Maghunter

I work in a large mixed ICU. We NEVER have 3:1. That's just crazy. The charge nurses do a really good job of mixing one vent with a non-vent pt most of the time. Heart pt are 1:1, as are very septic or post core pt on hypothermia protocol. I am still new, so they try to give me one vent and one easy pt, but that doesn't always turn out that way. The other day I had two pt. One an acute MI and the other SIRS with ARF. Both were pretty stable at the begining, but by the morning I had the SIRS on pressers and my MI was very unstable. (they should have cath'd her right away, but the doc wanted to wait i.e. sleep) Let me just say that was a busy night. That's the way it goes in the ICU though. Pt are in the ICU because they are SICK. And by sick I mean unstable. They can change quick and you need to have the staff to handle it. That same night on the two pods I was working we also admitted acute resp failure, an alpha trauma, post v-fib arrest starting hypothermia, drug overdose, and another resp failure from the floor. We had started the shift with only one open bed, so all the admits meant pt had to be transferred out to make room. BUSY! If we would have been understaffed or 3:1, it would have been a danger to everyone.

I got my ADN from a school that is nationally accredited. Nationally accredited is not as good as regionally accredited. State school/universities are regionally accredited. I am now in the process of getting my RN to BSN from a regionally accredited school that is also CCNE accredited, (University of Wyoming). My worry is that no matter how high a GPA I get, the ADN coming from a lower accreditation may be a hindrance when applying to CRNA school. Can someone shed some light on this for me? Are they even going to care where I got my ADN from, as long as my BSN is from a highly accredited and accepted school? What about people who were diploma nurses going on to get a bachelors and then on to CRNA school? Are there any of you out there that can shed some light on this for me? Thanks. BTW, I am working now in a mixed 40 bed ICU and loving every minute of it. By the time I get done with BSN I'll have several years ICU under my belt.

I was a CNA before starting in the ICU a month ago. I've taken a lot of temps. In my experience ALL the noninvasive temp methods... axillary, oral, tympanic, temporal...have drawbacks and can give false high/low results at times. We use temporal, but if it's not correlating with what I feel or is a little high/low, then I use a secondary method.

Graduated March 1st, and did not want to wait long to take the test. Ended up scheduling the test in another state because there was NO test openings anywhere closer. Me and a classmate made the drive to freaking North Platte, NE four hours away. It was so good to have someone else there, going through the intense stress before the test. I was so stinking nervous, as I'm sure everyone is. When I first sat down I couldn't even work the mouse well. From being a big-time lurker on this site, I new that I wanted to have really hard questions...and I did. I had like 4 SATA in the first 10 questions, and probably 15 total. I also had a bunch of isolation type questions, which I'm thinking I didn't do too well on cause they kept coming up. Also many "who would you see first" or "what med would you give first" type questions. I took my time with every question, thought through every answer. I was concentrating so hard that at question 73 I got the 2 hour break message! I clicked no and hunkered down for the last two questions. Then got the awesome blue screen after question 75!!!!!!! On the drive home we had my friend's husband try out the PVT and we both got the good pop-up!!! Next steps is to start in the ICU first of April! So what did I use to study? Well our school uses ATI, with the virtual ATI classroom. I have to say that the only thing I used was their practice tests. Their system is so jacked up to study from, it's a joke. After you take a test you can create what's called a focused review which gives you all the areas you are weak on. But to try and then find the information that you need to study is like a treasure hunt with no map. It is such a pain in the but that I can't believe they charge money for it. So in addition to the ATI tests, I also used the Kaplan book, a small amount of Saunders, but mostly just the CDROM for the practice tests. And that's it. Just lots and lots of questions and practice tests. I really think that the Kaplan strategies for breaking down the questions and answers was a huge help for me.

Holy crap!!!!! I work as a CNA in the neuro/trauma unit while going to school. A few weeks back they let me know that they have no open positions on my floor. I graduate March 1st...or this Tuesday. My real dream is to be either an ER or ICU nurse. Jobs in Denver are really tough right now, especially new grad positions. I've spoken to a few of the ICU nurses in the past, and they have all said how hard it is to get into this ICU, and that they don't hire new grads. I even floated there one day, and that's what all the nurses said. So the other day I just called up the hiring manager and asked her directly. To my surprise she said that they do hire a couple of new grads each year. After telling her a little about my background she said I fit the perfect new grad profile! So after a few emails back and forth we set up an interview for today. Going into the interview I honestly did not expect them to actually offer me a position on the spot, but that is exactly what they did!!!!!!!! They have an awesome yet intense orientation program and I am just so freaking excited I can't believe it! Now all I have to do is pass the freaking NCLEX! I sure hope it doesn't take long to get my Auth To Test.

I am also thinking of CRNA in the future, and the question of where to get my RN to BSN is still a mystery. Where did you get your online BSN? And which accreditation do I need to make sure to get my degree from?

