julie978

The GRE does not corrolate directly to a students success so many universitys waive this requirement, especially with a solid GPA. When I was looking, I recall that STONEYBROOK in NY did not require the GRE and they have an an online/distance program. I am here in FL and USF does not require the GRE for most programs, as well as FL Atlantic and I believe University of FL may be the same. I am starting MSN at USF in Jan!!! Keep researching, you will find whats right for you. Even if the program *does* require the GRE, you may still get in as an exception based on other factors (language barrier or grades). There are also prep classes for the GRE too, if it comes down to it, especially if it is a "top tier" school they may insist upon the high GRE scores due to competeition. Speak to an advisor. TRY Petersons.com for a search of nursing schools. And Good luck! Julie

No!!! Never too old! This is my second career, and I am looking at 2 more years of the MSN program at USF starting in JAN at the ripe old age of 36. When you look at HOW DARN LONG it takes to work toward retirement- no you are not too old- I mean I will be working HECK, what? 30 more years, so what is another couple of years in school? Those naysayers that bring up your age- could they be afraid of change or afraid of the changes and empowerment this career will bring you? Or even the jealousy- the time spent focusing on something bigger than they are? Good Luck! Julie

Oh yes, the do not use abbreviations....I think computer entry would solve the whole thing easily. No messy handwriting to guess at and the computer could be programmed to reject the do not use abbreviations. my facility is years away from that technology though....!

this is a :new nurse: question, but should a pt who is NPO for a procedure have their TPN stopped? From nursing school I just remember NEVER STOP THE TPN, have D5w available to hang if it is stopped. But........of course now that I am out of school 1 yr 4 months later, I am told to do otherwise. (the order for NPO did not specify anything about TPN) hummm, can anyone clarify this for me??? I thought the whole reason for NPO was so the pt did not aspirate on gastric secrections with anethesia...and tpn goes thru a c-line. Thanks for your help! :) Julie

I have been a med surg nurse/new rn 1 yr 4 months. i can say that clinicals are not the same as "real' nursing....clinicals gave us small numbers of pts (not the 8-9 I have now) and lots and lots of support (very unlike i have now) IE at my current job, i have had charge nurses belittle me when i ask questions or ask for help (one called me :helpless- I must have bugged her one too many times) so i can see why quitting and leaving so soon would be tempting... i have thought of it myself if this facility doesn't work out (this is my second job move in 1 yr 4 months and it isn't any better) my advice- from observing the happiest of our classmates- find a niche- casemanagement, icu, public health- but medsurg nursing is far removed from the ideals of the "ivory tower"

taste of urine, ewww. BTW, my Mom is a also nurse and she tells me of the old psych facilities where she took care of pts in the 1960's that had been in the hospital well over 10 years- and some as long as 30. Looking back now, I think can that be possible??? And judging by some of my patients-- maybe they need it??? hee hee!

Public health: check out the salary first, but epidemiology, health inspector (like with Jahco or thru the health dept for ALF or nursing homes etc), or tattoo parlor inspector. Lots of jobs in the regulation of health care...you help patients, but not working directly with them.... g'luck

I have only been a new grad/med-surg nurse now for 11 months and consistently get 7-8 pts, sometimes 9. Last weekend (nights) I refused a 9th patient (new admit) because of the acuity of my other 8. I know I made the manager mad, but who's butt is on the line anyway? I told him, fire me, write me up, I just can't do it. I am seriously worried about losing my license or my mind at this facility. No time to eat, sit, or catch a breath... it sends me home in tears. But, I signed a contract and have another year to go. At this point, I don't care what I owe--I just want out and am looking for another job. I feel it was a mistake to take a "free ride" from this facility in the first place by having them pay for my schooling in advance. And the shame is, I really like med-surg, but not when my patients are widgets- instead of humans. I am really comfortable at 1:6- even 1:7--- and our CNA ratio is typically 1:35 YIKES>

butterburr, sold under the label Petadolex, it is taken daily as a preventative, anti-cholenergic, anti-muscarinic, lots of research done on it, worked well for me...my neurologist recc it. he did not want me to take butterburr from a health food store as if not prepared properly can cause cancer. yikes. you can do a search online, under petadolex and find it. the producer is Weber and Weber, and you take it for a few months then taper off of it for a drug holiday. g'luck

Love my ultra scope, but had to wait until AFTER school to use it, they wanted us to use one with two sides so they could watch us auscultate for bruits with the little bell. harrrumph!

Our hospital is going to uniforms, and this may be the straw that broke the camels back...but since nursing is a science, I have been looking wildly for any evidence (research papers) that uniforms actually increase patient satisfaction...(esp. since most of my pts don't know their own names... of late) has anyone come across any hard numbers that I can throw back at the administration? Julie

hummm....mouth care on pts who really really really need all their teeth pulled (um hey doc, why does he have sepsis???). one gentleman had teeth so bad you could smell them in the hall, and as i was swabbing his brown and black teeth they were bending backwards they were so loose. then you have the other not so with it patients who bite the swab when you put it in their mouth and won't let go. i still haven't figured out any tricks to bypass that!!! :rotfl:

yikes and the docs too??? but, remember that some people do go into the medical profession or other social professions, that deal with vulnerable people, looking for opportunitys to use, abuse or otherwise take advantage of the trust that is put into their hands. He may be just a harmless twit, but he needs reprimanded one way or another.

What would poor Florence think about all this? >shudder Note to self: Florida RN to email her kin state BON. asap.

Since this is a second degree, and second career, I would like to say I am happy. Can't sugar coat it, nursing sure does have its moments and stress! Mostly at my job, from bad management. But, then again, every time I think of my past 6 years as a broker in a market with some very bearish, voluble periods with customers where literally accusing me of making them homeless, stealing their assets, or ruining their Christmas, I can honestly say, Nursing ain't bad! Oh, and add to that being :encouraged: to cross sell products to poor schmucks who didn't know any better? hummm.