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.

I am starting an accelerated program in about 7 days and have myself paralyzed in fear about money and have heard so many stories about the level of intensity. Can anyone who has been in an ABSN program give advice or say anything to allay my fears? Is it that rigorous? I have about 2 days to make up my mind to start a traditional program in six months but I already gave up my job to leave town. That part is ok as I could/should get a health related job anyway to make it easier to get a job after school. I know this is such an idividual decision but wondering if its really that stressful as I know my limits and course work comes relatively easy for me but I do need 7-8 hours of sleep or I cant function optimally. My first degree is in biology so Im pretty good at the sciences. Thanks in advance.

I looked into Western Governers and was told that it is a competancy based program and although they are accredited, they do not award grades. Its pass/fail so if you plan on getting an advanced degree or specialize you may need to check with the advanced or some advanced programs to see if you would need grades to get in. That is what I would be most concerned about. There were a few other things about that program that were a bit unconvential but I did not get a chance to attend as they never did get the program in Utah up and going. By the way, I think what you are asking is more aimed to the programs like WGU and UOP correct?

Hi there, just read your post about your daughter and you mentioned the fact that she was hospitalized for a viral infection and that it was after that she was having the severe fatique. Maybe its the virus? Not sure if she has seen an infectious disease specialist but you may ask her doctor if having had this virus would warrant a visit to investigate that possibility. Is she doing better? Hope so!

You mentioned he was in a car accident. Hopefully he has insurance or may be eligible to get the cost of renting a car paid for by the insurance company at least while he is trying to get through school. It might be cheaper than buying a new/used car and if yes then he could try Priceline and go to the "name your own price" sometimes you can get a car for $8-13 (depending on airport and season etc..) a day plus the extras which can be a lot but its something to think about. This may be the least of his worries but that was just one thought I had about his situation. Good luck and as the other student said...you are so thoughtful to offer your hand and friendship to him.

Wow thanks for the help! I will start looking into the pocket guide, voice activated sytem and the lab is a great idea. I appreciate you explaining the class as well. I love this forum!

I am getting ready to start an ABSN program and I dont like writing i am also not very good at it. I just found out that the particular program I was accepted into has a ton of writing invloved. Im ok with writing a care plan or jurnaling but dont know anything about APA style and type like a turtle. 1- when I hear there is a lot of writng is that mostly term/research papers? ( Best guess please) 2- Nursing research is the second semester. Is there anything I should/can do to prepare for this class, since it will most likely included the most writing. 3- this next question may be comical to some but.... If i have someone do the typing after I write the paper (just the typing-word processing) is that ok? 4-this is the only thing about nursing school that scares me! does anyone know of a program that doesnt reequire a lot of term papers. I know I should try to overcome this fear and try and master the art but while taking 29 credits in one semester, i dont know if i will have that luxury. 5-another silly question, what exactly is nursing reseach class? Could someone exxplain what it entails. Do you study or research trends in illness and patient care? Any tips, advise, warnings :), clarification would be great! I start in 2 weeks:eek:

i couldnt fiqure out how to message you ........ so had to friend you. Sallie Mae. I qualified but have not signed as I was reading some posts on here that they are a nightmere, so now I dont know what to do.

I like what the all the replies to your post said. Its nice to hear words of encouragement and being positive does help. Sometimes I wonder though if the negative thinking causes depression or depression causes neg thinking. I really think that it is both but with the later scenario, it can almost be impossible to be positive and get yourself to the gym. I know people with chronic low grade depression. And have read a lot about depression. If you have clinical depression, ADHD or bipolar then meds may be the only way to lift the mood. Of course diet, exercise, supplements and positive thinking, funny movies, upbeat music, lots of exposure to light is very important. Hoplessness and the will to live are symptoms of depression and can be out of your control no matter how many Wayne Dyer CDs you listen to. One main key is to keep taking Rxs even if you get to feeling good again. Most people dont like the idea of being medicated but i have also heard (and of course, im not a professional) that the longer you suffer with deppression the longer it takes to cure. So just like any biologically based illness, the sooner it is treated the better.

I just got approved for a Sallie Mae loan but have not signed on the dotted line. It has only been two days since I got the approval and already about 8 emails to me to take immediate action. That is a bit off-putting and a little nervous now about their tactics and now reading this makes me want to keep looking although I did apply to one other and it req a co-signer so hate to keep applying for reasons noted in this post about it dinging your credit just for applying. Does anybody know a general rule of thunb about how many to keep it to and does applying for all in the same day help?

I was getting turned down for loans too (they were basically asking for a co-signer), with a good credit score then found one major lender, (dont know if i can post it on this site so i wont) but just got a loan and it was a large lump sum.