trolloc6340

No, unfortunately not. I'm just a lowly home health nurse. Guess I'll have to dig deep on this one. Guess this was the wrong place to get support.

So my continued battle with ECG Academy goes on. Today we are studying Hemiblocks. Now when we took the basic course, I at least had an idea of what we are covering. Now that we are doing the intermediate course, I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing. When did I get to be a cardiologist and know how to read ECG's perfectly? I feel so out of my depth at this point with this program. Please someone tell me its not just me. Please?

Interesting replies. I currently work full time nights. But i'm thinking that will come to an end very soon. I'm thinking that it will be too much on my plate to work full time. What would you think about working for a Home Health/Hospice agency while going to school?

I'm going the Adult/Gero route.

Also asked this question in the NP forum. Would like to hear from anyone who is far along in their program... I need to position myself for success in completing my upcoming program starting in August. So I have a question regarding my work. Currently I work in an acute care hospital, full time, 12 hr shifts. It is an LTAC floor. And it can get pretty hectic working nights. My question is how much or where I should be working for my NP degree to succeed? Should I be working less or in a less stressful position? Or can I do both comfortably? The program I am starting in is a 3 year program, so its not quite full time. Thoughts?

And you are so right about not giving up! Ever since my career change several years ago, it has been a struggle. But with every new milestone, I got that much farther. I remember starting from nothing, working a crappy job at Sam's Club, and going to get my CNA. I got my license and started working in the field. I worked up from CNA to LPN to RN. Then just finished off the BSN. It is so fulfilling to see all that hard work is paying off in a big way.

As of right now, i'm pursuing the Adult/Gero NP path. I think that would make the most sense for me at this time. I have very little exposure to taking care of children, so I did'nt think FNP would workout too well. I can always go back for it later if needed.

About a month back I posted on my woes of getting into NP school. Due to my crapola GPA from a previous career, this was really hurting my chances. As you know, to get into a MSN program, all coursework is cumulative. I applied to a local college in my city and was rejected straight away. I am happy to inform you that I applied to another college in the area and was accepted straight away!! This college only looked at the past 60 hours of my coursework. I'm off to become an NP!!! Wohoo!!!!

My schedule is hellish, running 12's. And the nights off are not much better. I usually keep my night schedule if only a few days off. But the more days off I have, i slowly reset to day shift schedule.

You will have to decide what your goals are. I did my pre-reqs first. Then went LPN, RN, BSN all from different schools. That could be considered the long way. Some choose to do a 4 year program and run straight through to the BSN. Mine was definitely longer, but more relaxed. Get ur prerequisites done first.

They say that it's all different when it's your family, and I can attest to that. Having been a nurse for the past 6 years, I have seen many things. But this one hit home for me. I will try to elaborate quickly. Long story short, girlfriend's dad comes into town. Was not sure of his age, but looked 60ish. Went out to eat with her family, no biggie deal. Came back to families' house, and got a reality check. So sitting next to him (GF's Dad) on the couch. Cannot help but notice his very audible expiratory wheezing. And like a mouse to cheese, so begins the covert assessment… Expiratory wheezing when sitting, Respirs of 30 (thank you smartphone), use of accessory muscles to breath, shortness of breath. His color looked good, but this was all just at a glance. And as I get home later this morning, sleeping sitting up in front of the TV on the couch. Now the bad news. Talked to GF, got in a fight over it. Her dad does not want to do anything. No going to the hospital, no Dr's apt. I tried to convince them to talk to him and make him go to the hospital, but he is not having it. I realize that patient's need to make their own choices, but if that was my parent, I would drag them kicking and screaming to the hospital. I don't care if they were mad at me. Knowing what was happening and possibly being able to treat it vs dead parent is okay with me. Thoughts??

I was unaware that graduate schools only consider the most recent coursework. The adviser at the school I applied to specifically stated that the GPA is cumulative and that implies all course work taken, even if it is not nursing related. My previous coursework was failed out of computer stuff.

Good replies. Its good to know where I stand. And i'm glad you guyz/gals told me about it. I have made the decision to attempt to clean up my GPA as best as possible in order to apply for NP School. It will be be painful, but it is necessary if it gets me where I need to be. Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow. I'll try the re-take and take new classes bit, we shall see where it leads.

