WildflowerRN

Yes! cloth hats and infection rates!!!

I checked into Wolford's 'rumored' regional accreditation process, but was unable to substantiate it. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (where Wolford would get its regional accreditation) does not currently show that Wolford is a candidate or an applicant for regional accreditation. See list here http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/webmemlist.pdf That's disheartening, since Wolford has been telling its current and potential students that "the application is in, we're just waiting on a response" since early 2012.

wtbcrna, Thank you! I tried getting the same info from the COA, but was not able to. I appreciate you taking the time to do this. It's invaluable information.

wtbcrna, I've read both documents and do not see where COA requires NA programs to have regional accreditation. Can you please post a link to the new guideline? Thanks!

Yes, we use fentanyl intranasally in the ED for procedures, along with versed, narcan and ativan. We use a MAD (mucosal atomization device) that screws on to the end of a syringe. Works like a charm and with similar dosing. Love it for kids and for iv drug users we can't get a line on quickly for narcan administration.

Where ever your career leads you Viva, you need to write! You're a great writer. Write about your patients, your stories, the doctors and nurses you worked with in your career. Blog, essay, novel, whatever. Get it out. I'll buy the first copy...

The interview was very relaxed. They asked a series of personal and clinical questions. As far as the clinical questions, they only asked about things that I brought up, eg "What pressor do you use most often in your unit?" Levophed. "Tell me about Levophed." Very nice people - all 8 of them!! But the wait has gotten me rattled...

Apparently not written by an ER nurse. ER nurses send most of the crazy, needy, drug-seeking, system-abusing, perpetually-unemployed-who-use-the-ER-as-a-PCP patients home! Thereby saving the floor nurses from them. ER is NOT, in any way shape or form, the place for decreased patient contact.

btw, Parkland created the country's first nurse internship in 1957, and has it pretty much perfected. Parkland (and Baylor) are both level 1 trauma centers and university teaching hospitals. Parkland is the Regional Burn Center as well. Good luck!!

Med/surg is NOT necessary to become a good nurse. If you have the drive, the desire, a modicum of intelligence and critical thinking skills - after a nursing internship, you will do fine in a critical care unit. Parkland and Baylor (both in Dallas) take new grads and put them in their critical care internship and straight into the ER and ICUs from day 1. Don't let anyone discourage you. Your age can actually be an asset in nursing. Nursing so lacks authentic leadership on the floor, and your age and determination can make you a real star on your unit. Real world experience goes VERY far in nursing. After all, studies show that hard skills comprise only 20% of your job. It's the soft skills that you learn in the 'real world.' Go for it! You've got what it takes.

Jasmere1, Can you tell me about the program? What's your schedule like? How soon do you get in the OR? What's the atmosphere like there? How are the professors? Are you in class every day? Thank you so much!

RealNurse419, Can you tell me about the program? What's your schedule like? How soon do you get in the OR? What's the atmosphere like there? How are the professors? Are you in class every day? Thank you so much!

A continuously changing work environment is difficult - even for a seasoned nurse. Also, remember, your reputation will follow you everywhere. Even in a large, metropolitan city with many hospitals. Nurses talk. And a poor showing as an agency nurse can and does follow you when you're looking for full time work at other facilities.

I'm all for diversity in learning and alternatives to traditional learning, but you'll miss the comradery of nursing school. And that comradery gets you through some pretty crappy stuff that you've never seen and prepares you for dealing with the stuff we, as nurses have to deal with daily.

Depends greatly on your location. Many, many nurses work only 3 and are off 4. Great for many families, but also depends on the age of your kiddos. One of the beauties of nursing the is vast spectrum of choices available to you regarding your hours.