jennielynn

I am also praying for all the people who were affected by this devastating hurricane. It breaks my heart to sit in my safe, warm home and see the disturbing images on the tv. If I weren't in Nursing school right now----I'd be in my car, on my way to help! Last night dh and I came up with another plan. We cancelled our upcoming beach vacation and are donating all the money we have saved for that to the American Red Cross. It may be small in comparison to what the heroes are doing down in the heart of this disaster----but it's something! I encourage all my fellow nursing students, nurses and fellow Americans to think of what they can do without---to help. Even the smallest amount will do!

Wow---you have some great ideas for your Meet and Greet night. Thanks for the info; I'll see how I can incorporate some of those ideas into our meetings. As for running for VP; I'm not so stressed out about it anymore. Seeing how I'm the only officer left from last years organization......I think my dedication speaks for itself! Plus, I've just been trying to get myself out there and become aquainted with some of the new students. If I don't get elected atleast I will have established some valuable friendships! Besides, there are lots of other committees that I'm sure I could contribute to also. Thanks again for your support; I'll let you know what happens! Enjoy your holiday weekend too. I'm not sure exactly where you are; but it's going to be beautiful here in Pa!

Sorry if I over-reacted; it was a long day! Here's the lowdown. I'm a student at Hospital Affiliated 2 year RN program. Last year; my classmate and I were the only 2 students (out of abour 300) who faithfully attended meetings. I was actually the Secretary. We worked very hard over the summer to come up with goals for the current year--as the people in the Pres & VP position were 2nd year students who were more worried about just having their name attached to a title. We got absolutely nothing done. Anyhoo--The incoming class is about 300 students; of whom I know one personally. I'm not sure how we can expect students to vote for people that they don't even know--that's why we came up with this "Meet the Candidates" meeting to let everyone know who we are and what we can bring to the SNA. My biggest fear is that a first year student will get elected Pres or VP and then totally ignore all the work we've done and have it end up a fiasco like last year. Like I said before---last year we basically had meetings with lots of discussion but very little got accomplished. I've decided to run for VP this year. If I don't get it--so be it. There are alot of other committees that I could contribute to. I guess I'm just so defensive because I know what the organization was when I first began and what we've made of it. I agree with you; our organization doesn't get near the recognition that it deserves. My classmate and I are hoping to change that this year--hence the new motto "RHSNA: A Force to be Recognized". Again--I apologize for being so defensive!

Dave: Personally, I dont see what's so funny......the Student Nurses Association is a pre-professional organization. I'm very proud of all that we do for our community................it isn't just "a club" as you put it! If all you can do is make fun......then please don't reply!!!

Hi! A classmate and I are running for President & Vice President of our local Student Nurses Association and would like to come up with a catchy slogan for our campaign posters! I'm really at a loss for ideas! I'd appreciate it if anyone has any suggestions!!!

I applied in the fall of 2002 for the 2003-2004 class. But I too, had to go to RACC and take a course--just because I didn't have any courses that were transferable from my college years way back in the early 1990's. So, they couldn't accept me until that course was finished; which was May of 2003 and by that time the class was full. I was like #23 on the waiting list or something. SO--I didn't actually start until the following year; August of 2004. I know the class is full already for this August; but if you apply as soon as you get that Chem with lab (or whatever you have to do) out of the way--you might get in for next August! Like I said before---if you don't get in right away--just keep taking those general ed courses to get them out of the way and you'll have less stress when you do go through the Nursing program. The only bad thing about that is sometimes when you take those classes at RACC--they have a bunch of prerquisites that you have to take first. I'm going over to RACC to clep my English course for the fall semester so I'll have one less class! I hope this information helps you!!! I look forward to hearing from you again. Good luck!

