heywazzupdude

Hi! It's been a while since the last time I posted on here (maybe 9 years ago). I graduated the BAT program in 2007 although I started the program in May 2005. It was a very intensive 12 year program and I found it really to difficult to keep up with the program so I ended up extending it to 2 years. The sequence of courses during that time was different and we felt like we're guinea pigs to see how we would do in the program. It was a frustrating experience for me and for some of my classmates to deal with the disorganization (not to mention some faculty who seemed like they did not want to teach). Lectures were mostly in power point and a lot of the lectures had problems with misspellings and formatting from faculty who obviously did not know how to use the software. I decided to extend my program when I got to the point of extreme frustration and worse, depression. I go to the point that I started to lose my self-confidence and mostly ended up as a student who would get the lowest grades (one teacher talked to me and asked me to drop out from the program..but I wasn't ready to quit). With the support of some teachers who believed in me (I did well in my clinicals versus lecture), I graduated and got my degree. Although I was not too happy with my overall GPA, I received by BSN degree. The bad experience did not haunt me when I started my nursing career. I honestly did not learn and understand the science of nursing until I became a full pledged RN. I've been a nurse for 9 years now - just became CCRN recently. My advice is to just go with the flow and when you feel like you're drowning with too much information - speak to your student adviser.

Hi everyone, One of the hospitals in my area has a DCU - Definitive Care Unit. Does anyone know what DCU is? Is it the same as stepdown ICU or Transitional ICU or Progressive Care Unit as they call it in other hospitals? I have over 4 yrs experience in Transitional ICU & interested in one hospital with an opening in DCU. I just want to make sure that it's a critical care unit before I apply for the position. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the input. I work in as nurse in CA and the CA BRN has issues with Excelsior's nursing programs. If I get a MSN nursing informatics degree from Excelsior College, will it be recognized by CA BON? I need some input for those who know. Thanks!

Hi all, Is there anyone out there who is currently in Excelsior's Nursing Informatics program? The program seems to be new. I just need some opinion for someone who's already in the program. I've been a nurse working in critical care for over a year now and was a software engineer before - worked in the IT for 6 yrs. Please advise. Thanks! :wink2:

Is $28/hr the rate for an experienced nurse or new grad?

Thanks Alex. Approx. how much is the starting salary per hr. for nurses with over 1 yr. of experience at BWH?

Hi all, Is there anyone in this forum who works at BWH? I'm currently working in a hospital here in San Francisco & looking to move back to Boston next year. I work in TICU - Transitional ICU. I'm just wondering if BWH has a TICU unit. I like working in critical care. I have 1+ yrs. of experience so far. Thanks!

Hi all, I need an input from those who passed the NCLEX-RN the first time. How did you prepare/study for the NCLEX and how much time did you reserve before taking the exam? Right now, I'm unsure of how to prepare for this critical exam. I have about a month before my test date... should I go & review nursing contents first or just start answering NCLEX review questions? I have Saunders & Kaplan sources and I went over the contents of the books.... which made me feel so overwhelmed with info. I feel like I have to know all the info. to be able to answer most of the questions in the NCLEX exam. Please advise. Thanks!

Congratulations!!! I graduated this past Sunday receiving my BSN. I'm so happy that nursing school is over :yelclap: Now I'm focusing on my NCLEX-RN review. :w00t:

Congrats! I had my pinning this past Saturday, the 19th and undergrad commencement Sunday the 20th. I'm glad that nursing school is over. Now onto NCLEX-RN review. :monkeydance:

Thanks for the advice!

Hi all, For the GNs who worked after graduation and took the NCLEX before the end of their training/orientation and passed it the first time --- how was your experience like when preparing for this critical exam while working? Any advice on time management, stress management? Thanks!

Testing positive on Matoux skin test does not indicate that you have active TB and are contagious. It just means that you were exposed to the TB germ (airborne) and your body produced antigens as a defense mechanism against the TB germ. I tested positive for TB 17 years ago. I went through the INH therapy & vitamin B6 supplementation (INH depletes the body's vitamin B6) for 9 months. It wasn't too painful and it went fast. I did not experience any drug side effects and continued with my active lifestyle (sports, working out, outdoors, etc.). I had my chest x-ray taken recently and my lungs are clear. :wink2: My nursing school knew about my medical history and they just had me fill a questionnaire just to make sure that I'm not experiencing any symptoms of active TB. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering what happens to you when you start working as a GN (with a temp permit) in a hospital and taking the NCLEX before the end of the training and FAILING the exam? Will you be demoted to a nurse's aide position? Will your GN position be given to another applicant who has already passed the NCLEX? Will you be given the GN/RN position pending passing the NCLEX? Has anyone been in this situation or any thoughts about it? Thanks!

Hi all, Can someone tell me what a Transitional Care Unit is? Is it part of critical services of a hospital? Is it a good unit to start for new graduate RN nurses? Thanks!