rockermom

80 hours a week?! In the OR? Really? Holy moly...

Perhaps? Um... yeuh.

BTW - Grays pants come in tall, love em. The New Balance scrubs look really cute, but I haven't had a chance to try them on yet. My best best best advise that I give everyone I know (and they all agree) is Asics running shoes. Best shoe ever. Period. I dealt for years with plantar fasciitis and have tried every shoe under the moon, even spending up to $250 on fancy New Balances with inserts, but since switching over, I need to look no further. Just try them on and you will feel the difference. I'm sure they can be found in all white online - maybe Zappos.com? Good luck!

Thanks you guys! I'm sure that's how it'll work for me as well - to account for lunch. Now to see how often I actually get a thirty minute lunch break!!

Hi all! I know policy varies from hospital to hospital, but I'll soon be a GN working 7a-7p, and am curious to hear some versions of how the hours and pay work. Firstly, as a student, we had to get in early to get report (0645), this usually remains the case for RNs, yes? So, would these 15 minutes be paid in addition to the 12 hours of the shift? If so, is it at a night pay rate? Also, I hear repeatedly that nurses have a hard time getting out on time, so when staying after 1900, is it on a evening pay rate? In other words, is there a good chance that my 36 hour weeks aren't actually so?

bump.

Hi guys, I realize that this is an older thread, but maybe someone can help me! I graduate in May, and am due in September. Double yay!! I plan to take the NCLEX asap and not work until a few after I deliver, say November. Although I will begin working well after graduation, I assume that I will still be considered a new grad (right?) - so, will I be able to receive the standard orientation that everyone else does? I just don't want to miss out on anything! I am so excited about everything I could wet my pants!! I have faith that it will all work out, but the planner in me needs to know what to expect! Thanks!

I'm not sure what state you are in, but Texas just changed their application to read that expunctions need not be reported. However, they clearly state that you had better be sure it's truly expunged, or it will show and they will hold it against you. I have heard of some pretty serious records being approved - and the BNE is reputed to be very tough here in Texas! I'm sure you will have no problems proving yourself. Good luck to you, I know it's a crummy feeling. Just keep praying. If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.

Thanks guys! Just the info I needed!

Hey there, I am in Texas, and this may be state specific, so I came to the Texas forum... Can anyone tell me: I graduate in May and am considering putting off working until the end of the summer. Since I plan to take my NCLEX over the summer, when I start working, I won't be a GN, I will be an RN, yes? So, does this mean that I won't receive the same orientation period that I would if I were to start immediately? When a tenured RN changes positions, do they too, receive the full orientation or is this something only specific to new grads? Thanks for any help! Sarah

So, does this mean that if a new grad were to wait a few months to enter the workforce, that they would not receive the same orientation as a GN? Thanks!

To answer your question of whether or not I've had to file - no I haven't. I don't know what state you are in, but in Texas the question is not whether or not you've been "arrested", but have you ever been "charged" with a "crime". Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks guys! Admission was due to altered mental state - no cardiac problems. I'm guessing it's b/c of the corticosteroids used to treat Lupus induced inflammation. I read that steroids don't cause ulcers, but worsen them. I think this combined with the lessened activity and like Tele said, stress, calls for it's prophylactic use. Wow - you guys are great, thanks!!

Hi there! I'm compiling my med info for tomorrow, and I've come across a question, that I thought would be best answered by someone that knew - real life nurses!!! My pt is on Protonix, yet she has no gastric complications, and is not on bed rest (so I'm assuming she's not at risk for developing any while hospitalized). She's also not due for any surgeries. I've had this come up before. Why is it so commonly prescribed w/o a GERD diagnosis? Would any of you know of an alternative reason it's given, other than GERD or surgery prep? She does have Lupus, which I have yet to research, but I don't think it would be related... Thanks a million to whomever can help!!

