katiehydrangea

Hi there! It's years later... but did you find someone good? Now I am looking. Thanks much!

Thank you for your input, it's super helpful. I appreciate it!

Thanks for the information. The nurse who interviewed me over the phone said there will be 2 nurses and one tech to every 20 patients. The one review mentioned that they cant keep anyone/staff and orientation sign never goes down hence the travelers. I did have sine in pt geri-psych experience x 2 months 8 years ago and it was pretty quiet. No acute psychosis though. I have decided to just call and ask if I would be expected to cover acute psychotic patients during the 3 month assignment.

I have been offered a travel assignment at a behvioral hospital with peds, adolescents, adults and acutely psychotic wings/areas. I am wondering if it would be completely out of line/inappropriate for me to accept the assignment on the condition I do not work with acute psych at all or until I feel confident on that wing or request to do only admissions and discharges? I might feel differently after being at the facility but I have not had a chance to interview in person it was a phone interview. I feel like I have a healthy amount of fear or caution and don't want to turn down the position completely I would love to be able to experience psychiatric nursing but I am leary especially after having read reviews on this facility where previous employees stated that this was not a very safe place to be and that there was no security in place to protect the staff and suggested looking elsewhere. I don't want to base everything on these reviews but it certainly is a concern for myself and the patients. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Libranurse27, I'm a Libra too! :-). Would you mind throwing out the names of a couple of those big healthcare networks that you are referring to? I get overwhelmed sometimes when I go to look. Thanks again.

I have the same interest area. But I have an added dilemma, I havent worked as anurse for about 3 years now. Should I take a refresher course or classes make me a more appealing applicant? With all that said I would not be totally opposed to hospital, out patient surgery. Any advice would be great. I'm going to get my ACLS and PALS. Any schools or instutions in the Houston or Salt Lake area that you can recommend? I can travel for a class if needed to amy area. Thanks on advance!

I did my clinicals at a unit in a correctional institution and went home a couple of nights in tears and it was mostly due to the way the nurses, doctors and gaurds were treating the patients/IMs. It was frustrating but knew that I was giving the best compasionate care that I could. Sometimes the only thing you can do is be an example and others will notice what happens with good care. I am going for an interveiw next week for a postition in a supermax prison and don't know much about the position but I am guessing that the job with provide a wide range of conditions and good skills experience.

I am about to graduate with my BSN at an out of state school had to take out big loans. And would love help paying back this and or potentially gong on to NP program. I have heard that some hospitals/institutions are still doing this but have also heard that they have gone away with the poor economy. Anyone in-the-know on tuition reimbursement? This was a second degree for me so no grants available and little government money. I am open to working in rural or underserved areas and open to relocation. Thanks so much in advance!

I am about to graduate with a BSN and this will be my second career, though, my first degree was in Health Science and worked in private offices for some time. I did get some experience at a podiatrists office where, I saw diabetic ulcerations, venous statis ulcerations and non-healing lover leg wounds/burns and since doing clinicals have realized that wound care might me a great place for me to be. I like to actually see with my own eyes the healing/progress that a wound makes. I like dressing wounds and I like measuring and evaluating. I would like to continue on in my education and at the same time work doing wound care. I am confused about what credentials you need. One of the postings mentioned there is a great need in the area of wound care nursing. One post warned against fast track to big pay check, I'm not money hungry just started nursing late (40 something) and would like to do what I like and think I would be really good at! Any advise on where to start either now (I have one semester to go and light load/few credits) or when I graduate with my BSN? Thanks so much in advance!

I just read this old post as i was searching for advice on bad preceptors as I am currently in school and having one. I am exhauseted right now from so much studying but wondering if you are still active on this site and if so, I have a couple of specific questions on how to handle my situation and wonder if you might offer advice. so, I will send this now and await reply. Thanks

I too am having a bad experience and wonder if my preceptor can fail me. He doesnt seem to like me or like having me around. He has said that Im slow and put me in front of the computer to chart and we are not allowed to chart. this is where is said i was slow. He makes me anxious and i feel more prone to make mistakes in this enviromnet. I only have 2 days left and want to discuss my status/performance with him but not sure how to approach or what i can do in two shifts to ensure i pass. Thanks! Any input would be appreciated.

Below is a link to a Frontline episode called College Inc. A hand full of for-profit unaccredited programs are really ripping people off and getting away with it. I am a huge fan of Frontline, I will watch on it any topic. Thought I would throw this out there as its just food for thought and not meant to discourage anyone about any school, nursing or otherwise. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/collegeinc/view/?utm_campaign=viewpage&utm_medium=grid&utm_source=grid

Oh i forgot to say in my last post that my BSN will cost me about 45K not to mention the ADDITIONAl finance charges that will be almost half if not more.

Does anyone know a good school lender? Im going for an accelerated second degree BSN this spring. I ran across a post hear that recommended a private lender/bank with three letters...NCR, NRC or something like that...I wish I would've written it down. I was approved with Sallie Mae but they seem aggressively wanting me to sign on the line. That makes me nervous and its a large amount. Also, Ihave read some things on this site about this lender that really concern me. I have an udergrad degree already so don't qualify for much. I think FAFSA offers up to $6500 for the entire year or maybe its for each semester..i dont know and if anyone can speak to that, I would appreciate it! Im also a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on this loan, the whole idea of a variable rate is haunting me already, though i do plan to try to work a tiny bit to help w rent and food.

Thanks! Did you attend a ABSN program or know people who did? I spoke with a gal that went through the same school but did the traditional program and said she only had less than a handfull of papers to write, i am hoping its the same for the school's accelerated program. Thanks again for clarifying the class, I was sure it was all about writing so very pleased I was wrong.