melc0305

Edited because I meant to post this as a reply to the comment asking why 3 in a row was so hard if I got the rest of the week off... The Fri and Sat count as one pay period, the Sunday goes on the next. So I work the F/S/S and then get 2 days off, but then work 2 more.

Don't get me wrong - I expected weekend and holiday work when I became a nurse. At my current job, I work every other weekend, Fri/Sat/Sun. The 3 shifts in a row are hard enough, let alone them being my entire weekend every other one. I'm usually there between 13-14 hours (again, I know that's often the case with a nursing job). I'm just wondering how often others have to work over the weekends? I just found out 2 of my friends that work in hospitals and only have to work 2 weekend days per month. I like my job but the schedule is difficult. Just looking to see if this is the norm or not. Thanks

Just an update - I got offered the job! The group interview was weird. There were 5 applicants and 2 interviewers. Both interviewers were nurses, not HR. I felt like with that format, I didn't have enough time to really "sell myself" but apparently I did well. I'm excited to get a job so quickly as a new grad, and days at that.

I am a new grad (as of next week) and I have an interview next week at a residential treatment facility for women. The facility treats anorexia, bulemia, addictions, ptsd, etc. for women age 12 +. I'm excited for my interview but a little leery because it's a group interview (about 10 of us vying for a few RN positions). Any advice on the interview? Will they ask general interview questions or psych specific? Also, in general what is the comparison in pay with a hospital RN position?

Thank you for the input! Major life decisions freak me out... I'm going to find out more info about the ER orientation.

I know that no one can make employment decisions for me but I value everyone's advice here. I am graduating next month and was offered a position in the south side of Chicago at a small hospital. This is not a good area and honestly not the most prestigious hospital, although it is not poorly run. It is also an hour commute for me from the suburbs into the city. That being said, I would love to get started in the ER and not in Med/Surg where all the suburban opportunities are that I've found. I am also going through a divorce and it is imperative for me to get a job asap to support my kids. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get another offer (I take my nclex in June). My thought is to get at least a year under my belt as an ER nurse there. Then if it is not a good fit for me, I could try finding something closer to home. But I also feel that environment may have me in over my head. Advice?

I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I graduate in May. From what I am finding out, new grads are getting hired between 26-27 per hour in the hospitals. I'm not sure about LTC facility pay. Chicago also has a high cost of living and is miserably cold right now!

I can only speak for myself, but I chose an accelerated program for the following reasons. First, I am a non-traditional student being older and going into nursing as a second career. I don't have the luxury of the same amount of time that students just starting out have. So, getting through a program faster was my main goal. Secondly, I already had a degree so repeating a lot of the gen ed classes that would be required in a traditional program seemed like a waste of time. Being a single mom, I need to get through a program asap and get a job to support myself and my children. I actually like the faster pace of the accelerated program. It is extremely challenging but it forces you to really invest yourself and your time into it. I graduate in May. As far as management, I don't think traditional vs. accelerated makes a difference. I do feel that if you want to go into management, a BSN would be beneficial over an ADN/ASN.

It sounds like you've done well so far so keep doing what you've been doing. I'm about to start my last semester too, graduating in May. I have Critical Care with clinical and Professional Development 3, then Role Transition clinicals. My motto is "finish strong". I just keep reminding myself how much time and effort I've put in so far. Not sure what your Critical Care textbook is, but a lot of my fellow students have recommended getting "Critical Care Made Incredibly Easy" as a supplement. Good luck! You got this!

I am also in an ABSN program. I skim the chapters, but I will read in detail any concepts from the powerpoints that are difficult to grasp. I also do the online quizzes that are associated with each chapter. It's helpful if you can find someone in the cohort above you that can guide you whether certain professors test more on the ppt. or the readings. Good luck!

Thanks for the input. Most things I do just suck up. I'm an adult. I know life's not fair (although I always say it should be!). This one just really ticked me off because this semester is really difficult and this seemed to me a pretty big discrepancy. I'll just get through it and write a strongly worded complaint on my class survey that no one will read lol.

Not sure how every school is organized, but in our program our cohort has the theory portion of the class together, then is split up into several groups with different clinical instructors. It is all considered the same class with one syllabus and one grade for the theory and clinical portion. The requirements should all be the same, but our clinical instructors grade some things and our theory professor grades the exams. I have found out that some of the clinical groups are not being required to do some of the assignments. For one project, our clinical instructor is requiring an APA paper, ppt presentation, pathoflow diagram, and nsg dx and intervention diagram. So far I've put in quite a few hours on this and anticipate it will be 10-15 hrs when done. One of the other groups is not required to turn anything in and are talking about their findings informally only. This is an accelerated program with exams weekly. Most of us work and/or have children. I don't want to sound whiny, nor do I want to cause extra work for any student who has already been told they're off the hook. But I'm finding this extremely unfair. Should I just suck it up or bring this up with the professor?

