ActNGrowRN

Crazylilkelly ~ Be sure to let me know if you get in or not (when you know that is).

Crazylilkelly ~ I am an alum from the UIC Urbana Regional Program. Every year's admission criteria is slightly different, based on the applications they receive. Some years are more competitive than others. Even if you do not get accepted straight out, there is also a waiting list. If you make the waiting list, do not be disheartened. I made it into the program from the waiting list. The best you can do at this point is to submit your application and see what comes of it. I personally think you have a decent shot. If you want a better analysis, I would go see the academic counselor (am I allowed to use people's real names on this website?). She is very friendly and will tell it to you straight. Hope I was of some help.

I really enjoy doctors that have a sense of humor. It is nice to hear that your chief head of surgery does not take himself too seriously. :)

Congratulations on starting on the path to the new you! I am curious as to what prompted this life change, but am sure that you will reveal that if and when you want to. I wish you the best in the next 8 months.

Thanks for sharing KCFRN. I know what you mean regarding having those high days and low days. My manager finally sat down with me to complete my 90-day evaluation (my orientation was 12 weeks on ICU christvs). I think she summed up what is ahead of us best when she said, "Consider this next year your puberty in nursing. You are going to grow tremendously, but you are also going to experience those growing pains."

My preceptor has this rather neat clip-on stethoscope light. It clips on around the diaphragm of the stethoscope and you squeeze it to turn it on. It is really convenient when doing assessments and have to check a patient's pupils. Has anyone else seen them? My preceptor says that she got hers from a drug rep and does not know where I can purchase one. I tried typing in "flash light" and "stethoscope" into internet search engines but kept on getting "light weight stethoscopes." Anyone know where to buy one? Or -- better yet -- does anyone know of a drug rep who can hook me up with one for free? :)

Yesterday was my last day on orientation. It was the best feeling in the world! Well... on second thought... passing the NCLEX felt maybe just a smidge better. I still left the unit with an extra bounce in my step though. :) I had the absolute best preceptor in the world train me, but I still do not like being watched. It makes me anxious. I work best without an audience. I thought that I would dread the day when I had to go solo and take patients that were genuinely 100% mine, but I find myself excited and renewed. Being precepted feels too much like being back in nursing school. So begins a new chapter. Just thought I would share. Anyone else done with orientation?

Nice job Adam! I like reading stories with happy endings. :)

I had a similar experience, but not quite as extreme. I accepted a job and moved to an unfamiliar city in which I did not know one person. I think it depends on the individual person which choice -- staying or going -- is best. The argument for staying would be that you can concentrate all your energy on gaining experience as a nurse. Going somewhere new could add distractions -- acclaimating yourself to a new country and culture, finding your way around town, making new friends, etc. The argument for going would be for the adventure of it. That is why I left my hometown. I figured I was staring a new life (my post-collegiate life -- my "real world" life) so I might as well get the matching socks (teehee). There is something to be said about everything being new and feeling like you have been given a fresh start. Hope that helps you.

I will toss in my two cents... In nursing school I wore New Balance tennis shoes and I thought they did fine. My last clinical rotation was in OR and my preceptor (a nurse of many years) swore on Birkenstock clogs. She was a good teacher, so I valued her opinion and bought a pair when I graduated (as a present for myself). They took a while to break in. I made the mistake of wearing them for the first time for a full 12 hour shift. Later I was told by my co-workers that you should wear them in slowly (2 hours one day, 4 hours the next, etc). It turned out my foot did not fit the clog correctly and I needed an extra layer of cork put in. To cut the story short, I love my Birkenstock clogs and would recommend them to anyone! :)

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I went home to visit my parents, then had back to back 12 hour shifts. But I did want to say thank you for the websites. If anyone else has any suggestions, I still welcome them. I want to continue working on my assessment skills, since it is something I know I am going to use for the rest of my career. :)

Can anyone suggest a good website / book with CD / etc. where I can really bulk up on abnormal breathe sounds and heart sounds? Thanks. :)

Wow! There are a lot of wonderful stories on this forum. There is such diversity in the departments people are starting on and the life experience they bring to the career. My name is Mark. Nursing is my first job, but my second degree (I also have a BS Psychology). I graduated in December of 2004, waited to take my NCLEX until March, passed with 75 questions, and started my career in earnest in June. I started on an ICU, because I dream of becoming a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthesis). I love it on "the unit" and could not think of working on any other department. This is my last week on orientation and I had the greatest preceptor in the whole world.