FutureCRNA?

I applied in January of my last semester, interviewed in March, got the job offer two days later. I graduated in May (and took the NCLEX a few days before that) and will start my new position the first week of June. I was a tech there for over a year first though.

I got a 96% the first time and a 97% the second time. I took the NCLEX a week later and passed with 75 questions.

I didn't mean I would be offended at someone educating me, period. I said I would be offended if a CO-WORKER tried to educate me. It's none of their business and I find that offensive. And as I said, most of the nurses I know working the floor have misconceptions. Hence, I don't want them trying to tell me how to manage my disease. I educate myself on a consistent basis.

I got a job where I currently work as an aide about a month ago. I take the NCLEX on Tuesday and I graduate officially on Saturday. My official start date will depend on when my transcripts officially post (assuming I pass the NCLEX), but will likely be beginning of June. Several of my classmates have job offers with late May start dates. We are in the Midwest.

I know this is slightly off topic, but as a person having had diabetes for 21 years, I would be highly offended at a co-worker attempting to educate me on my diabetes. With the possible exception of diabetes educators, I find nurses to be blissfully unaware of their lack of knowledge & what they think they know seems to be erroneous. I see examples of it almost every day I work.

I recently came across a Phalicity lol

Back when we bought our wedding rings, about 15 years ago, we had a diamond of my grandmother's put into a setting. I specifically requested that the set the prongs low so they would be less likely to catch on things (I worked retail back then). They set the diamond very low and I have little problem with it catching on anything. I do probably compensate a bit when sliding gloves on and off, but it's just habit and I don't really notice. And besides, I can't get it off easily anyway. My ring is loose on my finger but apparently my knuckles are large because it doesn't slide over. I was taking it on and off (in the shower with lots of soap) for my first semester in nursing school and got a sore red nodule on my knuckle and I was afraid I was damaging myself, so I quit.

I had one a long time ago that normally tested blood sugar, but also sort of tested your Hba1c level, except it was more of a 1 month average supposedly instead of 3ish. I'm sure there are meters out there that could give you results in either measurement system.

I grew leaps and bounds as an aide while in school. I don't believe I would have grown to that extent if I hadn't been an aide. I highly recommend it. That being said, I quit an awesome cushy job making $20 per hour, guaranteed 8 hours a week. With the other reimbursements I made at that job included, I practically had to work 2 - 12's in the hospital to make the same as my one little 8 hour shift. It was definitely hard to do during nursing school, for sure!

I don't think meters will read that low. Under a certain number, they usually just read "LOW." Must be a mistake.

It doesn't matter if the person is sleeping, or if they are combative. It's NOT easy. Sitting is the last job I want to see beside my name on the assignment sheet. I can't stand to be isolated in one room for 12+ hours. It's awful. Period. And perhaps they cluster their breaks together into one because they won't get the two other 15 minute breaks if they don't. At my hospital, we're SUPPOSED to get a 30 minute lunch and 3 - 15 minute breaks for a 12 hour 1:1 shift. Never has happened, ever. I've always had my 30 minute lunch and all the rest has been less than 5 minutes to the bathroom & getting a drink.

I would assume business casual, or interview attire would be appropriate...? As far as having more pins, personally I don't see a need for that. I'm having my husband and two sons pin me and that will basically consist of my husband pinning me & the two boys standing up with us.

