rebeccainlv

My BSN program piloted the ATI program. At the time I was enrolled, ATI was not mandatory, but highly encouraged. I paid for the ATI program on my own and thought it was worth every penny. I am a self-learner and procrastinator and liked that ATI made a study schedule for me. You take a test to begin the program and that shows your strengths and weaknesses. No need to spend a ton of time studying an area that you are already good at. So, from that test the virtual instructor determines what you should spend the more time on. Then they put together a color coded scheduled to bring you up to your target NCLEX date. You also get feedback from the instructor when you take the tests. You study and tests on all areas, but the time you have to study depends on your initial test scores. I passed first time with 75 questions. I thought ATI questions were more comprenhensive than Kaplan and more like the NCLEX. I thought Kaplan questions didn't have enough info in them to throw me off. The actual NCLEX questions are long and have a ton of info in them. That means you have to determine what the question is asking you and what info is pertinent. I primarily did ATI and did a Kaplan test book and CD for some extra questions. Good luck.

I graduated from a BSN program in May in Las Vegas. I sent in my board application in March and it was ready by the time I graduated. Took boards already and passed. Also interviewed and got a job the same day. The deal right now is that the hospitals (Valley Health System Hospitals anyway) already opened up new grad positions for the May grads but are filled and those new grads are completing orientation now. The next new grad positions will open up this month (Aug) to start in Sept. Those slots are to capture the summer grads for the fast track programs. What I was told to do was to apply for every nurse I position online. Then when the new grad postions are posted to call the nurse recruiter and they can transfer your application to the new grad position. What I ended up doing is getting 'in' through a Dr. that recommended me. He called and got right through to the recruiter. I told her I had NAP experience and I was hired the same day. So, I was accepted 'off cycle' due to nurse apprentice experience. It's frustrating but it helps if you know someone who can get you the name and number of the recruiter, then you sell yourself. Don't worry. There are plenty of jobs for everyone.

Something I found out about the Valley Adopt a Student program is that the money from Valley is counted as financial aide. I applied and was accepted but was told by financial aid that I was only eligible for $250 per semester due to other aide (loans, pell grant and GI Bill). This ticked me off because the money from Valley is essentially your sign on bonus in advance. So, I turned down the Valley program and now I just got hired at Summerlin Hospital with a sign on bonus for $2300. Good thing I didn't lock into their program. Rebecca RN, BSN

Hi. I just graduated from Nevada State College with my BSN. It's a great school. I passed NCLEX my first time with the minimum number of questions (75). I feel that I received a high quality education at a reasonable cost. I originally went to UNLV and applied for their BSN program. They have more entry requirements (as far as classes go) and their tuition and other crazy fees are high IMO. I was on a waiting list to get into UNLV and found out about NSC. I got into NSC a semester earlier than UNLV so I went for it. Best decision for me. I didn't want to wait the extra semester just to say I went to UNLV. The instructors at NSC are fantastic and highly educated. The majority of them are NPs and they still work. Let me know if you have any questions about NSC. I'll be happy to fill you in. Rebecca

I currently work 8 hour shifts and HATE it. I work at a VA hospital as a nurse resident and will hopefully get hired when I graduate with my BSN in 18 days. I love working for the VA, love the hospital, love the patients, love the manager and co-workers...but hate the 8 hour shifts. I usually work 10 hours anyway, so why not stay for 12? There is not enough time in an 8 hour shift to do everything that needs to be done. I usually end up staying extra time to do charting or other paperwork that didn't get done. The way that gas prices are, it costs me $6 per day to drive the 40 miles round trip to work. Yes, I have a hospital less than one mile away, but they can't compare benefits to the VA. The 12 hour shift topic is currently in the works. They will have 6 12 hour shifts and 1 8 hour shift per pay period so they will have to offer both 12 and 8 hour shifts to cover everyone. I hope that enough of the nurses speak up for the 12 hour shifts. They want it, but they won't tell the people that can make it happen. I am crossing my fingers that it passes by the time I start in August.

