genwrites

Don't get an ADN. Here in New Jersey no one will look at you with an ADN. They only want BSNs, and even BSNs are having problems.

I too was hired as a charge nurse shortly after graduation. I felt that the long-term LPNs there knew more than I did and never missed an opportunity to learn from them. That said, the job entailed loads of paperwork, and I didn't feel as if it it was advancing my nursing skills or career at all. I was uncomfortable with the fact that my license was on the line for anything that might go wrong since there were no other RNs or medical professionals on board during my shift. Even if I wasn't responsible, because I was newly licensed I was sure people would assume I was responsible. Being a CNA employee does not prove you worthy. It means you have a personality they like and are good with patients. I think in order to do the job you have to have some experience. The posts I read on this site said the same but I ignored them. I graduated among the top of my class, but I think experience is more important. Might be better to work on the floor before assuming charge responsibilites.

A hospital will never touch them without any experience....and there is no where else to get it.

Hi I tested 7/2 and am still waiting....the call center is useless.

Good idea to study ahead. I just took NCLEX this week but started studying in January. By studying I mean doing 50 practice questions a day and then looking up content I didn't know. Doing practice questions is essential. It teaches you how to look at and think about questions, which is really what that test is all about. Studying only gets you so far. The biggest thing I got from Kaplan is that it slowed me down big time on the questions. Also the Qbank has 1600 practice questions and multiple practice tests. I think I did most of them. One last thought...there are multiple audio tapes available free online if you take time to search. Many are outdated in terms of meds, but the nursing content is very solid. I listened to them every day, in the car, cooking dinner, walking the dog. They were very very helpful.

I found a site that explains it and nursing interventions really well: The Differences Between Arterial And Venous Ulcers

I guess it is no comfort but there are worse things that can happen than the oversight you made. I once trained on a floor where one of the nurses told me a story. She was on her orientation for the job. The head nurse begged her to cover on a floor even though she hadn't completed orientation. She was afraid to say no. There was an orthopedic patient who suddenly had a really high glucose level. He or she didn't have a PCP. The nurse called the orthopedist who prescribed a really high dose of insulin, I forgot what it was. She administered the med, then went back in the room an hour to find the patient lying stiff in the bed with eyes rolled back! Fortunately the patient made it through, but the nurse did not. She quit nursing for a whole year, but eventually went back to it and did get a job. She is one of the best nurses I ever trained with. So ultimately it is a good thing she didn't quit. Everyone makes mistakes. Your mislabelling the blood is an understandable error that can happen in a stressful situation. It does not reflect upon your nursing skills at all. Take some time to chill, then try again. All is not lost!

Don't worry about the A&P. The HESI review is very helpful. Do all the math problems. Even the reading and comprehension sections contain information that can help with some of the other sections.

thanks for the info FlyingScot and llg. Looks like I will have to work 3 day weekends for a while then, to balance out with my other life requirements. That is if I am lucky to find such a schedule.

I will be getting licensed in July if all goes well. I have been researching part time jobs and have some nurses tell me it is not possible to work part time before you have two years full time experience. Any words of wisdom out there? I would think there would be some hospitals who would welcome being able to have someone on board who is not looking for full time benefits and salary. Am I dreaming?

Just wait...you will eat these words as you discover that what you know is only a very small part of the whole picture. And there is never a single answer to any question...

Just wait.....