Katalina511

Hi, I have a 2nd interview for the PICU this week. They said for the PICU, there are 11 applicants for 2nd interviews and 6 positions for this unit. I think you're right, it varies by unit. Good luck everyone!

Just gave you some info on your thread in the General Nursing Student section. Hope it helps!

Hi there! I've done several evidence based research papers in nursing school using PICOs. The PICO is basically the fundamental question that you are going to research and try to answer. It stands for: P: Population/disease (i.e. age group, gender, ethnicity, pts with a certain disorder...) I: Intervention or Variable of Interest (exposure to a disease, risk behavior...) C: Comparison (not always necessary, but i.e. a placebo, absence of risk factor...) O: Outcome (risk of disease, accuracy of diagnosis, rate of occurrence...) Once you look around and find an area of interest, specify these P, I, C, O components and then you can put together the PICO Question itself. My teacher gave us some templates for PICO questions that really help: For a therapy: In _______(P), what is the effect of _______(I) on ______(O) compared with _______©? For etiology: Are ____ (P) who have _______ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_______ (O) compared with ______ (P) with/without ______ ©? For Diagnosis or diagnostic test: Are (is) _________ (I) more accurate in diagnosing ________ (P) compared with ______ © for _______ (O)? For Prevention: For ________ (P) does the use of ______ (I) reduce the future risk of ________ (O) compared with _________ ©? For Prognosis: Does __________ (I) influence ________ (O) in patients who have _______ (P)? For a Meaning: How do ________ (P) diagnosed with _______ (I) perceive ______ (O)? (Based on Melnyk B. & Fineout-Overholt E. (2005). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.) I hope this helps!

I had my preliminary interview on the 15th. (They're really nice and it isn't too bad.) My first choice is the PICU, and I'm from the Bay Area. They said that they're doing preliminary interviews through Nov 28, then calling people about the second interview with nurse managers soon after that. Second interviews will be at the beginning of December, and they hope to call about final decisions before Christmas. Hope this helps! I have no idea about how many people applied, how many got 1st interviews, etc. Anyone know about this?

Hey thanks for the heads up! I've been looking on their site regularly, and for some reason can't find the application. I'd appreciate any help! Thank you!

*yes, I did mean pinch the deltoid! That's what lack of sleep and too much studying will get you!

Good to know, thank you! I'll just keep checking and see.

Anyone know if this RN internship application has already passed? I have been checking their website regularly, but maybe I already missed the window to apply.

I am wondering about the transcripts from other schools too. I'm guessing I'm supposed to have them sent as prereqs and GE courses do "reflect the degree awarded." Does anyone know if it's okay to have these past transcripts sent before my graduation date in December? Nothing will change on them between now and then, but the BRN Transcripts Request form does say not to sign or submit the form prior to completion of the nursing program. Anyone????

I've helped at several flu clinics and was taught that there is no need to aspirate. Also, I assume you're not actually injecting 3ml, right? We usually do 0.5ml and 3ml sounds like a lot. If the person is skinny, "pinch" up their biceps muscle to see what you're really working with. If you need to, you can always use the glut. Don't worry, don't freak out- you'll be fine! And you'll feel so confident after the first few.

My class started with 24 students (very small program) and we will be graduating with 22. One student who dropped out also worked full time and had a child, so just couldn't do the scheduling, etc.

First off, thanks for the honest responses- that's exactly what I was hoping for. I'm 24 and do realize I'd be a more valuable nurse abroad with some experience under my belt. I didn't know about the contract and huge fee if you break it. I'm trying to decide whether to volunteer first, then try to find a job, or the other way around. But if I volunteer first, I would not be eligible for "new grad" residencies when I got back.

Just a quick question about RN residency programs for new grads- Is it pretty much expected that if you get into one, it will lead to a job once you've completed the program? I think a program like this would be wonderful for new grad experience, but unlike pretty much everyone else, I would NOT want it to lead straight to a job or contract because I want to volunteer/live abroad. Would it be a slap in the face to them (and absolutely crazy?!) to try to do a RN Residency program with a hospital, then decline a job so I can fulfill my dream to volunteer abroad? Any advice please???

Just a quick question about RN residency programs for new grads- Is it pretty much expected that if you get into one, it will lead to a job once you've completed the program? I think a program like this would be wonderful for new grad experience, but unlike pretty much everyone else, I would NOT want it to lead straight to a job or contract because I want to volunteer/live abroad. Would it be a slap in the face to them (and absolutely crazy?!) to try to do a RN Residency program with a hospital, then decline a job so I can fulfill my dream to volunteer abroad? Any advice please???

