Winterblew

I put my 2 weeks in. I had been wanting to do so from week 1. No idea how I survived over a year. It was starting to feel like I was in an abusive relationship to be honest. Lots of nurses had spoken up about stressors and unsafe environment/practices that were forced onto us and things yoyo'd back and forth. Little permanent change was happening. I do wish I had specifically spoken to HR and not just my manager though. Do that before you leave. It looks better on your end. I I gave 2 weeks and did not receive a docked paycheck. I even got my PTO paid out to me. I live in TX and I found a new job, though it took almost 4 months. Mainly because I quit when jobs were letting people go and going on hiring freezes. You should be fine. HCA is not a company I would ever want to work for again so I'm okay with being put on their blacklist. I specifically sorted out the HCA companies while searching for a new job. More than 4 nurses (that I know of) left the specific unit I worked on after I left. That's telling. Most had contracts. Definitely try to have a new job lined up if you leave. Revamp your resume. Good luck!

I quit a year and a half in (technically one year). I wish I had never accepted an HCA position and had known about their reputation. Working for them has put a huge strain on my mental health in the middle of a pandemic. The CEO of HCA makes a reported $27 million a year and to see the state of HCA hospitals....yikes. I knew I had to get out and take care of myself, so even though I did not have another job lined up, I quit. I haven't had anyone call me about what I owe them. I got my last paycheck. Then again I quit earlier this year. I'm so glad I did. I asked myself what if I am jobless for an entire year? Could I handle that? Could I handle this though (HCA)? Quickly knew I'd rather be jobless for a year than work for HCA. Found a new job and I'm on the mend. HCA completely changed my view on nursing (definitely for the worse).

I've learned that sickle cell crisis is due to the blood getting clogged. You'd need to push fluids. O2 won't help if the RBCs aren't able to carry them to where it's needed. Hydration is very important. I've answered this question multiple times, and it's always fluids. The large gauge is to get it into the system quicker. Most patients get the normal 18-20g, now considered a DEHYDRATED, SICKLE CELL patient--you'd need a large bore IV. https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/sickle-cell-crisis-410226.html

If you look around and do research, BSNs aren't that expensive. With grants and my school's scholarships, I have had scholarship money left over after books, tuition, etc is paid for, and I'm going into my third year. I live at home in the meantime though. Have you looked into FAFSA, talked to friends who've gotten BSNs or just college degrees in general, or gone to a few financial aid counselors? Some colleges will accept you as a student and into nursing school all at once, so you don't have to worry about if you get into your major section or not. Getting your basics done a community college and transferring helps a lot financially, as well.

Wow, he tried to argue--what was his excuse?? Did he willingly give it to you after the argument?

Same here: I run/lift weights 3x a week (been lifting on and off since middle school). 5'4 160, muscular and I carry most of my weight in my lower body. My friends always look at my incredulously when I say that I'm 15 lbs over the weight limit. I think at 120-140, I'd be all angles and ribs on top.

OP, could you update/ let us know the outcome? good luck

I probably will have more along the way. Thanks, nrryan!

I was excited for the sense of camaraderie by doing ROTC. I could apply for a housing scholarship and live with other cadets on campus and escape the distractions at home too. I talked with a navy recruiter today, and he said I missed the deadline to apply for my graduation year (my college won't let us know if we are accepted into the nursing program until April. Schools like mine don't work well for NCP, he said, because you have to be accepted first) and that the board had already met/would be meeting very soon. However, from the research/forum posts/blogs that I've read about NCP, many have made it seem as though the board meets multiple times a year and people could apply whenever...? He said I could apply in January, but if I'm not selected, I'd have to try and get a job after college to gain experience and try to join the Navy then, which probably won't happen for many years down the road. I may go Army and stay an extra year to finish out the ROTC requirements. I feel like I had a decent shot at NCP: 3.7 GPA, one or two leadership roles in the past, clean record, etc. I'm going to call a different recruiter to double check tomorrow. If he says the same, I'm going to start running harder at the gym to pass the army PFT:/

