redmango

Wondering for those nurses working in peds pre op, how old do you start your IVs on kids? Some facilities depending on age use mask induction then start an IV while child asleep. Does your hospital have a policy?

As a pre op nurse it’s very important for the OR nurse to do their part before OR. In my hospital we have to go over name DOB, MRN and consents and other forms. This also makes the patient feel confident we are double Checking everything. Mistakes have happened before

I was wondering at your hospital for pre op / outpatient nurses. How old do you start IVs on a kid. Some hospitals depending on age do mask induction first then start an IV . Just curious what other children hospitals do and is it a policy at your facility.

Did you transfer? I actually have the same experience as you. Bedside nursing and working nights started to get to me. I ended up working in outpatient pre op for peds. I only had adult patients before so it is scary in the beginning. I’m 2 years in and my IV skills have improved so much. It’s not as scary anymore especially when you have child life to help w the IV. Just curious what you decided?

Not necessarily, they are more familiar with the hospital and they would be more comfortable in it. Just study hard and make a few friends that are CNA or EMT's because they do know what they are doing during clinicals and can help you make your clinical life more easier. In lecture it's a different story so study hard and don't worry about how much more experience another student may have. In the end it's you thats going to be doing all this stuff on your own.

Hi Apgar, I had to search your name because I remember you went to Cerritos College and your posts were very helpful. I think you might be finished now or in your last semester? I'm going into my second semester and was hoping on some insight on what to expect? What do you think I should get a jump on this summer while I have the time off. Also, I was wondering if you picked days or evenings and If you picked evenings, how did you like it?? Thanks any info will help. =)

I just finished my first semester and you really want to try hard to study and not fail. Don't even let it be an option for you. I'm in a 2 year program, 4 semesters that are 18 weeks and they break it in half. The first 9 weeks were not so bad but the last 9 weeks is when we lost a handful of people. They are given one more chance, BUT given the fact that they can only come in on the 2nd half of the 9 weeks next semester IF some people have failed or dropped.. otherwise they wait until there is a spot open. So.. they are infact gauranteed a space IF one is available... which is pretty tough. We had a couple that barely squeaked by but hey they passed. Some failed with literally 2 to 5 points shy of passing. So don't forget to study and keep up on your reading, then you can assure yourself that you tried your hardest. Good Luck!!!

When you say Iguana book you are reffering to Iggy right?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried the study guide for Iggy and it did have a lot of questions, I just wished they had the rationales for the answers. Has anyone tried the study guide Saunders comprehensive review for the nclex rn exam by Linda Anne Silvestri? It has a lot of good reviews but I was wondering if anyone on this site actually uses it and what their thoughts were about that study guide. Thanks in advance for all the suggestions.. I just wanna prepare for my 2nd semester because last semester I didn't study as much because of clinicals and my reading got backed up and I don't want that to happen this upcoming semester.

Hi all, I'm starting 2nd semester in fall (ADN 2 year program = 4 semesters long) and our first rotation is med-surg. I was looking for any useful critical thinking study guide books that you have used. Our main med-surg book is by Donna D. Ignatavicius and M. Linda Workman. There are so many books out there and you all know it also gets so expensive trying to buy them all and they end up being useless. So I was hoping any senior nursing students can help me out. It's always good to get a heads up on NClex style questions so I'm really looking for a study guide book that can provide questions similar to what I should expect on the NClex because that's how our school tests us. Thanks for all you suggestions and hopefully this also helps other nursing student reader on this site.

So far the first week is good! Very exciting learning new things and meeting new people. Plus the teachers are super nice and helpful. How was your first week Apgar?

Hi theloneran6er, I completely understand what your going thru as I too was an alternate last Fall at LBCC expecting I'd be in for sure Spring 11' which also I wasn't accepted. So I totally understand the frustrations. Honestly after getting rejected the first time everyone told me to apply everywhere and I did. I also had all my classes at LBCC but it seems that doesn't matter to them. I myself wonder what they look for but I'm assuming a high GPA with no "C"s or "W"s on your transcript. I luckily got accepted in Cerritos College and I'm glad I applied at other schools. My advice is apply everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. It'll make your chances of getting in somewhere much better and other schools are not so GPA based so as long as you meet their requrements they put you in a lottery system. I too felt that I only want to go to LBCC but as I looked at Cerritos they have a high NCLEX pass rate also and the campus is nice and parking is great. I also have a friend that has our similar story, she too got an alternate last semester and got an alternate again this semester but as far as I know she hasn't been called yet if someone didn't pass their Teas or background check. Plus her counsler said the same thing that her probablity of getting in looks good by her GPA. So don't get discouraged. Keep applying, take classes toward the LVN in the mean time because they prepare you for what to expect in the program. Their pre reqs like pharmacology and nursing fundamentals are useful while your waiting. Just don't stop, eventually you will be there and it's the happiest feeling when you get your acceptance letter. :) Good Luck !!!

Hi Apgar10 I found your posts about Cerritos and they were really helpful. Thanks for taking your time to reply. I'm accepted into Cerritos and will be starting in January! I really like the campus. Right there I can say is a big plus compared to LBCC which I didn't get into. Things fortunately happen for a reason and after reading your posts I feel a lot better coming in this Spring. Our Orientation teacher seems really nice too. I keep hearing from a friend going to LBCC right now that her teachers were kind of mean. No offense to anyone going there right now who reads this. Anyways, I am so excited. If you have any tips I'd love some but I'll probably go back and read some of your posts anyways. I'll start soon on everything they suggested to do. Take care!

Hi, I just wanted to know peoples thoughts on both schools. If you are in the program in either campus, How do you like it? How are your teachers? Or I even would like to hear what you have heard about the programs in either colleges. They both have a good reputation as nursing schools. The NCLEX pass rate for both is excellent. I'd just like to know how the teachers are. Any info would be great.:)