KNest18

Hi guys back again and wanted to respond to everyone, just to clarify, I was PD at one of the jobs which was PACU for the 2 months at the same time working at the surgical ambulatory center for the year. (After I was at medsurg) I would agree with some of what you all who shared stating that I need self reflection! I just bought a home and about to get married and I feel like lately during this time in my late 20s I have been asking my purpose ? The reason why I love nursing is the patient and nurse rapport. I am a. Dry caring person in nature! No one in my family is a nurse.. When I was ever bedside including medsurg, pacu, or any patient interaction for that matter I love making the patient feel safe. I loved speaking up for them and doing the right thing I had to do when it came to their care.. I loved learning things that help SAVE the patient meaning being hands on and learning what helps a patient get better and I would actually love to finally be able to have the critical thinking skills to have the doctor trust in my medical decision making... of that makes any sense?? I guess my approach in all of this is figuring a job that is much more rewarding than being so taxing and so stressful... but nursing comes with that stress, I don’t want to be a mean nurse or rude to my patients.. I want to remain who I am.. I guess the OR I see at my institution is very hard to ground break without people thinking I’m not worthy since I’m new in the OR and they think all the nurses are like each other (Majority started only in the OR and never went anywhere else) so with that I get frustrated at times. With the people I’m with, I let my emotions get involved and I AM TRYING to not let others persuade my worth... I love a team environment and I think I let that go when I was on medsurg... but on the other end the work was very vigorous! Now I’m learning a new job (that doesn’t intrigue me because I want more learning in critical skills) and now less team work... thank you guys so so much for all of your honest responses... I just wish the work was perfect in health care but I reality we ourselves as nurses make the best of what we can when we are In The workforce! I just have to hope for liking this job maybe and giving it a chance and maybe if I still don’t like it find another that I semi enjoy more than this? Oh and last thing, 11 months training that is very all over the place (been with all sorts of nurses but haven’t found trust in any of them, just found some that have good nursing OR habits and others not, it in actuality I have no vent to because of the attitudes and resistance to new people.) me and the their new girls that have been in training hasn’t had good guidance, we are just kinda in charge of our own learning ... we finish in about a week!!

Hi guys im 28 years old and I'm having trouble finding my groove and niche in nursing all together but figured maybe i can get some insight. I have been a practicing nurse for nearly 3 years coming next month. I started out on MED/SURG and only lasted a total of 7 months before i couldn't do it anymore and wanted to find something else less stressful and find quality of life rather than being constantly stressed. (long story on that) so i made the decision and quit and went off to a sedation dental ambulatory surgery center. it was way to easy but told myself to stay for a year just because i didn't want to jump to another job quick again since i didn't believe that would look good on my resume. during that year, i applied for an agency and with my limited med surg experience they only hired me for outpatient day surgery PACU at another surgery center involving way more (plastics, T&A, carpel tunnel, rhinoplasty etc) i did that job for about 2 months and i learned some more and pretty much enjoyed it for the most part. a year went by in search for a job in anything else, i landed a job at a level 1 trauma hospital OR TRAUMA. with a pension plan! i took it because i really thought of retirement and wanted to get in the pension plans they had at the facility. Now, since i did REALLY well in the interview, they THOUGHT i had REAL OR experience! went through the cracks of HR and got hired as a staff nurse but in actuality i didn't have the experience so there were 2 other nurses who got hired into the periop program the month prior that i got hired so they kept me and put me in the program. FAST FORWARD to today. 11 months has passed by and im still on orientation, and I'm finding that i still don't like the OR at all. i honestly never really cared for the OR.. I just applied all over and took the first opportunity of the pension plan and wanted to get my foot in the door and took the opportunity on the job in the OR. since the beginning, i wasn't so intrigued by the specialty sadly, but i kept truckin' in hopes i would maybe soon like it. during the course of 11 months there has been many times that I've played hooky at work or just go to SPD to help out instead of being in the OR. overall, i just don't think i still like it even being on orientation still! It's mainly because, the environment is horrible, people are so negative, and everyone is out to get everyone and they thrive on you failing! on top of that, trying to learn the job is already stressful in itself so i have to deal with trying to learn and dealing with all those crazy personalities! Im less than 2 weeks away from being on my own and feel like i don't really know anything. i can probably survive in simple cases but im just over it and kinda miss bedside nursing ? i dread waking up in the morning to go to work and dread seeing everyone, even though im still antisocially social if that makes sense lol! i just don't know where i stand in my niche in nursing and just want to be happy or at least satisfied with my job. i love nursing but i haven't found my place!! any advice from you guys will help me tremendously! im pushing for my year on my own so that way i can have "2 years" of OR experience and maybe laterally move to another department... please you guys any advice helps! thank you so much for taking the time to read my rant! Warm regards, frustrated nurse

Okay:) do you mean ASC by ambulatory surgical center? I was hired as full time at this facility so do you think it may take me longer than 2 years? If i do 2 years with gaining the experience and hours in PACU/OR I Can obtain the credentials correct? thank you!

