Deredain

My wife is a school nurse in a high school. It is far from "cushy". They are main streaming more chronically ill children these day so she deals with insulin pumps, administering a wide variety of medications and other things that have not typically been seen in the school settings years ago. Her assessment skills need to be top notch. She's had trauma's that required admittance to a level 1 trauma hospital, the cardiac arrest of a student, heart attacks by staff, sports injuries, drug related issues and more. She also has to do the clearance of sports physicals, go on trips with the band, etc. Oh, and a lot of psych issues regarding the kids. Even in an affluent community there are plenty of stress and problems for kids to deal with, some not so well. The benefits are that she's on a teachers pay scale (they can have her teach health if needed), she gets summers off as well as the other school vacation weeks. It helped us save a ton on childcare costs when our kids were younger.

I took a job last summer in an assisted living facility. It was for every other weekend as I have a full time job. I was told that the patient to nurse ratio was 20:1 and that I'd be able to take my time going through orientation as a new nurse. After 6 weeks, I resigned. What I came to find was that there was only one nurse for 55 patients. These people needed much more than just a med-pass. My first day they basically handed me patients and there wasn't much of any orientation. By week 2, I have 30 patients to myself. The nurse training me was an LPN. I only found this out by looking in the assignment book to find LPN next to her name. Both the LPN and med aid were handing out narcotics and from what I understand of the law, under my license since I outranked them both. When I was assessed for med pass, I asked the training coordinator how she expected me to learn like this and she just stared at me. No answer. It was not worth losing my license. You did the right thing by telling them and quitting.

I have not had a problem with any clinical instructor and especially nothing related to my gender. I think for the instructors having a male in their group is a good change of pace. The bottom line comes down to how prepared you are and how you perform. My female colleagues tease me that the female professors go easier on me because I am a guy. I don't see it, but I also don't whine about things like many of the women do.

I use an ultrascope on the ambulance as an EMT and in clinicals for nursing school. You can hear lung sounds through a sweat shirt they are that good. www.ultrascope.com.

More than one instructor has said to me that EMTs and Paramdedics do not transition well in nursing school. They have a high fail rate and do not do as well in clinicals. Now, my perspective... We started with 12 EMTs in my fundamentals nursing class and a year later I am one of 3 left. I have found that I remind myself that I am not an EMT and that I am here to do nursing. Different skill sets and responsibilities. I have tried not to be overconfident in clinicals or when reading the materials. That tends to happen with EMTs/Medics. On the positive side, there are sections that will come easier for you. Fundamentals was so much easier for me than my classmates because I have heard the terminology, I have handled patients and talked to them, I had some basic level medical background. Cardiac / Respiratory was easier for me because that is what I mostly deal with on the rig. GIGU/Nutrition kicked my ass as we don't deal with that. Psych was better as we have dealt with psych patients so that made the clinical easier. Mother/baby I'll be out of my element. Let your EMT knowledge enhance your nursing school and not define it.

I am in my third semester of nursing classes and will be starting mother/baby in a week. So far I have had nothing but positive responses from my patients and my gender has not been an issue. The biggest problem that my fellow male students and I have had is that some people make the very wrong assumption that we are doctors and not nursing students. I even had the head nurse in the OR introduce me as a med-student! A subtle or not-so-subtle correction works well. Walk into the patient's room with confidence, even if you are like every other nursing student and have none in your first clinicals. Perception is everything! You'll do great.

I am in the level 1 nursing program. Here are some thoughts about the entrance exam: 1. The evolve book is a good review for what will be on the test, though it won't be everything. Know all the vocabulary in the book. I had quite a few of those words on my test, though some others said they didn't. 2. Chemistry and biology have their own sections so make sure that you review that and go over basic concepts of both disciplines. 3. There is NO WAY that the class average is 94. The nursing program tells you that if you get an 85 or higher (with some variation based on the students taking the test) you should be in good shape to get into the program. My results page had a listing for "class average" and it was in the mid-70's. Good luck!

I would look at the job market in your area before you quit your current job. How many jobs are available? How many are available for new grads (less I'm sure) and how much do they pay? In this economy, I would be hard pressed to quit a 90k a year job. I am working full time and doing nursing school at night. I'm preparing for nursing as my second career, but I plan on retiring from my job with early retirement so my salary would be higher as a nurse + pension than just my current job. No one can tell you which way to go in this decision. You and your husband have to set priorities. What is more important? Nursing degree, children or making the 90k you make now? Best of Luck!

You need to review your policy manual or employee handbook to see if this type of situation is covered. Your union or bargaining unit might have some suggestions for you as well. The failure to give a med error might be a "critical error" that is listed as an offense that you can be terminated for. In regards to being on probation and the facility being able to dismiss you for "any" reason is against the law. They have to have due cause to fire anyone, even those on probation. Good luck.

