berdail

Hi LosAngelesRN I am about to start my probation on September 4th. I am of course extremely nervous and any updates on how it is going for you would be SO appreciated. Where in LA did you find professionals to do the mental/physical exams? I have heard that the board is very picky who they approve for this and it is very costly. I have been sober since my DUI (which I won't lie, was serious--my BAC was very high), but I have been sober since the incident in January 2014. I have attended AA on a regular basis since the incident, currently attend once a week, have a sponsor and I am part of Kaiser program (I have a paper trail of EVERYTHING-proof of all of this)--I attend a Kaiser sobriety group once a week and also meet with my Kaiser Pysch counselor for one on one sessions on a monthly basis. I have been a part of this KP group for over 7 months. All the counselors there would attest to my sobriety. I have been employed since this happened and my work even gave me a promotion KNOWING what happened. They have been beyond supportive and are able to see that what I did is not who I am. That being said, I will most likely not be able to work there after probation starts because my title is too high. Although I don't supervise RNs, I mainly do paperwork, IDTs etc, my job description states I do so I'm screwed. There is a possibility that my work will try to change my title so I can keep the position but I can't expect them to change company policies on my behalf. I am in contact with my old employer who is working to see if they have a position available that meets the criteria of the board (trust me, not a moment goes by that I am not grateful that these people have faith in me. I know I am VERY fortunate in that aspect) but again, nothing is promised. I am very concerned about the 6 month rehabilitation program because if I am working, going to AA, going to group and I'm assuming have to start a nursing support group too, I don't know how I'm going to manage it all while going to outpatient (?) rehab. Also, is it required that you work for the full time of your probation? It's implied that it may only be 6 months of probation but you know how it is trusting anything you read/hear. And how are the random drug screens going? Are they a quick process--like I can manage them while working too? I'm so scared and preparing for the worst. I know this is all because of my poor decisions but it is a never ending nightmare. If you have any advice, particularly who to go to in LA for those exams, or any advice/heads up about anything at all, I'm more than interested. I honestly hope things are going well for you!

Hi Aemrick0421, BSN, RN, It looks like you started the probation process sometime in March. Mine is beginning in September and ANY heads up about anything regarding probation would be much appreciated! You know how terrifying it is entering these un-chartered waters and I know every case is different, but if there's any advice or hope or reality check you can give about anything, it would be so appreciated!! I hope things are going okay for you! hang in there!

Hey gang! I too just finished my first semester and vginay is pretty spot on with their advice! Don't get stuck in a hole that you have to climb out of. As Vginay said, it literally has come down to 1 point making the difference between pass/fail. but also remember, that nursing tests most likely are going to be a bit of shock at first--you have to really learn to think critically--so if you don't do so hot on the first test, don't beat yourself up about it. Let it motivate you to do better! Truly! You literally do not have the time to sit and mope about it. If you're used to being a straight A student, you might get a bit of a wake up call. The thing is, you are only in "competition" with yourself. Our class, luckily, I find to be very supportive of one another and there isn't this competitive vibe. That really helps. You're gonna find that you will spend a lot of time with your classmates and they'll be some of your new best friends! Another key thing, is that you are going to hear SO MANY 'rumors', scary stats, intimidating explanations of things to come---you really, really, really have to learn to tune that out. Yes, everyone is kind of looking out for one another and giving heads up about difficult things to come but really try to surround yourself with positive people who have the attitude of 'where there's a will, there's a way.' This program is going to become your life. If you are dedicated to it 100%, you are willing to put in the work, and you have a love for nursing, you'll make it. It really has to be #1 on your priority list though. That's the key thing I think. Take it one day at a time. I personally never looked much more than a couple days ahead in the schedule of what was coming up (I did know when our exams would be) but it would just stress me out. I literally took it one day at a time. Clinic is nerve-wracking but it's also really awesome. I was at Kaiser last semester and at LCOM now. (basically, had computers at kaiser and paper charting now--big difference!! but as vginay said, both are useful to know, gonna have to learn both). You have really, really amazing instructors first semester. They're tough on you but there setting a good foundation. They're extremely supportive too. A good book to practice NCLEX type questions for your test is the Fundamentals for success book. It has a bunch of sample questions for each unit. I can get the ISBN # someone is interested in knowing it--gotta find where I put the book. Congratulations on getting into the program and get ready for the ride of your life!! :redbeathe:eek:

Walksfar, you totally explained how I feel as well!! I feel like today is my last day of "freedom"...freedom to read whatever I want, daydream, be lazy etc etc...Come Monday, I won't be able to read anything of leisure for 2+ years without feeling guilty (or even having a moment to!) But I also just want to get this thing going. I'm so anxious to begin but if they announced that the program was delayed 3 weeks, I also wouldn't be crying lol:smokin:. It honestly is a reassurance to me though that we are all in the same boat. This would be SO much scarier if I was walking into a crowd of people who were ahead of me. Anyways, really look forward to meeting all of you!!

