nicubee

Your replies have really helped me, and I'm sure others will benefit too. I am also a pediatric OT and HouTx, you're right. When I work with an infant or toddler using balls and toys, I know that it just looks like I'm playing with them when really every action is carefully aimed at facilitating specific muscle activation or sensorimotor response. I failed to realize the same thing occurs with nursing. Cuddleswithpuddles and Snowyowl, You helped me focus in my fog of little sleep and test stress. You have reminded me that there were many classes in OT school where I felt we were losing the big picture by getting too far down into the nitty-gritty. Now I'm glad for those classes and that knowledge-- even if I don't use it in every pt encounter. Thanks! I will press on!! :)

OK so I'm halfway through the semester and liking the procedures lots more than the theory: nursing process, care plans and science-based content (like fluid/electrolyte balance and pharmaconutrition). I get the impression that we are expected to learn everything at level much deeper than we will ever use in practice. Honestly, I have never had a physician perform a physical assessment at the detail of my physical assessment final check off. I would love feedback from any practicing nurses on the comparison of book learning to actual practice.

Thanks for your replies! I'll let her know that it may not be an option to work L&D until she finishes her RN.

This is such a relevant topic for me! I am a 1st semester BSN student but am also a practicing occupational therapist x 13 yrs. I provide family education for the infants I serve on a daily basis, do inservice training for our nurses on infant feeding and neuromotor development. I even train the med students and residents in neurological examinations during their NICU rotations. All that comes like second nature. But get to class and I can hardly answer a question or make a 2 minute presentation without choking from trying to coordinate my breathing with talking! I feel like a trembling mess! Go figure! I have been trying controlled breathing exercises to help, but really feel that it is a case of not feeling competent with the material I am discussing. Being a health care provider does not seem to make this any easier for me. I'm hoping someone will have some good suggestions...

I got 100% on my presentation on this topic! Actually, writing about it in this thread helped me organize my thoughts, so thanks for asking about it! :)

I can help with this topic-- I am an OT and a BSN student. Muscle tone refers to the amount of resistance to stretch muscles have while at rest. Most of us, whether we're fitness trainers or couch potatoes have "normal" muscle tone, meaning our muscles are in a state of slight contraction and ready for immediate activation while they are at rest. People with normal muscle tone are also capable of sustaining a prolonged contraction, then relaxing easily (picture carrying a 10 lb box, then setting it down). Muscle tone is not the same as muscle strength. The amount of muscle tone a person exhibits is regulated in their cerebellum. There are lots of disorders and diseases that have an impact on the cerebellar function, and thus on muscle tone, causing hypertonia or hypotonia. Hypertonia and hypotonia are abnormal. Because abnormal muscle tone affects the way a muscle responds to stretch outside of the person's conscious control, it is not possible to accurately do muscle strength testing on individuals with abnormal muscle tone. Hypertonic muscles are hyper-reactive to stimulation, causing over-reactive contractions. They also sustain contractions longer than needed and have difficulty returning to relaxed resting levels because they tend to re-fire easily. Hypertonic muscle tone is associated with spasticity. In more severe cases, a person can be rigid, but this is still hypertonia. As a side note, hypertonic individuals usually have a high metabolism because of their state of constant muscle activation. Hypertonic children often have poor weight gain and slow growth. Hypotonia is the opposite of hypertonia. Hypotonic muscles are more relaxed at rest than "normal". They are also slower to contract with stimulation and do not have the same ability to contract fully or sustain a contraction. Hypotonic individuals often appear "lazy", but really they work harder to achieve and sustain muscle contractions. Hypotonic muscles appear floppy at rest, and at their more severe level, can be flaccid. Hypotonic individuals usually have slow motility and may gain weight easily due to their slower metabolism. Hypotonic individuals are at risk for joint injury due to lax ligaments and hypermobile joints. Hypertonic individuals are at risk for joint deformity/contracture due to lack of joint mobility. Basically, muscle tone presents along a spectrum from flaccid to rigid, with "normal" being in the middle. You should also know that a person's tone is what it is. People are not hypertonic one day and hypotonic the next. Working out in a gym will not improve your muscle tone, since it does not change the cerebellum's regulation of muscle contraction at rest. Working out simply reduces the fat to muscle ratio to make your muscle appear more defined. Not the same thing, but often confused by smart people (even exercise experts and nursing text book authors ). Nursing assessment of muscle tone involves inspection and palpation, using test items for musculoskeletal and neurological assessment. Go back and review your textbook and it will start to make sense, with your new understanding of tone. The funny thing is, I am giving a presentation on this topic to my class in a few days. I think it's an important topic for nurses and I don't understand why it's not taught in school. Here's another side note on ROM (for marcma03, because of your reference to "active.") Active range of motion (AROM) refers to a person actively moving his joints through all their planes of movement without assistance. Passive range of motion (PROM) is when the caregiver performs these movements for the patient who is unable. Active assist range of motion (AAROM) is when (I bet you can guess :)) the caregiver helps the patient move through full range, when the patient is unable to do the complete movement pattern independently. When a patient has only one side affected (CVA), they can use their unaffected side to provide their own active assist. Hope this has cleared up some confusion. I wish there was a way to add this to the nursing topics covered in school!

