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.

I will be assigned to a preceptor so I won't be alone...but it's still scary to take 6 patients of my own. I applied to the VALOR program because the local hospitals tend to use the nurse apprentice employees any way they see fit. That usually means you do more CNA work than anything. I am doing the externship to improve my skills and knowledge. I am not going to make a career solely doing CNA work. The VA highly values education and guaranteed me that I will not be doing CNA work. As for the program, they have a GPA criteria and also you have to turn in 4 letters of recommendation. That's a task in itself to get the school dean as well as 3 instructors to write letters. Also, the VA is the only hospital that distinguishes between an ADN and BSN nurse. The BSN nurses get paid more and can advance. The ADN nurses can't advance past a certain pay level.

What is the transition program? Is it like a new grad program or something? I don't think of all the times I went to family practice clinic that I was ever seen by a RN. It was always a med tech, civilian LPN, PA or MD. I think the only contact with an RN I had was through the ask-a-nurse line for rx refills and for begging for a sick call appointment. I am anxious to do patient care. I have experience from school clinicals, but it's not the same as having patients that are MINE to deal with and make decisions about. That's the scary part. I feel like I don't know anything. I'm doing very well in classes and clinical, but the 'big picture' is still fuzzy for me. I am more the type of person that learns by doing things hands on. So until I have a patient with a certain condition that I am responsible for managing, then I won't truly understand what I'm doing. I don't know if that's good or bad. So, I'm ambivilant about actually getting out there and being the nurse and doing ALL the nursing things (or what VA will allow me to do). I'm afraid of making mistakes. I don't have any intention to go ADAF again. My life just isn't the same now that it was when I was 23 and had nothing better to do than join the AF. I have thought of doing the IMA program and/or nursing for VA. I plan on getting my MSN in community health or education or something like that later on. I don't intend on doing bedside nursing for a career.

I was ADAF and NCOIC of Family Advocacy. I was a psych tech. I separated from AD in Aug 2003 so I could finish my BSN. I was stationed at MOFH from Apr 2000-Aug 2003. I will be assigned to MOFH VA. I believe I will be on VA med surg and rotate to step down, ICU, ER, recovery, etc. I am doing my employment blood tests and physical and haven't heard when orientation or my start date is. That's frustrating. I have child care to plan for. I liked MOFH as a hospital but my clinic (LIfe Skills) was just not a good place to be. I think they have cleaned house (they were started when my contract was up) so it may be 'functional' vs. dysfunctional now. But glad I took the risk to separate and finish my BSN. One year more to go.......... What area do you work in?

I'm finishing my 3rd year right now and I was accepted into the VALOR program. I was active duty Air Force for 8 years so I'm familiar with the government's idea of health care. Is anyone else in this program? It sounds so much better than the civilian hospital's nurse apprentice programs. I just hope I'm not going to be too stressed out caring for 6 of my own patients. The most I've had during clinicals is 3. Any suggestions or tips for me as I go through the new employee hiring process? I had my employment blood work done today and have my physical on Monday. I'd like to hear from others who are in the VALOR program or who know about it. I'm worried about not having a clue of what I'm doing. How do you figure out how to get organized to get everything done? That is my biggest fear. :uhoh21:

In Las Vegas, ADN and BSN staff nurses do not get paid differently. The difference comes when the BSN goes on to charge nurse, etc. I'm finishing my third year for BSN. I went this route because it only will be taking me an extra 2 semesters to finish BSN vs ADN. BSN requires inorganic and organic chemistry, upper level psychology, statistics, critical thinking and some other general ed classes at the 300/400 level. If you start at the very beginning, for BSN it would take 4-5 years. For ADN it takes 3-4 years. This counts starting with basic biology and English 101. BSN also usually requires a 3.0 GPA in nursing prereqs. ADN requires 2.0 and some of the prereqs can be taken while in the nursing program. BSN needs to have all of the prereqs completed before acceptance. As for the programs, I have a friend in an ADN program. Her program started clinicals in long term care doing basic aide type skills. My program started in med surg doing aide stuff, med administration, etc. I'm in second semester doing pediatrics, ER, ICU, step down, etc. She's third semester and just now doing pediatrics and OB and hasn't stepped in an ER yet. My BSN program does emphasize critical thinking, theory, management, research, physiology and pharmacology. Those are difficult concepts but are worth the time to understand because it makes nursing easier. The local ADN program doesn't seem to emphasize the critical thinking and in depth theory. They emphasize skills, but what is the point of knowing how to do skills but not know exactly why you are doing them? That is the big difference that I see between the BSN and ADN programs locally. I'm a 32 year old single mom, I've taken off almost 3 years from work to finish my BSN. I know it will be worth it when I finish next May. I plan on starting my MSN in nursing education or community education after I graduate and get my 1 year experience. I don't see myself doing bedside for very long. As for jobs that require MSN...my boyfriend has a Masters in Public Health from a very prestigious university. He has been working for a company doing healthcare analysis, quality improvement, HEDIS, etc for 10 years. He has applied for jobs that are exactly what he is doing now and he has been turned down because he doesn't have a BSN or MSN. Locally, if jobs say they want BSN or MSN, they won't hire anyone with any other degree no matter what the experience is. It used to be that ADNs could do charge and other admin type jobs. Seems to be getting away from that as more BSNs are coming around. Overall, figure out what time you can take to get your degree. If you can swing the time for the BSN, go for it now. I had to retake several science classes because they were too 'old'. Time and money down the drain right there. I started out premed and then went in the military and the classes got old. Best bet is to just get it done as fast as you can. I haven't worked during school and it has been great to have the time to take care of my daughter and be able to study when I need to. My focus is school and doing the best I can do. It's worth it. Good luck in your decision.