I'm at the end of my rope here. I need some assistance. Just finishing my BSN degree with no problems. Considering the NP route. Applied to local college, transferred all my undergrad course work and filled out the application. And right away denied. Why do you ask, well due to low GPA . Not low GPA for my nursing career mind you, but from my previous career when I attempted to go to school as an engineer. So this epic fail happened in my poorly spent youth. Tried engineering, got my butt kicked, lots of person crap happening at the same time = epic fail. And thanks to those seven or so classes I crapped out on, they are following me, just like the movie It Follows. Now none of this garbage has anything to do with my nursing career. For that I got my crap together, went back and took all the prereqs, then CNA to LPN to RN to BSN ensued. And now I'm denied even though it has nothing to do with my nursing at all because getting into NP school is cumulative GPA. I'm very tempted to not even list that school on my application because it is dragging me down like a boat anchor. And I went there mainly for computer stuff. Thoughts? And don't tell me I can just take them over again like it's no big deal. Those entry level and upper level engineering/computer science courses were more difficult than nursing school. Waiting with baited breath.....

Sure Dafabb, any help you can provide would be appreciated. My email is correct on my resume, [email protected] I've been shooting from the hip when it comes to resume writing. I am by no means an expert. But i'm getting nowhere, so I'll take any help I can get. I just find it hard to believe that I can't get a job anywhere. I did get one call for an interview. However that was an nursing office type job, and was not interested. I really need to work on the floor and utilize my RN experience. So how close is my resume the second go around?

Alright so I cut the fat out of my resume, and gave a very basic outline. I hope this is not too vague. I want them to think I have done things without being so generic. My resume is now 1 and 1/3 pages, the computer skills got cut off to the next page. Mr. Poor Nurse 2627 Bummed Out Ave Nowhere, NE 12345 (895)867- 5309 [email protected] My goal is to transition to an RN role in an inpatient setting by building upon my existing LPN skills. EDUCATION Associates Degree Nursing; May 2012, Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa Practical Nursing; March 2008, Kaplan University, Omaha, NE EXPERIENCE Via Christe Assisted Living, NE; January 2011-Present Licensed Practical Nurse – Charge Nurse Charge Nurse for Assisted Living/Memory Care Units – 60 bed facility Medication administration, wound care, assessments, supervisory and delegation Staffing, facility maintenance, coordination of care with staff and physicians Nebraska Skilled and Rehab, NE; July 2008-January 2011 Licensed Practical Nurse – Charge Nurse Long Term and Skilled Care units – 3 unit facility Medication administration, wound care, various catheter cares, assessments Staffing, delegation, coordination of cares Odyssey Healthcare, NE; April 2008-July 2008 Licensed Practical Nurse – Crisis Care Crisis Care for hospice patients Medication administration, assessments, wound care Documentation and coordination of patient care Marquis Place Assisted Living, NE; October 2006-March 2008 Certified Nursing Assistant Assisted Living and Memory Care units – on a 45 bed facility ADL’s, coordination of care, documentation Memorial Community Hospital, NE; October 2007-March 2008 Clinical Externship – ER Setting Student Nurse under RN direction Medication administration, assessments and triage, documentation, communication Specimen collection and ADL assistance COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Internet, and Windows. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Capstone Project This project consisted of overall client care during a 5 day hospital stay based on a case scenario. A multidisciplinary approach was used for the project, providing all aspects of client care.

Ok so its too long, could you give me an example on making it shorter?