@tiger...LOL NEVER!!!!!!! I will never understand you PC people!! Mac attack for life!!:redbeathe

Totally SamanthaR! I mean, come on. It's not like Macs are an obscure thing. I really hope we won't have to watch videos from that site on a regular basis. If so, I guess we'll be sitting next to one another at the Torrance library! lol

Samantha-- I hear ya!! I have now wasted an hour and a half. argh!!!!! What are we supposed to do for the entire semester? I can't go hunting down a PC every time we have to watch this stuff...

HELP!!!! ARGH! I keep trying to watch the OSHA videos but it keeps crashing on me. I have a Mac and I've used Safari and Firefox and also downloaded the wmv player but no matter what I do, the video won't play! Did this happen to anyone else?

Is anyone as nervous/stressed/yet excited as me??? I feel like I'm gonna get hit with something I did "wrong" on Monday. The annoying thing is is that I'm totally prepared (except for all the reading)...I'm just psyching myself out!! I can't even sleep. arghghghgh. Please tell me you guys are feeling any of this too! I guess at least we're all in the same boat.

Exactly how far are you guys on your reading??? I'm getting stressed too. Would love to know if I'm already super behind. I didn't take dosage yet either

Wait...I'm a bit confused here. I too had written down from the orientation that we needed the SIXTH edition of Clinical nursing skills and techniques (potter and perry)...wrote down the ISBN and everything...but according to the list we need the 7th?? help me out here...

They basically do a scan of everything--BP, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, sodium, potassium, calcium, protein, urea nitrogen, glucose etc. I was actually pretty surprised and pleased with my results! Nurse ---- said that she had never seen someone with such low bad cholesterol and high good cholesterol. but my triglycerides were oddly high--and the first time I went in, my BP was through the roof. I had just gotten off work though and ---- just said that it'd be better when I came in unstressed lol. Sure enough, next time it read as normal. I know what you mean though--it was a little scary to face the "truth" with blood work. But that's why I highly suggest going to the health center. She was sooooo nice, patient and un-dramatic about my high triglyceride issue. She called up a friend of hers in diagnostics and we got down to the bottom of it (which could only be genetics). It was just cool for her to spend that time to help me try and figure out a possible cause. And my arm was sore for like a week and a half after my shots! Annoying!

Thx Tiger!...well, my name is Liana. Blonde, kinda short and after a good summer, now tan! :yeah:Everyone please introduce/say hi to one another when we meet again!

Hey gang!!-- I haven't posted in a while but just skimmed through some of the posts and wanted to catch up and ask a couple q's or even maybe answer some if you need... I've pretty much have everything done on the "list" aside from shoes and watch etc. Regarding all the health exam stuff, I highly recommend going to the student health center--they are GREAT there and they know exactly how and what needs to be completed for us Nursing students. I also went to the Torrance health center for my Hep shots and that was surprisingly simple as well. If you still need books, I HIGHLY recommend going to Dealoz.com--it's kind of like the Expedia of textbooks--it compares the prices from several different websites so you're able to pick your price and the condition of your book. I was highly pleased with all the books I got--they look practically brand new. Got them all (15 books) for $327.00. I'm sure I'm a little late with all this info lol... One of the biggest questions I have though is when you guys are referring to all the reading you have begun, which book(s) are you referring to. Basically, I would love some guidance/suggestions/tips as to what I should start reading. I'm gonna aim for about an hour or two of reading a day till school starts (aka, when we all have no lives :)...I read the posting that suggested starting at chapter 40, but what book was that? I know I can look it all up but I'd rather hear it from you guys because you may have some better "tips"... Anyways, I hope everyone is having a great summer and I really look forward to getting to know all of you (by the way--do any of us "know" who any of us are?? I thought I might get to know who some of you were at orientation but I didn't...)

Thanks AnneS!! I think we are all anxious to know what the orientation will be like and nice to hear from someone that has been through it!