katyq82

katyq82's Latest Activity

1. 

   NCLEX JUNE 2018

   katyq82 replied to SAMc0515's topic in NCLEX

   Just wanted to share that I took the NCLEX on 6/28 and passed in 75 questions! I primarily used UWorld and LaCharity.
2. 

   Per Diem Options?

   katyq82 posted a topic in Job Hunt

   Hello! I just graduated with my ASN, and will be continuing school for my BSN online this fall. I am open minded about my career path, especially in terms of my first job. I'm prioritizing finding a safe and supportive environment for a new nurse, but I want to gain skills too. In my area there are only a couple of hospitals that hire ASN new graduates. I have a job offer from a nursing home that seems like a fantastic environment and I would likely enjoy working there. However, its only 3/4 time and I would like to be working full time. I know that new grads are not generally a good fit for per diem positions, but are there any good options out there where I could pick up 2-3 shifts a month and also possibly work in a different environment to learn new things? Maybe a rehab facility, or another setting? Does that sound feasible? I would like to eventually work in a hospital setting so I like to pick up hours doing something that would strengthen my resume for the future. Another option would be to turn down the job offer and continue applying to full time jobs, but I don't think I would find a better LTC facility in my area so I would probably wait it out for a hospital based position. I would be afraid to turn down a "bird in the hand"! Advice welcome, thanks in advance! :)
3. 

   Am I making the right decision? Nurse or Sonographer?

   katyq82 replied to MarieRWilliams's topic in General Career

   I just finished my ASN, and my sister in law just finished an Associate's Degree in Echocardiography. Both degrees took the same amount of time, but she will very likely earn quite a bit more than I will when we both get our first jobs. Her job will likely be physically easier and definitely cleaner than mine! But on the other hand, I can go on to get my BSN, MSN, specialize, change the area of nursing I work in down the road, etc... I like the many options available through nursing. I would think really hard about what type of work environment you want, and look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics on job outlook for both options and pick the one that is best for you. Depending on the different prereqs required, you could apply to both programs if you qualify. Good luck!
4. 

   NCLEX JUNE 2018

   katyq82 replied to SAMc0515's topic in NCLEX

   Good luck everyone! I am taking mine next week!
5. 

   Advice: how to go from BSW to BSN

   katyq82 replied to Livbrave's topic in General Students

   I'm in the midst of nursing school after having completed a Bachelor's in another field and I've met lots of others who are doing the same. The thing about nursing which is different from some other degree programs is that you generally have to start from scratch as far as the actual nursing program goes. Your general education courses from the BSW would transfer to fulfill the gen ed requirements at another college. If you entered school pre-nursing and it was only a few years ago, any science classes you took might count for your nursing pre-req's. You probably had to take some Psych classes for the BSW which are often a nursing pre-req. I would suggest searching online for "Accelerated BSN" or "second degree BSN" programs in your area. Just keep in mind that for the accelerated programs you often cannot work and keep up with the classes at the same time, but you will have your BSN more quickly. Another option and the route that I took... Because its been 13 years since I did my first Bachelor's and I now have kids, a mortgage, etc. etc. I chose to do an Associate's Degree program at my local community college. It still leads to the NCLEX and the same RN license as the BSN but is not as competitive in the job market post graduation. However, I know that ASN nurses do get jobs in my area and I can finish the BSN online after I get licensed. For me it made sense because I can still work and take care of my kids, plus it is SO much cheaper than the accelerated BSN programs in my area. So those are two possible options you can look into. Since you are still working towards your first Bachelor's, I would do your research now and maybe you will have room in your spring schedule for a course that would count towards nursing pre-req's. My advice would be to move straight into nursing school pre-req's right after graduation if you know that is what you really want and you can possibly swing it. It takes time to get those done and to apply for the program. Any time you take off in between makes it harder to get back into school mode! Good luck to you. :)
6. 

   Not sure how to deal with this future classmate...

   katyq82 replied to tulipsupontulips's topic in General Students

   I agree with the others not to bring this up to the school. Just as a thought for the future, I interact with my classmates on the school FB page but as a general rule I don't add individual classmates as FB friends. I have added one or two after being in clinical together for a semester and getting to know them in person. I only give out my cell phone number to those who are in my clinical group for that semester as you kind of end up needing to do that. That's not to say that you won't become friends outside of class with people, but figure out what your own boundaries are and stick to that as far as keeping your professional/school life and personal life separate.
7. 

   Not sure how to deal with this future classmate...

   katyq82 replied to tulipsupontulips's topic in General Students

   I would find a way to casually mention that you have a boyfriend, like if he asks what you are doing, tell him you are going to the movies (or whatever) with your boyfriend. Then just be super boring and only respond to him once in a while. Once classes start he'll hopefully either focus on school or find someone else to focus his attention on and may not last very long in the program if he's more concerned with texting other students than studying. If the barrage of text messages is getting annoying just tell him you don't need to see what he ate for lunch today
8. 