My daughter is in her mid-20s and is getting ready to move home so she can go back to school for nursing. She was originally going to do an ADN program, but wants to finish quickly so she can return to the metro Atlanta area (we are near Macon). So she is looking at an LPN now, with plans to bridge afterward to an RN. Her ultimate goal is to be a CNM. My question is, with the terrible job market, will there be LPN jobs available in the Atlanta area (especially in labor/delivery/perinatal) and will she be able to support herself on the pay while she does a bridge program?

I'm jumping the gun because I am a BSN student, but I am trying to understand what an MSN-neonatal CNS is and if there are specific positions in NICUs for nurses with this degree. If so, what would be the general role and pay difference for the CNS versus the BSN? I already work in a level III as an OT and have a pretty clear understanding of the NNP role, but my real interest is ongoing direct patient care and family education, not diagnosis/treatment. I'll appreciate any information you can share-- thanks in advance.

I, too, am an older BSN student with 2 previous degrees. The last degree I completed was in an allied health profession. I currently work in an acute unit alongside nurses, earning a much higher salary. I won't begin my first nursing course until June, but working with these nurses has introduced me to the kind of social structure I will encounter in school. In my unit there are definite social cliques: the 30 year veterans who have never been on another unit, the new-comers, the social butterflies, the "popular" group... Sometimes it reminds me of high school! In my current field, practitioners tend to be both respectful and supportive of one another and universally very professional. I have worked in this discipline in multiple settings for 13 years and know that it will be somewhat difficult to adjust to the immaturity of certain colleagues within nursing. In fact, this has been one of my concerns in choosing to expand my skills into nursing. But also in my unit there are several nurses who are simply respectful and professional and do not easily fit into any stereotypical social group. These nurses are highly knowledgeable, provide great care to their patients, and interact well with their teammates. I realize that they are the inspiration for me continuing my education, and I plan on following their example, both in class and once I am a nurse. I think the trick is keeping sight of why you selected nursing as your next step in life and remaining true to your personal goals. Avoid getting caught up in any drama, while maintaining that level of professionalism you have already mastered. You will be an example to the students who have yet to reach your level of maturity, and you will stand out as a role-model in the eyes of your instructors. It's not about being given the respect you have earned through your previous accomplishments. It's about using these achievements to stand out as a true professional and model the respect you seek to receive. :)

Sharye, I must have missed your post-- I'm sorry! It seems that so many people have been rejected!! It is so sad that they do not interview and get to know all the candidates on a personal level. Everyone on this post is so articulate and enthusiastic-- just what they need in the profession. Make sure to re-apply!!

I'm sorry dkwmom. You have a great attitude and that will take you as far in your profession and your life as you choose to go! :) Check with the office-- I don't know if they offer the programs in the same location for spring (In the past, they have switched campuses to Warner Robbins, if I remember correctly). Some of you applying may think that's even more convenient.

I'm so sorry Lvance7. What an incredibly difficult process this is. But be proud of all that you've accomplished so far. You have met all the requirements for admission and are ready for your opportunity. You are doing the right thing to see your advisor-- if there is no way for you to improve, it is still a way for them to see and get to know you. Keep positive-- it will happen! :redpinkhe

Congratulations hc123!!! To everyone else camping out at their mailboxes, may ALL the forces be with you!! :)

It doesn't surprise me that ASN letters have not gotten to you yet. I bet they avoid confusion and errors by waiting until after the seat reservation deadline for BSN, so they are not receiving reservations back for BSN and ASN at the same time. Since the BSN deadline was 4/13, I'm guessing that the ASN letters will be in the mail anytime now. :)

Hi OT! Have you seen the area on this site dedicated to school nursing? Click on the "specialty" tag at the top of the page and go down to "nursing specialties." It's there among the options, listed alphabetically. :) I'm thinking you might have some good responses to your questions in that area.

Good luck to you, too, Alpine Hiker. This thread has helped me too, and I hope it helps many others thinking about a transition to nursing. It seems that the majority of those who responded are glad they made the switch. I'll see you at the finish line and hopefully, we'll join the ranks of satisfied career changers!!

