DIV-99

So, how is the unit? I have been thinking about applying and relocating if successful? Any info would be much appreciated!

I am truly sorry for your experience. I have been a nurse for 2.5 years with a little over a year at an ICU at that same "no trauma designation" hospital you are describing...However, we have online support with the ability to run a code, video assess and write all our orders as well as one-point contact (not wondering which specialty to wake up in the middle of the night) intensivists, NP and PA at night. I have been dreaming of travelling but until I read your post I was convinced I need to have at least 1 year at a level 1, so that I would be prepared for "anything". Once thing I do know, though, is I would probably not accept an assignment where I do not have either residents or online/e-ICU support overnight as the torment you are going through during these 13 weeks, I face every night I work (the day shift bedside "team" most of the times does not agree or follow the orders, recommendations of the night e-ICU team). Wish you wisdom and patience, it will come to an end soon.

Are most units at the Atlanta VA on 12s or 8s? Thanks.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! I am in the process of changing preceptors - the first was lack of communication and personalities' clash. I understand that what happened was 50 % my fault but really do not wish to repeat the experience my second chance around. I never refused to a skill until towards the end of my 5 day fiasco when knowing that I have never started an IV, I was told to do one - I was so petrified by this woman at that point that I politely declined stating I would much rather like to watch her first (she did not even bother show me the catheter first and yes, it was different from what I have seen in lab). Well, she could not do it either and I later discovered she always has someone else start her IVs... I am not lazy just very slow at drawing medications or hanging IVs (have done this only once!!!) - get especially slower and clumsier if being interrupted all the time by impatient remarks, "oh, we are falling so behind," "did you do this?," "did you do that?" Please, give me the time to almost miss what you are asking me to chart, not 3 steps earlier than that...Unless, I know how to do something from beginning till end, I will never learn how to do it on my own. Yes, I ask a lot of questions and this was one of my mistakes - I will try very hard to keep my mouth shut until given the floor. If not, I will ask permission to speak towards end of shift. So very sorry about that, this is how I learn - very interactive and by doing and I realize how disruptive constant interruptions could be. No, I not wish to work on my newly assigned unit but will very hard try to hide this. I just do not have a choice in the matter at this point. And, I will keep an open mind as I really much rather have a job in 4 months. Yes, I will not demonstrate my knowledge; I did it only once to provoke a plan of care/therapeutic effects of emergency meds given conversation with my 1st preceptor but it never occurred. I was not arrogant in any way as at this point of my going-back-to-school endeavor, I value technical skill, time management and prioritization much more than book knowledge. Please, help with any other pointers or suggestions that I am missing. I was told my second chance has to come out "perfect". Talk about heightened anxiety and severe stage fright. My confidence is at a below freezing point and I have constantly been thinking about that and praying for a miracle preceptor for the last 2 weeks. No, I never received any positive feedback or positive reinforcement for the 5 days I spent with her whereas I gave her plenty. Your words of wisdom will be highly appreciated! Thank you.

I would highly appreciate any insight/advice and thank you in advance. I will be 44 when I graduate with my fully accredited BSN RN this December and hopefully pass the NCLEX shortly after. The area I live is saturated with RNs, so the VA is a possible route I am considering for my first new grad job and further career. Due to the nontradionality of my program, I will not qualify for their summer Valor internship but was told I might generously be considered for SNT (Student Nurse Tech) position that would will allow me the flexibility to complete my next 2 semesters. I have read most of the info in this post but ...still have a couple of questions. Does it really take that long to be hired on even if you are an internal (SNT if they offer and I accept) candidate? Is there a way you can internally apply for a relocation to a VA in a different state or you have to start application/hiring process all over again externally?

Great post. I fully agree with you after two quarters in a BSN competitive entry (60% of us had a 4.0 GPA for the first quarter!) that reading everything will drive you nuts and you will NOT have a life. I do not, neither is my family. But this being my second career (the first had nothing to do with Nursingt) and ESL, I feel compelled to read....so I do not get it all done in time ... I am going to try to implement some of your strategies for my quarters to come. I do have to admit, though, that it all depends on your school: for my Nursing Assessment class this quarter, we had to know Jarvis; the power points were only an outline of our tests content. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks. I ma already accepeted in Wright State's BSN program - it is year round and I should be out in 2 yrs and 1 semester.

No, not yet. My understanding is that we will not receive anything until the very dead line...regardless whether yes or no. So, I am too anxious but try to hang in there until the very last week of this month... Good luck ot you too. So sorry they are not affering the Beacon this year - it woudl have been so much faster for you.

