nwnursing

Hello all, Our unit is doing some research on how different medical units get their nurses their lunch and 15 minute breaks. If you could spare a few minutes, and fill out this questionnaire, that would be really helpful. We are putting together a Nurses' Week poster, so let me know if you want to see the data when we're done. I've listed the questions below, thank you so much for your help! Amanda Please describe your hospital (critical access rural hospital, community hospital, urban, Level 1 trauma, etc.). Please describe your unit: Medical? Surgical? Specialty? IMC/Stepdown? What is your nurse to patient ratio? Do your charge nurses take patients? If so does that impact how does that impact how you get breaks? What tactics are used so nurses get their lunch breaks and 15 minute breaks? Do you verify that nurses get their breaks, and if so, how? Where do people take their breaks? Are there any systems in place to minimize work interruptions? If so, can you please describe? What, if any, tactics are used to help nurses get their lunch and 15 minute breaks?

Hi all! I'm a CCC grad (just finished up last week.) I thought I would pop on here and congratulate everyone! It's such an fantastic adventure, and I loved it. It's a tough road, but totally worth it. Please feel free to ask me questions about the program and my thoughts. I miss my friends already. Enjoy your upcoming adventure. Don't prep anything this summer, juts have fun. School will be here soon enough. NWNursing

Christy24, Each class sets up their own. If there isn't one set up yet, message me, and I can help you with the details. NW Nursing

That is how Clackamas does it. They will want to get as many people to the orientation as are accepted at that point.

Congrats on the acceptances! I was in the position to choose between Clackamas and PCC. I ended up choosing Clackamas due to their fantastic options for clinical (specifically OHSU), the good feelings I got from the instructors and the fantastic facility. I'm just about done with my first year, and it what I hoped it would be. I can't speak directly between the comparisons between the two programs, but I know I've been happy with my choice, and would make it again. I would be happy to answer specific questions. -NW Nursing

The clinical for first term (Fall) is mostly lab based, health promotion (health fair) and immunization clinics. This term (Winter) we spent two weeks in a skilled nursing facility, but the other eight weeks has been on a med/surg unit at the local hospitals. We will spend the last four terms in a hospital setting. That said, there is a lot to learn about management of chronic issues in a long-term care setting. NW Nursing

I'm currently at Clackamas, and would be happy to answer any questions about the program that people may have. I'm in my first year, and I really like the program.

You might want to go to a New Balance store and have them fit you. I have New Balance walking shoes with an insole. I also have flat feet & bunions. They are super ugly, but super comfortable. Mine are leather, and I wipe them down and spray the soles with bleach water. No worse for wear. When they got scuffed, I took a black sharpie to them.

They stopped offering the program becuase it was causing issues for enrollment at the community colleges. It was designed to help them increase their offerings for their students, but because of the way graduations (begining enrollment that graduates) are charted, they were having a tough time with state funding. That is what we were told at orientation for Clackamas.

Emmyers, That is great news. You took a chance, and look how well it worked out. I'm so excited for you. NW Nursing

Oreo, Hi there! There are a bunch of great nursing schools in Oregon, and national OHSU ranks among the best. What is best for each person? I didn't even apply, even with a 4.0 and many other positive factors, to OHSU's 3 year program due to cost. So quality may be the best, but it wasn't the best for me. I think it's a personal decision, and getting in anywhere in the state to the non-profit schools should be considered a huge achievement, given how tough it is. Oh, and NCLEX scores aren't necessarily better at OHSU Portland, compared to the other schools. http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/pdfs/passrates.pdf?ga=t Good luck, and I'm glad that you are happy with your choice. NW Nursing

PCC Waitlisters: I just officially declined my PCC slot for Clackamas College. Good luck to you all, and make sure you check back if you get the call.

ME! I'm excited.

Portland Medic, That is just great. Congratulations! NW Nursing

Sasafras, They said they interviewed 80 people when we did the Q & A session. NW Nursing

SmallFry, I was just wondering that. Hmmm, worth a call, if that's true. NW Nursing

Lilpoka, I've not yet decided where I'm going. I'm leaning toward Clackamas, but it's not a done deal yet. I'm super excited, and will be even more happy when it's all settled. I'm going to go to PCC orientation and get the flavor of the program, and then make up my mind. NW Nursing

Portland has a VERY competitive nursing school environment. Do some research on OCNE schools (Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education | Home) as well as the other schools. I got into nursing schools with a 4.0 on my pre-reqs, which is what they evaluate for the OCNE schools, but was wait listed at two other schools in town with a 3.6 overall GPA. At this point, before deciding what classes to repeat, I would do more research on the schools and programs.

I got pregnant with our second just when I started my prereqs. I took my time getting the courses in, as I was working full time. I then quit my full time job, and got a CNA license to get some work experience when the baby was 1, and she's now 2. I'll be starting in the fall with a 5 year old and 2 year old, and they are both sleeping through the night, and while not fully self-sufficient, at least easier than a newborn. It's the option I would recommend, since it worked out for me. But every one needs to chart your own life. Good luck, it's an exciting journey.

That's great haleym and lilpoka. Where are you going Lilpoka, you got into MHCC right? So you have a choice between those two.

I just got my acceptance to Clackamas. I'm really excited. :cheers: Now to decide between Clackamas and PCC. It's not as cut and dried for me as many post have discussed here. Anybody have any thoughts on why you are deciding on which program?

Lilpoka, That is so true. Make a decision, and make it the right one for you. I keep vacilating back and forth between PCC & Clackamas (fingers crossed). Both are good programs, and they have their pros and cons for my situation. I'm hoping that the orientations will clarify everything for me. NWNursing

Check the OHSU accelerated BSN 2012 thread. I think there were a couple people there who got waitlisted at OHSU, but got into out of state programs, specifically Johns Hopkins.

I ended up doing a bit of both. :) I think the interview went well. I so much prefer the interview setting over proctored essays.

Clackamas interview done! I can't decide how to spend the rest of my day: clean my messy house or watch bad TV on the couch? Decisions, decisions...