biscuitmama

This morning we had a code blue on our nursing floor. A peds pt was just admitted from the ED with fever and emesis. MD ordered IV Rocephin/Ceftriaxone. Pt was alert, oriented, playing but as soon as the Cef was done infusing she dropped back in her bed, non responsive, pale pale pale, diaphoretic, fever 38.2, tachycardic, pulses thready, hypotensive, and unverifiable O2 sat bc the monitor couldn't pick anything up (occasionally, it would pick up and show >90%). Pt was ventilated with ambubag with good aeration in lungs. It didn't look like an anaphylactic reaction. I overheard the MDs saying likely septic shock, and some interaction between the Cef and gram neg rods causing her reaction...? Pt was not given any abx down in the ED. Another nurse said they usu give them IV abx in ED and wait 45 mins to see if pts react to it, if they do then off to PICU, if not then to the nursing floor. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any idea what happened or can explain to me the pathophysiology? Thanks!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I got the call today and was officially offered a job on 5 West... woooo!! Anyone else get job offers at CHLA yet? and which unit?

That's so strange! I thought they only interviewed a few internals and the other half externals. I certainly wouldn't count myself as an internal... Did you talk to someone on the phone?

I had my interview this past week and found out something interesting. If you are in fact hired and accepted into the Versant program, you may have the option of working as a PCSA (patient care service aide- the equivalent to a CNA) until the start of the program which is March 5th. I thought this was great news for those who are hired but need to work in the mean time. Of course, I think this also depends on the unit you are hired for and if they have openings for pcsa. But, it's something you can ask about during your interview!

Hi Crazycaryl, Well, I truly do wish you the best of luck on your interview! Can I ask what kind of experience you have?

Hi Crazycaryl88, first off, congratulations on getting an ED interview. From what I've been told it's tough competition, so good for you! Do you have PM privileges? If you PM me I can tell you what I know and from whom. I don't have enough posts so I can't send a PM quite yet....

Hi eager applicants, For anyone who selected ED for their first choice, um, good luck landing an interview.... I heard straight from UCLA that they are only looking to hire two people, and invited only 4 to interview. ED always has internal applicants and a TON of externals. I also know they are initially looking at your first choice for units, so you really do have to choose wisely and strategically (i.e. better chance to get that interview call if you pick a unit hiring lots of new grads). I also know that they will continue to call candidates throughout November after the first round of interviews depending on the units and how they like the people they interviewed.

Is anyone getting anymore phone calls to interview for ER and/or got the feeling like HR is "still making calls"? Nov 9 is getting awfully close.....

Yep, it's an extra $3000. If anyone tells you differently, don't listen. Some of us were told it was included but then we found it was an additional $$.

Yes! Save your money for tuition by buying older editions if possible! I can't think of any textbooks that absolutely required the most recent edition.

Also to give an answer, from some who is taking Bioethics through MSMC to those who were asking... Yes, it would be nice to leave earlier on Tuesdays and not stay til 5 pm, but our professor is really funny and really kooky so she definitely keeps us entertained. She is RIDICULOUSLY smart and well-known and respected in the world of bioethics. If you like philosophy, you will like her class and will enjoy having in-depth discussions on the issues in a classroom setting. The downside is that it costs a lot more than Taylor (to the tune of $3000 or so- total cost) and many of us are tired after a long day. While it would've been nice to have that time slot open to study for other classes, I chose to take it at the mount and definitely don't regret it. Plus, you get to enjoy spending more time with your friends and we definitely have a fun time and joke around in class a lot. And it's definitely useful for your practice as a nurse, so it's not "just another dumb class". I'm definitely not trying to "sell" anyone on taking it at the mount (it's expensive, a long day of classes, and extra work on top of your other classes). All i'm trying to say is that if you decide to take it thru Taylor, then you will definitely appreciate the extra time to study and such during your second semester, but if you take it at the mount, then you will adjust your schedule accordingly and it's not that big a deal. I definitely wouldn't say taking it at the mount is any kind of extra hardship. Good luck guys!

Hi xluescluesx, I too am in the ABSN program, along with Pauli and sugarlips (hi guys!). We're told that the way they pick really depends on which facilities are willing to open up their units to us and if they have nurses who are willing to precept us. I don't believe that it's based on grades. It's happened before (so i've heard) where people are placed in a unit and hospital they didn't even put down. But we as nursing students are to be gracious and fortunate to get the experience wherever we go and you never know if you'll love or hate a specialty til you get there. Even if you're not happy about your department, you might love who you precept with. Third semester is a long ways from now, and while it's fun to anticipate and learn about the program, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Good luck with starting the program! I've been reading this thread just recently and it brings back a lot of memories for when I first got accepted, started, etc. It was very exciting times :)

I have B's in Anatomy and Chemistry, and A's in Physiology and Microbio (both Physio and Microbio were still in progress at the time I applied/interviewed). I honestly didn't think my grades were very competitive, but when I mentioned in my interview that I was planning on retaking some of my science classes for a better grade, she told me not to bc my grades were just fine. I think what made my application more competitive was that I have a lot of experience in the health field professionally and volunteered at Cedars and the UCLA Care Extenders Program for many years too.

princessandraya- remember how upset you were just a few weeks ago?! And now you're IN! You were so devastated, so I'm so happy to hear that you got accepted. Believe in yourself more! :) Congratulations to everyone who got in to the program! I got accepted too! Hey.... um, can I get in on the skinny jeans too?! LOL! Can't wait to meet all of my FALL COHORTS!!

I was told 40 will be accepted. 40 out of 60 is a pretty good shot!