thebusynurse

I once cared for a pt with conversion disorder. Their admitting Dx was CVA, and they presented with R-sided paralysis, and yet there was no manifestation of a stroke in any of the tests that were done. The paralysis had no known cause. We later learned that this pt had conversion disorder. Basically, this is a rare mental disorder where a psychological stress is converted into a physical symptom. The pt truly felt that they were paralyzed, but they were not. With rehab, the pt could move the affected limbs if instructed to do so, and eventually overcame most (if not all) of their paralysis. I wonder sometimes about the mind's coping mechanisms. What benefit could there be to a self-imposed paralysis? It was an interesting case.

I always wore my long hair down for all of my interviews, and it didn't prevent me from getting hired. As long as your hair is clean and neat, I doubt that it will make much of an impact on those interviewing you... unless it's spiked 2ft tall & purple with green tips If you're really concerned about it, you can always wear it in a bun or other updo that's a little more stylish than a ponytail. Good luck!

OP, you're painting everyone with the same brush! People drop out of school for many reasons, and not always by choice. What about the person who gets kicked out of school for truancy because they need to get a job to financially support their family & end up spending more time at work than at school, or the person who drops out because of other family obligations (spending time with/caring for a dying parent, or having a child, etc.), or due to bereavement? There are many reasons, not all of them are negative. Not everyone who drops out of school is lazy, poor, from a bad home, with drug issues, or has behavioural problems. I realize the percentage may be small for those individuals, but there is no need to stereotype and lump everyone together. Sometimes life gets in the way of your goals, and things such as your education have to be put on hold until the issue can be resolved.

i really don't understand your particular definition of "high school dropout mentality." i was a high school dropout (dropped out in grade 10), and i don't feel that i ever possessed the characteristics you mentioned: the bullying, or the sense of entitlement, or the "low class, ignorant behavior," etc. if anything, the mentality that i had was one of complete failure. i saw myself as stupid, but i did not act poorly because of it. nor do i act differently now that i am a nurse. a high school drop out is simply someone who made a mistake in quitting school (for whatever reason). that does not make them stupid, and that does not make them bullies, or gossipers, backstabbers, or any other negative type of person. doubtful. i know that it was my biggest accomplishment! i had to overcome many obstacles to do it, but finally being able to walk across that stage during my convocation (all 2 minutes of it!) was the best feeling in the world - followed only by passing my national exam and becoming an rn. seeing those 2 letters that *i* was now allowed to put after my name, and knowing that i had earned that right, nothing tops it! perhaps you do not fully appreciate the honour it is to be a nurse, or just how hard it is to become one. you honestly don't think that someone who tackles nursing school and becomes an rn with less than a high school education is not amongst the brightest? think again! we can raise the standards of nursing by learning tolerance of others, by supporting each other, and by not being ignorant and propagating stereotypes. good luck in obtaining your bsn. having just accomplished that feat in 2010, i fully understand the hard work that goes into it. all the best!

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one with lube in their pockets!! I know that has caused more than a few strange looks when I empty my pockets at the end of the day

There is tons of great advice on here, so I won't repeat what is readily available (via this site or google). A quick tip that may help you is this: Before your interview, scribble down little notes of key things you want to say - that way, if you get nervous on the phone, you won't forget because you can easily read from your notes to jog your memory... Remember: on the phone, they can't see you! Also, smile! It is suppose to affect the tone of your voice. I think it is supposed to help you sound more positive. Good luck!

As well as the excellent advice already given, I would also like to add this: If they have value & mission statements, be sure to know them + apply them when you sell yourself. Also, their job posting will tell you how you need to present yourself to them. Basically, you want to parrot back to them what they are seeking when they ask you questions. ie: they ask you what would make you an asset to their team (you noticed their ad states they are looking for a team player, etc, etc) you answer that you are a team player, etc, etc, and provide examples to back up your statements Be yourself. And if that is not a strong selling point (it isn't for me before my 1st morning coffee!), then be polite, professional, pleasant, attentive, sociable, knowledgeable and eager. Good luck!

I honestly doubt that you are truly aware of the current situation (and, I am not talking about what your friends may have experienced a few years ago!): "According to research by the National Student Nurses Association about 45% of the 2010 nursing grads still do not have jobs due to cutbacks in hospital hiring of new nursing grads." (from: http://www.nursingworld.org/ANA-What-Is-New/Career-resources-new-nurse-grad.aspx) Almost 45%.... Of course, they must all be "morons," right? It wouldn't be rational to consider that these nurses are victims of the current economy; obviously, they must be victims of their own stupidity! Good luck in obtaining your pre-reqs, and in getting through nursing school. It's a difficult journey, but so incredibly rewarding when you finally make it. And, should you too become just another "moron" looking for work, at least you will have allnurses to vent on!

There's still a few teen volunteers in the hospitals around here, but I haven't seen that distinctive red & white striped uniform since I last wore one (almost 20 years ago!). The name and uniform may no longer exist, but a google image search shows me that the concept of candy stripers still live on... just a lot more "adult" than I remember

I agree with Old.Timer. Online thank you cards just scream "cutesy" and depending on the image of the card, can also be tacky, juvenile or unprofessional. And, the last thing anyone needs is more potential spam hitting their inbox! Also, consider that a busy HR person may not even bother to click the link to go to the site just to read your card. Better to send your thanks in a well-written e-mail, and increase the odds that your words are read. Good luck!

That's exciting! I'm in the same boat as you and MK86... waiting for that phone to ring is torture!! Good luck to you guys; I hope you get the job.

I'm afraid that I didn't get very creative with mine. Basically, I chose my user name because I wanted to brand myself online, and I didn't want others to use the name of my website. I am a nurse who tries to keep busy both personally and professionally. I find that there are a lot of networking and learning opportunities that I have exposure to as a nurse, and I want to do it all ($ prevents me from doing too much!). At the moment, a more appropriate name might have been thestrappedforcashnurse, but I didn't want a user name that I would outgrow

i'm all for serving and protecting the public, but a cape just seems a little too superhero-ish for me

I know there are limited computers/chairs, but I have to wonder if it is really that hard for some people to share? While I was doing some charting, I once had a doctor take the chair away from me by lifting me right out of it. I was not impressed!! I know that I am small, and was only a "student nurse" (I was still in school at the time), but I would have moved if I was asked. Brute force is not necessary; use your big boy words to ask for what you want! Luckily, that is the only bad example I have encountered with doctors and chairs. That man was arrogant beyond belief!

Don't count on it!! Some schools will only take you as a nursing student if you did their pre-health/pre-nursing program (providing that you needed to do so in order to qualify). It doesn't always matter if you did basically the same content at another college... some colleges will not accept those credits as equal. These same courses (MATH, BIO, CHEM, ENG, etc) are offered at no charge at adult learning centres to mature students who need to obtain those high school credits, or strengthen their marks to meet the entrance requirements for nursing school. If you get those credits through an adult learning centre (for free!!), those credits apply anywhere. If you pay to take them through a college pre- program, you may not have the same freedom to apply to any school of your choice. That's something I wish I had known when I first started school - it would have saved me a bit of money, and I would have been able to go to a different school!