jessicab

The main point no one has brought up here is that in socialized medicine, services are rationed. Example: in the UK dialysis is withheld after 55 yoa, in Canada if your doctor suspects a brain tumor, your wait for an MRI can be as long as 6 months. Here in the US, whether or not you can pay you can get these services very quickly and for as long as you need them. No, our system is not perfect, but it is the best in the world. And though some posters believe making a profit is inherently evil, it is an incentive for providers and systems to deliver better care. Putting our healthcare in the hands of government would be disastrous. Most of the problems we have today result from their manipulation of the market through medicare & medicaid and regulations requiring hospitals to treat people who have no way of paying. Before medicare and medicaid, people were treated quickly and more cheaply. Yes not everyone can afford good care, but forcing healthcare entities to care for everyone without payment will only degrade everyone's care.

I took it March of 2007. I passed in an hour with 75 questions. I used several different review books, but hands down the Kaplan was the best. My hospital paid for the class, and I think that was very valuable and worth the time. Do questions, questions, questions. I also recommend looking at the videos that are offered by Kaplan with their class, I really remembered some of that stuff. P.S. Don't neglect Pharmacology. About 60% of my questions were pharmacology - specific drugs and what things I would look for (ie side effects) or tell the patient to watch for. It was like torture, and I was sure I failed, but I passed! Good Luck

Hey! I work at Lovelace. I really enjoy it, but I am not in med/surg. I have two friends that work in the unit at Women's and they enjoy it. At the time we were hired as new grads, our pay was the highest in town. I know it is different depending on experience, but new grad pay is 23/hour. At pres during 2005, pay for RNs with at least 2 years experience was $24, and now UNM pays slightly higher than Lovelace.

Hi! My name is Jessica. I am a NICU nurse at Lovelace Women's hospital and I absolutely love it there. The nurses are great and I like the Neonatologists too. I am 31 (32 in August - eek!). I have a beautiful daughter who is 11 and I play piano and sing and watch movies for fun. I graduated from UNM in 2006, was an extern at Presbyterian and and extern at Lovelace before I graduated.

I really hate it when people who have not worked for Lovelace bad mouth it. I work there (and have for over a year) and have really loved it. No place is perfect, but the team is wonderful. I have learned so much and really enjoyed my time there. When I did clinicals and externships at UNMH & Presbyterian, I was treated very badly by the staff. There is so much back stabbing and mean behavior. At Lovelace everyone is truly a team. For instance, when I have a new admission everyone comes to help if they can. At other hospitals I've worked, the staff almost seem to be competing for who can take the most crap without asking for help. Don't discount Lovelace just because of the stuff you've heard. Thanks, Jessica

I took my exam March of 2007 on a Saturday. The BON website updated with my license on Tuesday, but if you pay $8 you can find out from Pearson. That was available Monday morning. I think its worth it! I was sick from woryy, and I thought I had failed, so I was glad to know as soon as possible.

When I externed at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, the General Surgery Unit was 1 to 4, but sometimes they went over that to 1 to 5. I heard that they have changed to having 1 tech for each nurse, and I wonder if that means you have to take more patients. I know that SAC and ICUs have lower ratios, but most med/surg units have up to 1 to 8. Good Luck!

I graduated from UNM December of 2006. I loved it, but of course no where is perfect. One thing I will say though, is I heard the new program is not well organized, so just make sure you advocate for yourself! Good luck, its worth it!

I agree with ben123. We only have ourselves to blame if we don't take the breaks we deserve and NEED. But, I'll tell you that part of the problem is nurses who act like you're a slacker and lazy if you take a break, and nurses who seem to be competing for who can stand up the longest. That is not cool, that is self abuse and it is benefitting no one. I find after my lunch break (OFF THE UNIT!!!) I am a better nurse, more patient and better able to seve the needs of the client and their families. I also think we shouldn't be treated poorly for not wanting to take extra shifts. Every life needs balance. Take it or burn out MUCH sooner.

I think as a traveler you had every right to stand up and say that he shoudn't treat anyone that way regardless of what status she or he has. I work in a great environment and the doctors treat us well. Everyone has the option of working somewhere else. Every other hospital in this city has an evironment like you describe, and I'll tell you it because people don't stand up and say that we're not going to take that kind of treatment. I also make a great wage, and I'm a new grad of three months. I think we need to stop complaining and make sure we work only where we feel valued and appreciated. Those places are out there, don't just accept that treatment. Vote with your feet. Be honest in your exit interview, things will change. I think it much more likely that we will be happier if we change the treatment of doctors and, sad to say, other nurses than we will if we make more money. Don't put up with it, speak up in a professional manner. That's what we did here. We had some doctors who were grumpy and condescending with the nurses (especially at night) and we told the Chief Nursing Officer. Things are better. The docs try to get to know us and speak appreciatively to us, even if they have a problem.