vashka25

I also replied to your other thread in the Canadian nurses forum. I don't know where you are aiming for as far as location goes. My home is back in Ontario, and I find that only being about an 8 hour drive isn't so bad. Pennsylvania is an endorsement state which means once you have your Canadian nurses license you just have the CNO mail a copy of your license down to the Pa Board of Nursing and they will issue you a license (no nclex, no cgfns) and you can get most of the "pre" paperwork done ahead of time to save on the wait. If you need any help, or have any questions feel free to email or message me. [email protected] Good luck!

I just graduated back in the spring of last year....and immediately went to work in Pennsylvania. I did all of my own legwork, calling and talking to human resources personnel, and a few hospitals even flew me down to view the facilities and interview. I ended up taking a full time position in a Cardio Thoracic ICU, and haven't looked back. When I interviewed on individual units I also requested to have an "aside"interview with at least 3 nurses from that particular unit and talk to them about the problems, stressors, and overall flow of their work environment. Most hospitals like the one I am at will pay of a large portion of your student loans, your relocation, they have provided all of my critical care training, and offer continuing education money...and if you are wise you can talk them out of forcing you to sign a contract....(hospitals are so strapped for nurses that many will waive the contract and take their chances just for a warm body) I am sure if you are extremely thorough with the way you "interview the hospital", and find one that meets your needs. The only problem I have encountered in coming down here is that immigration has LOST my paperwork twice now, and I have been without a Social Security Number for over 3 months now....(which down here means I can't open a bank account, no drivers license, etc etc etc) I also had to cancel my flight home for xmas due to this because I do not exist in the immigration database, and until they fix it I can't get back down if I go home for the holidays. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. ~Dawn~

Ohhhh how I missed this place......LMFAO......there never ceases to be someone who can darn near make me wet my pants every time.

Regardless of what career you ask that question of you are always going to find people who positively love their career, and those that abhor their chosen profession. I love my job, my fellow staff are amazing, and I have yet to muddle through a day that I haven't learned something new. There are good days, there are bad days, and there have even been days where I have questioned myself on my own chosen path.....but I know that I would never trade my trials and tribulations in for something less challenging, less demanding, or less rewarding. I guess what Im trying to get at is that for me nursing isnt' just a job, its an adventure, a challenge and you have to be ready to take it on. (( just as an added tidbit.....I worked in Forestry/Wildlife Biology for a few years before diving into nursing, and I rarely look back))

Oy.... we'd be thrown out of the hospital if we put formula or even a plastic nipple in the mouth of a babe without consent from the mother first. I can't tell you as a student how many cup feedings I do, or how many mom's I do S&S on with pumped breast milk if need be...or finger feeding....anything to make sure that babe is feeding well and to avoid bottle-feeding unless absolutely necessary. And like most hospitals up here, the Mom may be d/c after 24-48 hrs... but the Pedi's wont let the baby leave the hospital until they are satisfied that proper feeding is established first...(breast or bottle). (*pardon my inexperience as I'm only a student*) Oy what a row this will create when I bring it up in conference on Sat....

Wow, ours is 650 hours.... between 2 units.....with 2 different RN's...... Mine are going to be PACU...and a combo of L&D/NICU/Peds

Being a nursing student at present there are many challenges and trivialities I face every day. With the program that I attend we go to College full time during the day, and then attend University classes at night...which makes for a long day, particularly when you tack on the fact that I work nights trying to pay for my education (been living on my own since 16).... For me the challenge doesn't lie in maintaining high marks, as I was fortunately blessed with a great memory, nor does it lie in learning to care for my patients...but rather my hurdle to overcome is learning to take time for myself. As many of you already know....taking care of other people is the easy part, its learning to take care of yourself to avoid the burnout, stress, and emotional rollercoaster that comes hand in hand with our chosen profession. But in the end it all comes down to one thing.....I love what I do, and for me that is all that matters...! ~dawn~

I am a second year registered nursing student in Canada and am trying to figure out how to find a preceptor in the US to do 2 months of my consolidation with next year. I am not sure how to go about contacting people who might be interested. I am planning on moving to the US when I have completed my training and would like to have some experience in the facilities down there. Any information would be greatly appreciated......