Bobmo88

Just took and passed CEN yesterday, I did the practice tests from the ENA study guide, used Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Manual for reference and also some ENA online modules that my employer gave me access to when I first started as a nurse 2 years ago. I felt like many of the questions I answered based on my experience but the stuff that I don't see all the time is what I had to review the most.

Tagging for future reference, I am planning on taking the CEN next year. Still in my first year as nurse but others' posts in this thread are encouraging.

I agree with Chiromed0, school should be the highest priority. I had been an ER Tech for 2 years before I started nursing school but it would have been difficult adjusting to a new job AND nursing school. If you can find a place that will work with your school schedule then I say go for it but not at the expense of your studies.

I just got an offer for a new grad position in the ER at the hospital I've worked at as a technician and PALS was a requirement so it might be beneficial for you.

Updating my timeline Send in application to board and pay fees, register and pay for NCLEX 3/27 Graduation 5/16 ATT 6/1 NCLEX 75 Questions and Good Pop up with PVT 6/8 Degree Posts 6/26 Transcripts sent to BRN 7/2 Nursing License Posts 7/10 Job Fair 7/17 Interview 8/4 Job Offer 8/7 Tentative Start Date 9/14

Thanks!

They might be working on your application, my application "disappeared" when I was still waiting for my ATT and a couple days later my application was back with an updated status and I received my ATT.

My license posted on the 10th and I received my card yesterday in the mail, congrats to you on passing!

License posted 7/10/15, officially an RN!

I spoke to one of the staff members in the nursing department at my school yesterday who confirmed that my transcripts were sent out last week so hopefully my license will post soon!

My degree finally posted 2 days ago so hopefully my school sends transcripts soon. One of my coworkers went to my school and he took the NCLEX in early June and didn't see his license post to the BRN until July 4th.

Took mine on June 8th and still hasn't posted. I finished in 75 questions and got the good pop up for the Pearson Vue Trick. My school still hasn't posted my degree to my transcripts so I think that may be the reason why my license hasn't posted.

Tagging for future reference!

My timeline Send in application to board and pay fees, register and pay for NCLEX 3/27 Graduation 5/16 Kaplan 5/19-5/22 ATT 6/1 NCLEX 75 questions and good pop up for PVT 6/8 I am in CA so no quick results for me, I know for a fact my school hasn't sent out transcripts yet (even though nursing is the priority) so I think it might be a while for me until my license posts. In the meantime I have been applying to some jobs, working, and enjoying life.

Our program has traditionally had 10 weeks of summer classes and from my understanding that's usually around she those externships start So it would have been nearly impossible to do an internship. I would say it's still doubtful even with the changes in curriculum but that is something you would have to look into. I think they don't call it precepting because it is different than a lot of programs where you are assigned to a specific unit at the very end of nursing school. I hope my info was helpful, both are great programs and you will be fine with either choice, best of luck to you!

Are you talking about like the COPE Health Solutions CCE program or something else? I did that program a while ago but I have also have worked in a local hospital for the past 5 years so I didn't look into interships while in school. It just depends on the time commitment expected of you, if it's something like the CCE program I would say yes but can't really answer about other things. There were a lot of volunteer opportunities through the student nurse association such as flu shot clinics, first aid volunteer at the ventura marathon, and health fairs as well. As far as preceptorship, we have something called transitions to professional practice which is pretty much precepting, however, when we had it, it was during our second summer and it was only a few weeks. At the moment, our last clinical rotation is critical care and we go to units like ER, ICU, and step down units but it isn't like a traditional preceptorship where you are assigned to a specific unit the entire time but we are as independent as precepting students. I'm honestly not sure when transitions is going to be with the new curriculum though.

I am about to graduate from CSUCI in 3 weeks and definitely think it is a great program if you do decide to go. The curriculum is different now than what my experience has been but I believe there will only be 1 session each summer as opposed to two sessions each summer. Even CSUCIs program is longer than both of CSULBs, you might not have as much time to work as you think. I personally have worked throughout the entire program but cut down to 12 hours a week for the last two years so I could focus more on school. Like I mentioned, the curriculum is different now and the course load might be heavier during the school year since the program reduced the summer sessions. Another thing to consider is class sizes, I don't know how many students CSULB admits but since my class sizes at CSUCI are relatively small, I feel like my professors know me on a personal level and this has been beneficial as far as letters of recommendation are concerned. I hope my input helped and if you have any further questions let me know!

I believe the H1N1 is part of the annual flu shot and you are required to get this yearly so if you haven't already gotten this years injection then you will need to. Just to clarify, Tdap stands for Tetorifice, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. I am not sure about how recent the Tdap needs to be (a quick search that I did has said every 10 years I feel like it is only 5 years at the hospital. I work at) but you might have received the Tdap if you needed to get a tetorifice shot after getting stitches or suffering a deep puncture wound. Whenever these are administered the type of vaccine, date of administration, site of administration, vaccine lot number etc. need to be documented so if you have these done at a doctor's office then it should go in your medical record if done elsewhere (e.g. Flu shot clinic) you should receive or be able to receive a copy of the info. Hope I was able to answer your questions!

I'd like to say that Pedi codes get easier but that would be a lie. Telling a parent "there is no more we can do for your child" is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Talking it out with your coworkers helps and my ways of dealing with tough days at work include running, hitting my punching bag, playing basketball, listening to music and having a beer or two if all else fails. Glad you are feeling better, hang in there!

I worked Per Diem for over 2.5 years and I was able to work steadily until I finally got a regular benefitted position. I even was able to work on a non-nursing bachelor's degree while waiting to get into nursing school. I think it all depends on how busy your department is and if you are able to float to other floors if needed or do things like sitting for patients. Good luck to you!

I think about how there is no doubt in my mind that this the career for me and that there are so many people that would want to be in my shoes right now. The application deadline is coming up for this Fall's incoming class and one of the student workers told me that they were expecting about 400 application for 44 spots (my incoming class had 44 spots but in previous years it was 33 so I'm unsure about exactly how many) I have never studied this much in my life but I have way too much invested in this career to give up.

I didn't even know that I was an alternate but I had initially been denied to the BSN program I am currently going through. I got a call a month later saying that some applicants had chosen other programs and that if I wanted a spot it was mine! I hope everything works out for you!

I used to volunteer for the CCE program a few years back and I remember at my particular hospital they would give out information about where one could get CPR certified. I believe our hospital only accepted American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR but I would email the manager or director of Recruitment and Training for the hospital you would like to apply at. If this is the case, you could look up the AHA's website for classes and training centers near you.

I had to take Pathophysiology my first semester of nursing school and it was extremely difficult. There was so much material in that class that you basically had to teach yourself because it was impossible to go over everything in class. My advice for you is to figure out your learning style because understanding Pathophysiology is more than just memorization, you will have to retain and apply the information for the rest of your academic and professional career. For Patho I took notes as I read the chapters and to review I would meet in study groups and discuss the disease processes aloud as if I was teaching someone else. I thinking having a solid foundation of Patho will help you understand material in your other classes much easier.