Sent you a pm love.live.laugh

Sorry this is a bit late, but hopefully it can still help you. I attend Lewis U's accelerated nursing program. The Kaplan test is 4 sections - math, reading, science, and reading/writing comprehension. Lewis only takes your math and reading section grades into account. So you take the entire test, but they only base admission on the math and reading section. When I took it, I had not taken any science pre-reqs and scored a 25% on the science section! Dismal, but I still got in based on a high reading and math score. I think the score had to be in the upper 70s in those 2 sections. I got the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exams guide to study. I think it helped to know what the basic format would be, and to refresh basic math. There was a lot of fractions, decimals, conversions on the test. I took this about a year and a half ago, so double check it's still the same. Once you've taken and passed the test, they work with you to determine what pre-req classes you still need. You need to pass those with a C or better to get into the nursing program. Good luck!

I am a student but I thought this would be the best forum for my question. Recently I was able to have my first surgical observation experience. I loved it! I found the experience fascinating and a great learning experience. The procedure itself did not bother me at all. Unfortunately, I still had to step out for a few minutes because I simply could not breathe with the mask on. I felt like I could only breathe in hot, stale air. I started to get extremely warm and flushed and my ears started ringing and I felt faint. Later, I had a patient on contact precautions and I had the same experience after putting on the PPE, esp the mask. I guess my question is...Do you just get used to it? Or is there a "proper" way to breathe with mask on? I can't be fainting every time I need to wear a mask around a patient. Thanks!

I left a full time corporate job to enter an ABSN program. It can be done, but you need to plan. First, since you are not positive this is the career for you, see if any local hospitals offer a shadowing program where you can shadow a nurse for a few hours. This might give you an idea of what you will be doing on a daily basis. You will need to have all of your finances in order. Can you get loans if you need to? You cannot get any grants with a second degree. Personally, I've found it very difficult to find a job, even part time, in my program. Our schedule changes every 8 weeks. We have clinicals every weekend. Not saying it can't be done, but you'll need to know your school schedule first. I am in Chicago so I can't specifically comment on jobs in your area. It's a big decision! Ultimately, only you can decide your path. Get all the information you can and go from there. Do you see yourself sitting in a cubicle for another 20-30 years?

Good point Chicagoboy...I'm sure in a few weeks, I'll have much bigger things to stress about! Thanks for the replies - this site always helps!

I know there are a lot of threads on allnurses regarding age and "it's never too late" etc. I think that is why I assumed it would be no big deal going back to school at age 40, into an ABSN program where everyone is at least old enough to have one degree. Today was orientation and out of the 32 in our cohort, I was the oldest. I got excited because there was a lady close to my age, but one of the students just brought her mom with her! lol. I just felt out of place and was really doubting myself. I can't imagine having much in common with most of these students, let alone fitting into a study group or a group project with them. I was just bummed by the orientation and wish I could be more excited about my decision.

My school uses it too. I start the class that uses it on Thursday. Doesn't sound too encouraging!

Sorry...I hate that! I am just starting my program and class starts next week. We were given a list of things we needed (scrubs, bp cuff). When I got my syllabus for one of the classes, I found out a laptop was required! Ugh. Sounds like you've already gotten good advice - build a bigger buffer next time. Guess your hair will have to wait...bummer.

When I took it, they only looked at the math and reading section scores. So unless they've changed that in the past year, you should be good! Trust me, I got a 25% on the science section as I had not taken any pre-reqs at the time. And I'm in the program now, so they won't hold it against you!

I'm in a BSN program and it is not required.

I have my Chemistry final tonight and my AP 2 lecture and lab finals on Saturday. Then I'm DONE with pre-reqs! I start my program this summer.

Math isn't my strong point either and I passed. The review book is actually good for the math section. I remember it had a lot of fractions - know how to add, subtract, mult, and divide fractions. Also know how to convert fractions to decimals and vice versa. We were allowed to use the calculator on the computer so it really wasn't too bad. Good luck!

I did take the Kaplan test, and yes, you could go back and review the reading passage as you answered questions. It is timed, though, so you can't take forever going back and finding things, but I don't remember it being a problem. Good luck!