ImKosher

Personally, I listened to my preceptor and how she joked about how she needed a fanny pack. After some thought, I decided to have a little fun and bought her a fanny pack. She could not stop laughing and enjoyed the humor behind the gift. Is she using it or not, I'm not sure but that moment of laughter and thank you was priceless and made this an unforgettable experience.

Nursing school is finally done for me. It was a successful year and I cannot wait to start my first year as a nurse. I got a job in the ER as my first assignment and will be attending a 6 month residency starting in the summer. Within the last 2 years I have fallen in love with this career and cannot wait to see the oppurtunities that will become available. I've joined the NSNA and my local school association during my time. It was the best decision i made as I attended the conferences and worked with some amazing people. If your not a part of these groups, consider joining and plan to attend the NSNA conference if you can. Thank you to all the users of AllNurses for helping me by answering my questions, discussing heated topics, and wise wisdom (Esme12 and GreenTea). See you on the floor.

Answering the OP's question: Surprisingly, I have got nothing but awesome responses from diverse individuals about my choice to become a nurse. In my opinion the stereotype of nursing being only for females is slowly falling off the map. In the southeast, it is becoming more acceptable if not that a "well respected" career among the general population. I have never run into the "sensitive" question and have recieved many blessings as I went through school and clinical. I'm not going out looking for a reason for someone to question my career choice. I tell them what nursing is and my committment to the profession. If people talk, let them, you have no control over them, but you do control how you receive and respond to it.

During school I had a bag i bought at sams club that was superb the past 2 years (I'm going to get a new one now that I'm a nurse.) I had the following in my bag. 15" Laptop 1 1/2 inch binder with dividers Legal notepad Pencil bag with mechanical pencils, pens, multiple highlighters, sticky notes Voice Recorder 5x7 Mole Planner Stethoscope Ibuprofin Water Bottle Cell phone charger Snacks This got me through the long days at school and clinical.

Good job on getting through your first semester. Before clinical, always make sure that you have done your study and learned about your material and pt information. Eat a good breakfast. Always be available to help. Never stand around and talk especially when they congregate at the nursing station. Answer the call bells. Get to know your techs, they're your biggest help and friend. Pull policies for every skill (you will impress the clinical instructor). Just be willing, and able. I have always enjoyed clinical, so don't get nervous. Get excited and be ready to learn. Take Care.

I had a Paramedic who covered the stethoscope with a paracord - military grade tied in a pattern like the survival bracelets you see. The only disadvantage is that you can't pull it off and wash it.

NedRn, I also want to add that like yourself I am traveling to save so I can buy a house in cash at the end. Want to live debt-free baby! My goal is by the time I'm 30 (now 25), to buy a house in cash and settle somewhere and then take the next step in my career.

NedRN, Thanks for your advice. After reading your comment, I've come to realize that it may be a lost cause trying to explain the numbers behind the financial success with a Travel RN. Your absolutely right that crunching the numbers should not be a factor in deciding what specialty of nursing I want to go in. I will have to tell the girl that she may need to discover this field on her own if she wants to know more. I am really excited to start Nursing and have a plan to specifically to travel. The wife is the one waiting to travel and is excited to go on this adventure. I know that travel nursing has it's pros and cons but I truly believe that if it's something your passionate about, work hard, and work smart, the money will follow. I was wrong to try to convince someone about the benefits of travel nursing solely on the money. Thanks again NedRN!

During my time at a busy ER on the East Coast, I was blessed with the oppurtunity to meet many great and awesome RNs who worked hard and had passion behind what they do. This is the reason I went back to school and I am graduating this May. I got a position in the ER I work at and will be for two years and then traveling. I got into a discussion with a good friend and she cannot comprehend making great money as a Travel nurse. She does nto believe the fact that a Travel nurse can make more than 100k a year. I explained the tax-free home stipend and how you can manipulate this with your hourly and OT to take more home that is tax-free but I am now interested in the math. I am not asking how much you make but rather the math on how a traveler makes good money, including the home stipend (with or without housing), hourly rate, and other compensation like benefits. I think I may be turning into a number nerd. Any input would be appreciated. Thank You!

Right there with you. May of 2014

C = RN

I don't know what to do with myself. I'm going into my last semester in January and I am ready to start working! This winter break I have already read a good book "The Defining Decade by Dr. Meg Jay" which I believe is a must read for any 20something. There was a lot of holiday visits with family and friends. Other then that, I'm trying to relax...I honestly believe I don't know how to relax anymore.

I wanted some help and advice from those experienced in traveling on how you stay connected to the internet. As you know everything is done online, so how do you work with that convenience moving from assignment to assignment? I will primarily be taking the stipend and looking for my own housing. - Wifi hotspot through a Cellular Service? - Do you just order cable once you get to the apartment if you found your own housing. - Solely using wifi spots at public locations like starbucks? Any wisdom, advice, or experience will be greatly appreciated!

I'd recommend networking. The grade scale does not have the same power as knowing the right people to get into the post-grad program. Look for opportunities to invest in your specialty or interest with committees and boards. Talk and get to know people. The connections you make with name and face will take you further with your goal than completely relying on a number on the application. Don't completely neglect the GPA you still need to have a good GPA, but especially being in the south (assuming your title as a Tar Heel) start making connections with the big names in academia. I come from a small community college, and plan to attend Duke University for DNP school. I'll let you know how that turns out when in comes time. Take Care and don't give up!

Keynote by Apple ($10)