thank you so much for all your feedback! As I'm also continuing my research, i alos found that some nurses as they work in OR (periopertive settings) they get a CNOR/AORN certification to help boost their surgical specialty? maybe im understanding it wrong or many of you already have this credential, but I would like to return back to an acute care hospital eventually after working on this outpatient surgery center for about a year or so, do you believe this would also help me go back into an acute care hospital? thanks again you guys! this is helping me so much :)

thank you so much! I was thinking of doing this kind of experience for a year or so since i can also get experience in both PACU/OR then transition back into a hospital when the time is right thanks so much for your input! Do you also think being a perdiem/PRN nurse doing something else in the right path would be good as well?

thank you so much! I was thinking of doing this kind of experience for a year or so since i can also get experience in both PACU/OR then transition back into a hospital when the time is right:) thanks so much for your input! Do you also think being a perdiem/PRN nurse doing something else in the right path would be good as well?

I am still a new grad with generally 7 months of MedSurg/Tele experience on the floor, 1:7/1:8 (nurse to patient ratio). I also had 2 months of training before hitting the floor (foley insertions, dressing changes, NG tubes, simulations/classes etc.). When i started the floor i was oriented for 5 weeks with different preceptors, then started my own assignment of 6 patients my 1st or 2nd week. Thereafter, I always had 7 patients, not including my new admits, sometimes i would have to chart on 8-9 patients because of my ER admits (I HAD TO BE QUICK). This all varied. our nurses normally take on 7-8 patients at once, sometimes 9. (we work day shift). By month 4 i Made 2 MED ERRORS within one week (this wrecked me) although it taught me soooo much i haven't made another error since (knock on wood!)and have been extremely careful !! I also thought that I always wanted to give my patients the best care possible! as time went on, so far I have taken 8 patients once before, and these patients weren't simple. even with 7 patients sometimes i have critical labs, tube feeds, heparin ect. I dont think my director/charge nurse ever thought that having to call a rapid sometimes at the same time of passing pain meds with 5 accu checks, sched meds at once really mattered. I do the best i can each and every day just to get through it. I prioritize as the day goes because things always change! With all of this, I have never had so much stress, and lack of sleep due to anxiety dreading coming back into work not knowing what im going to get.The feeling never seemed to ever get better. I even work out regularly and do aerial to de-stress, because that's my passion. I had to start taking sleeping aids to help me rest the day before work because my mind would not shut off! This is when i started to think about leaving the floor to find something else... Now (month 7), I just put in my 2 weeks because I was hired at an OR/PACU position in an outpatient surgical center. I am nervous but excited about this new nursing opportunity to come. I took on this position because it allows me to have a better schedule MON-FRI 7-3 pm (same pay) with me being able to do my passion job as an aerialist part-time. ANY advice or thoughts about me doing this? I get alot of mixed feelings because everyone must find their own nitch in nursing but i just wanted to hear your thoughts? I want to grow as a nurse still and still follow my dream as an aerialist while im still young and still can do it! lol! I just want to do both and continue to grow in both! I have been an aerialist for 5 years performing in shows and just miss all of that! I just call myself flying nurse lol! There is so much more to fill the gaps of this post but I wanted to get to the point! Basically, in 5 years i hope to work with for a transplant center, and eventually work behind the scenes in patient advocacy/transplant coordinator of some sort.... SORRY if this was too long to read:dead: but any thoughts/advice helps

your welcome ! I just hope that we all get in sooner or later! Best of luck!!! To everyone :)

^^ lots of typos! Sorry you guys!!

Hey brian, I totally understand what you are going through.. Trust me.. I was that crazy freak who was always on this forum everyday checking points, checking statuses, and comparing. I believe this is like my 4th time of applying (not embarrassed to say that I only have 83.9 something points) after back up plans and taking 7 total exams for nursing entrances...I finally just accepted that my time for whatever reason will come... And that's exactly how you should feel. My situation is a but different than others, my fiancé is on dialysis and is only 28 years old! He will be 29 in April and is still awaiting for a kidney:( I have known him before he placed on dialysis, and before he began going through kindey failure. Unfortunately, he was dealing with kidney complications his whole life, but when it hit us back in August of 2012 that's when I started applying to nursing school. I was very frustrated and wondering why I wasn't getting in along with wondering why my fiancé hasn't received his kidney... This whole experience, along with faith; has brought me to a point where my purpose in life is helping him get better... Learning as much as I can until God allows me to get into any nursing program... I have never given up! It's been very hard, I have the brains for school I know it.. Points do not define a person... It's the passion you have to wanting to become a nurse is what I believe ! I know all of you have what it takes! Sometimes getting into a program takes longer than others, but it's okay... Being persistent until something sticks , it will happen... As normal people we stress ourselves a little too much (like I did) and didn't think about other peoples situations that may be worse where they stress to live another day, relying on a machine to stay ALIVE! it made me see things differently... To not force anything, to keep trying but have patience... I can go on but holy crap I rambled a little too long!!! Just wanted to make you all see that I probably have the lowest point scores and still here... Still trying.. You guys will all make it if you still try!! NEVER GIVE UP!!! You all will become a nurse!! Everything happens for a reason!!!! Good or bad ... It leads you to become someone extraordinary

Good luck y'all !! Everything happens for a reason !!

