squirrel12

I recently left a job where I received 5 weeks of training on a busy tele floor at a long term acute care hospital. As a new grad I felt it was not enough time, but it is not the hospital's fault and I am not sure how to answer this question on applications or interviews. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you, Squirrel

Pretty sure I am going to quit. I just cannot keep up with the pace and will never be able to be the leader over 8 patients. I hate the idea of quitting because it will be even harder to find another job, but I have only felt decent one day. Every day I am scared, ashamed, anxious, and filled with self-doubt. I wasn't cut out for bedside nursing, and maybe not nursing at all. Time to think about other options. At this point I barely feel qualified to be a dog walker. Just needed to talk about this. Thank you all. Squirrel

MW, Gah, my first reply seems to have disappeared. Sorry to hear about your mental health (I totally get it) issues and family dynamic, it is very stressful to try and balance a new career that you worked so hard to achieve in such a stressful environment. Your health and family are more important than a job if it comes to it. I am currently dreading going back tomorrow and have been looking online for help in giving report, organizing, IV starts, etc. Trying to find anyway I can gain some self-confidence and have a better shift each time I work. I keep in touch with my nurse manager and will probably need to ask for more orientation, but maybe I will hit my goal of 4 pts this week. I struggle with time mgt of doing accuchecks, g-tube meds, IV meds, charting, and checking labs etc in the am, gosh forbid my pt has a change in condition or a doctor calls me during that time. I know my preceptor says she has my back, but like I said sometimes I get mixed signals. I still am not sure about bedside nursing as I chose to work at this difficult place because I was desperate for someone to give me a chance. Now it is my turn to find my path, and it is hard for everyone if you believe the other commenters ( I do). In nursing school you hear it is hard, but man this is the biggest challenge if my life and that is scary, but if we can find a way to make it to the 3 month, 6 month, and 1 year mark then we might just make it anywhere. Good luck and remember how many opportunities comes with a degree and license in nursing. I hope you have a better week! Squirrel

I am a new grad (May 2014) who finished her BSN online in Dec 2015, and landed her first job at a LTAC. I am finished with 3rd week of my 5 week orientation as a new grad and I am struggling with the workload and with confidence as I am almost 2 years out from school and nursing skills. I have had 1 main preceptor who I really think is questioning if I can this, while being really nice, and another who is more structured in her teaching but also realistic and encouraging (Can we say opposites?). I have yet to do total care for 4 pts completely and in the end will be responsible for 8 with a LPN for non IV meds and accuchecks, etc. But I am hating it, dreading each day, and end up questioning my decision to become a nurse. This is mostly a venting post since I know I need a job and do not want to waste the years I spent getting a license.Today I had sort of an epiphany that maybe floor nursing is not what I am suited for, but only having a few weeks experience I know it will be difficult to move on to any other job. I know I want to help people, but the work load on this floor is tough and my preceptor already informed that all the others (RNs, LPNs, Tele Techs, CNAs, and Unit Secs) are already watching me to see how I am handling everything. Needless to say being judged does not help anything. I just show up each day and hope I make it through without injuring a pt or making some huge mistake. Thank you for listening as this is a rambling rant made after a long week. Squirrel

Hailesky69, Not sure if it is too late but I think 355 and 396 are doable together. Granted I was not working and do not have kids but I was taking one 4 credit class at a time in the beginning and thought that was plenty. Then I ended taking 355, 396, and Eng 211 together and managed to get through fine. 355 has 2 quizzes, 3 discussions, 2 case studies (3 pages of writing), and one video of a focused assessment with a time limit. 396 has 4 discussion, 4 quizzes (very detailed reading assignments that are not long), resume + cover letter (prob already have), career map (not hard), nursing philosophy and then putting all those together for your portfolio. Good luck! Squirrel12 aka Sam

I am currently attending University Louisiana Lafayette online RN to BSN program. I started in October, 2014 and am scheduled to finish in Dec, 2015 (currently have 5 credits and need only the last 6 credit class to finish). Classes are 7 weeks which is okay for each nursing class of 4 credits, but the 3 credit gen ed classes were tough. 100% online and I felt instructors were approachable and would return emails or questions within 36 hours. Also my, application was processed pretty quickly so if you need help contact the adviser or recruiter and they will get back to asap.

I started this program in October of 2014 and will hopefully finish in December of 2015. I am in the RN to BSN program with a previous B.S. It is completely 100% online and the professors are helpful. I found everyone easily accessible and willing to listen to your questions. Most classes consist of 3-4 discussion forums with one reply and maybe 1-3 papers or projects in a 7 week period. You know all due dates at the beginning of the class and most follow the same schedule as far as due dates (Tues, Thurs, and Fri). ULL just had the most student enrollment for this month, it is a growing program that should be considered.

I took them one at a time, and if you are organized and motivated you could take them together I suppose but it is a good amount of work. A quiz each week in both, each has 3 discussion and responses.406 has a final project where you critique an article and you create a power point of another with some additional online work. 327 has a 3 part project with 2 weeks in between each section that deals with creating a community project of some sort with the last part being a power point presentation. I know I would never be able to do it, but good luck.

Hi Margaret, I don't know if it inexpensive enough but University Louisiana Lafayette is $9500 or $313 a unit for 30 nursing units (9 classes). It is set up to finish in about a year or about 6 7-week sections. I am only on my third section but each class has been well explained and the course calendar is clear to what is due when. It is 100% online. P.S. I am about to turn 40 and think I will be very content to "just" get my BSN! Squirrel

Please go and get the help you need. Your mental health is very important. I know I had issues that developed in nursing school and with the help of a counselor and medication I was able to finish. Remember HIPAA applies to everyone.

I also start on Oct 20th and need 2 extra classes not covered by my first bachelors, Eng Lit and an art type class. But I thought the process to apply and get registered has been easy and am nervous, but looking forward to starting in couple of weeks! Thank you for the heads up with the assessment class and the quizzes!

Suni, I just finished my ADN program which used concept mapping last May. I understand the use of concept mapping, but I hated having to complete them. I found making sure you have the priority nursing diagnoses and completing a thorough patho (what is going on and how can you verify and/or fix it , and what does it look like at each step) were keys in being able to complete the map after day of care. I also found that using a care plan book specific to your semester topic was helpful. I used Delmar's Critical Care for my 4th term in critical care. And examples are always helpful, everyone had there own way of doing them from hand-written, excel, and my choice of powerpoint. Hope it helps, Squirrel

I understand too, my parents think I am uber smart and a really hard worker and I feel like I have a bit of luck on my side and that I just have not been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder yet (LOL). They just do not get nursing school and how it makes you a bit crazy, and stressed while also fulfilling your life. I had a rough spring semester and thought I would not be able to do the work, but I talked to my clinical instructor and a couple of friends and worked as hard as I could and made it. It sounds as though you can make it through as well. You are so close, and you will not give up now. You will take that final and finish strong! Go get 'em Lola!

I am in the summer break in the middle of a 2 year program and just joined a gym with the intention of losing weight. I know it is needed and will only help me in school and life. I only gained a couple of pounds during the first year but being overweight most of my life I have learned that it only leads to more disease and difficulties in life. More power to all of us who take this "extra goal" on during a pretty stressful time! Good luck!

Dezee, Per the handbook, Saddleback's passing is a C with 75%. Squirrel