CSteffen_RN

All of the hospitals that I have worked at allowed me to do the module while I was on the clock therefore paying me for them. I think the agency should do the right thing and reimburse you for time spent at home working on the modules, although it sounds like that's not their protocol and they don't plan on changing it anytime soon. If you really want the job and are willing to look at the time spent doing the modules for free as an investment to getting the job then that might be an option. This might just be a red flag for you to stay away from them as well.

I used to work for HCA in Largo, FL so I'd suggest staying away from them if you can. There's a noticeable culture of profits over patients there as opposed to a nonprofit chain. I've also heard bad news regarding Florida Hospital. They just recently were offering bonuses up to $25,000 for 2 year commitments. The highest was for CVICU and CVOR Rn's, $15,000 for ICU and I think ED, and $10,000 and less for all the other RN's. I heard from a couple nurses within Florida Hospital that the reason they were giving out such high bonuses was to lock in nurses for 2 years at a much lower pay rate. If I were you I'd stick to Baycare hospitals like Morton Plant. They don't necessarily pay any more for the BSN but it definitely helps secure the job. As far as pay goes I am assuming labor and delivery nurses make around what ICU nurses make. If that's the case you'll start out low to mid 30's per hour plus benefits. Another option to think about is agency. They don't always offer the best health insurance or benefits but the higher pay and flexibility to work or have off whenever you'd like might be worth it.

I haven't received anything after I got the confirmation e-mail saying my application is in. I applied on April 30 and am hoping to get interviewed for the next round. Last 60 GPA 3.2 (I went to WGU where you can only get B's), GRE 305 writing 4.5, ACLS, BLS, PALS, NIHSS, CCRN-CMC, 3 years ICU in different units (neuro, cardiac, multisystem), rapid response and code team leader, 3 years floor experience. If I get accepted for the 2017 class I'll either be at the Tampa campus or one of the 2 south Florida campuses.

I work at an HCA facility in the Tampa area but I've heard all great things about St. Joe's and TGH. St. Joe's would be my first pick if I were you. TGH pays less. The Baycare hospitals are good to work for. HCA probably has the worst of reputations compared to everyone else.

I'm a 24 year old RN in neuro icu w/ 2 years LPN exp. @ a nursing home and 2 years RN exp. @ a hospital and I can honestly say I wouldn't trade this job for the world. Some people are very comfortable stopping at the LTC level and doing that for the rest of their careers, and others like me aren't happy until climbing a very difficult unit like the icu. It's all about working your way up through positions that you don't necessarily enjoy for questionable pay to get to the area of nursing you really like.

As you go the tests keep getting harder and harder. I had to take NC 3 3 times and finally passed with a C and I'm a good test taker. And the CPNE is super nerve wracking but passable with a LOT of practice. I went through excelsior's lpn-rn program and passed but I don't suggest it to people who can't teach themself without a teacher.

I JUST passed Life Span 3 this morning in St. Petersburg, Fl. This is the third attempt afer 2 D's. All the other tests I breezed through but this one really tripped me up so study extra hard for it. There were quite a few questions on ICP, surprisingly 2 or 3 on SLE, diet questions with stomach conditions, 2 on priority interventions when a pt appears confused (usually the answer is admin O2 BEFORE notifying physician), def. know about ulcers, atleast 4 questions on total hip surgerys, know diff. between sypmtoms of all the diseases like mumps, rubella, chickenpox, 1 question on identifying which vitals showed Increased ICP, atleast 4 about priority nursing diagnosis and they say usally an actual problem takes priority over "risk for" ?'s, but I had one which was risk for respiratory distress and that was def. the priority, atleast 3 on autonomic dysreflexia, 1 on ALS and its symptoms, atleast 3 questions where the answer was Mannitol...and of course I can't remember the others but study extra hard for this one. OK next step for me is CPNE. Good luck...