abalone

KansasNurse14, I attempted to send you some contact info for the hospitals/units you mentioned but you don't seem to have access to Private Messages (r/t only 4 posts). Rules (and professionalism) don't allow for me to post this in an open forum. Let me know if you are interested.

For those who have not yet received a call: remember, your stars can change pretty quickly. It is not uncommon for students get off the wait list . Don't give up hope but do plan ahead for all eventualities. Good luck, UW SoN alumna

Their automatic reply email indicates the next cohort is not until July 2015 If you have already graduated, that's a pretty long way off! 7 months before your position would begin (that's if you land a job). 7 months waiting and not using your nursing skills or knowledge. I suggest new grads don't wait. Instead, keep searching for a position at other hospitals/clinics/SNFs. If you still don't have a position when the application is posted for the next cohort, then of course apply. Just don't wait around for that to happen. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer but GOOD LUCK!

Sent you both a private message

I'm not sure what purpose lying would serve here. As I said, I was a new grad (RN, BSN). My experience included 1 1/2 years as a nurse tech in an ICU at a large academically affiliated trauma 1 medical center & 250+ hours of senior practicum in an ICU.

It seems a bit low to me. I'm a very new nurse but from the WA area. Here is a contract for a hospital in Kirkland, WA to see the comparables. Since you would be a traveler, I would have expected the salary to be higher. Again, I'm a new nurse with no travel experience so that is all I will say.

Here is a good YouTube video of the process (ignore the silly music). The cases I've seen, they don't remove the old value. It's not difficult to compress the conduction system or have swelling. My understanding is that heart block is the most common conduction issue, thus pts are fitted with pacemakers or wires even before the actual TAVR. Also: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

I would be surprised if your hospital doesn't have guidelines for this and you should check for them on your unit or with your clinical nurse educator. But, here is a handy image. imgur: the simple image sharer

Worked in an ICU in a large urban trauma I medical center. We have land-lines. Nurses/CNAs/PCTs don't have cell phones on our unit (although acute care/ med surg units do). Pages to provider/pharmacy/RT/PT etc can be made by phone or the EMR. In return: Provider calls one of the nursing stations where someone/anyone that is sitting there answers and I get a page overhead. All the pt rooms have phones and the call can be picked up there. 30 bed unit, no unit secretary. It's not an issue. It works because we have a great team. IMO.

Depending on the hospital, it can be very difficult to find HR contact information. Obviously search their webpage. Next try Goggle "nurse recruiter, xxx medical center, human resources, etc". LinkedIn can also be of use, especially if you "subscribe" to the hospital of interest. Sometimes they have recruiters attached to job posting and you can then search/Google their contact information. If I don't have any friends working at the hospital and have still been unable to locate HR contact info: If it is a larger hospital, I've been known to call the operator and have them transfer me. If you are nervous about reaching an actual human being (trust me, I get it, at first these "cold calls" can be hard), then call after hours and leave a clear concise message (sound professional; you can rehears or write down what you are going to say). (This can also be used for contacting nurse recruiters). I guess, you can also just have the operator give you the email address (but, I've never tried this). You can also ask the operator for the contact information (name and mailing address) of the nurse manager of the unit you are interested in working on. Others may disagree, but I've found the easiest way to obtain this information is to tell the operator you want to send a "thank you letter" to the nurse manager of xxx unit (you don't normally need to explain, often they just assume you are the family member of a patient). Then send a thoughtful "pain letter" (snazzy term for a type of cover letter) and a resume by mail. As for what to say: the above responses are good. You can also say you are interested in learning about the "timeline" for interviews or the interview process.

Just FYI for others interested in Sanford: I applied to Sanford Health in Fargo for their CVICU/MICU as a NEW GRAD. I'm from the PNW, had an RN license but not a North Dakota RN license. I got a callback literally the next day. Applied on a Wednesday, got an HR call on Thursday, interviewed with the unit's nurse manager the following Wednesday. I was offered the position at the end of the interview and received an official offer on Thursday/Friday. I chose to decline the position but only because I got another offer from a large, world renowned institution in their Heart Transplant ICU. Sanford Health seemed like a great place to start as a nurse; very supportive for nursing training and it's a big hospital with over 500+ beds. Rent is reasonable in Fargo and Sanford Health is GROWING! They are building a new hospital set to open in a year or two.

I've had VERY good success applying out of state. Originally from the PNW, I've been interviewed for new-grad ICU positions in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. Received offers from all. After researching areas with greater need for nurses, I applied through each hospital webpage. I received phone calls from HR or nurse managers to set up interviews. Interviews were conducted by phone or Skype-like video conference.

