mgmotomom

I had another one of those days two days ago. I unexpectedly wound up working a double and at 11:30p.m. when I finally walked out those doors I was still smiling. I had 3 separate patients who thanked me for being so caring, compassionate and good at my job. It is on days/nights like these that I know for sure I am in the right profession.

is there a union at the facility? Sometimes that at least levels the playing field? I work in Western Mass. and make $28.27/h for day shift and $2/h differential for my weekends and

When a patient I've been caring for for the past 3 weeks cries when it comes to saying goodbye at discharge. That's when I know I made the right choice in career.

how about addressit ng the issue with the Dean of the nursing school if you truly feel that none of the nursing instructors are approachable about the issue.

The "good" pop up refers to the much talked about "Pearson Vue Trick" Have you heard of this?

I too am starting out on a subacute rehab unit in a small community hospital. I worried about maybe commiting career suicide before I even got started but here's what I know. Those that think rehab nurses aren't real nures need to try it out for a day. I know many a seasoned med/surg nurse who starts to have a panic attack b/c they aren't used to moving a new hip or need to perform trach care and they haven't done that since nursing school. Rehab nursing is incredibly rewarding b/c you actually get to see the patient get better and not just turn and burn for a bed. Any experience is better than no experience. I have made it clear to my manager that I am very eager and interested in picking up shifts on the med/surg floor but that is so that a)I can supplement my income as my position is only 16h and b) I want to continue to learn. Good luck in your new job!!! It will take all of your best nursing skills!

I took (and passed) my boards on June 25th, approx 5 weeks after finishing school. My best advice is this: 1) questions questions questions. I thnk I did maybe 300/day on average for a total of roughly 2000 prior to the boards. These questions were from RN3500, Lippincott and Kaplan 2) DO NOT STUDY THE DAY BEFORE! You know what you know and now it is about relaxing and being confident. 3)Make sure to review your fundamentals (safety, positioning, infection control) NCLEX is focusing a lot on this as well as delegation/prioritization/management. While you're taking the test, DO NOT FREAK OUT ABOUT THE NUMBER of questions you've answered. NO ONE ever has a good read on how its going and be prepared to go the distance. You've taken test dozens of times and this is just one more (easier said than done). Remember to breathe! :-)

Just to add my two cents, I took my boards (MA) on Friday June 25, 2010 8a.m. 75 questions and 50 minutes later I walked out of there wondering how on earth that assessed my competency as a nurse. It was a mishmash of the most random things that I would never have thought I'd be asked. I have heard from instructors at my school (STCC) that NCLEX is huge on safety and fundamentals and this was most assuredly born out. I was so very very relieved to use the PVT and received the "good" pop up later that day. 24 hours later it was confirmed on the MA BORN website. All I can say is, it does work. Congrats to all!

i think the question of work-n-gear in west springfield is still unanswered. the answer to your question, and what i have personally done, is purchase my scrub pants there as they are half the cost of the pants in the bookstore. make sure that they are cherokee workwear cargo scrubs in royal blue. what i did before i started school was when i was in the bookstore purchasing the required scrub tops and lab coat was write down the style number and color of the pants offerred in the bookstore. that way i could make sure i was buying the exact pants that the bookstore was selling at $20 per pair vs. $11 or so. the only things you have to purchase at the bookstore are your lab coat and scrub top as they are required to say "stcc nursing" in this beautiful royal blue. as for the question regarding a stethoscope, i purchased a littman classic ii se prior to the start of school and still have it. your stethoscope is one of those things that will not be let out of your sight nor will it ever "wear out." i did not spend the extra $$$ to have it engraved, rather i bought a plastic name tag (at workngear) and affixed it to my steth. as for pen lights, purchase the cheapest one you can find. actually the best one i got was from a conference we went to my second semester. it is still going strong. :-) keep the questions coming! :-)

If i hear you right, they automatically put the amount of the "voucher" in your loan, regardless of whether or not you utilized the voucher at the school's bookstore? My loan also allows for a voucher at the bookstore but then clearly states that if I use it the the amount charged at the book strore will be added to my existing loan amount. If I don't then no extra money is added.

As a general rule, you only need wear scrubs to clinical. There will be a handful of times where "clinical dress" (scrubs) will be required for on campus activities but faculty will be sure to let you know. You will need to wear your lab coat for each and every lab. As far as "Grey's Anatomy" brand, they are significantly pricier than Cherokee workwear but Cherokee also comes in petite sizes as well and are a fraction of the expense. If memory serves, those clinical times are pretty accurate. Clinical is Monday and Tuesday either morning or evening.

Congratulations to all of the new STCC nursing students. I, like Kat, am wrapping up my time at STCC within the next few weeks. Nursing school has been the best hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. Get ready to work harder than you have ever worked in your life! Friends will think you hate them, husbands/wives will feel neglected and everybody has to sacrifice. the ultimate reward though is greater than anything you've done before. My advice is for you to enjoy your summer! Soon enough your world will exist only of STCC school of nursing and NCLEX to name a few. I would say that you can buy your scrub pants anywhere as long as they are Cherokee work wear in royal blue. The bookstore sells them for $20/pair but you can get them at any other scrub place (i.e. WorkNGear) for about $10/pair. The only thing you have to buy at the bookstore is scrub tops and the lab coat and name tag as obviously they have to say STCC Nursing. I purchased my Littman Classic II SE stethoscope at Allheart.com. Did not get engraving but got a plastic name tag to write my name on it. I strongly suggest white sneakers as they tend to have more support for your feet. If you have anything further to ask, don't hesitate. GOOD LUCK!