RN403

Is anyone taking classes online this Fall??

me too!

Hello! Looking for opinions in regard to working at Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, CA. I have seen pretty great reviews on career sites about this facility. What has been your experience in working here, especially PICU? How is the acuity? Thanks!

I would look into shadowing a nurse to see for yourself. Reach out to hospitals near you to see if they allow this.

Yeah...unless you are planning on treating your patient to a hot towel facial I would just stick to the shield or mask.

Use your professors and clinical instructors as references. Look for new grad positions or nurse residencies to increase your likelihood of getting hired. It is absolutely possible to find a job without prior work history.

Any nursing experience is better than none. Starting out in home health does not mean you will never be able to work in the hospital. I have worked with many former home health nurses in the hospital setting. Keep looking for what you want while gaining experience. Good luck.

"....there's really no way ill get enough A's to get a the average nursing school requirement GPA" First, you have to change your thinking. Myself as with many others have struggled with science courses and have lived to tell the tale. Does your school offering tutoring? Have you tried watching YouTube videos to understand the content in a different way than what your professor is teaching? When there is will there is a way... "I think I am going to do the BSN fast track path. Pick a major such as Hospital administration, psychology, etc. Is this a bad idea?" From the pre-reqs you have listed I think you have taken a great chunk of courses that are usually required for BSN (or really any nursing) programs. Have you mapped out exactly which schools you are planning to get into? When you do I would reach out to someone in admissions or possibly someone who directs or works within the nursing department and ask to meet or talk with them about the courses you have already taken and what other pre-reqs they require. Maybe you could go in as sort of a "General Studies" major, take a year for pre-reqs, and apply to the nursing program at a later time. Make sure they allow this. Nursing programs are usually strict on their admission processes. You could pick a health related major such as Biology, Health Administration, Psych, etc. and go from there. However, be cautioned that ABSN programs are intense. It is by no means an easy route to a nursing degree. They are truly accelerated. At least in a traditional BSN program the pace is a bit dwindled.

Does your school have a student resource center? You might speak with someone there regarding stress management tips and what you are experiencing.

allheart.com

Litmann Classic II is decent and reasonable. About $70, which isn't much if you are planning to use it long term. I know you are planning on using it for school/testing purposes only, however, you might find that you need it on the job. While you may work at a "digital" facility there will be times where a manual BP will be needed. If you already have your own 'scope you will be ready. Otherwise, you can pick up a stethoscope at a drug or medical supply store for much cheaper.

If you are planning on getting your BSN then I would just do it from the get go. Earning an ASN and then waiting to take boards until after your BSN program is not practical for a few reasons: 1) Your ATT will expire 2) Your chances of passing are highest immediately after passing nursing school and continue to decline the farther out you get 3) Most bridge programs (RN-BSN) will require you to be a licensed RN before you can graduate or take specific classes (there again, you won't be able to graduate until you take those courses) So either complete a BSN program from the start or plan to find other positions as an RN with your ASN degree. There are graduate nurse positions open that are NOT residencies but that offer a longer orientation for those that have no experience as an RN. Check into the hospitals around you to see if they have these positions posted if it is something that would interest you. Otherwise, obtain your BSN in order to be eligible for a nurse residency program.

I know it is easy to get to the end and starting feeling lax. But, keep pushing strong. You are so close!

Report, assessments & reviewing vital signs (followed by notifying MD of any abnormal findings if unable to fix issue myself), med pass, and lastly charting. It helped me to have a routine, although, especially on a busy ortho floor it will be difficult to stick to a "routine" per se. Watch how your preceptor navigates through their day and take mental notes. Always remember to prioritize the care given (who will suffer if I don't do this right now & who can wait?), remember your ABCs, & remember to delegate (if you are a student? this might work a little differently for now). Also, keep a "brain sheet" to help you organized. Lots of examples on this site. Important things to include in report include: Pain level, pain medications & last time of medication, neurovascular status of extremity involved and the opposing extremity, surgery date, any complications, PMH, allergies, pertinent labs (H&H, WBC, RBC, PT/INR) as most are usually on anticoag therapy).....so on and so forth. Does your preceptor use a report sheet that you might be able to copy? If not, tons of examples again on this website or even just on Google. Lots to learn on an ortho floor. Be a sponge. Good luck.

I am aware. Our facility does this. I suppose I interpreted the question differently than what was meant.

Make sure you eat well prior to your observation...especially in the OR. If you are able to pick which OR case you stand in for, pick the one that most relates to what you are learning/your current clinical rotation. It was interesting to relate what was done in the OR back to the patients we cared for post-op.

Might be the specific requirements of that school. I have noted that some schools do require you to be a CNA prior to starting the program. If you are not wanting to obtain your certification (CNA) then perhaps you can look into other schools. Not all require you to be a CNA prior to starting.

Look up the schools in your area that you are interested in and talk with an academic adviser or someone in admissions. They should be able to tell you which courses will transfer over and which will not. They will be able to guide you the best in your next steps based on the specific requirements of their school.

If you can, I would stay at least six months if not a year. I would not tell your manager anything until you have your offer letter in hand for another job. I dont think you are being disloyal. You must do what is best for you and your career goals.

Yes? But, why would you pass meds still in the wrapper? Is there more to the question?

I studied about 2-4 hours everyday while in school. I broke it up, though. An hour here, get out and take a break, then an hour there. An 82% on your first exam is great! Once you get used to the exam style that nursing programs use you will more than likely see your scores go up. A great way to improve your exam scores and to practice questions is to utilize NCLEX books and focus on the section r/t what you are currently learning in class. Just an idea. Good luck.

They should fix their error. What they actually do only you will know once it happens. Follow up with HR prior to your start date.

Agreed with PPs. If you are thinking and planning ahead, however, I would secure 3-5 references ready to place on your applications.

Going to school to be an LPN or an RN will each have their own challenge. The length of time it takes to complete each program will also depend on where you attend school. Deciding to be an LPN or RN will depend mostly on where you plan to work. Look at the hospital and facility websites of your hopeful employers and see what their requirements state.

You are three months in. You will make mistakes. You will make mistakes no matter how long you have been in the game. What are you doing to ensure you don't make the same mistakes repeatedly? That's the key. Good luck.