MedSurger

Agreed!

A good friend of mine works in the PICU. What an amazing place to start!

Can't wait to meet you! I am in Tele/PCU. I am SO excited!

You ROCK. Thank you! I plan on taking all of your advice.

Hi all! I am a new nurse with about a month of home health experience. Most of my clients have vents, trachs, gtubes, electrolyte imbalances, and other complicated medical problems that make my job challenging and rewarding. I love what I do! However, I am hoping to be placed in an ICU within a month or two. I have told my employers this before being hired and they were okay with me moving to PRN if I earn the spot at another facility. Now the nitty gritty. I have applied to other hospitals in my area for Med-Surg positions and had ZERO luck. I wanted, badly, to start in Med-Surg to increase my confidence, improve/master skills and become the most efficient and organized nurse before jumping into a high acuity environment. Not so much. It turns out that I have had more luck landing feedback and responses for ICU/ER positions. It's not ideal, but I need to be in the hospital environment. This particular position comes with a six month orientation/training and a 3 month preceptorship. It's more than I received with home health! Does anyone have any tips, advice, free knowledge they would like to share for a baby nurse possibly headed to an ICU? Tips from equipment/supplies I should always carry on me to things to "never forget;" I welcome it all! I may as well state that I have been taking classes, working towards certifications, etc. to maximize knowledge and prepare myself for a truly arduous field. I am completely committed. Thanks to all!

Weird. I thought this was only for hiring MANAGERS, not recruiters. I was told by a couple employees to contact the hiring recruiters. Have you seen the thread for Parkland SICU September 2012? Search it. We are all waiting! Stinks, but I have heard Parkland does take time to hire.

I succeeded! :) Fortunately, I am at a facility that embraces nurses of all education.

It's been over two years since I wrote this! I am happy to report that I survived Nursing School, passed my boards and now work as a R.N. I am not working at my "first choice" facility, but I love it. Thanks for the support, y'all!

I have to agree Kaventino, to a degree. Programs like Hurst, which offer "live" reviews can get to the source and identify a testing issue. They are the experts. NCLEX is a $200 test and it adds up quick every time you take the exam. I definitely hope she sought out a program to help overcome the issue and moved onto success. It's not fun paying $300-$400 for a review, but sometimes it's needed. I don't think I needed the review, my program prepared me really well. I wish everyone received similar training, education, and instruction! :)

omotzury- have you tried calling Parkland? Also, have you ever attended an Open House? I went in the Spring. I HIGHLY recommend you attend one. I believe they are usually held in the spring.

Hello my fellow Eager-Ladies-in-Waiting! :) I applied in early July and I have received the "your application is under review" e-mail about 8 times. In fact, I have one sitting in my inbox sent about an hour ago; plus I just received one yesterday that said it is "still under review." According to current friends in SICU, NICU, L&D, and OR- this is a good sign. They all received multiple e-mails stating the same or similar things. I will update when I hear anything new! Please do the same! While I want a residency position, I hope the best for all of you and I hope to hear of good news for any of you!

I am aware of this "problem" many of us ADN'ers are encountering. I am conscience of it, but not intimidated. I plan on working my tail off and proving to my co-workers and superiors that not having a BSN out of the gate will in no way interfere with my ability to provide the best possible nursing care. Magnet status doesn't mean they can't/won't hire ADN's, it just means I may have to try a little bit harder to stand out. :)

Hello & Welcome! I don't post often, but I think I can offer some advice. If you are failing the NCLEX and being stopped at 75 questions, this tells me there is a fundamental issue with your test taking skills. NCLEX is a fickle test; It will try and try to help you pass. However, if you have gone through so many questions answered incorrectly it will eventually stop you at 75. (The minimum amount of questions to answer on NCLEX is 75). I think seeking out your resources is the first step in resolving the problem and passing boards. Good for you. Now, I will tell you what has worked for me. I love ATI. I felt very confident in their tests and how similar it is to NCLEX. As you know, NCLEX is not a cheap test so I think it would be worthwhile to invest in ATI testing. If you purchase their NCLEX preparation (which is around $400 or more) they GUARANTEE (or your money back) that you will pass NCLEX. The catch? You have to complete EVERY assignment they give you or the guarantee is null & void. I am not sure how many assignments or tasks involved. It's worth investigating. I wish you the best of luck! Please let us know the outcome!

