IThinkICan100

Hey, y'all! I was just accepted yesterday into Maryville Univeristy for the MSN in PMHNP. Their application process was quick and I didn't have to wait very long with the acceptance process. I also applied to Frontier, which is my first pick out of the two, but their process is much slower. Like way slower (having to send every last document through snail mail.) I emailed Frontier's admissions rep and asked how the acceptance process was going. I mentioned that I had another school accepting me, so I was wanting to hear back from Frontier before I accept anything. She replied back that their application due date closed yesterday (11/19/2018) and they wont make any admission decisions for 6 weeks. I'm really not sure how to go about doing this. Maryville has an acceptance document that they would like for me to sign to accept my spot. However, I'm really hoping on Frontier (mainly becaus it is cheaper.) What should I do?!

I didn't tag the facility or school - it was just a comment on my friend's post. I am almost positive one of our professors read it and turned it into the dean. I just did some reading and that was not a HIPAA violation whatsoever, but it did go against our confidentiality statement. And the confidentiality statement said that "I further understand that intentional or involuntary violation of confidentiality may result in an unsatisfactory clinical grade." But that clinical is long gone, so they couldn't really do anything. I was just confused at my dean saying it violated HIPAA. If I get called in (which I doubt), I'm going to mention that. She just said that it will come up in the next staff meeting and that they may call me in to discuss it. I'm not worried, but a little confused where I went wrong. SOOOO... Just a tip to anyone reading this: Don't discuss anything mildly related to clinicals and make sure to block your instructors on facebook. I know ours especially like to pry for information, so it is best.

So a friend of mine mentioned on facebook that she hated how clinical facilities treated SNs. I commented back that I liked our previous clinical facility (and I mentioned the name) because they allowed us to do a lot. I also mentioned that the MAs were very nice and wanted us to go on runs with them to help with medication. I didn't mention any names or specifics - it was done in a positive light. My dean just called me a while ago saying that what I posted was a HIPAA violation and I needed to delete it ASAP. She said that I signed a HIPAA waiver that this violated. It was mentioned that it would come up in the next staff meeting and they may need to talk with me. It wasn't too bad! I didn't understand that HIPAA covered this. Could anyone clarify what I did wrong and maybe the appropriate material that outlines this?

Hey, JustBeachyNurse! I've never been stopped from using my own equipment in class or clinicals. I've done clinicals in nursing homes, hospitals, and rehab facilities - none have squawked. It actually got to the point where the nursing staff were stealing my equipment to use! I always keep a stash of alcohol swabs to wipe off my tools between uses.

Hey, Pmabraham! I got my compartment clipboard from walmart. It was a black $10 plastic clipboard, but I may invest in a better one I found at Staples. (I need to go school supply shopping ASAP!) I found my nursing bag on Amazon. I think it is this one, but I remember the price being different. It said it was made for nurses, but it's pretty much a regular bag with little pockets on the inside. It works okay and fits all of my equipment, my drug book, and my care plan book. You could probably find a better one at walmart. My B/P cuff is a royal blue prestige aneroid. I bought it at the beginning of fundamentals because my professor wanted us to do it "ole fashioned". I rarely use it in clinicals - most facilities have the portable vital pole thingy that does everything in one. I would recommend an electronic wrist B/P cuff like anyone of these. They are worth the investment being that they are so small, quick, and easy to use. I used my pulse ox every day in clinicals! It also takes pulse rate, which saves so much of your time. Our second semester clinicals were at a rehab facility, which had only two LPNs and a zillion CNAs. The CNAs and CMAs would come to me to start respiratory therapy meds or work on the oxygen tanks, so I quickly became the makeshift respiratory therapist in clinicals. Having my own pulse ox was wonderful! Your clinical facility will have one, but good luck trying to swipe it off of a CNA! I use this one and it works faster than some of the $50 ones I've used. I forget what brand my TED hose were. I bought them at a local athletic shoe store. They measured my legs and found the correct size for me. I'm sure you could find some cool-looking ones at Academy or Dicks. Just make sure to try them on to make sure they fit correctly! And, trust me, you will love how better your legs feel after spending 6 hours walking in them. I started my BSN program at 19 and all the older nurses told me to take care of my back and legs/feed. I take that very seriously! I don't want to have problems later in life. (I'm actually looking into getting a lightweight back brace, too, like this one.)

