Julesmama28

11 months.

I did it. It's a good program and an amazing way to ease into nursing. I was taught by some great preceptors and had some really great hands on experiences. I was treated like a nurse, it was awesome. The pay doesn't hurt either. Downsides? Not great communication about the actual job status but that's something you can work around. I was offered a permanent job after graduation but I chose another direction. Don't regret my almost year there though, it was great!

We are opening a new unit and are super stoked to have it available to our laboring moms. We haven't started yet, so I'll have to let you know how it goes!

I've had 6 miscarriages. Every one was awful. I'm so sorry for your loss. I found message boards very helpful, lots of women going through the same kinds of things. Take care of yourself physically and take time to grieve emotionally. It takes more time than the physical part for sure. Hugs.

Wow! She's almost there! One day at a time, she'll be done before she knows it. Hang in there, it'll be worth it in the end!

I lasted a year in ICU. I'm working L &D now, hoping to heck that I'm not too jaded to still be a good nurse. I loved trauma/Icu, I hated the dying, especially the long, drawn out deaths. My last one was the day before I quit. It still haunts me. A young guy whose family wanted everything done, yet couldn't believe he was sick enough to come be by his side as he died on full support, drugs and ventilator. Ugh. Horrible. I didn't get a debriefing either. I had 6 withdrawal of cares during that year, never did have any thing to support me during those times. It's the nature of the beast I suppose.

Why not use an OG? That's what we do with intubated patients.

Our expensive items are usually in the Omnicell, and therefore the patient gets charged when we pull it out under their name.

Learn about dka too, it's a big one we see. Learn the drugs, learn the vents, working with og/ng tubes, full assessments...

I did my senior capstone at night too. I only had one day of class a week so it wasn't too hard to work around that with my preceptors schedule. I did 12 shifts with her. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

We check q4 hours and reinfuse anything under 500 ml. Seems like a ton but really isn't. If it's greater than 500 then we usually stop feeds for a while and check to ensure they don't have other reasons for not digesting.

I didn't buy them or bought used, old editions. Never had a problem and saved a ton of money! Talk to some upper class men. My professors used their own power points and as long as I showed up and took good notes or printed the power points I was golden. Graduated with a 3.75 gpa!

I graduated a year ago at 36.5. I agree! Go for it.

If you have a connection somewhere, like where you did your senior specialty- I would reach out to the manager. Let them know you graduated and when you'll take the nclex. That's how I got my first job.

Western Colorado Large hospital ICU 1 year exp. plus $25.39/hr 4$ night, 2$ weekend diff COL seems a bit high here too, we own a 1900 sq ft home and pay 1500 a month mortgage. Rent is at least 6-700 a month and up.

Grand Junction Colorado is a beautiful mountain town and there are two hospitals there. I know they hire new grads! Good luck in your endeavors! RN BSN

210 a month for ppo family plan. It's decent RN BSN

I work 3 12s. Nights, but that was the position offered, we don't do both. I work ICU and often eat at my desk right by the patients room. We have to get co workers to watch out for our patients if we want to leave the floor. It's a pain so I don't do it much. We also have one call shift a month that could be overtime if we get called in. But we get paid for it. RN BSN

I have eight kids, went through school Preggo and breastfeeding. Graduated and am now working full time as an RN in the ICU. If you want it, go get it! Hopefully you have supportive family and friends to help you through. RN BSN

I think it really depends on where you are and what the hospital needs are. I work nights now but am moving to days soon after less than a year on nights. Nights is better in a lot of ways, pay, experiences, staff, etc. basically everything but switching back and forth. I have kids and it is rough but doable, I just get a sitter for the days I need to sleep. RN BSN

We use it occasionally in the icu, usually just in the armpits or under a sweaty BP cuff after a bath...it helps keep the smell and moisture under control. RN BSN

Bring a note pad with your questions and just make sure you ask before the interview if it's ok if you take notes. All the interviews I've had, the interviewers were perfectly fine, if not a little impressed at the forethought. Good luck! RN BSN

I got 12 weeks orientation to our ICU. I also had several amazing nurses teaching me all the time. Im sorry you've had such a poor experience. We also never have more than 2 patients.

I've only been a nurse for about 9 months but I have wanted it for years. It is just as stimulating, interesting, heart wrenching, exhausting, heart warming, and satisfying as I imagined it would be. Sure, health care is changing, but it's still a great, steady job to have. 😀 RN BSN

Family should come first, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the goal you have in sight. I finished nursing school with 8 kids, I am blessed with a supportive husband though. I missed out on quite a few events like that for school, but you have to choose. If it's worth the couple of years of sacrifice for you to better your life then do it, and don't feel guilty. No one can do everything/be everything. Good luck on your journey! RN BSN