My suggestion. Take your classes at a community college. Not only are they cheaper they also tend to be MUCH smaller classes! I'm not going to say they will be easier (although some may be). You can do the community college thing on a "trial basis" to see if you can get your grades in the important pre-reqs up -->You can take off 1 quarter and summer from UW without issue. Make sure you are taking courses that directly transfer, it's really really easy to do. https://admit.washington.edu/EquivalencyGuide In the Seattle area, I do feel it is easier to get a job with a BSN. That said, when you are ready, you can (& should) apply to both ADN & BSN programs. Your grades really do matter when applying to nursing school, although UW also places a strong emphasis on medical/hospital related experience (easiest to achieve as a nurse aid). My experience: I completed some of my prereqs at UW but I also took a good number at a community college (I was dual enrolled for a bit). UW SCHOOL OF NURSING DOESN'T CARE WHERE YOU TAKE YOUR PRE-REQS, but the grades matter! Take use of the fact that UW lets you take a quarter off. When I realized I wanted to get into the nursing program, I had a lot of hurtles to overcome. But, I started taking courses at a CC over the summer and Aut quarter and then I was dual enrolled Winter quarter (needed to finish the Biol series at the CC but also needed to return to UW). Because UW doesn't count summer against you, you can then take Aut off and still be enrolled as a UW student and return Winter without any issues. If you do end up leaving UW to do all your pre-reqs at a community college, you can and should still apply to the UW nursing program (although with other programs, realistically, it's not easy to get in to nursing school and you should have back-ups). UW does NOT give preferential treatment to current UW students; every applicant is treated the same. So don't think that just because you didn't do your pre-reqs at UW or that just because you aren't a current UW student means it will be harder to get in: it's not true! I would say 2/3 to 3/4 of my UW nursing cohort were transfer students, students with previous degrees, or otherwise "non-traditional" students. Very few went the "traditional" route of UW freshman, sophomore and then nursing student. ALSO: FYI, getting into UW's public Health program is still competitive. Not a great back-up plan, especially if you still plan to pursue nursing (this coming from someone that has a degree in public health from UW). What UW says: "If you are an undergraduate or professional student (dental, law, or medical) who has completed the preceding quarter here at the University of Washington, you may take a quarter off under the Quarter-Off Eligibility Policy.Subject to college, school and departmental enrollment policies, an undergraduate or a professional student who has completed a quarter at the University of Washington may take the following quarter off and remain eligible to register in Registration Period I for the subsequent quarter without submitting an application as a returning student. For example, a student completing winter quarter may, without registering for or completing spring quarter, register during Registration Period I for autumn quarter without reapplying. Any quarter from which a student has completely withdrawn, or from which he/she is canceled, does not constitute a completed quarter. Summer quarter enrollment is not required to maintain continuous registration eligibility."

Hello, I'm a new BSN grad from Washington State. I received a call from Sanford Health, Fargo, ND and now have a phone interview set up for their ICU (there are 2 units it sounds like; CVICU & Medical-Trauma ICU level 2). Can anyone tell me about their experience as a new grad or nurse at Sanford? Either in med-surg/acute care or in ICU? How was your orientation/residency? Welcome to the floor? Thank you for your help!!

So, I saw that you started at Sanford Health. I have an interview with them (Fargo location). I'm from WA and a new grad. I know you haven't been there long, but what can you say? Thank you, ~A

For future NCLEX takers: My license went life ~3 hours after I completed the exam. I tested in Seattle, WA in July 2014, finished a bit after 9am. RN license went active on WaDoH around noon. NewYorkerGirl: I just wanted to suggest PeaceHealth. They have hospitals all over WA. Examples below. Alaska: PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Washington: PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, PeaceHealth United General Medical Center Oregon: PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District

Hey I noticed my online status has been updated! "Pending Interview"

It is up to the NURSING STUDENT to KNOW their scope of practice. It is up to the nursing student to be PROACTIVE and seek out learning opportunities within their scope of practice. It is admirable when RNs support the learning and education of nursing students and future co-workers. Throughout our nursing careers, we undoubtedly face many difficult situations. If a NS feels pressured to do something they are not comfortable with, they need to learn how to gracefully decline! A simple "I haven't learned that yet" or "I haven't been check off on that" and "could I observe instead?" would be more than enough for me. AGAIN: It is the nursing student that needs to know their scope, educational institution's rules & hospital's rules. (Of course the RN needs to know the medical facility's rules too). In my region there are at least 4-5 BSN and 5-6 ADN programs rotating through the hospitals; each with different rules!