I'm beginning to wonder if my newly made resume is the problem. I am getting no calls after submitted my resume everywhere. And I have no one to review my resume at this time so I thought I would give you folks a try. Tell me what you think.... Mr. Poor Nurse 2627 Bummed Out Ave Nowhere, NE 12345 (895)867- 5309 [email protected] My goal is to obtain a position as a registered nurse in a hospital setting. EDUCATION Associates Degree Nursing; May 2012, Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa Practical Nursing; March 2008, Kaplan University, Omaha, NE Associates Degree Professional Studies; August 2000, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE Associates Degree Networking Technologies; August 1999, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE EXPERIENCE Via Christe Assisted Living, NE; January 2011-Present Licensed Practical Nurse - Charge Nurse Assisted Living and Memory Care Units Functioning as charge nurse in a 60 bed facility. Providing high-quality care for up to 20 patients at a time. Duties include by mouth, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and nebulized medication administration, ostomy maintenance, wound care, assessments, resolving patient status changes, and assistance with ADLs. Charge nurse duties include acting as a supervisor and resource for 1-2 RNs/2-3 LPNs and 3-4 MAs/CNAs, delegation of assignments, staffing, facility maintenance, coordinating outpatient appointments, and communicating changes in the plan of care with patients, doctors, and family. Nebraska Skilled and Rehab, NE; July 2008-January 2011 Licensed Practical Nurse - Charge Nurse Long Term Care and Skilled Care Units Functioned as charge nurse in a 3 unit facility. Providing high-quality care for 20 to 50 patients at a time. Duties included by mouth, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and nebulized medication administration, ostomy maintenance, wound care, foley catheter insertion and care, tracheostomy cares, patient assessments, resolving patient status changes, and assistance with ADLs. Charge nurse duties include acting as a supervisor and resource for 1-2 RNs/1-2 LPNs and 3-6 MAs/CNAs, delegation of assignments, staffing, coordinating outpatient appointments, and communicating changes in the plan of care with patients, doctors, and family. Odyssey Healthcare, NE; April 2008-July 2008 Licensed Practical Nurse - Crisis Care Functioned as a Crisis Care nurse for a variety of hospice patients. Provided high-quality cares for individual patients. Duties included by mouth, rectal, nebulized medication administration, wound care, and assistance with ADLs, including end of life cares. Other duties included various forms of documentation and communication specifically related to hospice care, patient and family support with the grieving process, patient assessment and monitoring of status changes. Marquis Place Assisted Living, NE; October 2006-March 2008 Certified Nursing Assistant Assisted Living and Memory Care Units Functioned as a certified nursing assistant in a 45 bed facility. Providing high-quality care for up to 45 patients at a time. Duties included assistance with ADLs and coordination of care between staff and patients. Memorial Community Hospital, NE; October 2007-March 2008 Clinical Externship - ER Setting Functioned as a student nurse in an emergency room setting. Providing high quality care under the direction of a registered nurse for 1-4 patients at a time. Duties included by mouth, subcutaneous, intramuscular medication administration, assistance with ADLs, triaging and vital signs, documentation, and collection of specimens, communication between staff, patients, and physicians. COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Internet, and Windows. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Capstone Project This project consisted of overall client care during a 5 day hospital stay based on a case scenario. A multidisciplinary approach was used for the project, providing all aspects of client care.

While there are many threads on this one, I thought I would ask. I graduated in May and got my RN license in July. I have been looking for almost 3 weeks for an RN position. First the hospitals, and now beginning to look at other facilities. And nothing. I almost don't understand why it is so hard to find a job. I am aware that the economy is bad, but i'm not sure what to do. Any tips on what I should do? Feeling a little discouraged from getting rejected so much.

I have just passed my boards and recieved my RN license. So I began to look for jobs. I applied for several hospital jobs, because that is what I am interested in. However I have a concern. I am concerned that I will not get a job anywhere. I have no interest in working LTC, and have done much of that as an LPN. Now I have a job as an LPN (now an RN) in an assisted living facility. But I really want to work in the hospital. Doing my clinicals at the hospital was a lot of fun. Hospice is another option, but perhaps later down the line. Anyone know how long it takes to look over job applications? I just applied last thrus-fri. I know its monday, but the waiting game is kicking my butt.