Yes, the ROTC advisor did mention that CIET is shorter and easier, but I chose basic training because I love a physical challenge, and being out of state longer would be a much needed break (I know, weird considering that BT would be anything but). I thought if I couldn't do pharm and BT/CIET, I'd rather spend more time in training. So far, that is pretty much what I have gotten from what I've researched/been told: contracting is pretty much guaranteed, while post-college would be difficult. The past few years, I kept telling myself that my main goal is to complete nursing school and pass the NCLEX, then think about what area of nursing I'd like to specialize in. I recently stumbled across and decided that I want to be apart of military nursing. I'm trying not to beat myself up for not thinking of it sooner (like high school senior sooner). I've been researching information on the Navy, and I love what it stands for and has to offer, also. I could join the Navy Nurse Candidate Program, and I would be guaranteed a spot as a Navy nurse. I'm not sure whether my college will allow me to defer acceptance, since it wouldn't just be me coming back to start the program. I would still have to spend another semester taking pharmacology in the fall and then starting the nursing program in the spring. My academic advisor said I would have to decline my acceptance and reapplying for spring if I do choose to attend BT. You're not the first to bring up deferring acceptance, so I'll definitely talk to the admissions department on whether it is a possibility. I have been talking to the army ROTC advisor about staying another year in school, and that may be my best option. I can't PM you because I haven't commented/posted enough on the allnurses forum Thank you for taking the time to help me!

No, you have been very helpful! My college only has an Army ROTC program. Turning down an acceptance into nursing school to get into ROTC and hoping I get in again the next semester is pretty risky, which I realize now that You and jfratian have made some valid points. Now that you mention it, I think my ROTC advisor did mention that I could add on another year to finish ROTC. I forgot about this bit of information; I will talk to him about it. Thank you!

The ROTC advisor said I'd have to attend either basic training (10/11wks) or CIET (5wks) over the summer to make up for missing freshman and sophomore ROTC. I also do not have any prior high school ROTC experience. I'm currently in my second semester as a sophomore, so 2 years left until I graduate. If you are referring to CIET as another option, I have already cross-checked all of the dates for CIET, and they all overlap pharmacology. Neither the earliest nor the latest dates would work, sadly.

You have helped me narrow all the craziness down to a near decision (pending nursing school acceptance and speaking with a navy recruiter), which is a huge help. Thank you for taking the time to talk me through it! :)

Thanks for responding! Let's say I have a really good chance of getting into the nursing program in the spring, and I'd just be off a semester. Would it be a bad thing to follow through with ROTC?

I recently made the decision to become an army nurse. I'm in the process of working out to pass the PFT, filling out/submitting forms/applications, etc for ROTC in order to attend basic training (BT) in the summer. Here's the catch: I'm supposed to take pharmacology, a prerequisite course that must be completed before beginning the nursing program at my college, in the summer. I looked at all the dates for CIET/BT and pharmacology in the summer, and I can't do both. Essentially, I'll be behind in one if I decide to pursue the other. Pharmacology is offered online during the summer, but there's no electronics allowed at BT, and BT is grueling enough (so I've heard) without having to worry about studying for an online course. I applied for nursing school for Fall entrance back in December and will find out if I got in officially in a few months. It's heartbreaking to have to say no because there is no guarantee that I'll get in a second time for Spring entrance, especially since I have about 6 more courses that could affect my GPA negatively this semester. Also, if I don't take advantage of the training that ROTC has to offer physically and mentally, it could be harder for me to become an army nurse (so my ROTC advisor said). Best case scenario: I make straight As, my overall GPA goes up to make me more competitive in the ranking, I get in after a semester in limbo in which I'll have to take random courses to keep my scholarship (credit hour requirement), and I'm on track to becoming an army nurse. Worst case scenario: I make a B or two that bring down my overall GPA, I don't get into nursing school for Spring entrance (which would make a year gap), I spend a semester retaking courses to become more competitive (1.5 years off track), I finally get in, I struggle through since knowledge of A&P and other basic foundation sciences courses are no longer fresh. I want to go the ROTC route because positions for army nurses are limited ( I had my mind set on graduating in 4 years, passing the NCLEX and hitting the ground running in my career. This bump in the road is oddly humbling and I'm learning from it. I have sort of accepted that I can't do both (take pharm and do BT) and have come to a decision, but I would like to hear you guys' thoughts, opinions, advice, etc, in case there is a loophole or better route. Thanks in advance.