Kimmi73

hi everyone i am a recent rn grad, taking my nclex-rn next week. i have an interview for an outpatient dialysis position in a few days. any advice? i really want to prepare for this interview but have no clue where to start or what type of questions maybe asked. any dialysis nurses shed some light? what is a typical day like? what are the roles of the pcts? thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) is only hemodialysis used in an outpatient setting? what are the rn's role as a dialysis nurse? i've looked in the dialysis forum and got no replies. thank you!!!

Hi everyone I am a recent RN grad, taking my NCLEX-RN next week. I have an interview for an outpatient dialysis position in a few days. Any advice? I really want to prepare for this interview but have no clue where to start or what type of questions maybe asked. Any dialysis nurses shed some light? What is a typical day like? What are the roles of the PCTS? Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Consult with your nursing handbook which should have clear definitions on rounding. Also ask the instructor, as each one can be different. At my school we round all drop questions to the nearest whole number. (Obviously you can't administer a tenth of a drop etc.) Any mL is to the nearest tenth.

What about Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity. He has diarrhea and immobility issues.

This is so frustrating!!! This is exactly why people go around and call themselves "nurses" when they are clearly a medical assistant or technician etc. (The lady who signed you up needs to be set straight and reported) We work our butts off to be called nurses! I was once a medical assistant and think it gives great experience into the field of nursing. Although as mentioned, you have to be accepted into a LPN program to sit for the exam. I'm 2 months away from LPN eligibility then 2 more semesters for my RN. Good Luck!!!

I'm currently pregnant and in nursing school. I'm going with a CNM who delivers at the hospital. She's awesome and I wouldn't trust anyone for my care. She's in practice with 3 other docs just in case. I like the idea that they are holistic and I will see the same provider throughout my pregnancy. There is also a much lower C-section rate when a CNM is used.

I attend LCC and yes we are required to do 4 hours of Community Service each semester. It's nice though, we can choose where we volunteer.

Congratulations!!!! It's a wonderful feeling. I'm finishing up my first semester of NS and remember the feeling when I got my acceptance letter. I did the same thing and just read the word "congratulations!" Enjoy it because the real fun starts when you start NS! :balloons::w00t:

I'm currently in my first semester of NS BUT I can completely relate to "stressing out" about getting in. I swear everyday the mail would come I hyperventilated. :) Then when I did get the letter, I didn't even read it I just looked for the bold word of congratulations or accepted. Enjoy the anticipation, although this sounds silly. Once you get accepted a new anticipation starts and you're reminded of how hard you worked to get there!! I wish everyone luck of getting in. I also had 2 other schools as back up, my philosophy was I would "find" a school to get in. Transfer whatever I had to, to meet requirements. Don't give up and CONSIDER all options. :wink2:

Nursing school is challenging but sounds like you're organized which is crucial. You CAN'T fall behind. Stay on track and always know what you have next to do. Now I start clinicals in 2 days, so I can't give advice on that yet. NS is what I expected. I've met some awesome people already. My other advice is to take advantage of all the resources available to you. For example I signed up for all these "workshops" to help you succeed. I highly recommend those, if your school offers them. I had a medication math, clinical documentation, and nursing supplemental. Good Luck!

Yes! I made it through my first week of nursing school!!! I feel like I've accomplished quite a bit already. :w00t:

Thank you for the advice! Do you mind me asking what state your niece lives in? I live in MI.

I've been offered a seat into a nursing program starting Jan. 2008. Let me start out that I'm well aware of all the benefits and what it takes to be a nurse. Trust me all I wanted for 4 years (taking classes to be accepted into nursing school) was to be an RN. Ever since I've been accepted which was April of this year I've been plagued with "doubts" if I'll be happy and if it's something I really want to do. I know it's just a feeling but by nature I'm an extremely analytical person and weigh every option possible. I'm now considering Elementary Ed. Sometimes I wonder if I just like the "challenge" and then it loses it's appeal. I'm planning to shadow a teacher and research the profession. It's like I'm searching for some golden moment that the lightbulb will go off and I'll remember the reasons I chose nursing. Thanks for listening to me venting. I should also include my other interests are: social work, psych, teaching, even med school. I stay up at all hours of the night taking career tests, personality profiles, etc I actually think I've been going through a mild depression re: this decision. It's troublesome to know you've worked this many years, finally accepted, and now doubt the entire thing. (I'm blessed because many individuals would love this opportunity and gladly take my seat in school.) Any advice is appreciated!! Or if anyone went through similar feelings???

I had all the pre-reqs and the required classes completed. I would suggest having most if not all completed this way it can boost your GPA and give more completed credits towards the degree completed. Which then = more points possible. Feel free to pm me or if you want to exchange email addresses.