From the postings, it sounds like there are a lot of issues with students in clinicals. I'm a 2nd semester BSN student doing clinicals on an IMC step down unit. My instructor is with us the entire time except the day prior when we get our patient's info for the next day. We have a team leader each week that goes to the unit and chooses the patients for each student in our group. We usually have 2 patients on IMC and we do EVERYTHING for those 2 patients. We consult the nurse or instructor when we need to, but if it's something that is easily found or can be thought out using critical thinking skills then we will be told to think about it longer. We aren't 'given' answers. The paperwork we do for each patient consists of looking up H&P, course of treatment thus far, all meds (and know pathophys for each one as well as normal doses, classification, contraindications, side effects, nursing care, etc for each med), pathophysiology in detail for the main admission diagnosis, full head to toe assessments, all vitals, all meds, and all ADLs/personal care. I would never attempt to turn in a care plan, pathophys or med cards that I didnt' personally do. We actually have to document where we get our info. The hospital I'm at now is 1 year old and state of the art. They don't have manual BP cuffs in the rooms and I haven't seen any portable O2 sat or thermometers. We must use the machines. No choice in the matter. We know how to do manual BPs, though. We hang out in the dr computer room and that is where we do all of our charting. Our instructor looks at everything that we do and will ask us to re-do something if it's not spelled correctly, etc. I have had nothing but excellent, helpful instructors so far. I have run into 1 or 2 nasty CNAs. The worst being a fiftyish lady that would cut down every student for no reason. I'm not at that hospital this rotation! I haven't really experienced nasty nurses. Not so good nurses, yes!!! I'm just letting you all know that there are good students and good instructors out there. I always have to know 'why' and drive myself nuts until I find the answer, but rarely do I have to ask someone else. I use the education I've paid dearly for to figure it out myself. Some students think the school is too hard on us, but I know they are teaching us to be independent, thinking nurses and that is what is needed in health care.

I was stationed at Nellis for 3 years. I separated 1.5 years ago and now 3rd year BSN student. Email me if you want info about Nellis, the hospital, Las Vegas, etc. I was a psych tech and NCOIC of Family Advocacy and Life Skills clinic. Rebecca

I've ordered several times from them in the past 9 months and have had very good experiences every time. I ordered all of my 1st semester nursing equipment from them back in Aug. My shoes were on back order but they sent me an email about it and sent the rest of the stuff. My clipboard with calculator didn't work properly so I called customer service. They said send it back so I sent it out the next day. They also sent a new clipboard BEFORE they even received the defective one. And they sent me a discount coupon for my next order to cover the return postage that I paid. I highly recommend Allheart.com. They also have the best prices on the name brand stuff. I search at least 5 sites and compare exact products before I buy and Allheart always comes out cheapest. In fact, I saved over $75 (even including shipping) when buying my equipment from them versus the medical store the school recommended.

The hospital does have the disposable stethoscopes, but noone uses them. It is very hard to hear murmurs, wheezes, etc very well with those scopes.

I used a similar device for a paraplegic LARGE lady that had C diff. The one I got from supply was just called rectal pouch and I don't know who made it. Instead of attaching pouch to foley bag, we folded the end down and used an ostomy bag clip. It also had a triangle pad of adhesive that stuck to the rectal area. Sorry I don't know the name.......