Shorty11

I had a confused patient one time who pulled out her FMS (fecal management system) and was sucking on it when I returned to the room to do my hourly rounds. When I tried to take it out of her hands and mouth as gently as possible, she fought me and it flung feces on my hair, my scrub top, and and on the wall. I washed my hair in the sink and wore paper scrubs the rest of the night. Not only that but she had feces all over her mouth and face. Ugh.

I work in a medical intensive care unit. We are 1:2

I started as a new graduate in a Medical ICU. I did a new graduate internship program with a 6-month training period. While I was very intimidated in the beginning, my coworkers went above and beyond to make sure I was catching on and learning things daily, even once I was complete with training. While it is not for everyone who is a new graduate, working in an ICU is possible. The learning curve is steep and you must be willing to put the extra time and effort in to keep up with the fast pace. I have been working in my unit for 3 years now and I love it everyday. I am so happy I made the decision to just go for it right out of school. The hard work has payed off for me. It definitely depends on the environment and mentality of you and your coworkers, but I feel that working in MedSurg as a new grad is not a "must". Not to brag at all, just to give you some insight, but I became a charge nurse after two years and I precept new graduates now. I truly love my job and my unit.

Are you wiling to move? (I.e. Texas?)

Are you willing to relocate to Texas? If so, PM me. I know of some job opportunities for new graduates.

Was the NCLEX as hard as I imagined it to be? No. Was it difficult? Yes. I took the Hurst Live review and then studied everyday for 8 hours a day for 2 weeks before I took the test. I passed in 75 questions. I still did not feel 100% confident that I passed as I walked out of the testing room but I had a feeling that I answered enough correctly to pass. Don't take it lightly. Yes, it is difficult, but it's not so hard that you cannot pass in the first attempt if you study enough! (I took NCLEX-RN in June 2014).

6-8 patients seems like too many for one nurse to manage. At my hospital, even our least acute floors only have a 4:1 ratio. I graduated from nursing school (BSN-RN) in May 2014 and became an RN in June 2014. I started my job working in a Medical ICU/CCU in June 2014. It is possible to start in an ICU right out of school (I am proof). We have a 2:1 patient to nurse ratio. I love my job. I received 5 months of preceptorship before being on my own. Seems like the problem here is the environment (heavy patient to nurse ratio, management, environment, etc). I would personally look elsewhere to work... A safer, more nurse friendly environment!

Thanks for the warnings. I do not have a physical acceptance letter, but if I log onto the hospital's hiring system, it states that I have been "awarded the position". I have an exact date and time set up to meet with HR to sign my contract (scheduled for next week). They also have also emailed me my upcoming orientation schedule. So hopefully all these things mean the job truly is mine! Fingers crossed for now!

I just wanted to share my story to give others some hope. It is possible to get a job straight out of nursing school..with no previous experience! I live in Texas. I applied for a position at a hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in March. The position I applied for was a year-long CCU internship program with permanent employment upon completion. I was called for an interview 2 weeks after I applied. I was offered the position approximately 10 days after I interviewed (in April). I gladly accepted it! I graduated last week from my BSN program. I start my new position in mid July. I will work as a GN until I pass my NCLEX, if I haven't taken it by then (waiting on my Authorization to Test). Of course, I must pass the NCLEX on the first attempt or I will lose the internship. Also, I have to sign a two-year contract to remain at the hospital after completion of the internship. But I will gladly sign the contract! I got my dream job. : ) Some tips: practice, practice, practice questions and answers to behavioral-type interview questions. I really believe my interview skills got me this position. I searched this site for samples of interview questions and practiced what I would say. Over and over. Dress professionally. The person who interviewed before me wore... Get this...Flip-flops. Seriously? Don't do that! I wore dark gray short heels, black dress slacks, a button-up blouse, and a light cardigan. They commented on how put together I was. Make your resume stand out. If you did something that no one else did, put it! If you worked during school, held a leadership position in a school nursing organization, had an excellent nursing GPA, or volunteered... Put those things. I did and I believe it made my resume stand out. Make sure your resume is short (less than one page) but to the point. They don't have time to read a novel about you. They need to be able to see in less than 60 seconds why you are a great candidate. Get recommendation letters from several of your professors. I got three professors to write me amazing letters. Even if they don't require it, it couldn't hurt if the letters are good! Network. If you know someone who works where you want to, reach out to them (friend, preceptor, etc). Let them know you are very interested and see what they can do. Best of luck everyone!! Happy job hunting!! : )

