cat2007

I feel like I could have written your post myself! I graduated in May and worked on a med-surg unit for 2 months. I knew it was a hectic floor but I was determined. By the second month though I was dreading going to work. We worked short everyday because 90% of the time a RN would call out sick. The night shift was staffed better than days. If my preceptor was off, no one wanted to volunteer to precept because they were just as stressed with 8 patients. It was a chaotic environment to learn in. Granted - I am very detail oriented, but I did not feel safe. I know there are shortcuts that all nurses learn, but I did not want to take any shortcuts being a new RN. I need to find my way and the best way for my patients. I left 2 weeks before my preceptorship officially ended. They were disappointed and I felt horrible, but I had to do what was best for me and my family. I was lucky. I was able to get rehired at a hospital closer to home where I worked during school. They only have part-time available but I know I will be much happier. I can always work extra if needed. Best of luck in your job search. You can make the 2 months you spent at the hospital more positive by saying that the 12 hour shifts were just too much or the commute was too far. Let us know what happens!

I took a reveiw course in early June for 8 days. The week before the test (6/26) I did the Kaplan test trainer and reviewed content. I passed with 75 questions. If you did pretty good in nursing school and have been doing practice questions it should not take more than a month to study. I was scared to take it but the thought of dragging it out all summer was worse! Best of luck to you. You can do it!!!!

Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, NJ has a bridge program. The LPN's take a 9 week course Jun-Aug and join the 2nd year nursing students in September if they pass. I know LPN's who have done that route and are very successful. I just graduated from RVCC in May and they prepare you well for the NCLEX. I just passed the NCLEX yesterday and I am officially an RN!!! Good luck!

Thanks so much for the advice. I will definitely look at the website you suggested. Have a great weekend!

Hi - I just passed the NCLEX RN yesterday! I still can't believe it. I will be starting on a Renal Transplant floor on July 9. It is at a large teaching hospital and they seem to like new grads. I just wanted to get some opinions on what I can do to prepare for my new position. I am re-reading the renal chapter in my A&P book, but any advice from you seasoned nurses would be greatly appreciated. I did a clinical rotation on a renal floor at another hospital and there seemed to be a lot of meds including immunosuppressants. Thanks so much for any advice offerred. Have a great weekend!

Thanks! I'm a little confused about the kaplan access info. I didn't mention anything about kaplan.

I took the NCLEX on Tuesday 6/26. The majority of questions had to with prioritization and delegation, pharmacology and infection control. I did not have any dosage calculations as many have also stated. I was a bit shocked at that. I left my exam wondering how it could have shut off at 75. I wondered if I could have bombed it that bad, because I was only sure of about 4 questions!!! I wanted to scream, "Wait I'm not done yet!!!". After waiting the agonizing 48 hours, I got my results today and passed! I am so excited to start my new job on 7/9. I know I have a lot to learn, but I cannot wait. Good luck to everyone!

Hi - I graduate from Raritan Valley on May 16. Does anyone know how I can get fingerprinted through Sagamorph (sp?) before the school actually sends in our records. I just wanted to get the ball rolling. I am taking the Rutgers NCLEX review in June and wanted to sit for the boards by the middle of July. Thanks for any advice!!

I was a unit secretary before I decided to switch to CNA. I switched after my first semester of nursing school (12/2005). I took a $1.00 pay cut to become a CNA and the job is much more physically demanding and busy. It's a shame the pay is so low for what we do! However, the experience I am getting as a per diem CNA in the float pool has been invaluable. I know I have alot to learn when I graduate in May 2007, but at least I feel more confident with the patients. As for the unit secretary position, I am so thankful that I did that before starting school. It really helped me in my nursing classes because I knew alot of the medications, abbreviations, lab work and diagnostic tests. Any kind of hospital position is helpful. Plus it lets you see if you really want to do the job. Nursing is not a glamorous job and the responsibilities are tremendous. Some people don't realize this until they start clinicals.

You're night sounds interesting. I didn't think CNA's could give meds like Reglan and do trach care. Do you work alone or is there an RN/LPN with you?

Second year student at Raritan Valley Community College. I am starting 3rd semester in September and graduate in May!!!

Thanks for sharing the article. I remember hearing about night shift workers and breast cancer a few years ago. I have been doing the night shift for 12 years and it scares me because both my mom and her sister died of breast cancer. They were not night shift workers. Unfortunately, night shift works best for my family so I am stuck. I wonder if there is anything I can do to help decrease the risk.

Hello - I am a second year nursing student (ADN). In clinical we are to check the apical HR with our stethoscopes before giving Digoxin. I work at a hospital as a nurses aide and the nurse went by the HR recorded on the BP machine. I was just wondering if this is ok. Thanks for your advice. I have learned so much from reading this forum.