CalemoEKG

congrats!! I graduate next week. It went by so freaking fast. You will be done before you know it.

The key in a code (i have been a tech in ICU for 2 years and i am completing my RN preceptorship in MICU so i have experienced a couple) is to stand back for a second, and calculate. So many people rush in thinking theyre going to save this life (it is important to move fast but sometimes the adreniline is so overpowering you need to re-group) and they dont just take a second to think. Ask yourself what is going on, does EVERYBODY that is currently in the room NEED to be in the room, whats the least invasive thing you could do that could fix the issue, etc. Codes can be SOOOOO chaotic. For instance i had one just last night. 700 pound CHF patient that had developed MASSIVE edema in the lungs. He started to brady down and we had to titrate the pressors like crazy for 45 minutes or so so that we could keep his BP up. We knew he was going to code and we were prepping for it for a whole hour (we bagged for 45 min while setting him up on with pads, backboard, meds, etc etc), and the code was still chaotic!!! There must have been 15 people in that room and we only needed 5. Codes are crazy unless you have the right people working em. My first time doing cpr though was on a 103 y/o male and when i compressed, well his chest cave in and i believe i broke every bone in that guys body. Of course he died and it shook me up for a while. Its not normal if it doesnt shake you up. I dont believe we were meant to do anything like this as humans, its not normal. After a while you become jaded but i hope you are liking your job still. Stick with it!! It can be so rewarding.

I dont know about yours. But MOST of the the questions asked in my interview revolved around how i would deal with the families, especially in emergency situations. I wasnt prepped for that topic much (thinking back i should have been, stupid me). Hope your interview went well!!

Im happy to hear that you got the job!! It can be so stressfull these days as a new grad. I recently got hired at Arkansas Childrens in the PICU as a new grad. I start in July out there. I hope everything works out well for you. Congrats!!!

I worked as a tech in the stepdown and MICU/SICU units at an adult hospital. Peds critical care is what i wanted though so i applied and got in as a new grad. The experience you will recieve at any LARGE hospital, no matter what specialty, will help you be a better nurse. Nothing can prepare you for your patient coding like, being involved in other codes (just as an example) (and yes PICU is different than MICU, but i feel i am much better prepared with that experience i got as a tech). All the little experiences add up to help your patient care quality.

Aviator Scrubs are by far the best. They are an investment but they will last FOREVER. I reccomend getting EXACTLY the pockets you want (they can be made custom) and then they will be yours for 20 years. I use their scrub tops and then 511 or la police gear tactical pants.

I am in my second semester and i spend 20 plus hours on campus a week..not including lab time you need to get or personal study time(alot of reading for fundies). I agree that the first semester was easy.....The second is when you get the "trifecta" they call it...A&P2, Micro, and Fundies.....I start clinicals next month so ill let you know how it goes!!!! :):):)

hey tritons9....i am in my second semester so when you get in i will just be going into medsurg and pharm.....Kaplan is a great school for one thing....getting your RN and passing the NCLEX....isnt that what nursing school is for? People are always dogging on Kaplan for stuff but it is actually a pretty good school. The first semester is not realistic though as far as the kind of work load you will get later on....be prepared going into your second.... As for all the nimnods saying that Kaplan is crap....please go get on a 3 year waiting list at a JC program so i dont have to spend two years in school with you. :):):):)

I would say that your chances of getting into the adn program with a BS degree is really high. From what i hear those that are either an LVN or have a BS get in with a lower TEAS score (75 to 80), whereas others need to get higher than an 80 to get in. I scored an 81.8 and got in with my only experience being through their patient care tech program. Im sure that if you score well you will get in. :):):):):) Hope all goes well.

Hey RNtobeRochelle, just wanted to say congrats on getting in!!! I got in too!! I cant wait till may. Itll be a crazy couple of years. Congrats again. See you soon.

Of course i just read your posts that you did. Pardon my stupidity. Congrats!!! Itll be a crazy two years. Welcome to hell. Haha. See you there.

Hey EMThalvy. Just wanted to let you know that i got in for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You?????

Oh cool, where did you work? My dad is a medic (has been for almost 30 years) and RN. My brother is an EMT in SD. Yeah i really think the early app will help. Plus like me you are a kaplan grad so you get extra points. Well both be there in May.

EMThalvy, Ya, my rep told me that they will give me a call and email me in the next two weeks so.....we will see what happens. I really think well be fine considering we went for the early deadline (less people). Your a paramedic right?

EMThalvy, Hey ya i got an email saying i was in. But then the other day talking to my rep it did not seem to be for sure. I dont know. I am freaking out cause i got the idea it was for sure. I scored an 81 on the teas but i guess that might not have been enough. I thought it was for sure from the sound of it but that does not seem to be the case now.. Please keep me posted on when you get in. Heres my personal email, [email protected] . Lets keep in touch since well prob be in the same program.