Re: WIA I went through the very entailed application process over the summer seeking assistance with my fall tuition, just to be told at the last minute that they weren't actually offering any assistance until next year due to lacking funds. I think they should have denied applications in the first place if they didn't have the resources... but whatever. That's my rant. I qualified 100% in every area too. Oh well, loans it is. They said to check back for the Spring, but no promises. When they are assisting, it is for tuition, books, and supplies (uniforms included). I've heard something about transportation assistance for commuters as well. Check in with your local Texas Workforce office. It is a several month process with a number of appointments, paper trails, and tests. Good luck to you!!

Hey Mama, As a reference point for ya ~ the Fall class made the cut somewhere in the 54-point-somethings. On the lower end of the 54's. It really comes down to decimal points. I had a 56.0 and was ranked 58th of 226. Home-Dad, Did you get a 7 on the Hesi? I can't imagine why you wouldn't have been accepted for the Fall otherwise. ?? I think it stinks that so much of our overall score is weighted so heavily by the Hesi grade. Good luck to you guys, I know the wait is gruesome. I've been in such a rush to start school, and now that it's a month away, I'm starting to freak. Every day my feet get colder. By the way, don't worry about the skills class. It's nothing to stress about. It's really fun, and not at all intensive. A lot of common sense stuff. Also a good taste of how they test us: All multiple choice, but more than one answer is right - we have to pick the most right answer. Arrgh. THAT'S what scares me about nursing school. Rote memorization no more!!

Your words and prayers are appreciated. Congrats to you!! You sound like a stand-up gal Norine, it's good to know you're out there. Best wishes, Sarah

Yay! Congrats to you!!!! :biggringi I feel for your classmate though. I have only heard positive stories about petitioning the board. I too have to go before them eventually, for a minor criminal past. I have been feeling very confident about it, but now your friend's story makes me worry. If you don't mind divulging, could you tell me what she was denied for? Feel free to PM me if you would feel more comfortable doing so. And I understand, if you don't feel right sharing at all. It would just help to put things in perspective, to know where I stand. You must be so excited, what a relief to have that behind you, huh? Well, good luck in all you do! Take care!

I'm not the one to help you with LPN info, but if you don't mind my asking, why LPN, if it's RN is that you're aiming for? Checking the website, I see that the biggest deifference in the degrees time-wise is the number of required pre-reqs/co-reqs. RN requires 10, where LPN only requires 3 - intro to Anat/Phys, Medical Terminology, and Pharmacology. As far as the uppergraduate Nursing courses go, they do differ between the two degrees, but oddly enough, the RN degree plan has fewer hours than the LPN - 37 for RN, and 44 for LPN. Both degrees are 4 semesters. Now, keep in mind that I have no idea the difficulty of either degree, because I'm still awaiting entrance, but it would seem to me, that if you already have a lot of pre-reqs completed, you may as well go for the gold! Again, I'm not sure about the LPN program, but yes, there is a wait for the RN. Wait time all depends on your grades and how many pre-reqs/co-reqs you have completed. Hope I was some help - good luck in your decision! I've heard great things about the ACC program.

Hey Texasgirl! Woohoo! I just got the Nursing Skills email too!! Well, I'm happy that I at least get to get started, but I'm not counting on the whole package yet - like they said, it's not a guarantee of admission. But still... it's a start! If I can fit in, I'm gonna have to do Eastview, otherwise I'll have to wait for the summer. Where are you planning on being? Maybe I'll be seeing ya!

No kidding?! It seems that would be the case! If they accept 100 and they only let those in the top 100 register for Nursing Skills, then.... but I know how you feel. I have a bad habit of counting my chickens before they hatch. Gets me every time! Wow, you must be excited!! I can't wait to get going. Who are you taking by the way? You'll have to keep in touch and tell me what it's all about. I've heard mixed reviews... on one hand that it's an easy A, and on another that they are super tough and strict with grading. There's such a shroud of mystery that surrounds NS for me. Well, hopefully you'll get in this Fall, and hopefully I'll be there with ya! About a month to find out!!! Yay!!

