aarnigo

Hello! I'm a new grad starting my first nursing job at an outpatient dialysis unit. This might seem really silly, but I need help cannulating patients with fistulas and grafts. Sometimes I get them, and sometimes I don't - some other time I just need to push the needle further to get a backflow. I had instances where patients have weak pulses and backflows won't show initially. I guess my confidence is just at a low because of this and would like to hear tips on how to better stick patients. My preceptor have taught me to hold the fistula/graft - i've seen people pull the skin taut with their thumb and index finger. Sometimes I wonder if I'm pushing the needle way too superficial or if I'm not pushing it deep enough to reach the access. Even with removing the needles, I have a hard time timing the pressure with the gauze and the removal of the needle while engaging the lock. I know it's going to take a lot of practice, but I would like to hear what everyone has done to make these tasks easier for you! PLEASE HELP! :(

Hello! I recently graduated with an ADN and I am very concern about how I'll have my resume set up. I have no nursing experience whatsoever besides my clinical rotations. I have clerical/shift supervisor, waitress, and some work study experiences, though. How do I prevent my resume from being sent straight to the trash bin? Any advice is appreciated!

It's okay! This will only make me stronger, haha! I might be! But then again, I don't have any life qualifying events, like the ones you mentioned, so I still don't qualify for coverage outside the enrollment. I am also low-income, so low that they actually questioned it!

Hello, everyone! So I called the school and they weren't really offering any sort of health insurance. I believe it's because of a law (I'm in NJ) that was passed 3 years ago saying that (full-time) students aren't required to purchase one from the school so they stopped offering it entirely. I cannot use Einsurance.com as well because all they offer outside of open enrollment is a short term insurance which they don't allow in my state (THE STRUGGLE). My admission all depends on getting hired in a job that offers health insurance! I'm not sure what will happen, I'm trying to remain hopeful, but also thinking of having a back-up plan. I cried for two days because of this, haha! Thank you for helping me out!

This is my exact problem as well! OP, if you've figured it out, can you please share it with me?

I've been thinking of doing that as well. It's required before all students start their clinicals. I'm just afraid I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I will check them out. Thank you!

Hello! I need help/information about health insurance. I recently got into my college's nursing program and was asked to provide a copy of my health insurance card. The problem is I don't have one and I don't know how to get one. I did try to sign up from healthcare.gov, but it isn't certain that I'll be eligible for the late enrollment. I am a legal resident, but I heard you must be at least been in the US for 5 years (I've only been here for four years!). I don't think my school offers it as well. My best bet would be applying for an individual health insurance, but I don't know where to do it or to even start, let alone paying for it. Does anyone know where I can get health insurance for a less expensive cost? I'm sorry for whining, I just don't want this to be the reason to stop me from starting nursing.

I agree for number 7 so so much. Not that I'm selfish, it's just that having a peer group/group study whom you share and exchange knowledge with is different from students who simply asks for answers "just to pass this class". I don't understand. They said they wanted to be nurses, how are they going to go through all the tougher part of nursing school if all they want is to "just pass the class"?

Congratulations on your acceptance! I have almost the same situation as yours and I'm feeling really worried as well. People keep recommending me to apply to other schools but it isn't as easy as that because of the prerequisites. In my community college, what they do is point system so at least I have that going for me

I used to record lectures on my Sony recorder, that worked very well on me! Except for the slides and my notes, another thing was simply reading the chapters, and having to do chunks of work everyday--like pieces of questions for practice. Although I never tried, I think flash cards would be great especially for anatomy.

Hello! I currently started taking Pharmacology and for this past few class meetings and readings I realized that I needed to know something about drugs and infos about them so I'm thinking maybe drug reference books are my go-to. Does anyone have any drug books to recommend? And based on your experience, what should be in the drug reference books, what kind of informations I mean. Thank you so much!

Yes, I've been checking other nursing programs, too. Thank you so much!

Hello! Yes, I do want to be a nurse. The prerequisites are the same, but before students can still take the prerequisites until the spring semester and now they changed this up to fall. I tried applying for this coming semester and weren't notified by the changes. Thank you so much! I really, really need that. I think it pressures me more because me and my advisor works at the same department at school. But thanks so much!

It is a recent decision of mine, but even before I start with the general education requirements I was taking remedial classes and did not really affect anything--only the status of my major. I've also only followed the curriculum design for the school's nursing program instead of the general science major as what I said, the school require students to enroll for the said major to know which students are trying to get into any of their nursing and other health care programs but it was not necessary to get the degree from the said major. The 41 credits were also relevant as they were still required at most programs I've checked out. And about that I also did my research on the other requirements and most of them are to take the TEAS V. My GPA is 3.9. I haven't contacted anyone to be honest as I'm really frustrated at what to do next. But like what the other person from the thread said, I feel like they just want me to graduate to boost up the school's graduation rate. Thank you so much!!