CinLPN2RN

Aha! Clear as a bell. The old, "Anywhere but here!" feeling. I know it well! Cindy

I printed out the link. Thanks for the info. Cindy

Hmm... Care to elaborate on that or are you simply just stating a fact? :chuckle Cindy

I'll also check out hospitalsoup.com Thank you! Cindy

Sorry it's taken me so long to answer, I've been working really hard since I got back from vacation. To answer your question, I thought I could take the boards in NY and just "pay" FL for the NCLEX, but I have a friend that tells me you can't do that. What do you know about it? What is your name btw? :) Cindy

I'm starting my senior year of nursing this September and will complete it in June of 2006. I currently live in Upstate New York and will not stay here once I graduate. I have family in Florida, so I'd like to find a place to work near Palm Bay/Melbourne or possibly Jacksonville. I'd also like my 2 year old daughter to be close to my parents. I currently have my LPN and am working this summer in a Pediatric office full time/Per Diem until Senior year starts. (Then I'll work less hours and concentrate on my studies.) I am attending a Diploma school, but plan on getting my BSN after I move. I was wondering if any of you have any advice regarding when to begin applying to jobs down south and where the best places are to apply? Thank you in ADVANCE! Cindy

I'm loving these. We have 2 people who have a story for everything. One's common statment was "Well, I worked in a podiatrist's office and...(insert long winded tale)." My all time number one pet peeve: GOSSIPING STUDENTS!! I mean, don't these students have anything else to do other than talk bad about everyone else? Just go to school and stop worrying about anyone other than yourself! Ah, I feel better. Anyone else have catty/gossipy girls or guys in their class? Cindy

This would make an interesting thesis paper. Thanks for the link, too. Cindy

(Rebecca: Good expression of thoughts.) I would like to add that it's hard not to feel as if everyone is laughing at you when you have low confidence. It is understandable to be hurt by it, but find comfort that you will gain confidence as you gain experience. Then, remember how you felt starting up as a first time nurse and treat future nurses how you would have liked to been treated. Cindy

It is hard to set limits, but it is really good practice and it can get easier over a few interactions. Good job telling the ct about inappropriate comments. He'll test the limits again, I'm sure. It's really strange how they set the clinical up. Did all the cts "choose" their student? How very different. The clinical may go faster than you think. The best part of psych for me was the care plans were easier. Pathophysiology was easier too. Yay neurons!!! Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you want some info. Cindy

So how have your clinicals gone so far? Cindy

Ah, Psych clinicals. I had them last term and am so glad I'm on summer break. I remember how nervous I was!!! I lived through it and even aced the final. As for your question, I recommend setting limits right away regarding inappropriate behavior. ie: patient is dancing in the hallway and grabbing her crotch singing vulgar language to people passing by. I walk by and she made comments about my booty (and lack thereof). My response? "That behavior is inappropriate." Her immediate response, "I'm sorry, you're right." (No kidding, really happened.) Do not be afraid to say this to patients, they hear it all the time and know it to be true. KISS it. (Keep It Short and Sweet OR Keep It Simple Stupid). Another phrase that works when a patient asks you permission to do something you are unsure if they are allowed, "Ask your (insert appropriate title)" Caseworker was the term we used. Have fun, Psych can be what you make it. If you go into it with a open mind, you might enjoy it! Cindy

Hmmm, interesting thought, estrogen. I'll file that thought away. I just finished my psych rotations and I didn't catch this, good eye. Cindy

Thank you for replying with such a detailed answer, Jez. Vaccinations are so important and parents need to be educated not just given a blanket answer of "blood transfusion". That doc missed an opportunity to educate. That or he just didn't know the answer. Cindy

I actually see a lot of males in pediatrics. For some reason, most of the guys in my Peds office have a special knack for kids. My 2 year old loves her daycare provider Mark "Marky-doodle". That isn't a typical male position either. Whether you are male or female, I recommend paying special attention to your clinical rotations. I am in my senior year in school too, but I am working at the same pediatric office as an LPN that I did my rotations at as a freshman. I was able to see the inner workings of the facility before I became employed. When I did my rotations I payed special attention to the "writing on the wall" so to speak. This office seemed really well put together and I was estatic about working with the kids. The nice thing about peds is you get to see a gambit and you need to keep on your toes. Peds is 0-18 and sometimes you have a 14 year old with a baby, so you see what I mean by a wide range of experiences. I'm trying to decide between cardiac, OR, or Peds. I don't know when I'll know. I think I'd really like to do them all, and why not!? In this day and age, crosstraining is a good thing and gives you versitility. Good luck in your last year, isn't it exciting? Cindy