I think the general rule for students: 1.) KNOW what your "scope of practice" is. (Know your educational institution's rules & the hospital's rules) 2.) Be PROACTIVE and search out/request opportunities within your scope (just don't be annoying or intrusive) Make the most of your clinical experience! Do this by knowing your limits and scope while actively participating in patient care and searching for opportunities to practice new skills.

I love your style! But, for all the nursing students that don't have a rock star for a nurse preceptor; step up to the plate! Show some initiative. Have a pt that needs a Foley/NG/OG/....? Ask your RN if you can perform the task, assist, or observe? Your education and clinical are what you make of them. BE PROACTIVE!!!

Lovedogs31, yes I was told at the end of my interview. But, I did my senior prac at Swedish, so maybe that helped. If you haven't heard back, I wouldn't worry! For some units, the dates for the peer-interviews still seem to be "up in the air". In general, it sounds like they will be in October. ED2012: If you really don't mind location, I would just be honest and clear with your interviewer.

I had my HR interview today. As of today, they were interviewing for all units. Neonatal ICU, however, seems to be full (not my interest). I too was recommended to move on to peer-interviewing which sounds like it will be some time in October. As for the number of residency positions, in the past it has been about 60 in total (including all Swedish locations). FYI: I also recently got a call from the Franciscan system - St Jos in Tacoma. If you don't mind moving south, the Franciscan system is large, has multiple hospitals, and is growing! At St. Jos alone they have 72 critical care beds! Look in to it. They have all specialties.

Yes, that is true. You MUST meet both UW general admission requirements and UW SoN requirements. If you are admitted into UW SoN but do NOT meet UW general requirements, you will be denied admission to UW.

Posting the 2014 stats from the UW admissions blog here (because the next cohort always wants to know butthey only leave the info up for limited time) The UW School of Nursing received 476 applications for 96 spots, so we are unfortunately unable to admit every applicant: 96 applicants were offered admission 15 were placed on the waitlist 365 were denied admission Common Reasons for Denial The applicant did not meet minimum requirements. For example, an application was submitted despite not meeting stated prerequisite, grade, GPA, or application completion criteria. Or, if minimum requirements were met, it is possible that an applicant was denied based on a low ranking within the entire applicant pool. The BSN program is extremely academically, clinically and personally rigorous. Success in the program requires that a student excels in a full time program of study including multiple and competing demands such as classroom, clinical, group projects, and community service. An applicant may have been considered an academic risk if they have repeated and/or withdrawn from several natural world courses in order to meet the minimum GPA requirement for the program. Or, there may not have been evidence that an applicant could adequately handle a demanding workload. Though the applicant may have met the minimum requirement, a pattern of repeats, withdrawals, or inconsistent performance makes them less competitive within the context of the entire pool that applied at the same time. The applicant may have expressed minimal or less relevant health care experience in relation to their stated goals and/or in relation to the pool of overall applicants. The applicant did not clearly articulate how their background, experience, and goals have prepared them to succeed in the program and in the profession. For example, several applicants did not follow directions for how to format their resumes, and as a result, the admissions committee was unable to ascertain information about an applicant's health experience, community service and involvement, leadership, and trainings and certifications. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence in the application that they are a solid fit with the program and profession. The applicant submitted inconsistent essay responses between the personal statements and proctored essay by not indicating a clear line of thinking with supported rationale, evidence of critical thinking and self-reflection, and/or problem solving. Some applicants failed to respond to the actual essay prompts. The proctored essay serves as an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their on the spot reading comprehension, writing, math and critical thinking skills. Applicants were not considered competitive if they failed to answer all of the questions in the essay prompt or if the style and quality of independent writing skills were vastly different than the writing submitted in the application. The BSN program requires students to be able to calculate dosages and medications in both the classroom and clinical settings. Performance in math and/or logic courses along with successful completion of the word problems in the proctored essay are carefully evaluated. Applicants with deficient math/logic grades in combination with incorrect proctored essay word problems and/or multiple incorrect word problems were considered uncompetitive. The overall presentation of the application did not indicate to reviewers a level of maturity, self-awareness, and/or self-reflection necessary to succeed in the BSN program, which is academically and personally demanding.

Unfortunately, the people that dropout after Orientation don't help. They have closed the wait-list by then (In 2012, we had one person, #9, admitted off the wait-list on the 1st day of orientation). But, during the first week of class we had 1 student drop out and go to Hawaii after deciding it just wasn't for her - but that didn't help the poor soul that could have had her spot. Seriously unfortunate. But, we are all rooting for your success!!!!