WSamsky

I am traditional @ gcu so my schedule probably woulnt apply its usually half days in the first quarter we had a few days that were like 8-5 but that was just the first week. Our clinicals started second quarter of first semester.

I have not been through it, but I am currently enrolled and i would not recommend the program to anyone. Teachers are boring, lab is cramped, lectures are cramped, financial aide loses all your paper work, and they hire all their own MSN students so there isn't anyone their who wasn't educated at GCU. There is no support for nursing students either and i feel like the only people who make it through a 5 semester program (what other program is five semsters???) are the ones who can read a book and learn all the information. For example my class started out with a little over 40 kids now two semesters in we are to just over 20. When we are in lecture we are combined with fast track students so our teacher to student ratio is like 1:40 unless you are in lab in which its a little better. The school is just ridiculous, im a PK and a christian so im not bashing that aspect its just a poor place to get an education unless you need a slip of paper to get your masters. Im transferring out next semester to a CC were hopefully ill learn something. I would encourage you greatly to look into other options.

congratulations! now you get to see how things work in the real world... never stop treating patients like people more importantly like people you care about. As a CNA you can be a patient advocate by making sure everyone gets a bath, bed change, quick help to the toilet and make a huge difference in their hospital stay and recovery.

At my school we go pick our patients the day before clinicals so before i get there i know all the medications my patient is taking, at what time, and the nursing implications. I also know why their admitted and i have had time to look up what procedures might be needed possible nursing diagnosis's for this patient and interventions. And i also look up special assessment or focused assessment criteria for the patient. If this is not the case for your school your kinda SOL. Ive never not had a day to prepare and if i didn't i think i would probably feel really lost as well. Alot of the nurses i talk to so they gain most of their clinical knowledge post graduation in the field so im sure most other students feel just as lost most days.

I have no experience with your situation but most institutions will have a critical incident stress debriefing when deemed necessary which really involves the parties involved talking about the situation. I would inquire about it. My girlfriend had a tough loss in the PICU where she works and really could have used some support but was looked over because no one spoke up, so i would speak up to your manager because some other employees may be having difficulty coping as well.

I have critical thinking and clinical judgment from Alfaro-LeFevre. Havent read much of it but students who struggle with critical thinking in my cohort say it helps them alot.

I get very nervous when going on interviews and try to prepare but often struggle with what to prepare for. Good idea would be to look up the hospitals mission statement and values and use those in your answers. For example if one of their values is accountability tell a story about how you were accountable for your actions in a previous job. Also be prepared for some general interview questions i was thrown for a loop when i was asked "how would you define professionalism?" and "What does customer service mean to you?" at an interview for a EMT job. GOOD LUCK and dress professional! p.s. resume, skills check sheet from school, letter of recommendation, etc. etc. always look good when you bring them to an interview.

Amen! If helping other people didnt even make it on your list of nursing pros i dunno if its a good career choice. Im no RN but just in my experience as a CNA and in clinicals is you sacrifice alot for your patients and if you cant take satisfaction from helping someone you'll feel abused get burnt out or become a bitter nurse.

Alot of the students in my cohort use those clipboards that open to have a compartment you can fit alot of stuff in there. I use a binder with a zippered pencil bag and hang my stethoscope around my neck and wear a "nursing apron". http://www.amazon.com/UNIVERSAL-PRODUCTS-Aluminum-Clipboard-Compartment/dp/B001E6B8YG http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Inc-School-Binder-Zippered/dp/B002ZZ09YA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1264707702&sr=1-3-spell http://www.amazon.com/Nurse-Nursing-Medical-Small-Organizer/dp/B002JWA7O6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1264707752&sr=8-1-catcorr