BeesMama

I went to nursing school with the goal of becoming an L&D nurse, so when the opportunity presented itself I took it! if you are interested in OB it might be a good fit. If you you're just not liking Med Surg, it might not be. We are very fast paced, very high acuity and high risk and there is a huge learning curve. It's a specialty like none other. Its also total patient care, you don't have aides. Often you have other RNs around if you need physical help, but otherwise it's complete patient care. Ratios are like ICU because things can turn on a dime and when it goes bad, it goes quick! We are a tertiary facility, meaning we take the kinds of patients no one else in the area takes (like really sick pregnant people). So it can be really challenging at times. We circulate c sections as well, which is something most other units don't do. It isn't hard, but it's a lot to learn. i think if your heart is in it, it is an amazing and rewarding job. But if you are not totally invested, it would probably burn you out faster than you can imagine. I am being brutally honest because we have had a lot of nurses try it out and we invest so much in training and helping them out for them to just leave because they don't like it or it wasn't what they were expecting. If you're interested and think you want to see what it's like, our educator is a huge proponent of doing a shadow shift. It's an unpaid shift where you can come and shadow one of the nurses for the day to get an idea of what the day to day is like.

I loved it!! I hired into the adult float unit which is where most new grads get hired. It is supportive and a great learning environment. The preceptors on the various floors were great and I really enjoyed my orientation. I only stayed in the float pool until end of March (I started in January). I moved over to the L&D training and just got off orientation this week. Let me know if you have any other questions! i had a couple of choices and am really glad I went with LBM! I think they are the best choice for a new grad!

I am excited to be starting the new grad program and LBMMC on Monday! Has anyone been through the program? Is there any advice?

Is this for a new application or an endorsement from another state?

Hi, I am graduating from National in LA this month. The prompts change every time. Mine was something along the lines of besides caring why do you want to be a nurse. What they really care about is 1) your ability to write (grammar, sentences, flow, etc). 2) can you follow directions - FOLLOW the prompt. Don't try to make it something that it isn't. If it asks you about why you want to be a nurse (besides caring) talk about the real reason you want to be a nurse. I wouldn't use it as a chance to grandstand or boast about your qualifications if that makes sense.

It was axillary - so near the arm pit. Her airway wasn't compromised during surgery. And I can't think of any evidence for that either. I think I could do anxiety - but I just did that on a previous assignment and she hates seeing the same thing more than once (she is VERY picky)

Ok - so I have to do two nursing diagnosis for the two surgeries that I observed. Here is the catch, only one can be a "risk". I had a patient go for a partial nephrectomy and the other patient had a lymph node excision and lumpectomy. I can think of most of the risks - infection, bleeding, self-image, etc. But for the life of me, I cannot come up with one that isn't a risk. Since my objective that day was to observe surgery, I didn't have the chance to assess the patient (other than quickly in the surgery room - and it was from 4 feet away!). So I have no real "evidence" to support many dxs. I was trying to do altered urinary elimination r/t nephrectomy, presence of Foley catheter and surgical procedure AEB??? He hasn't had a problem yet because I left before the procedure was even finished. I suppose I could assume he had the issues after the fact, but again, it would be purely assuming. I thought I could do disturbed body image - but like with the above - I don't have evidence to support a dx. And we aren't allowed to use pain - so that is out too. I'm at a loss. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! I'm in cohort 10. We started in November 2013. I don't remember my exact GPA but it was roughly 3.5. I got an 87.4 on the TEAS and never asked about my essay score. Our professor was saying they are looking at essays now so you should hopefully hear something soon! Good luck :) happy to answer any questions, too!

I had a frustrating experience with WGU as well. I applied for the OC Cohort last year, was not accepted. Then applied for LA, was not accepted, then applied for Pasadena -- again not accepted. I had a 3.5 GPA, previous degree, but no healthcare experience. I was told getting my CNA might help and healthcare experience might help. But having a family and a FT job - if it won't definitely help, it isn't worth my time. The counselor has been great, but I wouldn't waste my time if you have other options.

I asked someone the same question...don't quote me because I am not sure it is always the same, but white, non slip, fluid resistant shoes!