The VA facility I work in is an excellent, up to date facility. I also worked in the same hospital when I was active duty Air Force. The VA is top notch when it comes to benefits. Where else do you get 4 weeks vacation, 2 weeks paid sick leave and 11 paid holidays your first year? I can combine my 8 years military service with 12 years VA service and retire after the combined 20 years. Also, they will pay 100% for MSN and any certifications after I work for them 1 year. That's worth doing. As for the all BSN force, so many of the current LPNs and ADNs have been with VA for years and will stay in their current pay scale until they retire. They don't seem to have difficulty recruiting BSNs. They have an excellent nurse apprentice program that is only open to BSNs. That is a major way they recruit new BSNs. The program is 1 year long, after your 2nd semester and you must have at least a 3.0 and go through an interview, etc. That's what I'm doing right now. As for the safety, my husband works in healthcare quality improvement and he probably knows the info off the top of his head.

My VA doesn't hire LPNs or ADNs anymore either. The trend is totally going towards BSN and higher. The VA takes safety very seriously and that's why their hospitals have the highest safety ratings in the US. They go along with the research that more BSNs on a floor equals lower morbidity rates. I work with excellent ADNs and LPNs. Also, LPNs in the VA system are not allowed to do as much as RNs. They mainly give meds. They can't do patient assessments at all. At least not in the Las Vegas VA hospital. Maybe it's different in other areas.

Thank you so much. Now I don't feel like such a clutz. I guess I just have to be careful while I'm learning how to walk in them. They do feel great so far. My ankles hurt a bit...I've turned them 3 times this shift. Twice in front of other people. Ugh...a patient even said 'maybe you shouldn't have had that last drink'. Not good but sort of funny.

I work for VA and they do pay more for BSN, also for each certification, etc. Also in the VA pay system BSN nurses can go higher in the pay scale whereas ADN nurses and LPNs will cap out unless they get their BSN.

I just got new Dansko Professional closed back clogs. My NurseMates hurt my feet bad and broke down in less than 6 months. The clogs are very comfortable and fit great, however I keep turning my ankle. I'll just be walking regular (not running, etc) and my foot seems to turn inward like the sole at the front of the clog is high and my ankle falls inward. It really hurts, not to mention I look stupid when it happens. Does anyone else have this problem. Maybe I should just be very cautious and walk carefully until I get used to wearing them. This is the only problem I've had so far and they feel great. In fact, they feel so great that I tend to not notice I'm wearing them which makes being cautious hard...

My husband and I have all of our assets covered under a umbrella policy. We have many real estate investment properties, a small car collection and many different types of investment accounts and everything is covered under the umbrella policy. Our assets and estate is totally protected from any type of law suit. This includes auto accidents, tenants sueing us or patients sueing me. It's reasonably priced and we're protected for more than just medical law suits. You can get the umbrella policies through your homeowners or auto insurance companies.

I work for VA in Las Vegas. I work in the psych unit as a VALOR student. The psych patients have 6 smoke breaks per day. We do have a smoking room that is ventilated here on the locked unit. As for med-surg, I haven't worked there yet but I know the patients are allowed to go downstairs (3 floors) to smoke.

I have the Palm E2 and could not get Skyscape to work on it. I used it on my older Palm m125 though. I now use Epocrates Pro. There haven't been any meds that haven't been listed. I hot sync to update the drug list at least once per week. They also send an email when they update the list. The interaction function is great. You can select numerous meds that a patient is on and it will automatically cross check all of them for you. I personally like Epocrates better. I think it's easier to use.

My mother suffers from FM s/p a serious car accident 9 years ago. She is disabled and retired now. The one of the things that have helped her the most is to find a pain dr that understands FM. She used to take all kinds of serious opiates and she is now off of everything except Neurontin and antidepressants. She occasionally takes Ultram for antiinflammatory pain. The biggest improvement for her came through seeing an acupuncturist. She gets treatment every few weeks and lives a pretty normal life now. I have a herniated disk and also see an acupuncturist. I can't say enough positive things about Chinese and alternative medicine for conditions that Western doctors don't fully understand.

I"m a third semester, fourth year BSN student and I have the Littman Classic. I have borrowed classmate's scopes (cheapy double tube type scopes as well as the Littman Light). I highly prefer the Classic vs. the Lightweight. The earpieces are very comfortable, fit tight and the sound is great for any type of assessment. I don't let anyone borrow my scope and I keep it with me at all times on the unit. I work in a psych unit and use it for patient physical assessments everyday. It's well worth the extra money.