BubbasMom: try Baylor dental school for free or reduced services!

At the hospital I am currently doing rotations at, I see surgeries (many of them MAJOR) being done frequently on cash-pay (meaning uninsured) clients. In fact, most of the pts I care for are uninsured. And most of them have had surgery. Very expensive surgery. Please let it be known that some hospitals in the area do the right thing and will operate on you, especially if this condition can worsen and cause more health-threatening issues. Granted, most surgeries will stabilize a patient, but not all conditions I have seen needed to be operated on immediately. Do NOT get discouraged. If you need a surgery, search your resources. They are out there! Sometimes you just have to dig.

Congrats! My name is Natalie and I am the 2nd VP of CNSA (Collin Nursing Student Association) and I will be at your orientation. I will be in my 3rd semester in the Fall. The experience goes quickly. :) I can't wait to meet you guys and I will be readily available to any of you who want/need it. Again, congratulations! See ya soon!

Are they even going to deposit our payments by the end of October? I am relying on this money

Hey 8674, I didn't prepare for the PSB exam. You really can't prepare for it. It's very basic math, spatial reasoning, spelling, reading, etc. The only kicker is that it is timed. Be weary. I have not worked in any medical field before, but have watched HOURS of reality trauma shows and health shows since I was a wee one. Having a vested interest doesn't hurt the subject matter absoprtion. :) You can max out the PSB at 6 points. You can accumulate up to 16 points for admission. Most get in with 15s, but 16's exist and some 14's get in. RARELY will a 13 pull it off. I am sure they haven't admitted a 13 in quite some time... Plan on taking the PSB after you have taken your core classes. It does help. If you have maxed out points in other areas, you have to have a 14 to even be considered now. Shoot for a 5 on the PSB.... HTH!

Congrats!!! I will be in my 2nd semester when you guys come through; I can't wait to meet ya. If you need to know somethiing about the program, the ins and outs, don't hesitate to ask. However, you should get more than enough during your orientations. :)

Hi "question" If you do have 15 points, you have a very strong chance. (by this, I mean around 95% if you are considered in-county and have all your vaccines/paperwork completed.) There have been people in the program denied because the application was considered incomplete. Have all current shot records, official transcripts, application filled out in its entirety. The program is incredible. You will love it. Good luck to you and post when you know something, it should be soon!

CTA- I have been applying for a Unit Aide, General Clerk, Patient Transporter, Health Unit Coordinator. They are all considered entry-level, at least at the hospital I am applying to. PCA- Anything would help! Thanks :)

I have been applying, like mad, to any hospital I can get ahold of. I call the potential employer, asking if my resume and credentials have been reviewed, but I am rejected or I never hear back. I have 2 solid years of experience doing admin/clerical work for the same company. Sometimes, this is all the hospital requires for qualifications. I now have a BLS Healthcare Provider CPR and was accepted into a well-known and exceptional nursing program in the area. All of this doesn't seem to be impressing the hiring staff. Any good, constructive criticism for me? I can take it :) Thanks for any help!

Hi Gregory! I am going to be up there on Friday, bright and early! :) I will have to swing by and meet you in person. Thanks for all your information, it has been very helpful!

I received my acceptance letter on Saturday :) I had 15 out of 16 points, live in Collin County, maxed my PSB. The three most critical things when applying to Collin. I look forward to being in the program. I have heard the stories of hard times, crying, and endless studying; however, I am mentally preparing myself. Nursing is no easy task and I look forward to facing these challenges head on. I remain humbled in my admittance to such a program with a pristine reputation. I am so excited about starting such an incredible journey. It will be tough, but I'm ready!! :)