daniellenursing

Ive seen it go both ways. Funny enough, no one has told me I'm wrong for my badge saying RN, BSN, OCN (also what I do in emails and official documents). I am proud of my BSN. It means I made it and can rest easy From trying to get bare minimum in the nursing field (cause lets face it, acute care hospitals expect a BSN). And I am super proud of my OCN. I proved to myself I know I am in the right field and specialty as an oncology nurse. It gives my patients a good talking point and allows them to know that while I may not know everything, I have excellent resources to find the right and most evidence based answers. Next up: BMTCN! Now that I'm on a BMT unit :)

I knew I wanted to be in pediatric oncology. It's what got me into nursing school in the first place. I had five pediatric patients in nursing school clinicals and it was the best thing ever. However, once I graduated, I just couldn't get into Peds Onc or even Oncology. My first job was a nursing home. Not my cup of tea. I am just now finishing up 18 months on a Med Surg Oncology unit and I know I LOVE my oncology patients. It was a good place to start my oncology experience, but I have been constantly told I am not a good enough nurse to work with the high acuity oncology patients on our floor: leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma. So, I went in search of another position. Both a broad range of only oncology positions, pediatric oncology, and blood and Marrow transplant. I am fascinated by BMT. as of today, I am moving to Denver to be a BMT nurse and I am psyched! Maybe one day I'll be a Peds onc nurse, but being a BMT nurse is going to be so exciting!!!! I knew I wanted oncology and I am sticking with it forever!

I got my BSN through WGU. Very challenging, but worth it. However, while WGU does have a MSN, there are no grades attached to courses. It is competencies. So it may hurt your GPA and chances of getting into a competitive FNP program. You can always ask for program information from both places and find the best fit. I don't know anything about Gonzaga, but I know WGU is about learning new content and going at your own pace (within reason). Lots of supportive people, but it's all over the phone or emails, which was challenging for me. No matter which you choose, a BSN program is still challenging, and you do learn some valuable things. :) good luck!

I currently work in half of my dream job, lol. Adult oncology. But my complete dream job is Peds Onco at St. Jude's Children's research hospital. However, I would dig any major children's hospital around the country for a Peds Hem/Onco position. slowly working towards it! I'm in Onco, gonna get my OCN once my year is passed, look into Peds at either my current hospital or move back home or be bold and apply to St Judes.

I ask where the IV is if it's a new patient to me because A: how many times have I seen an IV pulled out??! B: the chart is about 50% incorrect when it comes to IV site, gauge, and orientation. Sorry, but I want accuracy. It's not that hard to tell me they have a port, a central line, a PICC, or a peripheral in the left wrist that is infusing with NS at 50mls/hr, cause man when I get my first look on that patient I'm gonna assess per the chart, per report, per orders, and take into consideration the patients baseline and then changes in that baseline. How is asking about where an IV is and infusions associated with that such a big deal? How is my critical thinking and processing an issue when asking? I can ask any question I want. And ugh, don't get me started on the OP. While I can look at the ER chart before the patient comes up, I may not have time to. I need that report via phone at the least. The chart can be very inaccurate, when I'm sure in emergencies most medications aren't scanned via barcode, and even our rapid response team forgets to document a medication pulled emergently (so I come on five hours later to find it not documented via the MAR, but I do know it was given via the bedside report). I try to use the chart with report. It's what my preceptor taught me and guided me on. Because sometimes the chart is confusing. Like blood transfusion parameters, what's been treated (was potassium/magnesium/phosphorus replaced?). So much faster asking the actual person than looking in the chart. And mind you, I am a wiz on the computer. I am lightning fast on the computer, but retaining a ton of information is sometimes difficult for this clinically depressed brain!

I'm glad my mom is a nurse, and even though she went to the big University in my school's town, and that's where she got her Bachelor's of Nursing, oh, 30+ years ago, she was 110% okay with me going to the community college and getting my Associates degree in nursing. Oh, it's difficult finding a job with an ADN, but my parents knew the reality of the financial situation, and I'm glad they have supported me. Granted, my dad still thinks I'm going to be a doctor (I once thought about being a PA, and then promptly went "nope").... he can chew on that thought for another week. I'm graduating nursing school and taking a break, getting my Bachelors, and forever STOPPING with actual school. (I am not in much of a mood to cater to even a Master's degree at this point. I know what that entails and I'm not THAT smart) When I first wanted to be a nurse, about 4-5 years ago, I really wasn't sure what my mom did. So I asked her. And even then it seemed confusing. Media portrays it one way, I hear it another, and my mind gets this image I can't quite grasp. But now I DO know what a nurse does, because I am an LPN, and in probably a month, an RN What I love about my school is that they really made it clear what the difference between a CNA, an LPN, and an RN are and their duties and like.... how everyone gets to licensing. I had to become a CNA to get into nursing school (well, past the test anyway), I took summer school to become an LPN, and now I'm done and can take the NCLEX RN. People just don't know what it all entails. Most people assume it takes 4 years at a major university, or two years at a community college level, to get a degree or something. Then the odd people out take 3-6 years. At either level. But even as nursing advances, it seems there are professions that take over our own field. We are still establishing ourselves. MA's can give injections and take vitals, CNAs can give vitals, LPNs are just a step below RNs.... Doctors (could) do what we do. I think it's all a matter of clearly defining ourselves, which we cannot at this point, we are still growing and learning and I don't think we will ever be able to sit down and clearly define ourselves because of that fact, and when/if that time ever comes, maybe then people will understand. I'm not sure.