I applied one time and was accepted. I start Jan 08. I did apply one time prior but never finished Math 112 so technically I wasn't eligible. I feel confidant with the requirements and gaining the most points possible (most students who have been accepted should.) So if you ever want some advice just pm me. Are you applying for 2008/2009?

thanks for the info! that's really helpful. i was accepted into the program and was hoping to start this august was picked to start in jan. 2008. oh well i'm just thankful to have been accepted. i also had 75 pts. did you work while in school? i'm debating whether or not to do that. so your only day off first semester is thursday? i knew it was intense. i would love to chat with you more about your experiences. congrats on finishing your first semester. i work now as an ultrasound tech.

Lansing Community College offers a part time option. It's 8 semesters (Spring, Summer, & Fall.) The clinicals are offered a few days a week in the evening. You may want to check it out.

I agree with all the others!!! Go for it and don't let anyone get you down. (Easier said than done when you may not have the best support system.) However it takes hard work and passion to become a nurse. I've just been accepted into nursing school, and trust me I've had my doubts. But I look at it this way, I must be doing something right to get it. You'll succeed too, just take 1 step at a time. A little tip I found out the hard way, it's better to take just 1 or 2 classes and ace them than taking a "full load" and only doing mediocre. Every time you *doubt* yourself think of the reasons why you WANT to be a nurse. Everytime someone in your life is negative, then use that to motivate you even further. I've found the people who are most critical in your life and non-supportive, are the ones who have NOTHING going on in their own life and merely "settle" for a boring life. This doesn't sound like you. Good Luck!!! :monkeydance:

Have you ever thought about Lansing Community College? You should check out their program.

You know I may not be able to give much advice, as I'mjust starting nursing school myself. However I wanted to lend some support and say that my school offers a "career ladder" program, in which after the first year you can sit for LPN boards. Then complete 1 more year and take RN boards. So with that being said, I doubt a future employer will question you being an LPN and in RN school. I would think this is the majority of what students do, work as an LPN and finish RN. Regardless things happen, (were only human) and the main thing is you finish your RN. You still attained the ultimate goal, and looking forward none of the past will matter. Good Luck and *hugs* This is a tough time and trust me I've had my low times too.

No not a Gemini an Aries. haha Why do you say? Enlighten me... :)

ok first off let me say I've always intended to be an RN. I've been accepted into the program and should start within a few months. JUst in the last few days I've been having "thoughts" along the lines of: Is this really what I want to do? Are there other career choices I would better be suited for? etc. etc. I've weighed the pros/cons of being a nurse and I'm familiar with EVERYTHING that goes into it, researched specialties. I've always thought about psychology/social work but wanted a clinical component so that's why I thought nursing would be perfect. I currently work as an ultrasound tech, so I've been in healthcare for almost 4 years. I'm so desperate I've been taking "career tests" and I'm trying to figure out if this is truly a problem or just second thoughts. Any advice would be appreciated!! My biggest fear is wondering if I'll enjoy nursing, feel fulfilled yada yada yada. I mean how do ppl really know the career they chose is right for them? My problem is I also have so many interests: kids, investigation, therapy, even med school. I also know what everyone is thinking: "If you want to go to med school don't waste yout time on nursing." However I disagree, you need an undergrad degree anyways and what better degree than to be a nurse. You can work while in school and being a nurse would make one a better physician. My rehumatologist was a nurse and later went on. If you carefully plan your classes, you can take almost the same ones. I've thought about NP or CRNA but I want total autonomoy. HELP!!! :idea: :idea:

I've also applied to EMU's program. However I was accepted into my first choice. EMU was a back up. I still submitted everything just to see if I make it. Good Luck to everyone! :)

Yes I'm starting the 2 year program. I'm *trying* to start in the fall, although I was picked for Spring 08. My orientation is Wednesday so I should know more details then. I'm assuming you already have a BA since you're looking into the accelerated program? Good Luck that's awesome, the best advice I can give is to stay focused and strategize strategize strategize. I swear I knew the Phase II admissions requirements by heart. You'll gain 10 pts right off the bat with a degree. Do well in your classes, since GPA is a big factor too. Do you have healthcare experience? If so great if not start now so you can get a "few pts" extra. I also applied early and kept touching base with nursing advisors to make sure I was on track. I even researched other cc programs too.

Hey good luck with trying to get in. Not sure what the "ratio" was however I know in 2006 over 2000 applied and they only have spots for 160. So that's like only 8% got in who applied. The information meetings are really helpful. I also recommend making appointments with a nursing advisor every once and awhile to make sure you're on track. I memorized the phase 2 point scale, it was like an obsession. If you have further questions, let me know.