My school is using ATI to prep us all for the NCLEX. Have any of you out there taken the ATI predictor test? If so, how well did the use of ATI help you pass the NCLEX? Everyone I talk to says to take Kaplan, but I've already spent a crap-ton of money for school and there is only so many ways to study in the time I have left. (about 2 months)

Holy crap, you guys are freaking me out with all these SATA stories? I HATE those questions. I take the test in about 2 months. What is the best way to prepare for the SATA?

Thanks for all the feedback. Let me shed some further light. The program is accelerated AASN program. I just started term five out of six. I know that my post is somewhat whiny, and that's OK. I mostly read on here about how other programs and instructors are super hard, and that's why I wanted to share my thoughts. I think that I'm probably learning much more than I'm giving myself credit for, and all-in-all the school is not a complete cake walk. I do still have to do homework and study, and maybe it just comes a little easy for me. The school, overall, has a pretty high NCLEX pass rate. However the last term to test was the worst they've had in a long time @ 65%. It was a combination of many things including a bunch of lazy students who didn't do the remediation from the ATI's, but also the school had changed a lot of things right towards the end which effected that group. I am a little surprised that no one has ever posted that school was too easy. I can't be that big of a jerk, can I?

I know I shouldn't be upset about this, but I really think our school is trying hard to NOT have anyone fail out. This last term was really bad. Basically we had a review before the tests...and the review consisted of paraphrasing the actual test itself. The instructors would not go over every question, so there were still a few surprises. But all we had to do was listen well on the review and it was easy to get an A. We took some very critical classes too, like Pharm II, OB/Peds and health assessment. The results of making things so easy for us was 1. the lazy people still did bad, because they are lazy. 2. For those of us who care, we really did not have to study at all and all got A's. And we had the same "easy" instructor for pharm I, and now many of us feel we don't know jack crap about meds. In many ways I feel I'm being cheated out of an education because they are catering to the lazy stupid people in class. But on the other hand part of me says I should just put the blinders on, get through school with an easy 4.0GPA and don't worry about it.

I'm going to Concorde in Aurora. Pretty good school, and so far I'm really happy with the RN program.

I agree that if you wait for the perfect time to have kids then you may never find the perfect time. I am in nursing school now with 3 kids and a 4th (surprise!) is due in two months. On top of this my youngest (4) has down syndrome. It is very hard, but we manage. I plan on either doing FNP or CRNA, and I know we will be able to manage. Kids are one of the greatest blessings a family can have.

Just wanted to let you all know that jobs here are getting VERY hard to come by. I'm still in school and will graduate in March 2011. I just spoke to a friend who graduated 3 months ago and he said so far only 2 people in 30 from his class have been able to find jobs. One of which was in TN and not Denver. The other was a person who was working at the hospital as a CNA where she got her RN job. Even the others that were working as CNA's still have not secured an RN job! I am working as CNA now, and probably 70% of the other CNA's that I work with are going to RN school as well. I have heard rumors from my hospital that once we graduate we have to go through the HR department to get an RN job, and that nothing is for sure. So it looks as though the slowdown in the economy is now starting to hit the hospitals much heavier now. Given that Denver area has a billion nursing schools, this just adds to the problem. How are things in your neck of the woods?

Part of the problem I think newbetonursing is talking about is the fact that WGU does not issue grades like other colleges. Instead they are a competency based school, so once you demonstrate you have the knowledge/skills required for each subject and pass the test, you move on to the next subject. I am also in the process of trying to find out if this "competency" approach is the right fit for those of us who wish to go on to higher, masters level programs. So far I have not found the answer. WGU does sound like a great school, they are accredited, but there are still some unanswered questions.

I will be finishing my AASN degree in March 2011, and am also looking at WGU for my RN-BSN. Here are a few questions I have. - I am currently getting a 4.0, and plan to keep that through AASN program. My ultimate goal is Masters level FNP. It sounds like the best equivalent I can get from WGU is 3.0 (is that right for a "B" average?), and this really brings down my 4.0. Theoretically this could be a challenge when applying for NP schools. Please shed some light on this for me as this seems like a big roadblock to WGU's program for me. - Each semester is 6 months, but I can go through the classes as quickly as I can pass the assessments? - Do you get more than one try at passing the assessment tests? So at the beginning I can try to "test out" of the class and if I don't then I just take the class? Thank you for any help or further information you can provide. Maghunter

I am only in my second semester, and have 1 year left to go (accelerated program). I was a CNA years ago and got certified here the same month I started school. About 1 month ago I got a job at one of the bigger hospitals as a CNA, and will have a guaranteed RN job once I graduate. Working while going to school will up your chances 10 fold.

There is no doubt going to be a reality shock for many new grad RN's here in Denver area. Mostly for those who do not have any experience other than school clinicals. However, there ARE jobs out there. I just started as CNA at one of the hospitals in Aurora, and in my group there were 6-7 new grads and about that many traveling nurses starting there as well. I pretty sure all of the new grads got their jobs by knowing someone or by having prior experience. Getting a job as CNA while in nursing school will quadruple your success once you graduate. For example I already have an offer once I pass NCLEX, which is over a year away.