As someone who desperately wants to work as a Ped Onc Nurse - it's literally my dream. Oncology and children have been my passion since my sister's BFF died from a rare cancer - I understand how you feel in so many ways. I was disheartened when I did not get my focused practicum in oncology. I hate telling people I want to go into Peds Oncology because they just give me the look that says "You won't handle it" and then they say "That's going to be tough." I mean, it's like they have already written me off about my DREAMS. I usually just say "pediatrics" to avoid the conversation all together. My parents want me to be an ICU nurse because my mom is one. My dad doesn't think I'll even get into pediatrics. It's frustrating. They are happy I'm a nurse, but my dreams? Nope. When I do tell people I desire Peds Onc, and I get that look, I just say "Nursing is challenging, but very rewarding. I know what I want, but thank you for your concern." The people who tell me I can't do it or that it'll be tough - they don't need to tell me that. I - you - WE - as a human race KNOW that fact. Reality is reality. But that doesn't make the job any less desirable. That makes it more AMAZING. Oncology itself is fantastic. Oh, there will be and are bad days around the world - but every unit, every specialty, every NURSE has a bad day. It's up to us, up to everyone as an individual, to decide if they want to bring a smile to the world. Not to mention, sometimes I think the most exciting place to be will be once I am on a pediatric oncology unit. Kids have a childlike faith and play adults have forgotten. It's not sad. Handing you loads of kudos, bonnielilgirl :)

My teachers do stastitical analysis of every test for both campuses in the program, and do further review of questions as a faculty when the percentage of answering correctly is below a certain percentage - like, 40% as a whole. It doesn't mean we will get back the points. And even if someone got it right, the whole class gets the point back for a question they throw out. But they do feel and watch which questions get the lowest scores and which were fair questions and which weren't. Even with points back, people have failed theory. In my program, you have to get a 75% or higher for the test section - you have to get 75% average out of all the tests taken. So you could pass one test with flying colors, and fail another, and still keep your average above 75%. Even with points back, people don't always pass. There are bad questions. Sometimes I think ATI proctored tests have bad questions... lol. My program takes from a bank of questions for each test, and sometimes rewords questions or switches their format from year to year to prepare us better for the NCLEX. Select all that Apply are becoming very popular, and we gotta learn to take them. Which is why my class and future classes is less likely to have the SATA thrown out. I wouldn't say it inflates us or our egos. My class strives for the best. We have test reviews and go over what we missed - totally optional, of course.

Some teachers don't want to admit they made a faulty test question. I thankfully have had wonderful teachers who know they wrote an off question - even a CLICKER question during the lecture - when half the class starts arguing it, lol. I tend to just take the question and work with it, whether faulty or not. If I get it wrong, I find out why and move on. But yeah, that question is a bit... ridiculous. I would find out your classmates opinions and if they feel the same as you, move up the chain of command. There is someone higher then that teacher in that nursing faculty. In my school, we have the teachers, a lead for each year, then the whole faculty, all faculty of BOTH campuses, and then the director.... and then moves onto others in the CC faculty. But test questions never get THAT far, lol. It gets to test review and the teacher holding the review goes "I will talk to the content teacher and ask them" - like with Mental Health. We were taught one thing, and we answered one thing on the test, to find out we all failed that question because we were going off the lecture notes.... second year be crazy. All in all - some teachers want to be right. Others see their mistakes and feel for the students. Depends on the individual and the school. Best of luck :)

I can't do sputum - sometimes not even my OWN - and fecal matter just... isn't cool. Sometimes farts and burps gross me out - probably from experience with my dad *ugh*. I can do just about anything else.

When I see a post on facebook from a classmate, or on tumblr, about "I got a B on the test :(" or what not - I kind of raise an eyebrow. People who freak out over a B make me weary, honestly. 4.0 are kind of hard to keep up. And one of my one classmates called me Brilliant just yesterday... lol. I have gotten C's before. My first C in my ENTIRE life was in Fundamentals of Nursing Practicum. Why? Because I got sick and missed one day of clinical - by ONE point I got a C+ and not a B-. I've been getting better in both theory and practicum, so I'm not worried about my grades. Getting anything above a C- is passing in my school, and I desire to pass. The GPA - it probably would look nice having a 4.0, of which I didn't have even BEFORE nursing school, go figure A&P and Micro, but I believe I can still get where I want to go with my grades. It'll only be seen probably by my first job anyway, and as long as I show myself true, I should be okay. And staying above passing is the point, not to get a 4.0 :) Best of luck!