Yay for you!!! I am soooo jealous!! Seriously, spill it sister!! Tell us everything!! I do have this question for you: I keep hearing how "hard" nursing school is - so time consuming, having to learn a new way of thinking, and the high standards. But, as far as the studies go, is it a lot more challenging than all of the prerequisite work has been? Pharm, Phys, and Micro have been my more difficult classes, are my nursing classes going to make those classes look simple? Oh yeah, also, I've checked out some of the nursing instructors on pickaprof.com and ratemyprofessors.com, and see that there are very few A's in these classes. Are they correct? Is it almost impossible to get A's? I'm planning to go back for my BSN and then MSN, so I'm aiming high. Should I not feel down when I fall short of my goal? Congrats to you!! What in accomplishment! On with your new life!!:biggringi

they just changed it up a bit this last fall. the applicant period for this coming fall used to be from sept-jan, but they moved it up to feb-march. from the acc website: "this change was implemented effective november 7, 2005 to accommodate the transition of new admission requirements over the past year." so i don't think it will be a permanant change. next spring's application period is june 1 - july 1. i don't know whether this is a change or not? it's over basic math, reading comprehension, anat/phys, a learning style profile, and a personality profiles. i did the worst on the reading comprehension which surprised me because i was confident in all of my answers. it was the generalized: "what is the main point of the paragraph", "which of the following does the author point out?", "which of the following can be inferred from the paragraph?", etc. the sciences were pretty specific in details, but also basic in knowledge - if you get a grasp of your stuff and paid attention in these classes, you should do ok here. keep in mind that i know they change up the questions, but here are a few for example to you: identify which bone was a long bone; in the male reproductive system, which structure functioned for both urination and reproduction; a question about ossification; and one that peeved me because we didn't learn this, but how many calories a gram of carbohydrate provides. my saving grace was the math. it was very easy, all done on the calculator. fractions, decimals, ratios, simple conversions, and household measures. the personality profiles are not used in the scoring, and from the looks of it, you can't get a bad profile. i don't see how they can really rely on these, mine weren't very true. for example, they determined i was creative and a leader. i don't think i'm very creative, but whatever. the learning styles are either visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc. nothing to really take seriously. the problem with the test is that there were only 25 science questions so you know, you miss three and you're under 90. luckily there are about 45 in math, and 45 in reading. another thing, which is new, is that they only let you take the test once now. i was so mad, because it didn't used to be that way, so i went in without studying, thinking i'd just check it out and take it again in a few weeks, and as soon as we got there, we found that had changed. i was sooo stressed throughout the test, it was horrible. so study up! so that's about as specific as i can get. it's really not too challenging. i think the worst part of the test is knowing the weight it carries on our scores, and stressing over that. i would actually expect a test that counted for so much on our ranking to be a lot more difficult and entailed. i hope this will help you and anyone else reading this out, i know half the stress lies in the mystery of what's to come!! it's really not hard, if you do well on tests you should be fine. i think this is one of those tests that the only way you can do bad is either, having not learned the material in the first place, or simply psyching yourself out. good luck!!

Are you in the Mobility Track? I can't register for it until I find out whether or not I'm in the top 100. They said it would be the first week of April that I will find out. It seems like forever! If I'm in, I'll be taking it this summer. You must be sooo excited!! Congrats to you!!! So you already have a degree? I'd go for the Masters! It couldn't hurt to get that extra knowledge, and if you end up having to go the ADN route and down the road wanted to continue your education, that would be two fewer classes to deal with! I actually applied just a few weeks ago for the first time. :imbar I'm a big nerd and got all A's and a 10 on my Hesi, so I'm hopeful that a perfect score will get me in the top 100. If not, I plan to finish all my prereqs for the RN-BSN program at UT before I get in, so no big deal. Good luck to you! I'll let y'all know how it goes with the ranking!

I am eagerly awaiting my acceptance letter (fingers crossed!) ~ just wanted to see if there were any other Austinites out there - current, future, or former!