kahlo

Southern cali!? Sounds nice!! Unfortunately -- I'm stuck on the east coast in New York. There's major hospitals in the city and boros -- so hopefully, i'll stand a good chance to begin in a NICU. Many of my new grad friends are beginning in med-surg units, it's easy to get into -- but that holds absolutely no interest for me what-so-ever.

Thank you all for your replies and experience with this Judging from your opinions, this type of position is not at all realistic for me to start my career in. I suppose that i was just hopeful that it could be done! I'm going on the interview a week from today -- and will try my best to impress the recruiter and speak to her about a position in soley in NICU.

thank you for all your replies! i was thinking along the same lines -- i was a little nervous about all three positions at once. but got so excited at the idea of getting into NICU off the bat. i'll see what the position entails, and the orientation time. if it's not up to par, i'll ask about beginning in NICU alone. i would think that you would need a year just to feel comfortable in NICU, before throwing in PICU. thank you all so much!

I'm definitely asking about orientation time for each section -- NICU, PICU and peds. I would like to spend at least 8 weeks in each - we'll see how realistic that idea is. But in response to fergus51's post -- i AM a new grad, January 2006. Do you think it's not a good situation for a new grad to go to? I would think that with ample and thorough training, that it could work out well.

I'm going on an interview next week for a position with the "pediatric resource team" -- in which you do PICU, NICU and peds. Has anyone heard of a position like this? I think that neonates and children vastly different, and that it would be a different set of skills for each one. Any input or experience with this type of position?

Congratulations on finishing all the pre-reqs and applying! Now for the waiting part Answers to your questions, based on my experience at BMCC - 1 -In the clinical classes, you're subdivided into groups at the hospitals. So each group goes with one clinical instructor to the floor. I wouldn't think that you would really need to be in the same clinical, in order to study together. Although if you were in the same hospital, and met after clinicals to study, this would be helpful! But its not necessary to be assigned to the same group. 2 - OMG, yes you have to wear a uniform to the saturday clincals at the hospital (but not in lectures at night). For us, they were horrible blue and white uniforms, reminicent of a hotel maid's uniform:lol2: . Although i did hear a rumor that they were going to update them? 3 - You do need to be certified in CPR, BLS. Go for the 2 year certification from the American Red Cross. You'll be thankful when you don't have to renew it in the middle of the program. 4 - You do need to purchase malpractice insurance -- From NSO, which is also online, it can be purchased for $20/yr. 5 - I honestly cannot remember the orientation for clinicals. 6- Our first year, we were sent to Bellvue Hospital and Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Center. I'm not sure what you mean, about "how does that work". The first day, our group took a tour of the floor and basically got to know a hospital -- where everything was, how things ran. Other hospitals were Metropolitan, Bronx Lebanon, Lincoln, Woodhull, Cabrini. 7 - You're allowed to miss only ONE saturday clinical for the entire semester. So if you're sure that you can make every other one, then personally, i would go for it. I missed clinical for weddings and important family functions. But i attended every other clinical before and after that. Good luck with school and if you have any other questions, you can PM me!

The evening program at BMCC requires that you complete most of the pre-requisites first -- A & P I & II, Micro, Math, English and speech. Once you're in the clinicals -- it runs two lectures during the week, from 5:45 pm - 9:15 pm. The only clinical is on Saturday from 8 am - 4 pm. Good luck!

I graduated from Borough of Manhattan CC in December from the evening program. The lecture classes were all at night from 5:30-ish to 9:30. Our clinicals were on Saturday morning though, from 8 am - 4pm. http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/health/nursing/NUR.html

The questions on the tests do require some more thought -- some are just a yes or no question. But most require some more thought -- such as a "what if" or "what first". It takes some getting used to -- but it's not that difficult. I would recommend getting some review books, such as Mosby's, Saunder's or Lippincotts for Fundamental Nursing. Most of them come with review cd-roms, and they're a wonderful review tool . Also -- save these for studying for the NCLEX!!! Good luck with the program!

Hi all -- I am currently in my fourth (AND LAST) semester of nursing school at BMCC. What can i say, hmmmm. I think its a decent school, it prepares you well in the basics of nursing skills. As far clinical experience - I don't feel very prepared for the "real world" of hospitals. Our clinicals are every Saturday from 8 am - 4pm. This alone does not give you many hours per semester to get that hands-on experience. However, I do feel that i have the basics down and have the knowledge to learn when on the job (with a good preceptorship program). I think that BMCC overall, does not have the best reputation in the CUNY system. However, the nursing program is an exception within this school, as well as the nursing students. We tend to be more serious and dedicated to our eduation (this is all my personal opinion:D) Currently, in fourth semester we have 41 people in the night class -- with unfortunately many people not doing so well. I don't know the exact numbers of people dropping the class, as the deadline for dropping is this Tuesday; but i expect at least 15 to drop. Many people have been getting failing marks on the exams -- whether this is a final "weeding out" process or whatever, i don't know. Any questions, feel free to ask!

Hi Amber As far as i know, NYU is open to all nurses, not just ones that graduate from NYU. I have heard that they only take BSN nurses, which is no problem for you. I would start the license process when you take the NCLEX in Louisiana, for us it's not a long process. Just have to submit your paperwork to the NY BON, and take the NCLEX. It took my friend 3 months to get her LPN license. There are several Magnet hospitals in NY -- take a look at these: Elmhurst Hospital Hospital for Special Surgery Mount Sinai Hospital If you looked slightly outside the city; North Shore Hospital in LI has a great reputation as well. NY Presbyterian has a great program for new grad nurses, and i believe they're applying for Magnet status this year (?). I know that Magnet status is not the end all, but hopefully is a good indicator of their attitude towards their nurses :) Good luck!

don't get discouraged! :wink2: keep contacting hospitals, to see if they have rolling orientation programs. or do you have your eyes on a specific hospital, with a specific orientation program?

i think she means ---- if you've never had a child, but are encouraging someone who is in the process of having a baby, and telling them what to do to help the process. i suppose it's a little ironic, that you're coaching someone on what to do, when you've never done it!!!

good for you jen -- you have to realize what you're capable of, and not expect that you can deal with a situation like that, especially when your body is telling you otherwise. good luck in the meeting -- hopefully they'll design a more thorough orientation --- or you can find a hospital that will have one in place for new grads already.

i'm so sorry that this is your first job experience. i don't think that you're being sensible about the situation that you described. i think that a more thorough orientation is definitely needed; you shouldn't be expected to function on the level that these patient's needs require -- especially if they expect you to float to diff dept! i'm still in school but i agree with the post above; that you need to sit down with your nurse manager and make a plan that gives you the skills that you need. another important point: continuing to work in this manner will put your license and your health on the line, as well as the health of the patients you're caring for.