Walla Walla CC 2nd year nursing student - ADN program. Just gained my LPN this summer, next up: RN!

I'm going into my 2nd year of a fantastic ADN program, just went through summer school for my LPN. My school uses angel, which is basically an online classroom, which helps supplement and communicate out of school - our lectures and lab and clinicals and the like. Before school started, I had my calendar for the quarter *for you it may be semester, but nursing school is basically the same - the first day is orientation, though you may start content. We just got adjusted to angel and the lab and got lab bags and told what was expected of us* The calendar was CRAZY detailed. It told of clinicals, when and where, lab times, groups, class times, the lecture for that class, tests, the class ID - everything. I got out five-six different highlighters *THEY WILL BE YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND! lol* and assigned a highlighter color to each thing: lecture, test, lab for my group, clinical for my group, book day *which wasn't all that useful. This is all I remember from my first quarter, lol.*, and important days - which were basically tests, days off, days on my calendar that were important, and skills test. Your first semester will probably be fundamentals. You gotta start somewhere. You might be terrified. I was so excited and mixed up I entered the wrong classroom, lol. Oops. But I got there in time. Surrounded by 72 other new nursing students, who are now some of my amazing classmates as we head toward the NCLEX-RN together. We have lost some, gained some. All experience. ORGANIZE YOURSELF. Period. Figure out what works for you and stick to it. Edit if you have to. I have edited over time how I organize myself, to better fit myself, but stick to something. Know what you need to read for the next day, and skim it. After a topic, find what studying helps you. I LOVED to answer questions. I used google. (this site is amazing: LearningNurse.com - Learning Nurse Tests and Quizzes ) Questions. Sometimes flash cards or your books or apps on a phone help. Find your hole. If you get the chance, make friends, have fun. Introduce yourself. Be awesome. lol. Be prepared for clinical and take EVERY opportunity in clinical. You may start out in a hospital, or a nursing home - skilled nursing facility. My school did. It was amazing, even after nursing assistant clinicals that summer before. Have a study group, unless working alone works for you. I work alone because I do best that way - sometimes. Identify what you need early for the best success. Ask questions. All the time. No question is stupid. Ask your teachers anything and everything - when it is appropriate. Your books are there for a reason. Use them. I have a TON of nursing books. But they are there for your use. You bought them - use them. They will become your second best friend after highlighters lol. I wish you BEST of luck! Always have a snack with you. Stay hydrated all the time. Dumb calculator *one that can add, subtract, multiple, and divide*, black pens, a notebook/paper of some kind, highlighters, and a smile. Take your learning in school seriously. You got there, make the best of it. And be proud of yourself. You got in. :) Don't forget to treat yourself. You will work hard. I live a mile off campus, because of going to a community college. No dorms. I try to exercise, but I'm lazy... especially after a 12 hour clinical shift, where I was on my feet the whole time. BTW: be open to ALL areas. My mom is an ICU/open-heart surgery nurse. I don't want to do either - peri-op is not for me *I missed that rotation because of snow and ice. Clinical was cancelled lol*. But be open to even the stuff you DON'T want to do. OB, peds, oncology, surgery, ICU, med-surg *you really learn a lot there*, ER, same-day surgery... mental health, community... everything. Have fun!!!

The only difference between figuring out ml/hr and gtt/min is one uses hours and one uses minutes *plus the drop factor* The formula for ml/hr is: Total volume to be infused (say 2000 ml) / total time to be infused in hours (say 8 hours) = 250mls/hr. You have that one nailed you say. Okay, gtt/min. The one difference with these questions will be that you will have to use one more component: the drop factor. If you use this equation, you use the drop factor. You may get the drop factor for ml/hr questions, but that's just pointless info. You learn to discern necessary info from questions. :) So, this formula: Total volume to be infused (2000 ml) / total time to be infused in minutes (8 x 60min = 480min) = 4.1667 (don't round though. When using the calculator, just leave it and follow through the equation ) You have your 4.166666 for this equation. Say the drop factor is 20 (gtt). Times (x) that drop factor by your division answer (4.16666666). Round to the nearest whole number, and you have your gtt/min. gtt means drop. :) So your answer is 83.333333, but you are doing drops. Drops have to be whole numbers. It would be 83 gtt/min. Granted, you probably wouldn't have that drop factor, but it was just an example out of my head. Also, google is your best friend. Questions and help are out there. I hope you do well. Good luck :) *if you need further explanation, just ask. I'll check back up on this topic*

Congrats, ksmith9! I too took my PN test just recently and found out two days later I passed. I also felt I had failed epically. 85 questions and I was sure I was answering most of them wrong. But they were hard - which is a good thing. I must have been answering right at one point, right? I hope and wish you the best of luck in your future education and career endeavors :)