the college of nursing who has authority to make that decision that is giving you this information. \ good luck

not me or any of my nurse friends

typically you need to submit proof of graduation from an accredited nursing program. you will then receive a letter that says you are ready to test and may make an appt. for your boards. since they are now computerized, results tend to be quick. once you pass boards, it's up to the institution you work for regarding pay. some will accept online proof that you have passed boards, others want to see your license in hand which means you have to wait for snail mail.

Been a nurse for 10 years - Dx is diagnosis

Congrats on your upcoming graduation. I'm male and have been a nurse for 10 years, although I live in GA, and not FL. Sorry to hear your troubles, but remember that things may be different once you are a staff member and not "another student" just passing through. As far as techs and unit secretaries go, remember that once you are an RN, you will "out rank" them and they will need to do as you ask. Don't take advantage of them ever because a tech can make or break you. If you have problems once you are a staff member, you can speak with the charge nurse or nurse manager about it (I've held both positions on a med-surg floor and in ICU).

Started at 24, graduated at 28 and am will turn 38 in March. The average age of a nurse graduate is 28, by the way!

A few things... I've been an RN for 10 years and have worked and managed both MS and ICU. If you want to be a CRNA you will HAVE to have critical care experience, either ICU or ER (or both). Best chances to get into CRNA school is being an RN/RT (resp. therapist, by the way). PAs are okay, but they CAN NOT practice unless they are affiliated with a physician. NPs, however, have varying levels of autonomy and prescriptive authority DEPENDING ON THE STATE. In some states NPs can hang their own shingle and even admit to and manage care in hospitals. There are also critical care NP programs that are popping up. I believe Emory has one here in GA. MS is very hard unit to work. It is typically the dumping ground of the hospital, but the experience you gain there is incredible. You get to see everything and you really can hone your assessment skills in the environment. I worked on MS for 1.5 years before going to ICU and I wouldn't have it any other way. Nurses who graduated and went straight to ICU tended to believe the equipment and forgot to look at the patient. When the BP cuff has a hole in it and you get a BP of 70/20 but the patient is alert and oriented and waiting to be discharged, something is obviously wrong. Assessment skills are key in any nursing setting. MS is worth it, as painful as it can be.

all of these points are very good points and could be tried, but ultimately you must remember that a patient has the right to deny any and all treatment/procedures. end of discussion. =)

Hi there! I would probably meet with the dean of the nursing program before you apply. You certainly don't want to throw away application money if it seems your previous expulsion will keep you from being accepted. I would think that a reasonable person would be open to giving you another chance given your current GPA, but that probably depends on the reason you were expelled. At any rate, I think a face to face meeting is better than a letter, because it will allow the dean to ask you questions and you can give any information requested. Good luck