Ooooh I never heard of that school? I'm taking mine at Csn since most of my classes are from there. I did well on the teas, like mid 70's overall composite score... I don't have my exact scores on me... It's definitely harder than the hesi for sure but you'll be fine !!! Good luck on Thursday!! Study!!

oh alright!! Have you ever taken the teas before? I hope all goes well with where ever u go because UNLV is insane to get in now in days... Yeah ----------------- told me the same.. I just needed a chem with a lab so I'll be taking that over the summer and hope the interview goes well and get in for August ! Hope to see you during the interviewing session.. That's if were able to catch each other :)

hey brian! I really hope to see you at roseman! I already took the teas and just need to transfer my UNLV official transcripts over and take a chem 110 (since UNLV didn't have a lab in their chem 108) but she said I would be doing my interview session on the 12! I have been waiting for this!!:)))

your welcome brian! stay strong! there is always a reason for everything ... and its always a good reason behind it later down the road... as for everyone else.. good luck and keep doing what your doing! never give up!!!

Hey brian, it's alright we are hanging in there together! It has been quiet a crazy ride so far but optimistic! We both have big goals, getting his kidney and for me getting into nursing school someday! We don't know when this all will happen but we know it will when God gives us the time:) I am 23 years old. We are still young though! I do understand your situation! You just want to finish and want to start your family! There's one thing that my fiancé has taught me throughout this hardship! He told me I have my health and could do anything I put my mind into, it may take longer than others but in the end you will get it when the time is right! He fights for his life and as colleagues we worry about passing classes... It's crazy to explain but I am thankful for all my experiences! Don't give up brian! I know a nurse who recently graduated and he is 45 from the Philippines. He loves what he does and is hard working and the sweetest nurse I know! He tells me that the day will come for both my fiancé and I and to not give up !! Always stay positive!! Specially all of you who are trying to excel in nursing or whatever it may be!! DONT GIVEUP!

Hey everyone, I am a hopeful nurse as well that has been trying to get in since last summer 2013. I know what you maybe thinking.. Wow! Right!? Well as for how competitive nursing as gotten at UNLV, spring of 2013 the cut off was at about 84 pts. Summer '13 89 pts, with about 100 applicants, fall '13 90 something- 140 applicants and spring 14, 90.33 pts, 120 applicants... I knew these numbers well because I was all soo tuned in every signing session... It's been hard and I have been working on other nursing schools in the past 2 semesters since I should have done that from the getgo but, it's okay, I am still trying and know everything happens for a reason.. I have a fiancé who is on dialysis since last year January. So maybe there is a reason for it all... I do believe that we all have what it takes to be a nurse! It would be great to have us all go after our dreams of being caregivers. Points do not define how great of a nurse others will be.. I have heard great stories of ppl who had lower points who became the director at UMC and the best pediatric nurse at sunrise in 97'. For those who are in the same boat as I am; don't give up! Keep going if nursing is what you really want to pursue! Good luck to you all!!!

hey everyone, i just have a quick question for those who passed the reading portion of the teas v with 80% or higher... since this is a computerized test, did you guys skip the long passages and went straight for the short answer questions? when i took the teas, i was seconds from running out of time and even then, i had to quickly guess and answer on the last few questions of the exam. i just want to know how you guys got through the reading portion and what was the best method for passing the reading portion? thank you!!!

hi all, wondering if anyone has been in either programs. what are the comparisons from both programs? i know that you get the ADN at CSN within 2 years and you get the BSN at UNLV in a bout a year, is there a better school than the other? it is getting fierce out there and planning to apply to both at this point. anything helps! thank you!

good luck girl! you are doing awsome!

I am! In hopes of this summer not being so competitive compared to last summer! I hope that we all can get in!

Emgrace, it was about the same last semester... Fall was about 90 something points with 140 applicants, summer was about 89 points with 90 applicants, both semesters are the highest pool since last spring!!.... It's getting pretty fierce!

Hey all ! No matter what happens, lets all keep a positive attitude and keep our dreams alive in becoming future nurses!! Good luck this week! i wish we all could just get in ! If anyone recieves a call, please keep us posted :) thank you!!! Again.... Good luck!

Jumping back in on this thread!! I HAVE seen untold stories of the ER!! Omg!! Loved that show, and also Mystery Diagnosis! Unfortunately I don't have those channels anymore.. Anyways, nice to meet all of you upcoming new nursing students and professionals!! I do hope that we all get in as a team together and change the lives of those who are in dire need and make a difference in soo many lives!! Yayyy us!! :)

I meant you, not I lol!