You can search West Coast University in the search tab and find good info. Not sure what you want to know, though. Have you talked to them yet? It is a for-profit, private university. If you have no pre-reqs to transfer over, it will cost you in the upwards of $135k. It is extremely expensive. Pro is that there is no wait list. Some people will tell you that employers shy away from graduates of West Coast, but the people I have talked to is that a nursing degree from an accredited university, is fine. And WCU is recently accredited through WASC -- which is important. They have a lower pass rate of the NCLEX I believe (I could be wrong though). And there success rate isn't very high - meaning people start but don't finish. It is a block schedule, so you have 9 weeks of class and 1 week of finals (if I am remembering correctly).

I would think working full time would be near impossible unless you are able to work a night shift somewhere. If you do real estate, with your own hours, perhaps it's possible. With National (I'm starting in nov) it would be hard because you never know what your schedule will be until a month or so before the start of class. Best of luck to you!!!

Additionally, my goal (though perhaps it might be too big of one) is to compile my study tools, along with others I find useful, in one place! Blog or something. Along with my experience to get here, how I found my classes, what steps I took to find programs.

Absolutely! That is my goal. If anything, I tend to overshare my study materials!!! Thank you so much!!

I am starting this fall as well! How do we find your pharm cards??

Yay!!! I wonder if it is because no one is in it? I will send the link to you in a PM!

I started a facebook group in the hopes we could all get to know one another! If you search National University LA Cohort X you should be able to find it!

I got in!! :)

I don't understand why the San Diego forum is so much busier than this one! :) Hoping to hear something in the next couple weeks!

Nah, nothing. But school has started now, so this has become a moot point. :) Best of luck to everyone in their endeavors!

Hang in there! Not sure how much you want to spend on school - but West Coast University is also an option. It is spendy, though which is the biggest drawback. You will hear a lot of with negative things to say, but they are WASC accredited. I have asked around at hospitals and where you got the degree isn't nearly as important as having one. What about your volunteer experience? A lot of the BSN programs ask that you write a personal statement for entrance. It is worth beefing up your resume if you can. Ask around at hospitals or LTC facilities. The Clinical Care Extender program has great reviews I think. But if you have some free time, it would be worth the experience and the networking. Though I hate to tell people about it because it still might mean more competition for me :)...you should also look into Western Governor's University. They have online didactic (academic piece) and hands on skills and clinicals. They have an OC program, Pasadena program and LA program.

I would think that you have a better chance of getting into LBCC, if you are already at the school. Do they give any preference to existing students? I am in So Cal as well and it is down right cut throat when it comes to competition. I am currently awaiting my decision for National University LA Cohort 10 -- I had an A in Microbio, A in stats, A in Physio and a C in Anatomy. As far as National is concerned, you are actually docked points for retaking classes. They also include a TEAS score in their admissions process - which I got 88% but there is still no guarantee I got into the program. As far as So Cal is concerned you have the community colleges - most of which have wait lists. I have also heard that it has been extremely difficult to get a job here without a BSN. However, I say that for the hospitals I desire to work in. I don't know about LA or IE hospitals. You also have the state schools that have the BSN programs - some have the ABSN programs (though I don't think you have a BS/BA already?). They are extremely competitive to get into. In 100% honesty, if you are trying to get into one of those, you would have to increase your GPA I think. In my research, Biola only accepted Biola students and I don't think they had an ABSN program, so I didn't pursue them further. They might be an OK option. CSULB will most likely be very competitive. Again, I was looking more at the ABSN program, so I don't know what the admissions process/requirements are for a BSN. I have heard great things about Mt. Saint Mary's -- off the top of my head I couldn't tell you much about the admissions process. I vaguely remember someone saying that it was difficult, but not impossible. I think you need to consider what you want to do right now and just start looking at the application periods for whatever you want to pursue. If you want an ADN -- make sure you really focus on getting a decent grade in Physio this fall. On that note -- maybe take advantage of campus resources - tutoring, study labs, office hours, etc. As far as CC - you have Santa Ana (their wait list was recently re-opened I believe), Golden West, Saddleback, LBCC, Rio Hondo, Chaffey, Evergreen (I think that is the name). I've been in the process of getting into nursing school here in SoCal for 3 years now -- so happy to answer any questions you have. I have applied to Concordia ABSN - rejected, Western Health Sciences University - wait listed, Western Governor's OC Cohort and Pasadena Cohort - rejected. Currently I am waiting to hear if I made it into National. So I have done some research!

Crickets.... I take it no one else from the alternate list has been accepted?