My host family was GREAT! I was the only student in the house (full house, like 10 people in the family ages 2-80!). I think a few other students had 2 students to a host family, but typically it was 1 student to 1 family. It was literally $1,000 for the 4 weeks (plus the $150 application dee). This included all meals, my own room with the host family, and the daily one-on-one spanish lessons. Outside of that, there's the plane ticket and bus ticket to get to the school, and any side trips etc. you may do on weekends. It's pretty cheap to travel there, so a little money goes a long ways which is really nice!

MCGNurse, Yes, the volunteers are from all over the US (even a few from abroad too). I travelled before I started the program and then found my own way to Xela, but a lot of my friends did the airport pickup/staying with the hostess, Maria and said it was really easy. Pop Wuj definitely accommodates to the students and wants to help you. If you take the Galgos bus from Guatemala City to Xela, the station is literally around the corner from the school so that's easy. Then your host family comes and picks you up from the school to take you home. Just email Pop Wuj and they'll help you with whatever you want. As far as safety goes, be smart. This means don't be out alone at night (We always had guy friends walk the girls home at night), don't have your money/valuables visible or easily accessible, take out just what you need from ATMs so you're not carrying a ton of money around, don't stumble around drunk and vulnerable, and just make smart choices. Yes, it can be dangerous. As "gringos," we are targeted as being rich Americans so it is possible to have your stuff stolen, pickpocketed, or even be mugged. But truly, if you're smart, you'll be just fine!

Colleen, That's awesome you're inspired to go abroad. You won't regret it! I did the program by myself, but made friends with the other volunteers right away. I think when you put students with similar interests together in a foreign country, they're bound to become close. Summer is the busy time at Pop Wuj, so there were about 20 of us in the Medical Program alone. We ended up working every other morning in the clinic and every other morning doing mobile clinic since there were so many of us. I didn't do the "immersion" portion. I'd taken quite a bit of spanish before, already studied abroad in Costa Rica, and travelled with my boyfriend for 3 weeks in Central America before starting the program. But if you have the time and money, I'd say go for it. Or travel instead to see more of Central America. If you've never taken spanish before, the immersion program might be a good precursor to the medical spanish program though. They're so nice and flexible as far as extensions and homestays. I'm sure you can stay a week longer with your family if you want, as long as you pay (it's cheap). My mom and grandma actually came down to visit me the last week I was there and they paid to stay in the homestay with my family as well, but didn't do the program at all. If you email Pop Wuj, they're good about answering any questions you may have. Just a suggestion, if you want to travel after the program, I'd recommend leaving Xela and seeing other parts of the country. There isn't a ton to do/see in Xela that you can't cover on little weekend trips. I'd recommend taking a bus and staying in hostels in other areas for that week. But that's just me :)

It was called Associacion Pop Wuj and the website is http://www.pop-wuj.org/. They have a few program options and I did the Medical one- it includes clinic time, as well as daily one-on-one medical spanish lessons. I know volunteering programs can be pretty pricey, but this one was reasonable. As a student, I did triage (basically vitals), health histories (you could always pair up with another student who was better at spanish if you weren't confident in the language skills), assisted/observed the two doctors, and filled the prescriptions and gave instructions to the patients at the clinic's little "pharmacy." I didn't have the opportunity to give any injections or anything like that, but I got to see a lot and still feel that I got hands-on experience. With the mobile clinic, we went out to rural schools and did mostly well-child checks and stuff. And if you wanted to work with the amazing midwife at her rural home/clinic, you got to help with lots of prenatal visits and if you're lucky enough to be there when a woman came in to give birth, see that. Overall, I'd highly recommend it! Raynbabe07, as far as places to go while you're there, I was lucky enough to do a bit of traveling before I started the program in Xela and here are my favorites: Lake Atitlan (a must!), Antigua (a little too touristy for me, but worth a quick stop), Tikal ruins, Livingston and Rio Dulce area (a totally different culture and very interesting), and the huge Chichicastenango market day.

I'm a nursing student too and volunteering abroad was definitely worth the money I saved. A priceless experience. I volunteered for a month in Guatemala last summer and it was incredibly rewarding. The other healthcare students and I worked in the clinic serving the rural community, went out with the mobile clinic, and even got to work with a rural midwife. I highly recommend volunteering abroad, as it opened my eyes, I got great hands-on experience, and I got to really work on my medical spanish. While I was there, I travelled around Central America a bit and fell in love with the area. You'll like Honduras. The people are so friendly! Enjoy!! Oh, and a tip: take a journal with you. Even if you're not a journal person, I suggest jotting things down that you see/do. You'll appreciate it in the future!