spade11

Clearly I wasn't planning on using google as my sole source of information. I was using it as a starting block. Working in the OR, at least in my hospital, I don't have access to NPs. I work with MDs and PAs, neither of which can help me in this endeavor. So I came here to ask questions, if I could've asked questions elsewhere I would've.

Hi, I'm not sure if I put this in the right place, so I'm extremely sorry if I didn't. I do have a quick question and google is starting to make my head hurt so I'm hoping someone could help me here. Working in the hospital is really not working out for me. In my personal life I've had so many unfortunate bumps in the road and the few work environments that I did choose to be a part of we're not the best of places. I've always put myself in high stress jobs from the beginning (ICU, OR) and now that I've gotten older I've realized that those weren't smart decisions on my part. I want to go back to school to become an NP. My ideal situation would to be working as an NP outside of the hospital in a doctor's office. My road block at the moment is that I don't even know where to start. At the current moment my father is battling cancer harder than ever (this has been my achilles heel all throughout my nursing career, only now it's taken a turn for the worst.) I was wondering if there was a way that I could take core required classes online so that I could be home with my father and then transfer to a school or is there a reputable program online where I could enroll and just clearly have to go in for clinicals? Would that be frowned upon? I unfortunately don't have the money for a big name school. I know I don't want to go into Pediatric NP, Geriatric NP, Mental Health NP, Women's Health Care NP, Neonatal NP or Occupational Health NP programs. This leaves me with Family NP, Adult NP or Acute Care NP programs, I think. Trying to find specific information on each is harder than I expected. I hope someone can point me in the right direction

That is the first and last time I make a bet with my attending...

Hi Binggrad, To be completely honest, there is absolutely nothing in the SIM lab that can REALLY mimic what real life is like. Your fundamental labs ARE important. You learn a lot of basic skills that you will carry with you throughout your nursing career. As for the SIM labs--honestly, I would've rather had more time in the hospital. But definitely do the SIM lab questions!!! Even if you don't write down a lot, read about it! The lab will flow much easier and you'll make connections really quickly. :) I thought of the lab as a reinforcement of what I read about the previous night. It also depends on your instructor. I had tried to ask for help with jobs but got absolutely no where. They may tell you that the Wasserman center will be able to help you---they DO NOT. They are not equipped to deal with hospitals, nor do they have the contacts. My biggest suggestion in the job search area is that even though you're doing accelerated, get into an externship program outside of school! This means more legwork (well computer work) on your end but it is worth it and you make connections with hospitals a lot faster. I know SO MANY nurses who didn't bother to get externships and now they're struggling. You'd apply before the end of your last Spring Semester...going into your last summer semester. The programs that I know of allowed you to work at the end of your Summer Semester (when there was a small break) and then part-time during your last semester. If you have a heart set on a specific hospital, I would even suggest volunteering maybe once a week if your schedule allows it. Granted, this all depends on the availability of time you have and would be conducive to your life.

Hi Everyone, I see a lot of posts about different Nursing schools that have specific questions. I thought it might make it more organized if there was a specific thread where people could come to ask questions about NYU and even see previously answered questions or questions you may not have even thought of yet. I would encourage any NYU Grad's that have information or answers to questions to chime in. I, personally, find comfort in people's experiences and their ideas or 'tricks' to help you get through. Also, not all questions are answered about NYU. So, why not graduates help answer some questions. Unfortunately, I had no one to ask when going into Nursing school so it was pretty much trial and error. If I could help anyone that would otherwise be in my previous position, I'd be more than happy to. A little bit about me: As per the Title I did go to NYU's Nursing School. I was a traditional student (right out of high school) I attended from August 2007- May 2011. (I'm 24) I've had my license for almost two years now. I can answer questions ranging from classes to teachers to simulation labs to hospitals to externships to scholarships to life at NYU to ways to get involved in the College of Nursing as well as ways to get involved at NYU in general to being a New Grad. And I'm sure if I can't answer a question fully there is someone else on these boards that I am sure will help you. :) You're also more than welcome to PM me. My Best, Chris

"These must be designed by female nurses to slow us down to ask about and question our orders. Just like men designed high heels for women to make it harder for them to run away."

"This is the LAST time I buy something from E-Bay, even if it was only $1.99 with free shipping."

I have both. My reasoning behind it originally was because I had to take time off from work and I wanted to show that I wasn't 'letting go' of my career/not thinking about nursing. I don't ever want to work in peds, but when I went for an interview for an Adult OR job they commented that they were happy I had it, they had said 'it's always good to have.' Plus, it's not going to harm you by having more.

CONGRATS!!! I've never heard of the trick being inaccurate :)

I want these. Meanwhile her facial expression is what I usually have on my face when my feet hurt so bad and I'm told that I have a new patient on the opposite end of the floor---farrrrr away from my other patients. hahaha

Sharper Image should get on this project of making the most epically comfortable Nursing Shoes ever

You can learn in a class that big. (Though the number may not be for everyone) You have some great teachers. Don't be intimidated by the number. Also, if you have a question--ask it. I promise you someone else is thinking it. Email the professor if necessary--go to the class early to ask a question directly to the professor if you don't want to talk in front of a lot of people. The professors I had at NYU teach at NYU. There was never a conflict AT ALL with getting in touch with any of my professors at any point in time. In fact, I still keep in touch with them and I graduated over two years ago. Honestly, it's your personality and what environment you think would be most conducive for YOU to learn.

It sounds harsh, but the test sucks. (Not necessarily from being hard, but from the pressure you put on yourself.) Know that you have worked extremely hard for this! You put in the time to go to school and to study. The scariest part isn't the actual test, but sitting for the test and waiting for results. I took my exam in July '11. I was four days away from my exam and 8pm four days before the exam I changed my exam time to the next morning---I couldn't look at a single book anymore. I didn't give myself time to think and after I switched the time, the exam time and date I was originally scheduled for was already gone. It was the best decision I made. No more second guessing myself, just going for it. When I was traveling to get to the test, I made a playlist of my favorite 'pump me up' songs. I remember listening to Katy Perry - Firework on repeat. When I was a competitive swimmer a thought we always had before we would race was 'What the mind believes the body will achieve.' While it doesn't really correspond literally to exams as it does physical activity -- just believe in yourself. I wish absolutely everyone the best of luck with their exams.

Thank you everyone for your amazingly kind words. I haven't given up and now have a job in NYC as an operating room nurse. I'll be starting in a few weeks! My fingers are crossed and I'm so nervous but, I didn't give up and now there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Hey, I'm a slightly seasoned nurse (2 year anniversary this July) and have accepted a job at New York Downtown in the Operating Room. I know that there is a merger with New York Presbyterian and Downtown and therefore Downtown will become it's six campus. (There's not really a lot of information about it online--or I'm googling in the wrong places) Anyway, I have had to take a break from Nursing due to a family illness and I feel a little bit rusty in the Pharm department. I'm going in this week to take the Pharmacology exam. I was interviewed and offered the job by a woman who is an NYP Recruiter, but is onsite at Downtown at the moment. The woman had told me there were no study guides or materials that were going to be available prior to the exam. I was told it was multiple choice with dosage questions mixed in and that if I failed I'd be able to take it again. (I'd rather not fail) I'm curious if anyone has taken the Downtown pharm exam recently? Do you have any suggestions? Should I use the NLN Pharm exam as a study aid? Any guidance would be truly appreciated :)