Here are a few random things I found invaluable my first year: - Heavy-duty backpack: I first used a leather messenger bag my in the beginning, but I quickly found that my class supplies were toooooooo overwhelming to carry. I found a nice heavy-duty jansport backpack that fits the bill nicely. Just do yourself a favor and invest in a nice backpack from the beginning. - Compartment clipboard: This is the best tip I have! I used my compartment clipboard every day in clinicals to hold scratch paper, notes, handouts, and reference sheets. The compartment part was invaluable to hold confidential patient information that I was carrying around in clinicals. You want to make sure you have a label with your school's name, your name (first name only, please), and a quick disclaimer that this folder carries confidential information and to please return to nurses station if found. - Nursing bag: I have a bag that I only use to carry my clinical/nursing supplies. It's great to grab it in a hurry out the door to clinicals. It has my stethoscope, drug book, penlights, hemostats, surgical scissors, pens/pencils, B/P cuff, pulse ox meter, thermometer, and other tools. I invested in this piece by piece my first year and this proved a great investment. I no longer had to borrow stuff from the clinical site or my classmates. It actually got to the point that I left my bag at the nurses station and my classmates would borrow my supplies (with the stern disclaimer that if they loose something, it better me replaced!). I also take this bag with me to work in home health. - Evernote app: Works as a cloud storage notebook. You can link your cloud to your phone, laptop, and tablet. - Compression socks/TED hose: I know... They look like something your grandma wears, but -trust me- you will love how your legs feel after wearing some. And, I am a male, so you ladies have no excuse! You can find some really cool looking ones at sport stores. Mine are athletic compression socks that are black with silver, but you can see them because of my scrub pants and fugly white nursing shoes (dress code required)

I run into a similar situation every semester! My nursing classes are less that 12 hours (even though 1 nursing credit takes the time and effort of 3 regular credits!), so I have to try to fit in other classes that I need for my degree. It's hard to schedule everything with the weird nursing class times and clinical hours that we have. You really want to keep 12 hours or above to stay full time, which will give you more money and will defer your student loans. You should schedule your nursing classes and clinicals first and then fill in your schedule with classes that your major requires. If you don't have any other classes that you need, then fill it in with "fluff" classes. By "fluff" I mean online classes, art classes, 1 credit hour classes, and etc. My uni has some fun classes like croquet (Yes! We have a collegiate croquet team!), bowling, tennis, biblical literature, piano, vocal coaching, and film as literature, among others. We get a few credits for each of these and they don't really require that much effort, other than showing up to class. Bonus Tip: My uni gave me ONE whole sparkly credit for just being CPR certified! I don't know if other schools offer this, but mine does - I just let them photocopy my card and they gave me a credit. The registrar also told me that I could get extra credits for any other certifications that I have - like ACLS, PALS, and etc. They also told me I could get credits for taking flying lessons! You might check with your registrar and see if they offer something of this nature.

I'm not in your shoes right now, but I think we all have a "backup plan" somewhere in our minds! If it were me that this was happening to, I would go to LPN school and knock that out ASAP. Then I could work and make some money while doing a LPN-RN/BSN bridge program online or in the evenings. In fact, I wish I had done that instead of trying to accomplish a BSN in 4 years (which is near impossible)! Just remember that there are many different paths to accomplish your dreams. Sometimes one path doesn't work out and sometimes you get caught in scenic routes, but the extra mile will be well worth it!

So, I start my second year (out of three) of nursing school next month! I am in a BSN program, but I saw a local tech school is offering a basic phlebotomy course. I texted one of my professors (who ironically used to work there) and she said we would be going over phlebotomy in med-surg this semester. She knows the instructor and said he was very good. The whole class costs $269 and I think I could get at least one credit through my university. The registrar normally gives us credits for additional classes we take (like BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.), if we choose to take them. The class is a four-week evening class on tuesdays and wednesdays, which works well with my schedule. My questions are... Would it be worth it to take this additional class? Could I get a job as a phlebotomist while I am in nursing school?

I love my new balance shoes. Sadly, I can't wear them because they don't agree with our school clinical dress code. We have to wear 100% white shoes at clinicals. I have a pair of clunky white nike tennis shoes for clinicals that are huge and give me at least an extra foot in height. Invest in some nice add-in shoe soles!!!

77% and above is passing in all nursing and science courses at my university.

So, I went in for the interview today and they were very nice! Because I am a student nurse, she thought I was well over qualified for the job (in a good way). I had applied to multiple jobs within that hospital, so I didn't remember what hours they were wanting. They seem to want a PRN worker, but they didn't tell me what hours they would want me to work. I am guessing that I would probably keep my sitter job and work the PRN job into the hours I am free. Or, if they offer me more hours, I would just work for the ED. I also mentioned that I could do PT and FT over the summer, so we will see how that goes. And job details wise... There is a lot to do. They have one PCT per shift (7A-7P and then 7P-7A) and then an extra that works from 12P-12A to help with the evenings. I would be doing pretty much everything, such as transporting patients, setting up beds, stocking the supply area, starting EKGs, taking vitals, helping the physicians, and etc. Oh... Ironically, the new ED supervisor used to teach at my university until recently!

So, I have two more days until I finish my first year of nursing school! We pretty much learned all of our nursing skills during the first semester, but never had a chance to really practice them in clinicals. We did IVs and our dosage calc test at the end of the first semester and we were in a nursing home for half of the second semester, so we never really got to do them in clinicals until recently at a post-acute recovery center. I am really wanting to keep up my skills over break! We start med-surg next semester, so we will really need to be proficient. Is there anyway that I could practice my skills over break? How did you guys keep from getting rusty over summer?

