HTCC

Honestly you probably don't have to worry about fresh IV skills to get into an OR. All of our IVs are started by techs in pre-op. If one has to be done in OR, anesthesia handles it.

We try to use a wheelchair for all of ours. However the occasional local or MAC insists on walking out. We walk with them, making sure they get into the car safely.

Thanks! It's great to hear from someone that has experience in both.

I posted this in the periop section as well since I didn't know which place would be better. I work in peri op now, and I find the OR fascinating. However, I am in a specialty hospital where we do one specialty only. I'm very interested in cardiology, and I'm curious to know how similar the cath lab is to the OR. I've read that nurses circulate and scrub, plus it seems like they do some anesthesia stuff, push meds etc. Having never been in a cath lab it sounds very similar, yet a broader scope of activity at the same time.

I'm not sure which group to post this in, so I will start here. I work in peri op now, and I find the OR fascinating. However, I am in a specialty hospital where we do one specialty only. I'm very interested in cardiology, and I'm curious to know how similar the cath lab is to the OR. I've read that nurses circulate and scrub, plus it seems like they do some anesthesia stuff, push meds etc. Having never been in a cath lab it sounds very similar, yet a broader scope of activity at the same time.

I've been there! My top choice program did a transcript review and ended up telling me I had to take 4 or 5 courses I hadn't already taken but that I'd also have to retake 9 other courses because they wouldn't transfer! How a graduate level statistics class for my sports medicine Master's degree doesn't count is beyond me. I ended up choosing a different school. It's more expensive per credit hour but since it accepts most of my previous coursework I will end up saving money.

It sounds like we have very similar backgrounds. I also have a Bachelors and a Masters in health care but not nursing, and I'm going back for a second career as well. My plan is to do the ASN because it's part time and will allow me to work. Initially the accelerated BSN sounded like a great option, but it was more expensive and since it was full-time I couldn't work. I think it comes down to the financial support you have. If I could afford it I would do the accelerated BSN, simply because I would be done faster than with the ASN and then the BSN. However, this route gets me to the same end for much less out of pocket.

Clovis CC in New Mexico. I think it's $89/credit. I took chemistry through them last semester and am taking micro this fall

I have 2 pairs of sockwells. I do love that they're thicker and warmer than the others. They are just a tad too short for me. I need about 2 more inches on them.

This is a career change for me, so I won't qualify for federal loans. I'm paying for pre-reqs as I go. I will work during nursing school and hope to get some scholarships to offset the cost.

I'm from the DFW area too. Unfortunately I could never get anyone from the program to respond to my emails and phone calls. I sent multiple emails and finally several months later I got one back asking if anyone had gotten in touch with me. However when I responded that no one had, I never got another response. So, long story short, I've removed them from my list of programs. Good luck to you! Hopefully it goes better than mine did.

Are the Sanitas as hard as the new Danskos? Do they have as much arch? I've tried on Danskos but 3 steps is all it takes to leave my arch feeling bruised for a week! Even the xp ones which are cushier have too much arch.

You could do it by seniority. Those who have been there longest pick their first week vacation, then it travels down the line, and back to the start for their second week (or however many you get). It's a tough call on how this works for just holidays though. I'd say start a rotation so everyone takes turns working those days.

This is why I'm making the jump from sports medicine to nursing! I love the huge variety of opportunities, and I'm betting I'll never get bored knowing I love change!

I was under the impression that you were required to work in a qualifying facility but that it was up to you to find one and get hired. Do they actually assign you to one? How much say do you get in your specialty, such as med-surg vs ER?

I have seen a few schools that offer a bridge between paramedic and ADN. I believe it's a one year program similar to the LPN to ADN bridge. I don't know if you are willing to move for school, but perhaps there is something similar near you.

I'm in the same financial position as you, lots of debt from previous schooling with potentially lots more for an ABSN. After lots of consideration I decided the right thing for me is to do an ADN then bridge to the BSN. It will take me an extra semester, but I will be able to work at least part time and pay less in tuition. Honestly, after paying on my current student loans for a decade and seeing the amount just get higher because of interest, I would never recommend anyone go into debt like this. However, you do have to look at all the options to figure out what is best for you.

I'm not yet a nursing student, but I do work in healthcare and had clinicals where I heard the exact same thing! I was told I was too quiet, didn't ask enough questions, or seemed uninterested/unhappy. Ironically I was one of the top performers in my classes, and I've had a very successful career with lots of positive feedback! I'm smart but introverted so I'm not going to be the boisterous center of attention asking lots of questions. If I don't understand, I'll ask. But I'm not going to ask questions I don't need to in order to make a preceptor feel better. But now I'm burned out in this career and looking to change to nursing. I expect to hear the same things again, but I have enough experience to know it is not really a reflection on me as a professional. So don't be too hard on yourself. Just take it with a grain of salt and if you can honesty evaluate yourself and say that you are good at what you do, then be who you are! On the other hand, if you feel like these comments are true and that they hinder your professional abilities, then learn from that too.

He wants to view you beforehand? What purpose could that possibly serve?! Awfully reminiscent of middle school PE where they choose teams until that one poor kid that is always chosen last is left standing.

Lol. My guess is almost all, which definitely dampens the appeal!

I'm in a similar position as you. I have a BS and MS in a healthcare field, but there is no upward mobility in my career so I'm planning on going to nursing school. I gave a lot of thought to an accelerated BSN vs an ASN. I really thought I wou go with the bsn, but ultimately I've decided the ASN is a smarter choice for me. I also support myself financially and will have to work, plus more loans is not my idea of a good time! The ASN will take a little longer, but is part time and ultimately will save me quite a bit of money since I can work more. In my area ASNs find jobs with no problem, but I know that's not the case everywhere. So, no advice but wishing you the best!

We use PA's where I am, and they probably average 60 hours per week. I was just talking to a NP the other day who keeps a similar schedule plus takes call for 3 weeks out of the month, which actually means 80+ hours a week.

I wear the cheap ones from the local scrub shop, and for me they work just as well as the pricier ones I ordered online. Neither listed the actual compression but I'm sure they are on the lower end. I'd say just get a few pairs and give them a try. I would love to find some thicker pairs, that are like regular socks. My biggest complaint is that all the ones I've found are like really thin dress socks which aren't very comfortable with my tennis shoes.

Is you're 40k amount including tuition and living expenses? I noticed the tuition cost you listed was 25k. Is it possible for you to work to offset the additional 15k? I'm looking at nursing as a 2nd career. I have a ton of debt from my previous degrees, so I'm not thrilled about taking out any more than necessary. I'm hoping to work, get scholarships, and use tuition assistance. If you can get a hospital job while in school they may pay part of your tuition and then many places offer tuition payback in return for a number of years of work in return.

I think it's a very common fear, and yes it is certainly possible to overcome. I work in physical therapy and causing my patients pain was the hardest thing for me to deal with in the beginning. The best advice I ever got was that being "nice" and "gentle" wasn't doing my patients any favors and could potentially cause harm instead. It took time, and sometimes it's still very hard for me to hurt a patient or see them cry, but I've seen the alternative when they don't get proper care and it's much worse!