   Physical assessment help?

   katyq82 replied to Kind-N-Caring's topic in General Students

   This (as well as checking for any orders). In most cases you could probably remove an old bandage that is just covering where blood was drawn, but you might not know when the blood was drawn, if the patient is on a blood thinner that might make a difference, etc... I would just check with the nurse. Then you can say to your instructor, for XYZ reason I did not remove the bandage but I looked for signs of moisture, saturation, skin irritation, etc. Sometimes your instructor might say, "why didn't you do ABC?" and it might not always mean that you should have done it, she might be trying to see if you just overlooked it or if you know the reason why you wouldn't intervene in that situation.
9. 

   OB HESI Help!!

   katyq82 replied to mcnabors's topic in HESI

   When in doubt, Massage the Fundus! LOL. Obviously only after the baby is out. If mom is bleeding too much, that is usually what they are looking for in terms of the first nursing intervention. When the baby is still cooking, always think oxygenation and perfusion. What interventions will promote those? Know your role adjustment stuff- transition to parenthood, family bonding, etc. Know the different prenatal tests and when they are indicated, risks of each, etc. Rhogam, Vit K, erythromycin, APGAR, the basics of the neonatal resuscitation algorithm Nursing role in birth emergencies- shoulder dystocia for example Do you have access to HESI practice tests? I find those really helpful. Good luck!
10. 

    Part Time Job

    katyq82 replied to honeybrie's topic in General Students

    I do work and go to school... As far as a new job I think it depends what experience you have, what your school schedule is (clinicals, days/nights, etc) and how much money you need to make. A lot of people try to work as a CNA or tech in a healthcare setting during school to get that experience. Unfortunately you might make a lot less than as a waitress. Can you look for a new waitressing job at a restaurant with different hours? Maybe more of a family dining place that only serves until 9 or 10 PM? Or tell your current employer that you can work during the dinner rush but need to be off by a certain time if you think that would be an option.
11. 

    How to decline a job after accepting

    katyq82 replied to Ktolliver91's topic in Nursing

    You haven't signed yet so I think you are good as long as you are diplomatic about it. Personally I would approach it by thinking of some information I want about Job A that I haven't been told yet and calling to ask. Could be more information about benefits, scheduling, it doesn't really matter as long as it is information you would want to know before signing the offer paperwork. Its not likely that they gave you all necessary information at this first interview so this seems like a reasonable request. Then once you get the new information, follow up afterwards and let them know that after gathering more information you have found that this position is not a fit for your needs at this time. Tell them some positives you like about the organization and emphasize that this isn't a good fit for you right now because of XYZ but that you admire ABC about their work. Thank them for their time and wish them the best in finding the right candidate. I would just caution you to get your desired offer from Job B in writing and sign the offer (or whatever their protocol for making it official) before declining Job A. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where something unexpected happens with Job B and you go from having two offers to none. Good luck!
12. 

    Head to Toe Assessment

    katyq82 replied to traumaRUs's topic in General Students

    Everyone has to write things down! I agree that you don't want to be using your form like a teleprompter and be lost without it, but you will need to jot down notes about what you find or else you may forget an important detail.
13. 

    Nursing Grading Scale

    katyq82 replied to guest517's topic in Pre-Nursing

    Mine is somewhat similar, the ranges for each letter grade are higher in nursing than the rest of the college. For example, in other college courses a 90% or above is an A-, but in nursing courses it is 92% for an A-. We do have C and D letter grades for exams but you can't pass the course unless you have a 78% average or above. And if you earn less than that on any one exam you have required remediation. It is tough but I think there are good reasons for it.
14. 

    Can I be a nurse if I hate science?!

    katyq82 replied to shayjulia's topic in General Career

    I had a tough time in science prior to taking my nursing prereqs, but looking back I see that it was more a fear than a dislike. I still find science tough but I enjoy it and it is easier now because I can relate it to the disease process. If you truly dislike science then I would have to agree with the previous posters that nursing isn't for you. But on a positive note, why don't you write down the things about your impression of nursing that appeal to you. Perhaps also elements of non-nursing careers that appeal to you. Then write down the things you know you are good at or feel you have an aptitude for. See what is similar on those two lists. Then look for career options where you will do those things/use those talents. Do you enjoy talking with people, connecting them with resources? Maybe social work. Do you find meaning in your religion? Maybe chaplaincy. Are you great at organizing details? Maybe you would be well suited for a medical office manager type of role. Or maybe something outside a medical setting. If you are still in college or just graduated, you should visit your college's career center for help determining what is a good fit for you. That is what they are there for. There are also lots of resources online. Good luck.
15. 

    How does your program teach/evaluate injections?

    katyq82 replied to amok's topic in General Students

    Injection pad in lab with skill checked by instructor and then on a patient, supervised/guided by instructor in the clinical setting. I have found that the patients were more than willing to allow a new student to give the injection when they saw that my very competent instructor was guiding each step. I wouldn't be too thrilled to have another student give me an injection in the lab for practice but I know that some programs do it that way.
16. 

    Thoughts on Pre-Made Pharm Flashcards (MediQuik)

    katyq82 replied to DotFlower's topic in General Students

    I would just use the Davis ones if you've already made them? And then continue to use that resource to make new ones as you go. I don't know about other brands, we use Davis as the standard resource and I would be afraid that another brand might be missing something. Honestly flashcards never worked well for me as I was so focused on the formatting and fitting everything on the darn card. I learned better by making a concept map for each class of medication and then just noting if certain individual drugs differed from others in the class. Good luck, pharm is tough!