MS Kathy

Hi Amber, I'll be at work Monday night so anywhere from 8p-7a would be a good time to try. :-)

Every job- unit is what you make it. Right now I hear rumblings about the 36 hour work week that we just went too. I used to commute to Jackson but that got old so I had to take a break. As with any job- decide what you need and what will make you happy. That way you can know what you are willing to be negotiable on.

The amount the circulator has to do in our c-sec is crazy- and you have to do more! Our nursery does receive baby from surgeon, so that is at least one thing. We do a base count (before entering or right after spinal- depends on exact circumstances). Full count (count 1) Count softs at closing of peritoneum/fascia (laps, atraumatic needles, hypodermic needles, cord clamps, specimen cups,bovie tip, blades) (count 2) Full count at closing of skin (Count 3) Along with cord blood, cord gas, gathering instuments, grabbing vac if needed, grabbing meds, making calls- charting is absolutely out of the question. They are changing some of our stuff up, but just the counting is crazy (that isn't going away even though they are trying to reduce the number of instruments in the tray- we have 54 right now- and redo our count sheet so we don't have to name each instrument but they will be grouped into scissors, retractors, etc.) We've decided informally among the L/D nurses to try to take 2 nurses in to get spinal in (or have a tech hold pt for spinal if we have 2 techs) and get base count done, and prep. But that is only possible if there is someone free to come help. Our director of surgery has been observing us to help with the count thing and showing us how to put the laps into the count bag, and even she said the amount of stuff we have to do is crazy and even worse if there is only one nurse and one tech.

Good Luck! I've been an IBCLC for 2 years and it means more to me than my RN (just bay a small margin though :-) ) Kathy

My thougths are that the first year in nursing is really just figuring out your nursing practice. I spent 10 months on a telelmetry unit fulltime & PRN in a little county ER then I went to L&D. The experience was invaluable, I felt I was able to concentrate on the OB part since I wasn't learning the nursing part in conjunction with it. I'm also more comfortable with out of the ordinary situations than the nurses who came straight to L&D with me (this is based on conversations with those nurses and other coworkers.) I know it is so cliche and you here it from everywhere but that time really was valuable. I had wanted to go to a hospital with lots of high risk and sick OB patients so I could learn both at the same time but I didn't even get an interview there so I didn't dwell on it and decided to keep my eyes open for other opportunities. Kathy

We use sterile gloves. Heck I want my care providers to wear sterile gloves to do anything to me (I'm only slightly kidding). Glove boxes are yucky!

Most programs have a release clause regarding Hep B vaccination. The titers come back relatively quickly. I would get the titer and then if you are not immune, get the first shot, check titer again b/f next shot is due. My experience- mine and my kids- as long as we had started the series of a vaccination we were cleared to begin class(them for public school, me public university) and we had to bring in our new clearance with each next step that expired when the next step was due. I didn't convert with my hep b series- verified by my place of employment at the time. I began the series again and titered before the next was done. In all I made it to shot 5 before I converted. And as far as the state was concerned though they only cared that I had the series - not whether I was immune or not.

We are new to the CHS system too. I'm not real sure what I think of it yet. I'm new to the hospital (almost a year) and that is about the same length of time CHS has been here. We have been seeing lots of changes and talk in the last month and a half since the new CEO arrived. If you want more specifics I'm happy to take this to PM.

Honestly- I don't know. How long has it been since you've done floor nursing? ACLS and EKG are definitely helpful. Masteral units- I don't know what that is, but if it is just more education to work towards your BSN or Masters- I'd really look at some of the programs around Jackson to see if they are transferable (University of MS School of Nursing, Alcorn State University, someone told me Jackson State had a RN-BSN bridge????) But in the long run more education never hurts, but every hospital is different on how they compensate for it.

