StressedSenior

Well I just found a school in Texas (Universtiy of Texas at Arlington) that offers both Primary and Acute NP programs so I could possibly do both there? But then I am told that the boards are different for each of the two programs which would put my lifelong board count at 4 (aka 4 times i wish death upon myself.) Is this true? I've found and been told that primary NPs can't work in children's hospitals with acute patients.

I am beginning my RN training this next Monday and plan to get my BSN after that. I am researching MSN programs and I haven't found an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner? Generally the acute cares focus on adults whereas I definitely want to focus in pediatrics. So can peds NPs work in children's hospitals AND clinics?

Hey guys! So I'm 4 tests and 7 clinical assignments away from being done with LPN year! Woohoo! I'm just SUPER nervous because we have a Kaplan Integrated Test this Wednesday! It's graded on a curve (so all of my classmates are telling me and this other top student to do bad haha). I was just wondering what those Integrated tests are like and how I may prepare? I've started going over all of the focused review tests to hopefully refresh some of the older topics in my memory :/ I really don't know any other way to prepare? Also if any of you have any cool ways for remembering electrolyte imbalance s/s that would be AMAZING. That is the first thing we learned back in our first "real" nursing class (I don't really count Nutrition) and I can't seem to retain it very well. I think it's harder because I mentally view the different disease processes but small little ions are harder for me to come up with signs and symptoms for! We've only taken the focused reviews in class and if I take it right while studying that unit I usually score in the 80s. However, after reviewing some old ones tonight I would say my first try average is more around 60%. Will I be okay? Will I pass the NCLEX? Thanks! SS

Hello everyone! :) Just a quick update! I'm finally (knock on wood) starting to get into the groove of things! I see myself picking up my pace a little bit while still taking good care of my residents I'm personally satisfied with how I treat people and do my job :) Don't get my wrong, I still have some issues, but they aren't as more centered on myself as on others and my facility. For instance, this past weekend one aide that I really like(d) called in Saturday because she was fighting with her husband and her kids were sick..... and her husband didn't have to work, and then on Sunday she didn't even call in, she just didn't show up! It upsets me when people do this because it makes everything harder for everyone! More stress on us CNAs because we're spread thin (3 CNAs left to put a 4 hall facility to bed, 2 of us unable to operate Hoyers), more stress on the residents because we can't get them to bed as quickly or efficiently, and further increases the staffing issue! We've already had two aids who were new get fired because they would always call in to work or show up several hours late! I'm just now frustrated with the staffing situation, but hopefully I'll be out of this facility by May (after they finish reimbursing me for my class)! Thanks all :) -StressedSenior

Hello everyone! I'm new to the world of nursing and allnurses.com :) Here's a bit about me, I'm a 17 year old male senior in highschool from Iowa! I'm active in my highschool's jazz band, drama department, speech department, National Honor Society, and concert band. And I'm also involved in TaeKwonDo twice a week, my youth group, and a weekly bible study :) Basically, I started working at my current (first) facility about a month and a half ago, after taking my CNA class in June. And may I just say I WAS NOWHERE NEAR READY FOR IT. My facility is a 60 bed facility, generally having 45-50 beds full (I think) and most often only with 4 CNAS ON STAFF (unless someone is orientating in which case there are 5 (#heaven). I only had two weeks of orientation, if that. That consisted of four 5-9 shifts on Hall 2 (At our facility Halls 1 and 2 are the more difficult, 2-transfer halls and halls 3-4 are easier, helping the hall directly across the facility (1&3, 2&4)) and one full 2-10 shift on that all as well... And then I was on my own, fresh out of school still barely hanging on for dear life, trying to keep up in my facility. And I was put on Hall 3, which I had never trained on before. The first two weeks were extremely stressful and disheartening, (having a resident end up on the floor my first night alone (only to later find out she was a 2-transfer I was not informed of)). Now, I feel as if I'm possibly starting to get my bearings straight until someone mentions tonight "Just enjoy it buddy. You'll be on Hall 1 or 2 before you know it!" and I about threw up right in their face. I can barely handle the easy halls on my own LET ALONE a hall full of 2 assists and Hoyers (which I cant operate). Sorry for all of the rambling, basically my current dilemma is that I have no self confidence whatsoever in my nursing ability. I'm a big ole' softy and my residents always give me nothing but praise, telling me how good I'm doing, but I never believe them, because I don't think I'm fast or good enough. Every day before I have to go to work I nearly have a full on panic attack (my past anxiety issues not aiding in this at all). And not only working two 4 hours a week and a full weekend every other weekend. I tend to have to give up things I used to do like Sunday night youth group, Wednesday youth group, Tuesday bible studies, etc. So I guess I'm just wondering if anyone could spread some comfort? I'm having so many frustrations already that I'm doubting that I am cut out for nursing. Also I would appreciate any advice other CNAs past and present could share. I'm just crossing my fingers until the day that I turn 17 so I can finally work at the hospital instead of a nursing home. Please help!, Stressed Senior