I disagree with the statement that failing an exam (or one of your first or any exams in any given class, etc)is a "rite of passage". I am in my 5th and final semester of a traditional BSN program. I have never failed an exam in any nursing class. I have made an A in 10 out of 11 courses so far. (Got a high B in the one). Nursing exams are (most likely) unlike any type of exam you've ever taken before. They are application based, which requires critical thinking. Don't get discouraged though...many people fail multiple exams, even an entire course, and still go on to be great nurses. My point is that high grades in nursing courses are possible (without cheating! (as some one else mentioned) and without being exceptionally smart!) It's all about application of the material, applying what you have studied to the particular situation presented in the question. Study NCLEX-style questions. Think about what the question is truly asking. In my experience, usually my first instinct is right. In other words, I try not to chance a bunch of answers. Prioritize, ABCs, Maslows, know what getting better and what getting worse look like, nursing interventions, patient teaching, lab values.. Just to name a few.. all come into play. Best of luck!

If I were you and knew I didn't need to take the physics portion, I would go ahead and take the HESI A2 after taking A&P 1 & 2. Considering you have completed through calculus and some upper level chem courses, I think you will be more than prepared for the sections you are required for after completing A&P 1 & 2.

Like the previous poster, I would recommend contacting the department of education. Check out studentaid.ed.gov/ The website can provide general FAQ's. For more specific questions, I believe contact info is provided. I think you could also benefit from contacting the financial aid departments at the individual schools you are applying to for more detailed information pertaining to each individual school. While everyone's individual circumstances are different, I wanted to let you know that I was eligible for additional financial aid after already having received a BS in BIology. I decided to return to school to pursue nursing after graduation. I was informed through emails with the department of education that if I pursued a ADN that I would NOT be eligible for more financial aid because I already had a Bachelors, but that I would be eligible for more financial aid if I decided to pursue a BSN, another bachelors degree. I decided to pursue the BSN. I was informed that the maximum amount I was eligible for for all combined undergraduate degrees was approximately $57,000. Because I had not reached this amount for my first Bachelors (it cost $26,000), the remaining amount was available for me to use for my BSN. For a second degree you will not be eligible for federal grants, but you will be eligible for scholarships so get applying! Check the school's website for scholarship recommendations. I would not use my example (or others) as a sure thing of what your experience will be.. Just trying to provide an example. Best of luck!

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” –Thomas A. Edison

Nursing school is actually enjoyable. Of course not all times are exactly "fun", but I do find myself enjoying clinicals and a lot of time even lectures! I was always a straight A student too. People told me to forget about making A's... But this doesn't have to be true! I have managed to make 11 A's of the 12 nursing courses I have completed (with an 89 in the other ugh). So you can still be a straight A student! It is possible! (I am in a BSN program). The thing about nursing school is that the subject matter itself is not entirely all that difficult. The subject matter is definitely manageable. It is the amount of material you are expected to learn in a given time that it challenging. Nursing school is very time consuming, but the subject matter is not exactly difficult. The upside to this is that with effective time management it is doable. Also, you will make some of the best friends you have ever had in nursing school. You are all going through the same thing at the same time with the same goal. My nursing friends keep me motivated and are always there to help one another out. Dosage calculation just takes practice. It's foreign at first, but with time and practice it will become easier. I recommend the book "calculate with confidence" and googling websites for practice problems.. There are tons of resources out there to help! I love nursing school, and I am fortunate for the friends I have made along the way. Be excited! Be positive and realize that you can do this! Best of luck!

Based on your particular situation and location, it is hard to suggest a school for you without knowing your area and nursing schools in that particular area. Most, if dare I say almost all, BSN programs (for those who are not already nurses- RNs,LVN/LPNs), at minimum will require you to be present for all clinicals and maybe even on campus proctored exams... even if they do offer an online-based curriculum. It may be possible, but I would expect it would be next to impossible to find a "completely"online traditional BSN program. You say that nurses you know on the island have attended online programs? Did they attend these online programs pre-licensure to become a nurse or did they attend online programs after already being a licensed nurse in order to obtain an additional degree/certification (as in an RN-BSN program)? Maybe you should ask the locals in your area. Maybe the nurses on your island could guide you towards a program that would work for you better than we could (w online courses and going onto the mainland for your clinicals). Not trying to be harsh, just realistic. While doing your basics, pre-reqs, and even some co-reqs to nursing is possible online...Once you reach time for nursing courses themselves, i would think it may be very difficult to find a program that meets the criteria you seek. Best of luck.