McStudMuffin

I indeed am a male. Safety in a corrections setting I think depends on the corrections facility, and the protocols in that facility. As far a an RN position goes in a corrections setting, my experience is that safety is equal for both males and females. Females and males may be treated differently by the inmates, but I do not think safety is comprised. I worked in a maximum security jail (not a prison) on the night shift, and at all times with any inmate interaction there was always a corrections officer with me. I never felt unsafe. At least where I worked, there is a whole academy that corrections officers have to go through in order work in that role. I've never heard of nurses working as corrections officers. That would be nuts. I can't speak for prisons though I guess that could be a whole different ball game...

Yep I am considering going back on an “as needed” basis. Corrections health was my favorite of the nursing jobs that I had, so I will probably go back as on call there. I believe in Oregon in order to renew my nursing license I have to work 950 hours every 2 years. This pretty much means for me working a shift every weekend. I have enough hours to renew for this next time from working full time, but at some point my license will probably drop. I would love to keep it by working on call, but it’s a huge commitment to do so in Oregon.

I have been a nurse for about 6 years. I have worked in an IMCU, corrections health, emergency department, and tried out a primary care clinic. I have desperately tried to make nursing work for me. Throughout my years of nursing I have been over worked in each setting, and have seen my home life and mental health deteriorate. I am the only financial supporter in my family, but I knew that I could not work in the field much longer. I made the decision so take a gamble and take a seasonal job doing construction/utility maintenance for $18/hr with no benefits hoping that it would lead to a full time position. I planned this move for about 2 years saving money to be able to make this work. Well I made the move, landed a full time position, and I couldn't be happier! I had no idea how good life could be outside of nursing. The field of nursing took over my life more than I knew. It is still difficult for me to let go of my nursing license because I worked so hard for it. But now I am home on weekends, get holidays off, and I spend more quality time with my family. While I am with my family I do not have yesterdays work in the back of my mind. If nurses were treated better and no overworked I would probably still be a nurse. So, for those of you looking to get out of the field... with careful planning it can be done.

Hello all! It's been an extremely long road but I finally did it! I graduated nursing school with a BSN, passed the NCLEX, and secured a job. And boy does it feel good! Ok now down to business. I know that one of the things I struggled with was trying to figure out how to be prepared for the NCLEX. I did a few things that helped me feel confident in passing the NCLEX so I wanted to share. Here is what I did to prepare: 1. HURST Review: I thought this was a great review. Not only did they provide a concise review of material covered on the NCLEX, but they also give you 6 practice exams (125 questions each) that I thought closely resembled the types of questions I encountered on the NCLEX. You have to do it ALL though. Simply going to the 3 day review in class is not enough. There is plenty to do after the actual in person classes are finished. 2. NCLEX-RN 2015-2016 Strategies, Practice & Review with Practice Test: While HURST provided a nice review of content, this book showed how to actually answer NCLEX style questions. It provides a nice review of content on each of the categories encountered on the NCLEX with practice questions at the end of each chapter. It also designates a section of the book telling you how to answer NCLEX style questions and there is also a 265 question practice exam at the end of the book. Minus the practice exam it is only about 270 pages so it's easy to get through. Highly recommend. 3. Saunders Comprehensive Review or the NCLEX-RN Examination: This book is a beast and I honestly did not go through the whole thing. My advice for this giant book is to go through the questions at the end of each chapter and see what content areas you are weak in. It's a good book and very detailed. I just believe it is more something that you review as you go through the content during nursing school, as opposed to trying to cram it all in before the NCLEX exam like I did. Still a good review of content though. The questions are pretty easy, not as NCLEX style like the HURST and Kaplan questions are. Although I believe largely in having to know the content to correctly answer questions and not just learning strategy, I cannot stress the importance of learning how to answer NCLEX style questions. That is why I found this combination of material to be so helpful. This review material reviewed content AND gave me good exposure to NCLEX style questions. I believe they can help you too! Good luck and good skill!

Rose Queen thank you for your response. I did an internet search before turning to this website, but I was having trouble organizing the information. Do you know of any programs in the pacific northwest? I know it's up to me, but I was curious about other people's opinions. New perspectives spark new ideas.

Hi! I was wondering if anyone could provide a list of schools that offer a master's degree in forensic nursing? I am aware of the many different certificates and certifications that are out there, but I also interested in advancing my education towards a higher degree. I am also interested in other people's opinion if you think a master's degree in forensic nursing is worth it? Or can I perform the same jobs without getting a higher degree?

Thanks for the advice young33. I'll get to studying those firefighting tests right after I finish studying for the NCLEX haha It's good to know I'm not the only one out there who wants to incorporate these two careers.

Thanks for the encouragement! Wouldn't it be incredibly tiring to work 2 24's and an 8 hour shift a week?

Hello all! I have a question about becoming a firefighter after nursing school. Prior to going to school I worked as an EMT-B. I'm going into my third semester of nursing school and while I like it, I would like to work as both a nurse and firefighter when I'm done. My plan is to work my into ER nursing, start volunteering at a fire department, obtain my EMT-P, then continue to work full time as a nurse until I eventually get hired on as a career firefighter (I know is crazy competitive). I know it sounds crazy. Why go to nursing school in the first place right? Well as it turns out I do like nursing, but I like firefighting/EMS more. Eventually I'd like to do full time firefighter and part-time nursing. Does that sound like it might work? Any advice from anybody about how to go about this?

Hey jellyfeesh it sounds like mine and your applications were identical and I didn't get an interview either. I'm starting a CNA class in a week and starting some volunteer EMT work to try to boost my applications for next year. I figure that's why I didn't get an interview since I know it wasn't my grades.

Thanks I didn't know there was a spot for threads only in Oregon. The guy telling me about the program at CCC said they usually get over 500 applicants so I decided to apply for OHSU and Linfield absn programs, PCC, and MHCC as well to hopefully increases my chances. I wish you the best of luck with your applications!

Hi everyone! I just got done talking to the nursing department at CCC and learned that they changed the points system a little. I guess they are now giving more discretionary points than they used to. I maxed out all my other points, but the discretionary ones screwed me up some. I'm an EMT, volunteer at wilamette falls hospital, and tutor at MHCC, but I get no points for that. So frustrating... Anyone else experience this? Who else out there is applying to CCC?