PatchyPu

I hate to say it but I am your future, as I went in as a new grad in med surg, moved on to tele and now wanting to go into OB before I start grad school. I work for the top paying hospital network in California and I am having a hard time getting into L&D, and don't want to leave to go get experience. Ugh.

Am I the only one?? Hello all! I recently started a new grad program in a 515 bed medical center in Southern California. I'm 3 weeks in (Medical-Surgical Unit) my orientation and I am beginning to feel that new grad anxiety, realizing how much I am expected to know and practice after my 10 week orientation. Although I did great in school, worked for this medical center for over a year while in school, I had no idea of the amount of policies, procedures, forms and protocols I was expected to know. Off the top my head, I have to know SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Project JCO) our pneumonia immunization protocol, our MI and CHF discharge protocols, give betablockers even if NPO, 24/48 hour initiations of VTE orders, use this form, that form, this documentation for each move that I make be it a transfer, in house transfer, admit, discharge, etc etc etc. I know that each and everyone of you had to go through this! Please tell me it gets better!! I know my brain just got overloaded the last 3 weeks but luckily I had a few good days off to come home and study all this new info. Anyone want to share their experience? Any advice?

Graduated June 11, pinned on June 12th. Got married, went on honeynoon and now time for the NCLEX Aug 6th! Had a job offfer before graduation and I'm in California so best advice, keep your eyes open before the sun rises (get it?) :)) best wishes!

So you take the NCLEX and around the same time, your status changed so we can assume it had something to do with your results. Do not worry! If you failed the test, it would cancel your interim permit. When you pass the NCLEX, it does not "cancel" your RN, as you were not an RN before, it simply closes your intial application because it is comeplete! You should have your license post shortly and congrats!!

I started in 2012 and just graduated June 12th. It's a very good program and they are a little aggressive when it comes to preparing your for the ultimate exam, the NCLEX. A few things that I wish I knew before I started. 1.Each semester, you will have to volunteer 8 hours. This is usually med-surg related, and there are plenty of opportunities but get it done early. 2. There are these "study guides" that are emailed around from previous co-horts. It is not cheating, there are no test questions or answers, as it is just summarized readings and info to help you focus on the main ingredients of your readings. Use them if you want but personally I prefer studying on my own. 3. Simulation. Each semester you will have to demonstrate competencies such as foley catheter insertions, enemas, even physical assessment. Pay attention to those procedures because it is extremely anxiety provoking during the pass/fail simulations. You will also have med-math exams on the first day of each med-surg class, each semester. Study the practice exam as it is EXACTLY the same type of questions. 4. Yes, read the book. 5. Everyone will pass. Only a few people in our entire co-hort either dropped out or failed. 6. Pharm is the hardest class for most, not all, so study your butt off! 7. Every semester, plan to pay $112 for Kaplan and only take 1 or 2 kaplan tests the entire semester. You think its a waste of money but really you are buying a package that includes a NCLEX 4 day review class after you graduate. I think it is reasonable to work while in school, especially if you have no children or huge responsibilities. The last year of school I worked as a student nurse at a hospital in which I did my clincals. I also precepted at this hospital. You will love it! Nursing school was not meant to be easy but it was not meant to be med school either. I did it with 2 kids and then 3 kids (stepson) towards the end, and I lived 25 miles away.

Yea it blatantly say's "I have applied to LACC, LAVC and Glendale Community College AS Nursing Programs. I was accepted to all of them for the upcoming semester. "

JennyandPups, I am currently a second semester RN student, so I honestly don't know too much about Glendale Adventist's New Grad program. The internship starts mid-summer. Glendale Adventist has a great reputation, as it is a Seventh Day Adventist hospital. You should visit the website and look around! Good luck :)!

Aww, well good for Patrick. I almost forgot about this post! I really wanted Critical Care but I got the Med-Surg internship, which might really be best for me since it covers so much. Know of anyone else?

Anyone?

Hello everyone... for those of you that have applied, have you received any information yet? I did an online webcam/question session but haven't heard anything since then. I wonder what happens next.

