CSPaddock

They are both good programs associated with good hospitals. The difference, one costs more and is more widely known throughout the US. Where you get your nursing degree does not play a single factor in where you can get a job or the number of opportunities. I have my RN from a diploma program and I had more experience than many other BSN grads because they received half the clinical experience I did. A key factor, find out how much clinical time is spent in the hospital. Both programs are associated with hospitals, so you will most likely have clinical priority over other local programs. Find out who offers the most clinical experience. Also check out the percentage of their NCLEX pass rate. My school had a 99% pass rate! Overall, he reputation and cost of the school will not affect your nursing career. I would suggest to more on the prestigious schools for your advance practice.

I'm interested in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital's ED. Do you work there? if so, I may have met you. I did my senior externship there. I finally narrowed my choices and applied to the ED internship, the ICU internship and burn/trauma stepdown. I've graduated :balloons: and just waiting to hear from everyone now. If you work at SNGH's ED, do you have any tips on the application process? -Cassie:nurse:

Help, I am graduating with my RN in a week and I STILL do not know where I want to work!!! Unlike many in my class, I did not enter nursing school knowing where I wanted to work. The reason for my delay in applying is because I wanted to complete my senior externship in the ED. I loved the ED, I am a very social adrenaline junky and I love the fast pace. My externship was at a level 1 trauma center at a large teaching hospital in VA (They are currently renovating & expanding the ED). I would love to work there, and they do offer an internship program for new grads. Here's the problem though, I know it would be wise to have a year of floor experience. In addition to emergency/trauma nursing, I have an interest in critical care & cardiac. So my considerations at the moment are the ED, HICU, cardiac stepdown, & burn/truama stepdown. I recently had a shadow day on the HICU & on a cardiac stepdown unit at the same hospital ( It is ranked in USA Today's top50 for cardiac). I was initially leaning towared the HICU, b/c it would be wonderful experience to work in an involved cardiac unit as a new grad, in addition to the new heart hospital. The new addition will be state of the art, and I would be going in learning the new unit with everyone else (Also, not a bad thing to have on your resume as a new grad ) The HICU was nice, I am sure it gets quite busy and you have greater social relationships with the patients. I am worried that I become bored though. A CCU nurse I recently spoke with said that if I like the ED, I would get bored in HICU, even as a new grad. Also, I question my ability to handle the greater psychosocial issue. My other shadow was on a cardiac stepdown. It is a tele floor with CHF, CAD and post cath patients. They appeared to have a great support system on all levels of care, many new hires were in their 20's and 30's (I'm 24) in addition to many experienced nurses. This unit will also be moving to the new heart hospital. However, it appeared very quiet with a slower pace. My last consideration besides the ED is a burn/trauma stepdown unit. This unit would be great experience for the ED; lots of neuro pt's, GSW's, back injuries, burns, etc. I have had clinicals on this unit twice,I really enjoyed the diversity of patients seen and the excitement. They have a good management team. The staff does not seem as cohesive as the other units, and the support from CNA's and other nurses can be either wonderful or terrible. Typical patient load is 5 to 6 patients per pod, with 3 to 4 in the stepdown pods. I recently completed 4 patient management on this unit, on my 2nd day the CNA was late, and not very helpful ( I had to do much of the her work myself)I know those tasks are ultimatley my responsiblity, but I am so frightened. How can I handle caring for 6 patients if I am doing everything ( meds, wound care, VS, Labs, BS checks, hygiene, etc)!???? My instructors are very supportive of me, one says I have been her best student (although I don't believe it, there is much room for improvement) As you all can tell, I just don't know which to choose. I guess I am going to apply to each. Perhaps my choices will be narrowed depending on who will interview and hire me. They are all at the same hospital, so there won't be much to compare in terms of the 'better offer'. I know I can always change jobs at some point, but I want to make the right decision (I may also move to another city or state in the future, and would like to have the option to work in the ED or perhaps even critical care). Does anyone have any advice or recommendations? Thanks, Cassie

Hello! I am graduating soon, and I need to begin buying scrubs. I am a very skinny and I am having quite a bit of trouble finding scrubs that fit me well. Everything I seem to try on (including all XS scrubs)are extremely baggy, especially in the butt and thigh region. They make me look like I have 'diaper butt'. I normally wear a missses size 0 or juniors size 2, and I am 5'8'....so I am unable to wear the petie scrubs b/c they are too short. I am not looking for very tight scrubs, just something that is a little bit more form fitting (that doesnt make me look like I am swimming in my scrubs). I really like the slightly flare leg pants, and the lowrider pants too (as long as they are not too low - waist high pants irritate my stomach). Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks - Cassie

Thank you for your information. it was very helpful

Hi, I am currently an RN student at Sentara. I have just completed my first year and I think they have a great program. Like any program though, it has it's kinks that need to be worked out. lack of communication between staff and between students in my largest gripe. I too had to weigh my options on which school to attend. ODU has nice program also, however you do not get nearly half the clinical experience that you do at Sentara. We begin clinicals our first semester. Feel free to e-mail me with more questions. Good luck in the search. Cassie

Hello, I am currently an RN student at a local hospital program in Virginia. It is a wonderful and challenging program. We have no obligation to remain in the area and work for the hospital, however, other options are not presented to us and most of our professors expect us to remain in the area. I have been having a tough time trying to figure out where I want to go and what I want to do when I complete my RN. I am 23 and I would like to move from the area such as Charlotte, NC; Wash. D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA;memphis, TN... or perhaps travel. I love cardiac nursing and have yet to complete my peds rotation (I am quite excited, for I love children and I have been told i have a gift with them). I was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on what my options as a RN are. I eventually wish to get my BSN, but I would like to earn some money to pay off school loans, and begin my life. There are many things I am unsure of becuase my school 'takes care' of pretty much everything for us. I have many questions such as: Which areas in the US have the best salaries? Can I travel and choose to work in a specialty? How do I begin travel nursing? Which agency is the best? How does it all work? Can you travel internationally? How are the nursing jobs in different cities?..The list goes on. Any information on what to do and even places to go would be helpful. Thank You Cassie