busymommy

I was given a preceptorship in postpartum, which is where I'd like to devote my career. It is unheard of to get this kind of placement at my college (major med-surg focus), and I have to say that my preceptor is just fantastic! For all of you who agr...

Thanks, PinkNBlue. I'm having a wonderful time on my unit, learning more every day, and there's great rapport among the PP nursing staff. I think working three 12s back-to-back was a good test of my stamina, and I made it! For sure I will need new, b...

Thank you, Jenniebrie. The "Chicken Soup" series is always good for stuff like that, and I keep forgetting that I want the all the "Nurse's Soul" editions. :-) We need to take care of ourselves, especially when school is so demanding, frustrating, an...

I'm have 2 weeks left of my last clinical (community health) in my final semester of nursing school. I graduate in 67 days (not that I'm counting!) :) My preceptor at this clinical site (part of a huge ins. provider urgent care facility) is of the "A...

Okay. So I graduate in December with my BSN (finally!!) and after clinical experiences in many, many areas, postspartum nursing is where my heart is. As you know, this is a popular specialty and many of my fellow students are interested in OB nursing...

Thanks, rn/writer! I especially appreciated the bit about focusing on being a good, competent nurse, rather than on changing lives. Really good advice, no matter the specialty!

We will likely be moving to the Eugene area next year, for family. Hubs is already looking at his employment prospects and since Eugene is home for him, he's well-acquainted with the area, cost of living, etc. I'll be a BSN-RN and have a few question...

What can you tell me about the work environment in your hospital, Love911Nursing? Do the RNs generally seem happy to be there? What's the nurse-to-patient ratio like on, say, a med-surg floor? Also, would love to know about the cost of living in that...

Just wondering if things are loosening up yet in Oregon as far as jobs. Feel free to post about your area, but I'm most interested in the central and southern parts of the state (Willamette Valley & west). Hospitals in my area are starting to pos...

Jennifer70 hit all the main points I wanted to mention. Especially the ink & paper - those are excellent things to stock up on at Costco/Sam's Club, or wherever you can find the best price for your printer. I also recommend highlighting your le...

Okay, so I'm graduating in December and I'm seriously considering geriatrics/LTC as a career option. :loveya: I've got a knack for working with older folks (which makes me an oddity in my class of 23) and just don't like med-surg that much. How do I...

RE the name "Abcde" - Kinda sounds like 'obesity', doesn't it?

Looks like a new-fangled, fancy way of spelling "honesty." To me, that's right up there with "Nevaeh." Don't you wish you could tell these parents "Hey, it's super awesome that you want your child to have a unique name, but lady, that name is NOT awe...

First of all, I love your handle, nuts4mymutts! I just had a conversation about this with my advisor yesterday, and told her the idea of "having" to work in med-surg makes me so sad when all I've ever wanted is to be a postpartum nurse. I was fortu...

I'm so glad to hear that, egglady! :yelclap: I've talked with one of my nursing instructors and she said essentially the same thing. Another told me that LTC/geriatrics is just "another type of med-surg" and I can see the logic in that. I've seen lot...

Thanks, taz! Can you tell me exactly where on the westside that Kaiser hospital will be? Any target date for opening day? That's very encouraging, and I know my DH will be happy to hear about that. Central Oregon has been on our 5-year relocation pla...

Thanks, taz5869. I'm from the Tacoma area and have heard about the difficulties in Portland. I know what you mean about prohibitive distance. Ironically, Lincoln City and Newport are the areas we've been seriously considering. I've been checking the ...

I am SO GLAD I read this thread. :yelclap: I will graduate in December and the professors at my college are from both schools of thought regarding med-surg before specializing. Some say "Yes, you absolutely must have med-surg first!" and others say "...

LoveMyBugs, I hadn't thought of that. I've got a friendly connection with the wound care RN at my med-surg clinical location, so maybe I should ask my instructor if I can shadow that nurse for a day? It sounds like the SN hallways were a lot like reh...

Good point. I was wondering about skills - haven't had the chance in my med-surg clinicals to practice IVs much, but lots of post-op wound care & passing meds (not just PO, either). I know what you mean about working with residents. I had the opp...

Thanks, NamasteNurse! I have 1 friend in my class who feels the same way I do, and we've pretty much decided we're sticking to the old folks. :) Can you tell me more about what a typical day at work looks like for you? One reason I'm particularly int...

Learned a hard lesson about this during 1st semester, and it was worth it. When you implement good personal boundaries in school, it helps you keep your perspective. Plus, it's good training for the work world.

Hi MissKrissy! I'm so excited to hear about what you've been doing. I loved postpartum this semester and I think it's great you're having such a good experience. Stork nurses are busy, that's for sure, but it makes the day move fast. I think postpart...

Two thumbs up! Fantastic article! This should be included in nursing school curriculum! Excellent strategies, rn writer. This is worth printing and adding into my journal, for frequent reminders. Newbies & seasoned RNs alike can benefit. Super jo...

Definitely like this series. I have the NCLEX prep book and use it now to prepare for theory exams. The maternity and med-surg sections are especially helpful. They have lots of NCLEX style questions at the end of each section, with rationales for ea...