Most of the people I have talked to have at least a 3.4 GPA in all their courses. But that's not a lot of people given the fact most don't talk about their GPA's. I had exactly 3.4. Also, TEAS is very important. I got a 82% which is pretty good, contrary to all the grading we've ever known. Dont stress too much. GCC is one of the last schools in the Los Angeles County to send acceptance letters so much students who applied already accepted Nursing School somewhere else rather than decline and risk a denial at Glendale. I know lots of students where were either alternates or denied all together and then got phone calls to come to the program, almost as if they were desperate to fill seats. They have a night and weekend program but in the summer and winter sessions we all are in the same classed which are from noon to afternoon. Weekend evening during the full semesters are more exactly evening and weekend! Good luck and apply to as many schools as possible. I know Med students who are using community college nursing schools as a plan b!

TPIElO--:-) -z

I'm a RN student and can't help you but man oh man does that sound great!

I got accepted may 17th and orientation started June 11th... class started 7 days later. I just wrapped up the summer intersession on Thursday and can't believe how fast this all happened. Its not supposed to be easy but I didn't find it incredibly hard either. Fall semester I will brace for shock.

Glendale Community College : Application there you go!

I just started my nursing program 2 weeks ago and yes, it isnt easy but it isnt unbearably hard either. Even though I havent eaten the meat and potatoes of nursing school yet, I have experience in heavy workload classes. My youngest is 9 months and my oldest is 2! yes! I did it! I also just graduated June 16th with my associates in biological sciences and physical sciences all while studying for entrance exams, etc etc etc. THE BEST ADVICE is to take a look at your day, your routines, and you kids' personalities. Now, organize your daily routines so that they overlap when your kids dont usually need you, like playing, napping or watching a cartoon or two. My kids play alone without me for hours with an occasional bottle of milk or changed diaper during that time. YOU CAN DO IT trust me I hear time and time again how mothers do so well in school because we possess a different ability to multitask and make it happen! Also our kids drive us. I just got off the phone with a girlfriend of mine and told her now I do not feel guilty anymore for having to study and focus on school so much. Feel guilty if you dont apply yourself to better their lives later!! Bless you and I hope you experience a great nursing experience!

Orientation was nice, very informative. At first everyone seemed so tense but after the prof warmed us up, it was more relaxed. Nice diverse group of people. And honestly, yes it will be a lot of work, but I welcome it!

Hey, some peoples paychecks might be as low as $2000, but you don't know their financial situation. Some may not have rent to pay or loans to pay off. We can all dream as big as we want. Just don't say you're going to buy a mansion. Lol I pretty much make as much now as I expect to make on my first few checks but the expenses of school and day care might be out the window when that happens!

Everytime I see a New RN grad program, they require BSNs. It's a little dissappointing.

So you focus on the flaw I'm my post and offer no help, no insight at all. Okay there is no shortage........ did that help answer my question?

I've never heard of all these new grad programs before I started nursing school. Is this a new trend in an attempt to hire/train new nurses for the shortage or has this been going on for some time?

Thanks. I have lost weight before, many of times. But after having two babies in less than 2 years, my body is just, jacked up. I always had a hard time keeping weight off, but now, it's so hard! So, no more excuses, I simply cannot eat like everyone else.

Vikont, while I understand your arguement, it sort of ticks me off when people like you, who are going to a community funded college, where a lot of people on financial aid, welfare recipents, probation work study programs, go to college. Imagine how many of us smart, dedicated people who may not have the money or socioeconomic staus to go to 4 year universities would be barred from becoming nurses. There are people with BSN's who will give you a taste of your own medicine makeing you feel less than because you don't have what it takes to come into the nursing game with higher stats. So just like us who have a lot of responsibilites like children and working 3 jobs, we deserve that chance. I went through two pregnancies while doing my pre-reqs and that doesn't make me any less than because of my 3.4 gpa. If I didn't have those responsibilities, I'd have a 5.0 gpa (the extra point for being awesome).

How did you do it, GrnTea? That is amazing. I need to lose exactly 85 lbs. The good thing about being a fat nurse, or proir fat nurse, is knowing both sides of the spectrum. It is hard, no one wants to be fat. Not all fat people stuff their mouthes with twinkies all day to get that way.

And I absolutely hate how derogatory words for blacks are always compared to the use of other derogatory words. Simply calling someone an N word because of their melanin production and geographical existance is not comparble to anything else. Good luck in life with your mindset.