RN_Sara

I work at a level 1 children's hospital. We have RN's who are specifically assigned to our trauma/critical care area 24/7. When that area is not being utilized, those nurses float to help others, help out in triage etc.

I started in a small town ER. Moved to a big city Psych floor, hated it. Went to level 2 trauma ER and now at a level 1 peds ER. Love it.

I went to cscc. I thought it was a great program with a solid reputation with the hospitals. There probably would be a wait to get into the actual program. I worked on my pre-reqs while I waited for admission.

It took me about 14 months. I was in no hurry.

I always said their program was more about knowing APA style than anything nursing related. Any points I lost in any classes were related to APA not content. I thought it was easy. Fast paced.

What kind if floor is it? When I switched to peds, I brushed up on respiratory stuff, sickle cell. I work ED and we see a TON of asthma, croup, bronchiolitis, etc

My grandpa died within my first 90 days on my job. Our hospital gives 8 hours bereavement for a grandparent death. I could not use any PTO since I was still within that 90 days. I was pretty much forced to work two days due to not being able to use PTO. My mind was clearly elsewhere and it sucked to be there. It would be nice if hospitals took better care of their own staff. 8 hours didn't even cover my whole shift. Had to take 4 hours unpaid.

At most places of employment there is some kind of stipulation that you must work a set amount of time in exchange for the tuition reimbursement. It should be in the policy for your hospital.

I have really high arches. I find good ol' running shoes the best for me. I recently bought a pair of grey's anatomy clogs and I really like them too. Great arch support in them.

I worked full time while in nursing school. I studied during lunch and after work. I did classes in the evening and clinics on weekends. It was a long two years but you have to be prepared to give up things and miss events. It can be done if you are organized. It depends on the person.

Urbane Ultimate have longer tops if you need them for a long torso.

I bought a pair of Grey's anatomy "Meredith". Love them. Like them better than danskos. Awesome arch support. Try a pair on if you have high arches. Mine are extremely high and fit me better than danskos

I just bought a pair of greys anatomy shoes. Really like them. Like them better than my danskos. Also, plain old running shoes are pretty good. I have three pair of those I alternate with the greys anatomy shoes

I just had to get a booster when I showed up non-reactive. Next titer showed I was reactive.

Riverside is a stroke center and has a neuro critical care and a great ED. With a year experience, I think you would be good.

One of our ED docs walked a patient to the bathroom once. He was in there seeing her and she had to go so he walked with her to make sure she got there ok. But that is definitely the minority. I do wonder what the nurses do on Greys. They are there, in the background.

I don't wear my wedding rings at work. My stone is not huge but it is a princess cut so it gets caught on everything. Also my wedding ring is slightly big and would not stay put without the engagement ring. My hands are very sensitive to the hand sanitizer and when it gets underneath my skin gets super irritated. Get the ring you want to get her and just understand why she may not choice to wear it to work. Good luck and congrats on your impending engagement.

Have you worked as a nurse? I found it extremely difficult to find a job in central Ohio until I got some experience under my belt. Very saturated with nursing schools.

I worked a 40+ hour per week day job all through nursing school. Had class in the evenings and clinical on weekends. Did it suck? Yup. Did I make it work? Yup. I was pretty much non-existent in my husband and daughter's life for those two years. Was it worth it? Absolutely!

I work in ED and my department does not allow relatives to work together. My preceptor married another nurse on the unit and now she has to get a new job. She is moving to another ED within the hospital system.

I used Saunders, ATI and someone else's notes from Mark Klimek. Passed first try in 75 questions. I have heard the Klimek course is really super helpful.

I got NICU nurse. Currently in ED. Would love to do either L&D or NICU though

I like the Cherokee Flexibles. Stretchy and comfy. Also like urbane ultimates

I did mine on bedside report in psych nursing. Basically research based assignments. They all build on one another each week. I researched the topic and made a plan for how I would implement it. I took this class in the fall of 2013 after they added the "clinical" component.

I am starting training in ultrasound iv placement. I can get into the vein but once I am in, having trouble advancing further into the vein. I have successfully started 2. Have to do 20 before I can do it on my own. Any tips for advancing once in get in? I am having trouble not looking down as well. I know this might be difficult to get help for such a visual task online but any thoughts would be awesome!!!! TIA.