liairis

In addition to all of the great reasons that GrnTea gave you for interviewing face-to-face, think about it as a great networking opportunity! Sure you are not yet in nursing school, but you never know when it might be helpful to get your face out there in local hospitals/clinics. The main reason I got a job as a new grad is because I put myself out there over and over and got to know a lot of people in the specialty I was interested in. Many nurses love teaching and talking about what they do, so have fun with this assignment!

I worked in the resource pool through nursing school, and I too loved the flexibility. I will admit that I hated floating, because there is no way to love every unit, and it was hard to not have a "home". That being said, I think it was great as a nursing student who was not 100% sure of where I wanted to work. It helped me tremendously when I had to start selecting where I wanted to do my senior preceptorship and then applying for jobs. So unless you are 100% sure of what clinical area that you want to work in a nurse, I would highly recommend the resource pool.

I know you already took your exam, and I'm sure you did great! Nursing exams are completely different from what you have been used to, and I felt that first exam was the most overwhelming..after the first one you start to get a sense of how the questions are worded and what they are looking for. One thing that really helped me was buying and NCLEX review book, and doing practice questions in whatever topics the test was on. This gets you warmed up on answering those type of questions, and is a good review overall. Also, when it comes time to really study for the NCLEX, you will have such an easier time if you have been practicing the questions all along!

They told us that same thing at my orientation, and I only know a couple of people that were actually able to quit work. The rest of us worked 20-30 hours a week and made it through just fine. It is very tough, and you learn to live on very little sleep, but if you want it bad enough you can make it work. From the other side of nursing school, I can definitely say that the hard work was worth it, and it doesn't last forever!

It sounds like that will be a great experience for you!! I agree that things like almonds or trail mix are great--anything that has protein and will be okay in your pocket. I have not spent much time in the ED, but I work on a Trauma IMC floor, and I could not function without scissors, tape, and coban on me at all times. Also, don't be afraid to let all of the nurses know that you are a student and are looking for specific experiences...they often won't think to come find you for a procedure/experience unless you let them know you are interested. Good luck and have fun!

I also live in Tucson and completed an externship at The University of Arizona Medical Center- University Campus last summer. I would absolutely recommend this hospital! They have a great nurse to patient ratio, are magnet status, and offer an 8 week paid summer externship. They typically hire externs in general pediatrics, as well as the PICU, NICU and peds hematology/oncology. The only requirement is that you will have completed 3 semesters of nursing school by the time the externship starts. The applications generally open in March or April, but I would recommend calling nurse recruitment to get a better idea of the exact dates. They updated the website and I couldn't find externship info, so I would just call the operator at 520-694-0111 and ask for nurse recruitment. They are usually great about getting back to you. I think it is so smart that you are thinking of looking for a summer position...it is extremely beneficial, and you will feel like 4th semester is a breeze after your externship! Also, many of my classmates (myself included) were offered RN positions on the floor where they were externs. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

It sounds like you need to check with the nursing program to find out exactly how they deal with the fact that the program doesn't put you at full time units...at my school the nursing program was considered full time despite having less credits every semester, so it wasn't an issue with financial aid. Nursing school is tough, so I wouldn't take gen eds at the same time unless you really have to. Also, I personally would not recommend going into nursing school without having physiology completed, unless it is integrated into the program or you have a medical background. You really need the A&P background to really understand a lot of what they are teaching you, even in the first couple of semesters. You have to think abut what works for you...I took a year's worth of A&P in two 4-week summer sessions and did fine. It was very intense, but doable. So do whatever will keep you the most sane and let you keep your financial aid!

I can't speak for MN, but in AZ most of the nursing programs in community colleges have admission requirements that are just as tough as the universities...so with that said, why not apply to both? Grades are often just one piece of what they consider at a university...with personal statements, interviews, etc. making up the remaining part. I would contact an advisor or admissions representative at the universities you are looking into and see what they specifically look at when it comes to admissions. Also, most colleges here allow you to apply with one or two prerequisites in progress, so you might want to check into that. Don't be discouraged about your GPA! It takes most people more than one try to get in to nursing school, so if that is truly your passion, DON'T GIVE UP!!

Absolutely get a job as a PCT if you can! A lot of hospitals have programs specifically for nursing students, and the hours are usually very flexible. It is excellent experience, and the RNs you work with are often very willing to teach and show you interesting things if they know you are a nursing student. However, there will be no study time as a PCT! So if that's what you're looking for I would definitely look for a job in a library or dorm at your college.

I just graduated from a BSN program, and I can honestly say the only real difference is some extra research/management classes. It seems to me that the ADN programs are as difficult as BSN programs, but take slightly less time. One thing you might want to consider is where you want to work, and whether they prefer BSN nurses over ADN nurses. In the city I live, several of the hospitals are moving to only hiring new grads with BSNs. You also might want to think about whether you see yourself staying a bedside nurse or whether you are interested in eventually getting into management. But definitely don't think that the ADN programs are going to be too easy!