I almost attended a LPN program in Bartlesville. Total cost of the 12 month program was $4500 without a wait list (if you were to apply on time).

When I worked on tele, we had one room that the call light would turn on randomly even if we didn't have a patient. The staff said there was a ghost haunting that bed. The ghost was obviously upset because he didn't receive his pain medication on time or wanted to use the restroom right then. He had just always been confrontational. :)

You are graduating! You deserve it! Send those puppies out!

It's really what your clientele thinks. The perception of tattoos and piercings being unprofessional are based on what the previous generations have thought about them. The younger generation is more accepting of body alterations because they have been more exposed to them. Employers really don't care what you look like, either. Although, it is hard to draw a line where tattoos are done tastefully or not, so employers just have to say no to any tattoos or piercings whatsoever to cover all bases. I personally don't mind them if they are done tastefully (I plan to get one in a coverable area!). But, it's pretty obvious that you've crossed the line when you look like this... In other words... In a general definition, can you define what is tasteful when it comes to appearance? You can't!

I'm almost finished with my second semester, but the juniors tell me all about 3rd and 4th semester. Ours is a 3 year/6 semester program that you start in your sophomore year. 3rd semester is mental health and med-surg, which is a big combination. The upperclassmen tell me that 2nd and 3rd semesters are the most difficult because of the work load and information. I've done really well with clinicals and the coursework so far, so I'm not too scared about next semester. Although, I think it will be more work than I expect. We have two clinical days per week about a hour away from our school, so we will be moving our butts all semester. Luckily I get Fridays off from class!

So I am going in for an interview with my local emergency department for a PCT job. In my state medical facilities hire unlicensed people to do CNA work as a patient care tech (PCT). I have been told this is because this position of PCT is under the BON, whereas CNAs are under the health department. But here is the kicker, I am also a student nurse (SN) and our state allows SNs to practice anything they have learned in class under the supervision of a RN-BSN. If I were hired, I know I would be doing ADL care, but would the hospital allow me to practice any of my skills on floor when appropriate?

I've gone through so many different jobs because I have been a caregiver. Right now I have three jobs (while being a full time nursing student) and these allow me free time to study while on shift... My main job is a caregiver job with a private client. I work 20-ish hours with them. I work a 14 hour overnight shift on Sundays. Then I work two 2.5 hour shifts throughout the week. They want me full time during the summer. My second job is a work study job that pays for my tuition. Because I have enough financial aid, I pocket this money. I work about 10 hours a week with them. It's pretty easy and, because it is a coffee shop, I get free drinks. My third job is with a caregiver agency. I only work PRN with them, which means about 15 hours/month. I usually work with one client doing respite care while the family goes out.

A lot of times you can go PRN for a while. I used to work in dietetics at a hospital and our employees were high school students. The company would make them PRN for the summer, which kept them on the pay roll until they came back. I would be very up front during the interview. You also should ask HR about PTO days.

I really don't mind, but I can see why others are saying that you should have a female in the room. It's easy for women to feel uncomfortable with a man doing peri care alone. I think a good idea would to have a coworker in the room when you have to work down there (other than a quick assessment look). It seems like if there is any harassment or awkwardness, it is normally the patient harassing me! ...Elderly ladies love flirting with young men!

Go to a scrub store and see their different options. My school store only sold a specific scrub set for males and females. They apparently didn't understand that men come in different sizes - they only carried large in everything, which swallowed me up! I normally prefer Cherokee's scrub pants with the elastic waste. The drawstring pants are okay, but not my favorite.

Hi, guys! I am a nursing student about to finish my first year. Throughout nursing school I have taken on private clients as a caregiver. I recently started with a new one that I work for right now on Sunday nights and throughout the week (about 20 hours/week at $12/hour). I just sit with the client and do homework. Over the summer they want me to go up 35 hours/week and I would use my free time to do PRN with another agency that I just recently got a job with, too. Although, I just recently received an email from the director of our local hospital's emergency department. I had applied for a couple jobs with that hospital as a PCT about a month or so ago. The director just randomly emailed me this afternoon. She wants me to tour the department, meet the ED workers, and have a job interview. From what I recall about 3 years ago, they pay $10/hour plus benefits. I don't know which one I should keep or take! ER will be really fast-paced and may be a slight pay cut, but I will get so much more experience. On the other hand, my caregiver jobs are easy and I just do homework while on shift. If it comes down to it and I would have scheduling conflicts with working both ED and as a caregiver (just one weekend shift with the private client), which should I take/keep (especially during the school year)?

BLS is normally required before you enter nursing school. ACLS isn't required and schools don't normally teach it. You have to find a training center that provides the class. It normally costs around $200-300 and takes two days. ACLS is pretty much just BLS 2.0. It expands on BLS and adds more skills and critical thinking.