While I am only a student nurse working towards a second career, I have done interviewing for my current (non-medical) job. You can argue all you want that it is not right about what the original poster said, but the reality is that she is right. 1. You are being judged from the minute you walk in the door. Period. Every interviewer has a bias and it is not going to change because the interviewee does not like it. 2. If you don't care enough to take care of yourself (look presentable) then how can I expect you to take care of my company, my patients and my guests? 3. I have 50 people submitting applications for every one position that I have open. If the other 49 are dressed appropriately, how in the world do you think that your PJs, jean skirt, stiletto heels, jeans, etc. is going to keep you on equal footing with your competition given all else is equal? 4. I was once given advice to dress as if I had my bosses job. People see you that way, they think of you that way. I think the original post was good, appropriate and timely. If you disagree, don't follow the suggestions. One day you might be my competition for a job and I will be dressed in my suit and looking the part for the position that I want to get.

There is no substitute for practice and experience. I would be grabbing every friend and family member and doing the assessments on them. Do it everyday until it becomes second nature. It seemst he biggest hurdle for most in clinical is that they are timid when it comes to touching the patient. Stick with it, you will do it and be posting how you overcame this bump in the road!

White... all white including all white shoes. Ugh.

The malpractice insurance is not determined by your physical health. It's like car insurance, there if you screw up. In terms of health insurance, I thought the portability of healthcare act prevented insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Most schools should offer their students a basic health insurance plan for a nominal fee. I'm not sure what insurance the previous poster is talking about in terms of dropping, but I would never drop the malpractice insurance. It was $37 for 1 year with 1 mil/ 6 mil limits.

I'm not aware of any quota. The school I got into went by the admission criteria and an entrance exam. I have 15 guys in my class of 80. Didn't seem to hurt us.

It sounds like she has an interest in you that goes beyond books. She is using the books, admissions, and questions as an excuse to talk to you and to get to know you. I've been married for 14 years. Yes, women are crazy. Though if you ask them, they'll tell you that men are crazy so it's all a matter of perspective.

I'm 46 and starting my ADN classes on Monday. If you are too old, then I'm definitely too old. With age comes wisdom and experience which no one can teach you. Enjoy the process, learn all that you can and do the best you can. I think a lot of the horror stories are told by those who don't know how to organize, study and work in this type of environment. You have a degree and have worked in the real world. Good luck!

You need to look at your workplace violence policy. His threat to "hurt you" may very well fall into that category. If you are thinking of quitting anyway, you have nothing to lose by reporting the incident under that policy or under your harassment policy.

Thank you all for your comments. All of these thoughts were bouncing around in my head, but it is nice to hear someone else say them and validate them. I'd like to think that I'm far from cocky in my skills, abilities and knowledge and I know that I won't be the one there disagreeing with the instructor. I think the minute that any of us think we know it all, a patient has a way of coming along to show us that we don't!

I'm starting my nursing classes on 1/23/12 and this is a career change for me. I have been a volunteer EMT for 25 years so the medical field is not foreign to me. I'm coming over from a field that is non-medical. My questions are as follows: 1. I've been told not to mention to the instructors that I'm an EMT. Apparently they hold that against you and make it harder for you. 2. What pitfalls should I be aware of and avoid as an EMT-RN student? Over confidence in my medical knowledge seems to be an obvious one. 3. What benefits will this experience bring me? Thanks!

Look for a BSN program. A BSN will give you more opportunities in your career, though an ADN or a BSN will allow you to sit for the NCLEX to get your RN.

I am 46 and starting nursing school in a week. The older crowd has a lot of things going for them that the younger crowd does not have. Maturity and life experience are invaluable in the classroom setting and in dealing with people when you get a job. You are never too old to do anything you want to do! Go for it. Best of luck in your studies!

According to the school that I just got accepted to, they accept students based solely on the HESI entrance exam scores once they meet the requirements to take the exam. Those requirements for the night ADN program is a 2.5 gpa, all pre-reqs done except microbiology and a clean background check. They had 80 seats for the night program so after ranking the scores, the top 80 students got invites for the program. Other schools may have other policies and you should check with them to see what you can do to improve your chances. Good luck!

I have a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in MIS. After the last year and a half of my job threatening layoffs, I got into the nursing program and am starting in January. You are certainly not alone in getting your second degree in nursing.

I'll be 47 in May and I just got accepted into the nursing program and will be starting on January 23rd. You are only as old as you allow yourself to feel!

It sounds like you are graduating with a bachelor's degree so I suggest that you stop at the college you want to go to and speak with a transfer counselor. I was in the same boat having my BS and the transfer counselor went through my transcripts and the nursing pre-req's and told me exactly what classes I had to take before applying to the program. Good luck!