goodknight

We just found out we will be going to this soon. We are a rural hospital w/out Pharmacy on site 24hr/day, so we have these questions and a lot of others (r/t first dose pharm checks, ect) So I would also love to here how this is working out for others.

Exaclty. There are people who LOVE call and want to get as much as they can so our full time people rarely have to take more than 2 shifts, if that.

Also, forgot to add, we have several ICU/ER nurses that have oriented to PACU who take call in addition to our regular staff.

Our PACU splits it into 8 hour shifts and posts a calander for everyone to self schedule their shifts. It works very well for us. Everyone is required to take atleast 2 shifts, but some take as many as 15. A lot of nurses have specific shifts that they like to take, the other like to fill in the empty spots. Occasionaly those of us who prefer to avoid weekend call have to take a few shifts but its not that often. It is split 1600-2300, 2300-0800 during the week. 0700-1530, 1530-2300, 2300-0700 on weekends. Hopefully that was coherent, i'm half asleep. :)

Morbid answer: Ive rolled up a towel and propped it closed until they stiffen up just a bit. Depends on how much time you have tho....

We do one pre-op too.

I'm planning on applying to the AS-MSN this fall at ISU so i'd be interested in any information too!

Most ADN programs here in Arkansas don't require Chem. That's a bachelor's prereq.

Arkansas State University - AASN The HESI is our clinical final (20% of grade) in the last semester. You get 2 chances to make a 900. If you don't make it you still graduate, but you must take a NCLEX review course before your info is released to the board. Most of us are taking a review anyway so it's not that huge of a deal (other than effecting our final grade, we're still going to graduate & take the NCLEX).

$100 + turkey/ham/fruit basket of your choice Needless to say I was very very very happy!

Thanks, I think that unanimously answers the question! One last thing, Is there a difference in the Master Cardiology and the STC other than those little grips on the head?

I am going to be getting a new stethoscope (a Littmann, either the Master Cardiology or the Cardiology STC). Right now I have a 27" Littman Master Classic II. Does anyone have a 22 inch Littmann? How do you like the length? I'm thinking that it will fit in my pocket better and be sized more appropriate for my body (5'2" here). But does the 5 inches make you have to stoop/get in the pt's face? What is your opinion/experience? Thanks, Jessica

I don't think you can CLEP after you have taken a course. But if you CAN that would be one way to go. Community College is a good idea too. Same content, less $$$

Hello everyone, I am finishing my 2nd semseter of ADN now, will be done with 3 of 4 next May. I plan to work in ICU after graduation, possibly at the local hopital, but am also seriously considered relocating (single, no kids) At ASNA Convention this week, I got the opportunity to talk to the Methodist Hospital in Houstin about their summer student nurse program. I am considering applying, but to do the program I would have to move for the summer and cancel a trip planned to Ireland:o . Now, I would love to have the opportunity to work in a large ICU over the summer, but I'm trying to weigh the options. Does anyone work at Methodist or know anything about the program? What is the experience like? How useful would this type of experience be to me as a new grad in ICU? Will I be academically ready for this type of program (most seem geared to BSN students, but I will have completed 3/4 of ASN)? If you had the choice of going to Ireland or doing the Summer progam, what would you do? I know that's a lot of questions, but I would appreciate any advice or suggestions you have to offer. Thanks so much, Jessica

I have something to say about small, short people. I am 5'2", petiete all over. I have so much trouble finding scrubs to fit. I usually end up in an XS top, which is too big and makes me look FAT, and is very uncomfortable due to the feeling of fabric billowing around me. For pants I always have to get XS and cut 4-5 inches off so that they don't drag on the ground. The pants are usually to big in the waist too, unless I get low rise which fit better. I know that there are plenty of people out there that are smaller (girl in Nursing School with me is probably 4'9", 80lbs or so) and I have no idea how they get scrubs to fit. Another grip. I hate the scrunchy looking elastic waist bands. They're so uncomfortable and scratchy. I got some of the new Cherokees that have a "boxer-type" waist, which are awesome. Much better than a drawstring or the old style elastic. Just my 2 cents

Thanks! I figured it must have some other use that I couldn't find. That makes sense.

