MrsMig

Hello I have recently accepted a school nurse position and I'm excited for the change from the high pressure specialty of the OR. I have been a nurse for 15 years and have had my BSN for 10 years. I've decided to go back to school for my MSN to increase my pay. Looking for insight on those who have done the same I.e. pros vs cons. I'm 55 and have 10-12 left in me to work and think, financially, it makes sense. Am I right? I think I found the program that best suits me $-wise and I'm also fortunate that my district will reimburse 8 credits per school year. Anyhow, any thoughts, suggestions or comments welcomed.

I agree, I wish I was being taught to scrub but only circulating. In our hospital it's just not feasable.

Interesting question and I never thought to ask that! It it because death doesn't scare me as I came from working Hospice the last 5 years or because I'm green in the OR with only 6 month experience?? @Rose_Queen provided such a great detailed response and I found it very insightful!

Hello As I previously mentioned, this is a small hospital so there is no set routine. With that said, I am finalizing periop on-line modules independently and being precepted elsewhere (OR and some PACU). I have one module left to complete and will start studying as I have until 5/26 to complete my 3 attempts to pass the final test. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the periop modules as modern technology has come so far but yet it seems antiquated in it's format but it's easy enough. I have the 2020 AORN Guidelines for Periop. In the OR, I have been trained as circulator in these specialties: Endoscopy, General, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, OB/GYN, and Podiatry. I am currently at my 6 month mark and am taking on-call solo with 'buddy call.' Of course, I still have lots to learn until I'm seasoned and confident. I think Ortho is the most overwhelming d/t positioning, implants & MD preferences and OB/GYN is also involved when multiple repairs need to be performed. We also do emergency c-sections as this hospital is just small. But I feel it's going well and I'm being told the same. Of course there's been times when I feel things didn't go smooth either on the preceptors side or mine but overall, I'm learning a lot and the group I work with are dedicated and knowledgeable. Any tips or tid-bits of knowledge?

My original post I mistyped so I edited it. I had CNOR (goals) on the brain but I'm in Peri Op 101. Sorry for the confusion!

Any recommendations for a good study guide?

I just don't understand why some of the nursing community is not supportive. Yes some are but some are just down right mean and not supportive and it boggles me because we all benefit when we succeed and it's about the patient!! Anyhow, I wish you luck. I honestly believe you can do anything you put your mind to. I'm a new OR nurse - just 3 months now and the small hospital who hired me took a chance on me with no OR experience and I'm so grateful for it and dare I say, I'm killing it ?

@Rose_Queen - thank you! I was wondering as I saw they were texts books. I just started training this week in the OR of a small hospital. I have a preceptor and have been told we will start periop soon so I'm trying to get an idea of what's to come so that I may be prepared. I guess I will have to wait and see.

@RickyRescueRN Were those text books you mentioned a recommendation from the periop program or a preceptor? Did you use them in conjunction to the program ?

What state are u from? 9 weeks is loooong! Lol. I was the sole nurse for 180 campers and about 35 counselors! For only 2 weeks...How do I get a camp to realize they need to hire more staff?

Wow, so many of these responses are well thought out and just all around valid complaints. Thanks you all.

I'm curious to hear how everyone is doing? As you saw from my diabetic thread, I had that issue to contend with. No major (knock on wood) issues. Had a counselor pass out; toe nail ripped off that then became infected and have since learned that is fractured; strep throat; horrible virus (cold sx's) outbreak; and the other usuals. Overall I enjoyed and was able handle my first camp experience but man do I have long days! Up @ 7am and going all day and shut down @10pm and tell everyone 'don't come unless you are dying!' Lol. I was woken in the middle if the night several times until I snapped and told everyone 'no' (silly reasons) I'm exhausted but luckily leave Saturday. Two weeks is plenty for me...or if there is another camp where I get more breaks?? Anyhow, So much more to say but I must go as I have visitors (shocker)...oh and TONS of home sickness from older girls! Cheryl, RN (passed my boards..new initials)

Thanks for all the replies. The short version? I had the parents obtain a MD order stating meter and strips should be on her at all times and that she is monitoring BGS w/o medical supervision (as they wanted her to randomly check in). All insulins, sharps & waste are kept with me. So far, so good. She's actually very capable ...but as you all know, it goes beyond that in this type of setting. Oh and my camp director was useless. I just took control as I got no guidance from anyone... Soooo although it worked out, I wonder if this is the place for me long term??! Any how, thanks again!

Okay -- so I leave for camp this coming weekend and I am all ready faced with an issue :::sigh::: I have a camper, 15 y/o who is a controlled diabetic on a pump. I have been in contact with the parents and they have informed me that in the past, this camper was allowed to carry her diabetic supplies on her person at all times and only check in with me in the evening. Obviously, I was not comfortable with this and contacted the previous nurse. His response was, "that did not happen." Sooooo, I'm obviously dealing with a camper & parent who feels they should not be keeping all sharps, testing supplies & supplies @ the infirmary. I have not contacted mom and am trying to finalize what I'm going to say to her but am hoping that someone might give me some guidance of a foolproof statement (so to speak) that they can not argue with. I'm comfortable with the camper coming and going and testing on her own (as mom requested) but it's the whole bloodborne pathogen issue and safety of sharps (although potentially minor) to the other campers. Any insight? Mom may take it easily but I'm trying to be prepared before calling her and I want to inform her that ALL campers are my #1 priority but didn't know if anyone had some documentation or wording that supports this in the Camp environment. I mean, we all know this girl has to check and keep all supplies in a school setting....camp is also a controlled environment but what regulations can I refer to?

Just looked -- my results are in and I have a lic #!! Let me tell ya -- there's nothing cooler than seeing your name with a lic #!! Hope you all get to see yours today too!

Done @ 75 questions and felt confident the whole way through! Got good pop up and enjoying a HUGE glass of wine ::sigh:: it's a long road and I'm confident with the PVT (did with LPN and it works)... good luck to all!! My advice -- take the time and READ the question over and over...not read into it but READ all the words to make sure you are reading it accurately!

Took it today! 75 questions and good pop up -- honestly, I felt like I rocked it today! I feel confident. However, I may have an advantage on some of you as I've taken the boards before for my LPN. I TOTALLY feel confident in the PVT ... enjoy!!

Well tomorrows the big day for me. I've been mainly studying content and test taking strategies. I'm remaining confident and will spend the remaining of the day just 'reviewing' I hope I have a good PVT to report...my test isn't until 2 pm Good luck to all who are testing soon. Just breathe and take your time reading the questions and you will do great!!

You are SOOOO lucky it turned out positive for you! I can't tell you how many times we are told not to bring our phones. PEOPLE -- leave your phone in your cars!! lol -- phew for you!!

I would definitely go get your margarita -- who cares what time it is I am also feeling the same way as you and will be humilated if I don't pass. Also, I don't know if I'm over doing it but seem to be tanking @ my questions... arg, I was never this stressed with my LPN and passed my first try with 86 questions ::sigh::

Here ya go -- Main Menu - NCLEX-RN 3500 - Institutional Version

You are crazy ! Good luck girl -- sounds like you are prepared. Keep us posted.

That's the good pop up -- sounds like you passed to me