sweet_b

She is an Italian nurse who is looking to exchange information with an American nurse, but she doesn't speak English very well. I hope this is right, I'm going off of the little French and Spanish I know.

Try talking to the Director of the program and see what they think you need to do to get in or improve your score. It also puts a face to a name, and if you make a good impression and are sincere, it may help the 2nd time round. I feel your pain, I didn't get accepted on my first application, but I made an appointment with the director and she helped me figure out what i needed to do to get my points up. I was accepted the next semester. Don't give up!! Also, are there any other schools you could transfer your credits to?

HECK YES!!! One more unit test and then the final, and I can't muster even one ounce of strength to open books/notes....anything. Good luck everyone!!

What about risk for complications r/t disease process?

Parkland will only let you shadow if you are a nursing student that has clinical rotations with them (I tried and asked), but they do have volunteer programs there, and you can pick ICU, ER, Burn Unit. Try their website. UTSW might, as well as Childrens. I suggest you just start looking at hospital websites and try to find email addresses of people in HR or nurse recruiters, floor managers, that may be able to point you in the right direction. That's what I did. The worst they can say is no, and at least you tried. Good luck!

Wow! That's amazing, congratulations!!

Thanks, so much! All of it is really great advice, and I can't wait to use it!

So as the title suggests I am looking for any advice that seasoned nurses, preceptors both current and past, may have for a student extern in the MSICU. I just found out today that I was selected for the position, and I am so excited! I have been eyeing this position since I started nursing school, and I really love this area of work. I am so thankful that I was selected and am grateful for the opportunity. What sort of things do you look for in an extern or a new nurse? Would it be ok to keep a small notebook with me, and write down important information? Is there such things as too many questions? I would rather ask a question that I was unsure of the answer than to just go about thinking it may be the right answer and possibly end up hurting someone. I have ordered a few ICU and CCRN books for me to look over before I start to become familiar with terms and equipment. I would love any advice at all.

Well as a nursing student. I can't tell you how many times I've looked into a microscope. Oh wait...that was never. I'm not saying that you won't ever do it, I've just never gotten the opportunity. Just know that you will have to work extra hard to please this teacher. Please don't let what she said discourage you, some people you just can't please.If nursing is what you want to do, use that drive to work extra hard to get a good grade in that class. Maybe ask her to help you or if she has any tips to help you to get used to the microscope. Heck, I burnt the loop until it disintegrated on more then one occasion. :) You can do it!!

In the hospital I worked at, the doctors had accounts and it was recorded as they walked by the cashiers. It probably did look like they were getting it for free, but as they passed they would give us the account number. This system worked well, because a lot of them were busy and had to eat lunch on the fly. Once you got to know who was who you didn't need them to tell you, you just knew.

I would absolutely love it!

Ha missed it again. I seen you work STICU, we have Parkland and Baylor in Dallas as level 1 trauma centers, if that's the routenyou're looking for. There is also Children's medical center and Cook's childrens if you are interested in that . I personally love the diversity of hospitals In our area. I am not to familiar with the hospitals in Fort Worth though, but I hear they have some great ones too.

Ooooh missed your reply....in the DFW area it does get cold, at least in the 20's sometimes (it's not the norm but dies happen often) and we have been known to get snow (usually melts away by mid afternoon)

I moved from Gilbert to Texas 6 years ago and I LOVE IT! I love the green, I love the big bacK yards, stable housing market, and it cools off at night. Lol!

My proud nursing student moment was I caught an IV infiltration on my pt before anyone else. :)

It's ok to feel like you don't know what you're doing with these questions. You've never expereinced them before. I too struggled my first semester with them, but you learn. I suggest getting Sunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX - RN examination, by Silvesteri. It really helped me figure out how to read and break up the questions. It will come, I promise. It's just not the test questions you are used to seeing while getting into the program. There are just my thoughts behind the questions you posted. Good luck!! Question 1: a. your teacher is right. an example would be: People with gallbladder pain may have that pain referred to the shoulder. Question 2: c. The cataracts surgery is "restoring" the pts eyesight. Question 3: c. As a nurse you are always teaching. You need to let him know why he may be expereincing lack of sleep. You over thought the question....the key word was prevents sleep. Question 4: hmmm this one stummped me as well. I need to look go back and look at some stuff. :) Question 5:I think maybe she didn't choose unprofessionalism, because it may more refering she was doing the aspects of her job, checking vitals, IV meds and such, but she was being discourteous (rude) as she was not acknowledging the pt or the pts wife.

Now I have to go into simulation all teary and red eyed. Thank you for such a wonderful story.

Wow, as some "dumb" community college nursing student, I should really be offend by this. But I know that the hospitals in my area, prefer to hire nurses from our schools first. I'm sure you feel pretty down about not getting in, but in venting you just insulted hundreds of thousands of fabulous community college educated nurses. Good luck with your future schooling. Nursing is nursing no matter where you go.

I can ask around, but I know that I plan on keeping all my books for at least a few years after I graduate, so I can use them as reference. Congratulations on being accepted into NS. It's a fun journey! Good luck!!

I love Thai Peanut noodles. There is a great Cold Sesame Noodle recipe on www.foodnetwork.com, by Tyler Florence. Great to take to school for lunch as left overs too!

Thank you so much! I wanted to ask her about the harming herself, but I felt a little uncomfortable about that. I'm sure with more experience I will have no problem with it. I got there as soon as I could, and when I got there her husband had just gotten home. I took the kids and let them decide what would be best for her. I was planning on staying and taking her myself if no one was there. She was able to walk but hadn't taken care of herself all day as well as the kids. I did have the substance abuse on my mind, given that she doubled dosed her Xanax, on top of the pain meds and antidepressant for her Fibromyalgia, along with the Adderall. Nursel56: I am sorry to hear about your mentor. I too expereinced a loss of a family friend by unexpected suicide, after no one took her talk seriously. My heart goes out to you and all who have lost someone close to them in this manner. Carolmaccas66: I am also sorry to hear about your mom. My brother is Bipolar and his disease was not handled properly as well. We lived in a rural town in the middle of nowhere and the Dr. wasn't too familiar witih Psychiatrucs. I too often wonder if things would have turned out different, had he had the right kind of help. Things sure have changed though huh?

Thank you all very much! Thank you for the ED advice. I was unsure whether to offer that, just because I wasn't sure how serious it was, or if she would have to wait forever there. I thought at the least the Psychiatric hospital could lead her in the right direction, even if they couldn't help. :)

I'm a nursing student, and as such I find I get a few phone calls from friends or family asking me for medical advice. I politely remind them that I can't give medical advice and encourage them to call their Healthcare Provider. Today I recieved a phone call from a friend, who was having a nervous breakdown. She was upset over a situation and had said she couldn't walk, and told me she could not take care of her children, as well as inconsolible and wasn't making sense through most of the conversation. She told me she had taken a double dose of her Xanax and said it had no effect. She is on multiple medications for Fibromyalgia and takes Adderall. She was looking for a psychiatrist or psychologist, but as it was late didn't think she could get a hold of one. I found the name of a psychiatrist. I then found the number of a local Psych hospital that had a number to call if you were concerend about someone or yourself. I gave her that number and picked her kids up to bring to my house. I guess my question is if I did the right thing? What would have you done if you were in the situation (not looking for medical advice)? All coments are welcome. Thanks!!

I would be on a ranch somewhere with my family, some cows and horses or become a chef. Great question!!

@ original post.....why on earth did you go into health care then, knowing that it was so time consuming from first hand experience. I understand that you value your time and your family, and I do respect that; because for me family comes first. Just curious I guess.