One that has stuck in my mind for the past several years is the carbs in a baked potato vs. a brownie. Back then it blew my mind that a potato would raise my blood sugar more than a brownie. When I was diagnosed though, they didn't teach about carbohydrates. I wouldn't eat any SUGAR and then wonder why my blood sugar was do high (with no carb knowledge). I'm glad things have changed somewhat in the diabetes world. But it's still the public's (especially older people) perception that "no sugar" is the way to go. I recently went to a friend's Tupperware party & an older lady was there and made a fuss about the sweetened tea and not being able to drink any. But proceeded to stuff her face with carbs galore, it made my roll my eyes a bit lol. And sometimes the "sugar free" versions (such as some pies or cookies) have as many carbs in them as the real thing. Plus they are full of chemicals and give you gas. Ugh. Sorry, off my soap box now :)

Choosemyplate.gov is much simpler to understand & teach than the food pyramid. And a diabetic doesn't necessarily need a special diet, but a healthy diet which is true for everyone. I would stress choosing complex carbs over simple sugars and also stress that diabetes doesn't mean no sugar necessarily, but a consistent amount if carbohydrate at meals. Oh and stress the proper mix of carb & protein, especially in an evening snack. That will help sustain blood sugars & prevent overnight lows if they are prone to that. Diabetes is so individual and not one size fits all. But then, I'm biased and have strong opinions, I've had diabetes for a couple decades now :)

Yes I'm well aware of the fact that I shouldn't talk about future career goals. Thank you though! I've done my research several times over. I find as much (or more) satisfaction in the "planning" stages as I do in the "doing" stages :) I also have a strong work ethic and have never called in sick or arrive late. I love my current manager and the staff on that floor, but that type of nursing is very specific and not in line with my current goals. My manager will provide a reference for me, although no one has asked for a reference list yet. I also have one of the therapists who frequent our floor as reference & a professor. I thought that should be a nice, diverse list. I'm also aware of the simple fact that there may not be a place for me, not because of ME per say, just due to simply not needing me anywhere. However, that won't change my feelings of dejection and rejection that I will certainly feel if they say "thanks, but no thanks" lol.

How did you do?!?

So I've worked as an aide part-time at a hospital (at least 1 or 2 - 12 hour shifts a week, on breaks from school I worked 3 shifts a week) for a year now. I love it at this hospital and sincerely hope to be hired after I graduate in May. I have an interview with the recruiter next week and when I talked to her on the phone she made a comment that has been bothering me ever since. She said something along the lines of using this preliminary interview so that we "don't waste each other's time" if nothing was available for me. OMG, what? I never even dreamed that I wouldn't get hired here. I think I would feel so dejected & unwanted if they didn't hire me Then again, perhaps it was extremely arrogant of me to not consider that possibility lol. In fact I haven't even applied elsewhere yet. Maybe I need to work on that and not put all my eggs in one basket.

The book "The ICU Book" is really, really good. I'm going through it now in hopes of being hired in the ICU after graduation in May.

I'm not touchy feely at all lol. The first few shifts may be a little awkward, but it quickly becomes habit, no big deal, just another day & another butt to wipe :) Just like smells (for me anyway) quickly became no big deal. And that was my biggest worry going into nursing, not bring able to handle poop & puke smells. Get a job as an aide & you will integrate quickly.

How does taking call work? Would it be impossible to live very far from campus at all? I'm about an hour away from 2 crna schools. I usually commute about 50,000 miles a year for school & work although once I'm just (lol) working, that should go down to about 25,000 a year. People think I'm crazy as it is, just wondering if it would even be doable at all with taking call....

I'm a May 10th grad. Counting down the days, the exams, and the assignments! I think I may start planning a graduation party as well. I was going to go super low-key but a party sounds fun :)

Coming from a math background, I definitely understand your complaint. Scientific or graphing calculators (the good ones anyway) are fast, smooth & accurate. And when you've used the same calculator for years in your math studies, you become set in your ways :) I do anyway! The cheap $1 calculators are easier to make an input mistake on, but the bottom line is - be careful, suck it up & deal with it :) And always check your answers. It's not worth worrying that much about to complain to anyone.

I'd be glad to hear anything you guys have to say about Truman's program. I'm hoping to perhaps go there someday....

I've met more than one nurse who didn't have one. I also met a student today who's program doesn't do that at all.

How else can a person afford not to work at all for three years of their life?! Some may be able to do it, but many can't.