Marshal, Thank you for your reply. I agree with you about UC; when I checked with them, they seemed still very confused about the transfer to semesters and did not have their curriculum straightened out. Plus, it would have been 3 years after a stupid class I had to take and they offer only once a year. So, I am working on getting into Wright State's program - it is comparable price wise. However, the whole first year of the 4-yr BSN degree is comprised of prereqs - I am taking 18 credit hours right now in an attempt to get it all done before their dead line for applying of 06/30/11. If I can get in thier fall track staring this September, I will be out with a BSN in Dec 2013 - it is exactly 2 years and a semester. The reason - it is notn stop - you do not take a summer break like Miami or UC; the first yr is in quarters, the second yr and sem is in semesters. If I stay at Cincinnati State - I would hopefully graduate several months after Dec 2013 but with a ADN - because of the switch ot semesters, they are skipping the clinicals rotation in Feb 2012... So, I hope I can survive - it is very hard to keep with 18 cr h and maintain my 4.0 GPA. I am just running out of time to sleep/study and I am going crazy LOL. I have 3 more wks left. Good luck in you MSN - I have heard only nice things about their accelerated track.

Live Zen, Thank you for your detailed reply. These are exactly my intentions...however, it has been hard going back to school and keeping up with the credits loading I have to take in order to race with time...This will be a second career for me; hopefully, a lot more challenging, interesting and fulfilling than my desk job. After end of my current quarter (18 credit hours), I will try to find a volunteer position at either Bethesda N or UC. Any other recommendations you might have? I also just completed my STNA class and I will sit up for the state test in the end of May. However, my understanding is I will need to take some med/surg classes in order to be able to work as a PCA at a hospital. LTCF will be my last choice for a career because of the attachmenet I felt towards my residents even after 2 days of clinicals. Other personal reasons too - too many memories of my grandparents flooded my heart... Currently, I receive unemployment and this makes it possible for me to go to school full time without worrying about bills. That is why I would try to volunteer first, in order to still be able to devote the most time possible to my first priority - getting out of school! Thank you again for your advice and direction.

Live Zen, Congratulations on graduation form Wright State! Was it hard fining a job? I now it was 2 yrs ago but any input woudl be appreciated. I am planning on trasnferring to WSU program this fall and was wondering whetehr they have good sites for clinicals. Do you get enough exposure to different fileds of Nursing to make the best possible decusion which area of Nursing you would like to work at? I am so new to the field and any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hello I am not sure I am posting on the right thread but I need some urgent help or advice. Here is my situation - I am 41 years old and this is obviously a second career for me. I am currently on unemployment and we can pay our bills plus save. However, I think I could be getting a total of 79 weeks and will need to cmplete a degree fast. I do not have a previous BSN or BA, so bridge programs are out of the question. I am currently enrolled in Cincinnati State's Nrsing program and will hit the waiting list my next quarter -06/20/11. My current GPA is 4.0 - I am taking full load of classes in an effort to make this ordeal run as short as possible. Can anybody point me in the right direction as to what I should do and which program will be most flexible/fast to utilize my time on the waiting list wisely and take classes towards a BSN? Most of the 12 months or less BSN programs are designed for when you already have a ADN degree? Or am I missing any? I do not wish to go strictly into a BSN program as I am afraid I will still have 3 years to go and the idea of having summer breaks while time is trickling away...is just going to be nerve-wrecking. I could work as a STNA after I take the class next month but that will be a strain on our budget and unnecessary stress; also, I do not want to jeopardize my availability to study or schedule once I start clinicals... Any feedback/advice will be highly appreciated. I have learnt a lot from this helpful website. Thank you

Hello All How long is UC's BSN in Nursing program? When I looked at their curriculum, it looks so long - 4 years...Are they flexible enough to offer classes year-round? Just wanted to check before I actually make the trip there...I have send them an e-mail request for more info but have not heard back from them yet. Thank you

Do you still have to attend classes (any) at cincinnati State in order for them to keep you on the wait list? When I get on it, I will have only one more quarter of full time clsses I could attend...I was looking into taking classes perhaps towards a BSN but the program I liked best is online and cannot take classes towards it unless you've got your RN already. Any thoughts about UC's program? Is it flexible (having classes throughout the year) or you have to go through the whole 4 years...? Thank you for posting...

That's just so bad if true. One of the major reasons I am here is that they offer clinicals twice a year vs. once (Sinclair or Raymond Walters). I also heard a rumor that they will be eliminating it completely. If they do, they will just go off GPA? Love that stress LOL. Good luck eveyrybody. Let's keep each other posted...