As a matter of fact; I'm a student there right now! I'm just about to finish my first year! When I took a tour (about 2 years ago); I too thought that they were a little "behind the times" when it came to the dorms, labs and so forth. RHSN has been in operation since the 1800's and I thought some of the lecture halls reflected that! lol BUT; the experiences that I've had there are totally different! The school may be old (and depending on when you will start--they are building a new Nursing school--I think groundbreaking is this summer) but I've learned that the resources are still there. For one thing; you are a part of a teaching hospital---so from week one you are out on the hospital unit dealing with real patients and real situations! The students who come in from the local community college go through months and months of their nursing program before they even do a clinical in our hospital. Don't let the scenery fool you; I've learned more in my first year than I could ever have imagined I would! I know that each year there is a pretty long waiting list to get in; I learned the hard way-----I waited too long and couldn't get in when I wanted to (I had to wait until last fall.) I'm not sure how old you are or what your background knowledge is in the healthcar field; but be prepared to buckle in----because it is a 2 year accelerated program; it is VERY hard. I knew that going back to school at age 33 with 3 kids and a hubby wouldn't be easy; but I was totally unprepared for the whirlwind ride that I have been on. My advice to you is that if you apply and get put on the waiting list; take all of your general courses like Psychology, A & P I and II, Microbiology, English, Nutrition, and Lifespan Psych in the meantime. It really makes alot of sense--because you will need all the time you can dedicate to the Nursing courses. I didn't do that and I'm paying for it now!!! I don't want to discourage anyone from attending RHSON, but it is a very intense program. We started with 131 students last Aug and are now down to roughly 89. Most couldn't make it past the general nursing courses! I wish you luck whatever you decide to do! If you do happen to get in---let me know!!!

Thanks so much for all the great tips! I tried some practice problems using the ROME theory; and I got them all right!!! It's really easy if you take the time to think about it and it will be very useful on my test tomorrow! I think that looking at all those numbers was just intimidating to me! I owe it to you guys for helping me to finally get the whole picture!!! Thanks again!

Call me stupid--but I'm having such a time with determining whether a person is in respiratory or metabolic acidosis/alkalosis based on the ABG levels. I know how to determine the acidosis/ alkalosis part---its the difference between metabolic and respiratory that screws me up. If anyone has any suggestions on how to tell the two apart--please share!!!!

You know you're a nursing student when: You can discuss poop, puke and blood--all over a delicious lunch!!!:uhoh21: Your husband has to hurt himself--just to get your attention. Weekends off are basically no different than homeschooling yourself!:chuckle Dinner has turned into whatever the microwave can cook the fastest. Cleaning??? oh, you must mean running your hands along the tables to remove the 6 inches of dust. Laundy is the only thing that gets done---white uniforms have now become a priority. You try to explain to your vomiting child that today just "isn't a good day" to be sick! You then start scheduling sick days for them! Walking to the mailbox each day has now become your scheduled workout!!:rotfl:

I'm in my second semester of clinicals; and I still get nervous! I think it's only natural; it's something that will diminish with time. We are starting meds next week; and I'm really nervous about that. It's not like giving a bath--if you don't do it correctly; (the bath) you survive--lol! We have our clinical instructor with us though--and she is very kind and helpful. That gives me some piece of mind!!! I can't wait to give my first injection!!!!

As a first year nursing student--I'm learing that things aren't always done on the clinical unit the way we are taught in class!!! You are right--you leave the cath in and get a new one. This way you won't "hit the wrong hole twice". You take the mistaken one out after you get the cath in properly! I've seen RN's do this without even using sterile technique. I cringed the other week while watching an RN clean a fresh abdominal wound with an alcohol wipe--and not aseptically either!

I have a friend who works at Hershey Med and really likes it! There are great opportunities for advancement there too. If your interested in the other benefits; I hear they pay a portion of the tuition for your children to attend either Penn State or some other technical school (forgot the name!) after you work there for so long! I'm almost finished with my first semester of Nursing school but I've always dreamed of working at Hershey Med! I've still have some time to decide--I'm afraid that I'll get too comfy with the way things are done where I'm at and won't want to leave when it's time. Oh--it doesn't hurt that they'll reimburse me for my tuition either!!!

Hi Erin! i don't think I can help you find work--but just thought I'd let you know that I'm a nursing student in Reading; almost completed my first semester at Reading Hospital School of Nursing! I did do a rotation wtih Berks Visiting Nurses Association last week. They say that they make as much as a Nurse in the hospital, and the hours are pretty flexible if you have a family. Oh--I see you posted several months ago--in that case; you may have a job already!

Yep--you got it! Secondary diagnosis/conditions are other things that the patient may have; and these may or may not contribute to the Primary diagnosis. For example: I had a patient the other week who was admitted for Exacerbated Asthma and Tachycardia (her Primary diagnosis) but had a history of Hypertension, Depression, Hepatitus C, known drug abuse and various other conditions. These would all be classified as Secondary. Boy-did I have alot of research that night--we have to give the disease processes for the Primary and secondary conditions!