jensdandy

Hi! I just finished my nursing at San Antonio College one year ago. I really enjoyed the program and felt like I had plenty of hands on/practical learning as well as lecture time. The instructors were great and always had time to help. So far, as long as you are looking at clinical work, I haven't noticed a difference in the BSN prepared nurses versus the ADN prepared ones. The hospital I work at doesn't pay one more than the other. Best of luck in your career. :wink2:

We were on vacation at the beach when I was stung by a jellyfish...already was turning into a big welp before I even got out of the ocean. In the vacation house couldn't find anything to put on it so jokingly tried the Windex...it worked wonderfully!!!! The man upstairs tried meat tenderizer when he got stung but his was much worse and painful the next day...

Have you worked in an ER before? Maybe as a tech or CNA? I have been working in the ER 4 years as a tech and just passed my boards a month ago. The nurses I have worked with as a tech sure made it look easy....I thought I had the hard job as a tech. Now working there as a nurse I am constantly on the go but I know where everything is. Turnover is quick, acuity is sometimes high, and it gets tough. But...things are organized. I can't imagine working in an ER like the one you describe here. If it is truly that bad I think I would be looking elsewhere too. I too get told that I am the nicest nurse there since I tend to take time to listen to my patients...I don't want to change. I also know there are some very rude and at time unprofessional nurses....but they know how to take care of any patient during an emergency. I strive to be like them without the rudeness and unprofessionalism. I hope you find a place that you are happy. I love my job and wouldn't trade it for the world! :)

I did the opposite of what you are planning. I have been in EMS for the past 13 years. Because it was initially a volunteer service they paid for my education from basic all the way through paramedic. I love working on the ambulance but was also interested in the ER. I began working in the ER 4 years ago as a tech, loved what the nurses were able to do and started going to nursing school. I just finished and passed the NCLEX on 09-22-05. Coming from an EMS background as well as working as a tech in the ER, I found that I did not have to study much for nursing while others were struggling. I intend to keep working part time with the ambulance and full time in the ER. I think you will love it! Being out there and first on the scene is wonderful. The adrenaline rush you get just hearing the pager go off is something else. I think they would be happy to have you on the team....Good Luck!

Just wanted to add to this. I work at an ER in San Antonio. We also went into external disaster mode, calling in extra staff and having others on call. All employees coming into work were asked to bring in any extra clothing they had; men's, women's, and childrens as well as shoes and blankets. Everyone was wonderful! The ambulance entrance looked like a thrift store but we were able to offer our refugee patients a shower, hot food, and fresh clothing once they were medically cleared. All were very appreciative. We even had some of the shelters contact our ER for some of the clothes because we had so many coming in. There is so much more they will all need but we were happy just to be able to help in some small way. I am proud of the way that all Americans are pitching in to help! Keep up the good work!

Just an update...I passed my HESI with no problem...just received my GN permit in the mail on 9-6-05 and am orienting with one of the RN's. This means that basically I have my own patients to take care of and she checks everything I do. It have been easier than I thought it would to change rolls in regard to how the nurses are treating me. No problem there. My problem is that I see things undone and want to take care of them (things I used to do as a tech) instead of asking the tech to do it. The nurse tells me to leave it for the tech. Anyway....good luck to everyone..it has been a great experience so far. I take the NCLEX on Sept 23....keep me in your prayers! Jen

I have the same problem - need to lose weight - but in the meantime have been to several podiatrists for heel pain and have been through injections into my foot as well as orthotripsy with no relief. One podiatrist finally told me to use only New Balance shoes (not the $30 ones - the $90 ones that are meant for crosstraining) and to buy full length arch supports (not arch cushions) to put in them. Again, not the cheaper ones like Dr. Scholls. He suggested Spenko among others. They usually run about $20 just for the inserts. I can't live without them...they have made such a difference in my foot pain. I do find myself getting new arch supports every 3 months or so, though. It is well worth it not to have the pain. He also suggested that I use the night time foot splint. I was using it whenever I had severe pain from a long day and it made a huge difference when getting up in the morning. I haven't had to use it in quite a while, though. Good luck....

I was working as a full time paramedic for a small county that wasn't paying very much at all. Then they had to double insurance premiums and I couldn't afford to work there anymore. Started working in an ER as a tech never intending to go into nursing...just to make money. But ran into a few nurses who were there just for the money. They didn't have any compassion or empathy for the patients. The last straw for me (my decision to go into nursing) came when I asked a nurse if he could please give the patient the medication that had been ordered over an hour ago by the doc...his response was "There are more important things going on than that." That just blew me away. How could anyone be in nursing and not care?! That was it....I knew I could be a better nurse than that person ever could be and that started it. I just graduated from nursing school today and will be awaiting the paper trail so that I can take my NCLEX. I will be working in the same ER where I have been a tech for the past 4 years and am looking forward to it.

Thank you for replying. This is exactly what I am worried about. The boss jokes about the fact that since I work there I don't need a very long orientation...which kind of scares me. I don't want them to assume that I know more than I do. I did talk to him about this and he says that it is up to me when I want to come off of orientation whether it is one month or three. There are several RNs that are very supportive but there are some that are very tech dependent and I am afraid they will continue to ask me to do alot for their patients as well as keep up with my own. But I like your last line "You are there in your new role as RN"

This is my first post. Just took my final exit exam for nursing school and will be waiting on the BNE so that I can schedule my NCLEX. I have been working as a tech in an ER while attending nursing school. I will be working in the ER as a Nurse once I have passed the NCLEX. I am a little nervous with the upcoming roll change and wonder how the staff will deal with it. Any advice on how this situation and how to make it easier for all involved? By the way...love reading all the information on this site!