Are you here yet? If not- there are jobs. But I hear different things lately about some places in jackson having hiring freezes and freezing extra benefits, but I heard Jackson nurses go a base raise at the beginning of the year. I work in Vicksburg, and even though my scheduled hours have gone down, I still end up making them up when it is all said and done. :-) Kathy

I am a single mom with 4 kids ages 3-10.I just finished nursing school. It is absolutely doable- especially if you have family and friends willing to help. Good Luck! Kathy

Honestly ,I don't know. I took it. My BSN class is really amazingly smart. Most of them will pass NCLEX on the first try and will make excellent nurses. I do thing the system has failed them. I personally didn't know about an exit exam before going there. It would not have mattered and I didn't know to ask about one so I don't know if it was commonly known. On the first day of class when we had to sign a statement about taking the exit exam and what grade we had to make -it was presented as a big deal but not a big deal b/c they were going to teach us all that we needed to know. Fast forward to the end of last year there were technical problems during the exam but I think everyone passed except for 1 (but I don't know for sure). I wish I had answers-my heart is broken for my classmates who didn't pass. More people are taking it on Monday if y'all have any prayers Monday morning. What I do know We have 2 chances to take the HESI and must make at least 900 to pass ( I don't know the top score you could make-some people say 1300 & some say 1500.) This is associated with one class-Synthesis. We take 4 exams (nclex prep type questions) that make up our grade and the HESI is our "final" but the grade does not compute as part of the overall grade- just pass or fail. Those that failed the 1st time got remediation from faculty.We did have the Hurst review the week before HESI. We had the HESI book we've used in conjunction with class the last 2 semesters. We had access to online HESI case studies a few weeks before the test (I think everyone except me who passed the first time did work though these at least a little bit). From what I've heard UMC takes the HESI and their passing grade is 850 and have multiple times to take it. They get to walk at graduation but don't receive a diploma until they pass. They get HESI provided remediation that concentrates on the areas they are low in.(I've only heard from students I don't know officially.) I don't know if my school did this or if it is helpful.) I don't know about anywhere else. I have heard Hinds get 6 chances to take it???? I wish I had more answers. Kathy

Hi I didn't forget about you. I just didn't run into my friend the way I normally would over the holidays. She got tired of dealing with Hinds and applied to start in the Fall at lousiana tech college??? in Tallulah. Kathy

I don't know what it is called in Louisiana. But it may be a place to look ofr info. Here each school has its own program guidelines and they can tell you more or call the unemployment office and ask.

It is a beautiful campus. Apparently in the next 10 years they will have brand new buildings. They have an educational leave program that you can apply for while still a student that pays you and your tuition????? It was just featured in the Clarion-Ledger a few weeks ago maybe. I want to say I've seen people talking about it over in the Military/VA forum??? or maybe further back here in the MS forum. I was there this summer for psyc. clinical. I think it would be a great place to work - if I was into psyc. They treat ages 3 up. I think it has the largest nursing home in the US??? So whatever age group you are interested in will be covered. I've only talked to a few people who worked there (besides the ones during clinical) and they all seemed to like it. Kathy

I haven't as an LPN. From everyone I talked to in RN school. They work 16-32 hours every 2 weeks. They see it as a recruiting tool and really want to work with you on your schedule. If you go to their website and search fro positions- apply for one if you qualify. After it closes, they will call you to set up an interview and go over everything with you. Some positions float all over the hospital some pretty much stay in one place. Hope that helps a little. Kathy

Oh and also - Nurse Educator is a Master's level program if I'm not mistaken. So you would also have to bridge from RN- BSN (a 1 year online program at ASU I know- and maybe a physical program in Vicksburg next year???? I'm not real sure what the new program does.) So you have to take into account all of that time.

Hey QueenMum, Almost any way you look at it, this will be a more than 1 year course study. I didn't look up LPN coursework at Hinds - I know they have a course though. Do you need those prerequisites done to apply for that program? I will see a friend on Monday who is in Hinds LPN program. I'll ask her how long it took her. On this page HCC - LPN to RN Option for the LPN-RN bridge program you have to complete the prereqs before the program. I know that Hind's RN waiting list is long and many wait semesters to get in. Co Lin Wesson campus????? may be a place to look also. I could not wait the waiting period and retake all my prereqs. I applied to Alcorn - Natchez Campus and spent a semester at Hinds taking Micro, Speech, College Algebra, and US History. And then went straight into the BSN program (they have an ADN program also.) You didn't mention but you do have a bachelors degree already right? If so then some places may work with you on not having to retake those other classes. I also didn't have to tak an entrance exam (NET or whatever). I'm sure you've researched it, but search for a place that will work best for yoi and your fam. I'd be afraid that I'd go and be an LPN and then make less than I would teaching. Many places hire LPNs but here in Vickburg, many of those positions are in long term care. Online programs- if you were eligible to sit the NCLEX and passed I don't think where you went plays into it much. Gotta run- I'll get back to you tomorrow. Kathy