TristanT, so when you say you're not making $25hr, are you making more or less? Just curious as to what I can expect in a year.

You should check out Concorde as there is no wait list. You take a NET test and depending on how well you do on the math section determines how high up the list you go. I started school 2 months after deciding to go into nursing. For me, a 2 year wait is out of the question. Also, the job market may be a little slow out there, but finding a job in nursing is the same as in any field. It's all about who you know and how you go about finding a job. I used to be a CNA years back in another state. So before starting RN school I took the CNA test for CO. I have been applying for hospital CNA jobs for the past 2 months, and getting rejected on all of them because I was only applying through the websites. But at the same time I was networking like crazy to find someone who knew someone that worked in a hospital. Sure enough, I found a connection to one of the hospitals, was able to get an interview and now have a CNA job in a neuro/trauma unit. The chances of me having an RN job the second I graduate is now about 99%. There is ALWAYS a job out there that you can find. You just have to do everything you can to better your chances to be in the right place, at the right time, and know the right people.

I am currently going to Concorde in Aurora. You can get accepted there pretty quick as long as you score high enough on the NET test (the math part). It is expensive, but it's also VERY fast. So really it's less expensive than other schools because it's so short. However, beware of the "used car salesman" tactics of the office staff. You just have to over look that part. The instructors so far are really awesome.

Math score on the NET test was #1 factor getting in. I'm in the middle of first term finals right now and me and a few others are getting 4.0. Next term may be very different, however.

We just got our schedule for next term and it is looking very hard. Basically we have two clinical Monday and Tuesday, then school from 8am-5:30pm Wed and Thurs, and Friday goes from 8am to 2:30. This is a really big schedule. Right now I have my CNA and am working 2 shifts on fri/sat night from 7p-7a. It doesn't pay real well but mostly it is not giving me any experience at all. So I've been looking for something in a local hospital and have a very good lead into a neuro unit. So working two 12's a week would really give me some solid experience and help me get that first job as RN. Not to mention we really need the extra money coming in. A few of my classmate are saying I'm crazy for working so much with such a big class load, but they don't have the requirements of income I have. So what do you all think I should do. If I get the Neuro job, it could really lead to some great stuff. I guess if I have to work while going to nursing school then a hospital is not the worst place to be. Any thoughts from any of you would be very welcome. Thanks a ton.

That is sooooooo funny, because I am very ADHD as well. So with that in mind, let me share with you a few other things I do to help me get through the struggles of school. Meds: I recommend you go see a doc and try some Adderal or similar meds. Meds help me concentrate and stay on task, but they also help me stay motivated to do things I normally do not find interesting. One of the problems with many ADHD people is not so much that we can't concentrate on something, but that we have a VERY hard time even doing things that are not interesting. Our minds need constant stimulation and excitement, and homework is the worst! It is so boring to sit down and read or study, especially if it something I'm not that interested in. However, by taking Adderal when needed, I'm able to put in the required study time. Start a study group: I find that I am able to learn so much better when I'm around other people. Granted there are subjects are material that must be studied individually, but for the rest I find study groups absolutely critical. I also try and get those really smart people to be part of my group. Play to your strengths: Like I said before, I never read the books. It is just way to hard for me to sit down and read a chapter straight through. Plus, I don't learn much this way. So I do things a little differently, like making flash cards or drawing things out over and over on a dry erase board. You need to study to your strengths. Lastly, learn about your ADHD, it will help so much. For example, one of the reasons you are probably depressed is because it is so hard to do the important things you need to do, such as study, or balance your checkbook, or quietly sit and read a book with your child. All these things are so hard for us to do. And so we beat ourselves up over it, thinking we are bad people or that we are stupid. Another big trait of ADHD people is that no matter how well we do on things, we always feel like we could have done better, but then we take it further by beating ourselves up over it. For example, even though I've done so many awesome and great things in my life, I am often very self conscious that I'm now going back to school at age 36. I have to stop myself from getting depressed over it. After re-reading that last part I make it sound like everyone else. But for ADHD people, it's different. It's like we subconsciously keep telling ourselves "you can't concentrate, you could do better if you could just get motivated, you'd be so much further if you weren't so whimsical or obnoxious." I don't know if any of that makes sense or is helpful at all. I wish you the best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

I never read the book...never. I do read the important parts and do all the homework. I also often make my own flash cards of the important points or key terms...but I hardly ever just sit down and read. Nothing ever sinks in for me by reading. In fact, making my own flash cards is my best method to learning what's important. Most of the time I never even use them to study, because the process of making them is often enough for me.

The main thing the look at for the entrance exam is the math score. My advice is to do all the online practice exams, but don't just do the problems. Instead make sure you fully understand the math principles that are being tested. For example, make sure you can easily work with fractions and decimals. It's not really that hard of a test as long as you brush up on these skills. It does not matter what you get on the other parts...math is the big one.