Since starting this post I received acceptance into a BSN program and have reserved my seat. :) Thank you so much for all the comments. I hope I feel as glad for this decision to expand my skills as many of you do, who have lived through nursing school as a second career. Right now, though, I am overwhelmed at the idea of learning lab values, medications, and tons of procedures.

Terralynn, I know that some clinicals are held at MCCG, but I don't know where else we will be going. On page one of this thread calhoun mentioned a few places like the health department. I don't know where that is. I'm sure they will send us to a variety of locations. I think they split us into small clinical groups and we rotate around, but that is just my assumption and may not be correct. I haven't seen the book you refer to, but I am interested in it and will follow the link. Thanks! Did you reserve your slot?

Congratulations Terralynn!! :yeah:I am so happy for you! It's really exciting (and scary too)!! I'll be doing the summer course because I don't need to be full time in the fall and an easier schedule will work better for me. They did post the date as July 14 in the letter, but on the check-off sheet it has 6/22. Please ask them to verify the correct date so you are not relying on what they told me (in case I have my information wrong). Let me know what they tell you. Everyone else-- I am keeping you in my thoughts!! The waiting is sooo hard!

Hi, Welcome dkwmom and lifeslilangel38! Dkwmom, I met an ASN student from MSC that only had a&p1 when she got accepted. I think anything is possible! Keep your hopes up and if it doesn't happen, consider the ASN and BSN for next time. If you already have a BS degree from an accredited college, most of the BSN requirements for entrance are waived, so the courses needed are very similar to the ASN req's. Lifeslilangel38, congratulations on your upcoming graduation!! :yeah:We are all anxious to know anything you can share about the program. Since I just got an increased work schedule for the summer months (one day after reserving a slot in the summer 3200 course), I'm worried about the workload for that class in particular. But also, How many uniforms do you recommend that we order? I went online to look at them, and they are awful. I think ASN and BSN students all have the same uniform, so your advice on this will help us all. Can we wear any white pants or do they have to be those? And what about the top??? Is the plain white scrub top for girls and guys or do the females all wear the zip up tunic? I see MSC nursing students at work all the time and it seems like the women are always in the zip tunic tops. For some crazy hopeful reason, I was certain someone would rethink the design for next year. Oh well... Finally, I have gotten nervous (reading many nursing threads), that it seems common for students to fail tests and clinicals. Did any of your classmates have this happen?? Thanks in advance for any info you can give us!!!

Thank you Lvance7. I'm so sorry that you did not get the BSN, but I am keeping hopeful for you with the ASN. Those letters might be on their way sooner than you think. It seems like they announce their expected mailing dates as later than they really are. I don't know if they do this to allow more flexibility with mailings or to prevent lots of student calls to the office ...

Thanks, Terralyn!! Sometimes the mail I send to my CA family gets there quick and sometimes it takes a little longer... I wish it was more predictable. Also, some of you applied for both BSN and ASN programs. I don't know if that affects the selection or mailing procedures. I only applied for the BSN. One more thing, if they do their mailing alphabetically, my last name starts with an F... I know everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting ..... Stay positive!!

My internet has been down for a day, so I didn't know about Terralyn's message. But she was right about the BSN letters! I got mine yesterday!! CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES!!! My letter had some conflicting information, though. It stated I had "provisional acceptance" based upon my finishing 4-5 courses by fall-- some I didn't know about needing and others I had already taken. That concerned and confused me, because shouldn't they know what I had already taken? I called the office and it was just a mistake, so everything is OK! With that, make sure to read your letters carefully and call the office with any questions-- they are really helpful and if you have to leave a message like I did, they did great with calling back. There is another mistake in the packet-- the orientation date is listed as 2 different dates (one June, one July). But there is only one orientation. They told me the one in July is the correct date, but please verify that for yourselves, so I am not misinforming anyone. Please report back to our "group" if you are given different information regarding this. If you get your letter, know that you have to reserve your seat right away-- they don't give much time for this. You also have to order the background check (even less time given), but it is done online. I went to the school to reserve my seat this morning and registered for my CPR course at the same time. I know it sounds overwhelming, but your packet explains everything. Also, when you go to do these things, take the check-off sheet they provide, because they will sign off on your reservation, CPR registration, or anything else you do. I hope this helps!! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!! :)

Well, we made it to April. My semester is winding down-- no more big challenges until finals week. Hope everyone is getting through this semester OK. I'm thinking we could hear any time now, probably within the next few weeks. I do think we'll hear in April, judging from all the other schools that are starting to get their letters out. Good luck everyone!

Your back-up plan (the having a baby part) sounds great, Terralyn. That would be a real diversion-- trust me on that!! The lack of activity on this thread in the past few days probably attests to the fact that we have all been busy with tests and projects due. I know I have! Anyway, that helps pass the time until we hear back on acceptances...