Hello, I have a patient in clinical tomorrow on two antidepressants, Prozac and Desyril. The Desyril is PRN, Prozac is daily. Can someone explain the rational of a PRN antidepressant to me? I have no psych knowledge (I'm in 2nd semester, that's covered in 3rd). What type of patient can I expect with these meds? I searched on the internet and in my drug books but didn't find anything useful. Thanks, Jessica

I am 19, and in my second semester of ADN. When I was reading your post I wondered "if he can't motivate and apply himself in school, will he be a good and safe nurse?" Maybe he will be. But if this isn't something he wants or is mentally/emotionally ready for, then perhaps he should try something else (Gen Ed, Ass. of Arts) for a while. Them when he feels ready to be a responsible adult, he can go back into a program, if he is still interested in nursing. Obviously it would be ideal if he would take advantage of the opportunity he has now to be an RN without the long wait that seems to be standard now. But it may be that he just isn't ready for this kind of responsibility. Just my 2 cents. Not worth that much.

I drive over 2 hours a day for school. It's more time than that if it rains, snows, or I get behind a school bus or slow-poke. I try and NOT think about school while I drive. I use that time to decompress and relax. Listen to music, talk to friends on my cell (bad I know), eat sometimes, that way, when I get home I am almost ready to start studying.

18% (if my math is right) 6 men in a class of 33 total in my ADN program.

Basic algebra is required for the dosage tests. Things like porportions, rations, find x, ect.

I have a cousin with a PDD. There is more than one and each is different and will manifest itself differently. One thing I do know is that if this child does have a PDD, he needs a better home life than what you describe. Also autism and PPDs are not the same thing, may be similar in some cases, but are not always treated the same.

I am 19 also (and look to be less than that) and have experienced this a few times in clinicals. Most of my patients haven't cared if I was 12 or if I was Santa, but while assisting other students I have been asked "Are you a nurse?" "No, I'm a student." "Good, I wouldn't want you to be my nurse, you're too young." They probably don't realize that I'll not be much older when I AM the nurse. I just let it go. No one has refused care by me because of my age, yet. I'm sure at some point some one will, but not because I act immature. I try to behave as professionaly as possible because that seems to make people think I'm a bit older than 16. :). But anyway, I feel your pain. It's just something we have to deal with, even though it shouldn't be an issue.

Laptop. Extremely portable in the house. After sitting at a desk most of the day at school I like to be able to sit in my nice comfy chair and do homework. I can also take it with me if I'm going to have time during the day to do extra work.

I had a somewhat similar issue last year with my parents, They wern't sure that I would like nursing. I just graduated HS in 2004 and am starting Semester 2 of my ADN in August. I can only offer a few suggestions. Have you shadowed a nurse yet? Make sure that you really want to do this before you get into it with your mom. Make a list of reasons why you want to be a nurse and a list of why you don't. Do some research on what you will be paid, where you can work, ect. Then go talk to Mom. Explain why this is what you want to do. Show her that you understand what you'll be getting into. It might also help to show your mom how many differnt options there are for nurses these days. Bedside nursing is not the only option you have today with a nursing degree. You can get an advanced degree and work as a practitioner, work for an insurance or pharmacutical company, work in management or research. Nursing is one of the most versitle careers around. You can get steady, reliable work almost anywhere, doing almost anything you want. Also, find out exactly why your mom is against the idea. Is it just because she didn't like being a nurse? If so nursing has changed alot in the past years. If not, let her explain her concerns to you. Listen with an open mind, because mother's tend to know more and think about differnt things than we as young adults do. If in the end after all the research and discussion, you and your mom can't agree, then you'll have to make some descisions about financial aid. It is your career and life though. You will be the one who has to live with the final descision, not your mom. So in the end, while mom's oppinion and $$ count for a lot, It's your happyness on the line. I wish you the best in whatever you choose, Jessica