Ahua12

Hi Nicole, you may look on facebook the group-Hawaii travel nurses-the gypsy nurse for more info. Hope that helps.

It is very difficult to give advise only reading one perceptive on a situation. I have worked in multiple hospitals which has given me the opportunity to work with many preceptors as well as having acted as a preceptor. One question I have regarding your situation would be, where was your preceptor for the 4 hours that the levo was not titrated? Your preceptor should be keeping a close eye on you as you are still learning. Your preceptor should have asked you what your plan was regarding that patient if she had noticed you did not titrate it. I personally would have used that aa a learning opportunity to see where you where at with critical thinking skills, knowledge of medicine and rational for your actions. If as a preceptor I noticed a bp of 80/40 and did not see you take action I would question you, if the pt bp was truly 80/40 I would be in that room overseeing what your next actions where, what other vitals are you looking at, why did the bp suddenly tank or was it trending down. A good preceptor should be listening as you presented the situation to the Dr. which also gives them an opportunity to see if you understand the whole picture. I had a new RN that was "drowning" for lack of a better term and I stopped her and asked her what was going on, where was she at with med's etc and I helped her out. I stopped her because one I was supposed to be training/teaching her and two because patient safety is first and foremost. After our shift I explained the importance of asking for help and how the other patient could have been adversely effected by her being caught in the other room. I explained and showed her examples how on a unit particularly an ICU we need to help each other. My advise is don't give up if you love the ICU, talk to your manager for true and constructive feed back regarding your training. Get specific examples and evaluate how you could have changed the situation. Take what they say no matter how harsh it may be and learn from it. Find another ICU and ask to shadow see if the preceptors want to teach or if they are forced into training new RN's because of years of experience. Good luck in your future.

I can't remember the exact cost, I think it was 1-2k. The course was a month long. 96 hours class, 96 clinical. I ended up working for the hospital system where I did my clinical's. Good luck!

I took my remedial nurse course at Florida Southwestern University in Fort Myers. Here is the web page that lists all the remedial nurse courses. Florida Board of Nursing >> Florida Board of Nursing Approved Remedial Courses - Licensing, Renewals & Information Hopefully you find a course that works for you. They are a bit expensive but well worth it to sit the NCLEX and start working!

I just wanted to share if you are a international trained nurse applying through CGNFS for a CES report (as most board of nursing requires) allow at least 3-4 months. If you would like it quicker then pay the fee they require. I currently have a application with CGNFS to evaluate 1 (one) course I was required to take prior to sitting the NCLEX two years ago. I am applying for endorsement in another state which requires a new CGNFS report providing evidence that the one course I took did make up my 3 hour deficiency in peds and 3 hours deficiency in obstetrics. My application is now week eight still, "waiting for approval". The reason I would like to share this time line is because applications with boards of nursing in some state require documents (CGNFS, CES reports) within a certain amount of months, and will only keep your application open for a period of time. Good luck and have patience if you are required to deal with CGNFS.

Keep looking.. Florida is coming up on "season" when the state is inundated with "snow bird's" from up North looking for warm weather and safe driving conditions. A lot of hospitals will pay relocation bonuses if you sign a contract. I know this is very true on the West Coast of Florida and image it would be similar on the East Coast. Good luck!

I had my Australian qualification evaluated 2 years ago. I am sorry for what you are going though. I had many of the same problems as far as hours break down, theory vs practical. I found emailing them a true test of patience and calling not worth it since you could never speak to anyone who can answer anything. Many of my queries where never actually answered which left me wondering if they actually read my email. (I saved one particularly for a laugh). All I can offer as far as advice is keep at it. It took just over a year for my credentials, and still I am missing many hours of theory. Regardless I am finally a registered nurse practicing in the US. Good luck!

Thank you in advance for any advice. Sorry to be so lengthy with my question. This is my situation, I graduated from The University of Notre Dame in Australia with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. I have moved back to the US and had my transcripts evaluated by CGFNS which stated my education was short some theory hours. I was required by the board of nursing in Florida to take a remedial nursing course 96 hours theory/ 96 hours clinical to be eligible to sit the NCLEX. I took the class as well as the NCLEX and passed. I am currently a working RN in Florida. I would like to move to another state and work at a magnet hospital but not sure if I am considered a RN with a Bachelor or if I am a RN with a associates degree. It is my understanding that magnet hospitals only hire RN with a bachelor degree. My question is how do I figure out what my RN status is? My nursing program in Australia included a research unit, critical care unit and nursing management and leadership unit.

Good luck on your NCLEX! I passed in July. I used Uworld with an average score of 58%; Kaplan q-bank just under the suggested average and Hurst, again 2% under the suggested average. Don't worry about your averages, just feel confident going in. Half the exam is not stressing. But if it makes you feel better your scores look like your ready! Again good luck and remember to breath..

I applied at NCH, Lee Memorial, Bayfront, VA hospital system and a few more.. I think it is worth applying to everything, hopefully get a interview and even if you don't get a offer you become more comfortable and confident with questions that you'll be asked. I know people say the pay isn't that great in Florida but sometimes you have to sacrifice to get experience, at least that is how I look at it. Good luck with your search.

Hello, I had interviews at a few hospitals in the Southwest of Florida for new grad positions. The pay at one hospital was 23.00 with shift differentials, with a 2 year contract. Another hospital offered 24.00 (night shift) with shift differentials with a 2 year contract. Getting a job and experience was paramount for me so that I can specialize in the future. Good luck with your job hunt.

Hi AriannaRN, How did your interview go? I am in the process of interviewing now. Hopefully you got the job.

Hi willow7, I noticed mentioned Uworld, that is one source I have been using. I get good scores then not so good. Did you find the questions asked comparable to the NCLEX? Thanks, testing next week.

Hi, I believe I had my education reviewed by ERES out of California (who I felt where very easy to communicate with) as well as CGNFS. Both were listed on the Florida Board of Nursing web page. After my application got reviewed the Board requested I take the remedial nurse refresher course from and only from institution listed on there web page who they approved of. I enrolled in FSW (Florida South Western University). Unfortunately the course isn't not offered very often; I believe only twice a year. Other courses that offer on-line learning required the student to set up clinical practice themselves which I read and heard could be a bit of a challenge. Good luck and don't give up!

I am currently completing my education requirements to sit the NCLEX in Florida (a remedial nurse review course 96 hours class/ 96 hours clinical). I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in West Australia with a bachelors degree in nursing. I used two different reporting agencies that where suggested from the Florida Board of Nursing's web page. Personally I found CGFNS very challenging to deal with as far as getting answers to any of my questions. I also applied to the Board of Nursing in Hawaii (where I was from originally) and they only accepted transcript evaluation from CGFNS. Hawaii nursing board would not allow me to sit the NCLEX regardless of further education from the report they received from CGFNS. I would suggest if you are coming from another country first look at the individual states Board of Nursing web sites and see which evaluation agency they will accept. If they suggest more then one, use two different agencies. If the board requires you to take further education classes do not be discouraged. I have found the remedial review class a great help to get to know the US health care system and a time to further my clinical thinking skills combining my previous experience on the floor and reviewing the nursing process one system at a time. Good luck with the process and do not be discouraged by the time it takes. Personally I allowed a year to get all the paperwork done and it has taken about that long. Feel free to contact me if I can help answer any other questions. Cheers and Aloha!