What do you think? Followed your advice to make corrections. Much more detailed this time, and still managed to get 2 pages. Mr. Big Bad Man 1234 Funny Time Dr. Nowhere, NE 12345 (712) 867- 5309 [email protected] My goal is to obtain a position as a registered nurse in a hospital setting. EXPERIENCE Via Christe Assisted Living, NE; January 2011-Present Licensed Practical Nurse - Charge Nurse Assisted Living and Memory Care Units Functioning as charge nurse in a 60 bed facility. Providing high-quality care for up to 20 patients at a time. Duties include by mouth, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and nebulized medication administration, ostomy maintenance, wound care, assistance of ADLs. Charge nurse duties include acting as a supervisor and resource for 1-2 RNs/2-3 LPNs and 3-4 MAs/CNAs, delegation of assignments, staffing, facility maintenance, coordinating outpatient appointments, and communicating changes in the plan of care with patients, doctors, and family. Nebraska Skilled and Rehab, NE; July 2008-January 2011 Licensed Practical Nurse - Charge Nurse Long Term Care and Skilled Care Units Functioned as charge nurse in a 3 unit facility. Providing high-quality care for 20 to 50 patients at a time. Duties included by mouth, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and nebulized medication administration, ostomy maintenance, wound care, foley catheter insertion and care, tracheostomy cares, assistance of ADLs. Charge nurse duties include acting as a supervisor and resource for 1-2 RNs/1-2 LPNs and 3-6 MAs/CNAs, delegation of assignments, staffing, coordinating outpatient appointments, and communicating changes in the plan of care with patients, doctors, and family. Odyssey Healthcare, NE; April 2008-July 2008 Licensed Practical Nurse - Crisis Care Functioned as a Crisis Care nurse for a variety of hospice patients. Provided high-quality cares for individual patients. Duties included by mouth, rectal, nebulized medication administration, wound care, and assistance with ADLs, including end of life cares. Other duties included various forms of documentation and communication specifically related to hospice care. Marquis Place Assisted Living, NE; October 2006-March 2008 Certified Nursing Assistant Assisted Living and Memory Care Units Functioned as a certified nursing assistant in a 45 bed facility. Providing high-quality care for up to 45 patients at a time. Duties included assistance of ADLs and coordination of care between staff and patients. Memorial Community Hospital, NE; October 2007-March 2008 Clinical Externship - ER Setting Functioned as a student nurse in an emergency room setting. Providing high quality care under the direction of a registered nurse for 1-4 patients at a time. Duties included by mouth, subcutaneous, intramuscular medication administration, assistance with ADLs, triaging and vital signs, documentation, and collection of specimens, communication between staff, patients, and physicians. EDUCATION Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Associates Degree Nursing; May 2012 Kaplan University, Omaha, NE, Practical Nursing; March 2008 Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE Associates Degree Professional Studies; August 2000 Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE Associates Degree Networking Technologies; August 1999 COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Internet, and Windows. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Capstone Project This project consisted of overall client care during a 5 day hospital stay based on a case scenario. A multidisciplinary approach was used for the project, providing all aspects of client care.

I like your changes. But a few things first: I don't want my resume to turn into a book, so not sure how much description I should add to each job. Also I will have to guestimate the size of each facility I worked at, because I do not remember the exact bed count. But I do like your descriptions for job duties. I would say that most of these duties I had, minus doctor rounds. But each facility was a little different. Should I be using abbreviations on my resume? For example PO?

Info was changed to protect the not so innocent John Daniel Loomis 1234 Funny Dr. Somewhere, NE 87654 (712) 123-7890 [email protected] OBJECTIVE To obtain a position as a registered nurse in a hospital setting. EXPERIENCE Via Christe Assisted Living, NE; January 2011-Present Licensed Practical Nurse - Charge Nurse Medication administration Assessments, treatments, and documentation Total patient care, interpersonal communication skills, and patient advocacy/safety Worked on assisted living and memory care floors Nebraska Skilled and Rehab, NE; July 2008-January 2011 Licensed Practical Nurse - Charge Nurse Medication administration Assessments, treatments, and documentation Total patient care, interpersonal communication skills, and patient advocacy/safety Worked on skilled and long term care floors Odyssey Healthcare, NE; April 2008-July 2008 Licensed Practical Nurse - Crisis Care Medication administration Resident safety Assessments and documentation Various forms of paperwork related to patient Total patient care, interpersonal communication skills, and patient advocacy Marquis Place Assisted Living, NE; October 2006-March 2008 Certified Nursing Assistant Dietary assistance Resident safety Facility maintenance Working Assisted Living and Memory Care Unit Total patient care, interpersonal communication skills, and patient advocacy Memorial Community Hospital, NE; October 2007-March 2008 Clinical Externship - ER Setting Medication administration Total patient care Patient advocacy EDUCATION Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Associates Degree Nursing; May 2012 Kaplan University, Omaha, NE, Practical Nursing; March 2008 Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE Associates Degree Networking Technologies; August 1999 Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE Associates Degree Professional Studies; August 2000 COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Internet, and Windows. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Capstone Project