I was very surprised the first time I tried listening to my sister's and my mother's hearts for the first time- I could not hear them!!!!!! And they aren't overweight. Oh and ask your instructor for hints- that is what they are there for! (Don't be afraid LOL) Some tips to help w/ heart sounds- have the patient lean forward a bit. - have the patient pump their arms a few times (my mom knew just what to do from all of her physicals apparently.) Breath sounds- have them take a deep breath. I know with my check offs- we didn't have to tell what breath sounds or heart sounds we heard. We just had to know the procedure and place the stethascope correctly. What they are will come with time- and many off them seem subjective. I went to respiratory therapy one day and followed them around listening to lungs all day- I still didn't get it, but it did help boost my confidence to know when it wasn't "right." Bowel sounds- Everyone I listened to in the hospital had bowel sounds that could be heard everywhere. Everynow and then I would have to listen for a long time but they were there. Switch up and practice with another pair. After all the more you hear now the more practice you have. Good Luck! and I hope some others have good ideas for you. Kathy

Talk to your financial advisor at school. For me I filled out the financila aid application for school and the FAFSA. The school then cam back and told me how much I could get through federal loans (US Dept. of ED/SallyMae) and everything went through them ( I had to sign some paperwork and do an online tutorial). As an independent student you qualify for more than a dependent student. I qualified for subsidized and unsubsidized fed loans. The amount you can get depends on your year of school- I think the most is 8,500 for the 1st year and 10,500 the second. BUT if you have other aid (Pell Grant, scholarship, etc) you can only receive the total aid that they calculate as the cost of attendance per year (tuition, transportation, books, housing) and these totals may be different for commuting and resident students. So for example my calculated cost for the year are 15000 after tuition comes out(4500) then 10,500 is refunded for the year- 5,250 for each semester so after books, transportation and child care there may not be a lot left for rent. But that all depends on your individual costs. I don't know how private loans work- I never qualified without a cosigner and there is no one to do that. :-) But look locally to help fill other costs- Food Stamps, Child care assistance though DHS, Medicaid. They are **** to get the application through- but it helps to make it all work. Kathy Oh and once you get the refund- the money is yours to use as you want.

Thank you both for the thoughtful replies. I just wanted to make sure it was not one of those OH NO NEVER! types of situations. :-) I guess this week I will look into the specifics and see where I fall. The more I think about it, the more I think I would be good at it- of course the thought of spending some time with my kiddos after all of our running during nursing school is really appealing. Well if it works out I'll let you know! Kathy

Hi all, I know its really early, but a friend of mine brought the idea up for me. I graduate in May as an RN. Is it way out of the realm of experience for brand new nurses to Camp Nurse? I'm gonna go explore all the links and such from the forum. And honestly I never thought I'd be interested in camp nursing- but it would be ideal for next summer for me and my kids. I feel confident working in a camp setting already and with all ages of kids (thanks to my Girl Scouting experiences.) I am going to contact the camp director next week- his advertisement hasn't even gone out yet, LOL. My friend edits the diocese paper and thought of me when she saw this. I don't even know the requirements yet or or anything for the position. Thanks for your input. Kathy

I don't have personal experiense with the SNS and finger feeding. It is always possible that the baby will have a preference for any of the alternative feedings. And really each baby is different as to if he/she will become nipple confused. I have one friend whose husband fed all three of their children expressed breastmilk with a cup. So being knowledgeable about the different options is a great starting point! One suggestion I have always loved when newborns are faced with altering modes of nutrition is skin-to- skin contact. It seems to help with a lot. So once the baby gets here, if you feel like you are having problems get help right away before it has time to progress. And yes, I always suggest going to a LLL meeting :-) Congrats and what a lucky baby :-) Oh good websites (not their full addresses so you may have to google LLLI kellymom bfar.org ???? Kathy

I don't know about personal experience- but I think it would be odd to say "Hey I've had 3 kids" during an interview. I'm still a student, but I just finished Maternal-Newborn. The most helpful part for me was my experience in listening to other women's experiences over the last 8 years. I didn't get that experience as a nurse, but as a volunteer breastfeeding counselor. I really think that being able to understand that there are literally millions of experiences and circumstances that can vary from *my* personal births was the most helpful frame of mind for me. Kathy