Peachez1

I graduated with my ADN at 47. I went RIGHT back into school for my BSN the Aug after graduation because I knew what I wanted for my path and I knew that it required a BSN. I did my two years in Med-Surge and am now in NICU contemplating my MSN. I figured I was still in school mode so may as well get it done! My age has neither hindered or helped me. I'm a new grad like any other new grad.

Graduated a year ago - if your willing to relocate there are hospitals that will hire you right into the ICU setting! (Mine does) Don’t settle unless you want to - two years can seem like an eternity if your not enjoying your work!

Hca offers StaRN for new grads (if your interested). BayCare is hard to get into but a decent system to work for. I applied for all the systems you listed and many out of state. I got replies from all of my out of state (and 3 job offers) before any of them even contacted me for first interview (this was even the facility I worked at in Largo!). Ultimately I moved out of state but miss my team back in Largo.

There are so many stories out there regarding COVID-19. My story is a simple one. I am a Med-Surge nurse that was floated up to the COVID-ICU during our peak time. I was there when one of my patients was whisked up from ER to the ICU. This patient was quickly intubated. I saw how the staff calmly explained what was about to happen and tried their very best to ensure that he/she was calm before it happened. It was a beautiful thing that they did for him/her. I was also working in the ICU, two weeks later, when the same patient was extubated in the morning time. Around supper time that day, I asked if he/she wanted to call their family. I was able to reach out and do a family conference call. His/her family member's cried with relief and joy. We all prayed together. We all cried together. The best thing I was able to hear was the patient tell his family members "This thing tried to kick my *** - but you know what? I'm not going to let it. I'm going to keep on fighting and praying and I'm going to win." Later, when I was getting ready to go home the patient thanked me for allowing the time to speak with his/her family. They said it gave them the strength to carry on. For me, it was the least I could do. Warm fuzzies I call them. I take good care of my patients and it warms my heart when I can do that one little thing that means the world to them.

I am a nurse that is new to the city of New Orleans. I arrived in September. It's been an amazing time here thus far. After Mardi Gras, which was absolutely amazing, rolled through I asked one of my native New Orleans patients; "So, now what happens? I mean we had Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Years, then Mardi Gras. It's been 5 months of amazing parties and parades... now what happens? What's next?" He smiled at me and said "Now we have Easter!" I looked him confused. "Easter? Is that a thing? I mean I know Easter is a thing but are there parades/parties for Easter too??" He laughed, his eyes lighting up, and said, "Child, you CANNOT go around sinning for that long and NOT have to repent. No, child, now we have Easter. Now we repent!!" We both laughed at that. Now in hindsight..... New Orleans is one of the countries hot spots for COVID-19, maybe we didn't repent enough? ? I wish I could ask him so we could have a good laugh over it again.

Similar question - Does anyone know how to take liquid fabric softener stains out of their scrubs (that they wash after each shift)? Currently my scrubs look like a blue ball point pen exploded on them - but I didn't wash any pens (this time). Suggestions??

I don’t think the experience matters to what shift you are offered. I know at my facility they have a hard time staffing nights. If it’s the same at that one then you may be just fine. Good luck on your nursing journey!

While they do have you sign in with your student number for the workshops and extra learning opportunities - it’s not for any extra credit or anything like that. No points will be given for attending. It does help you study and hopefully get better grades. The sign in helps them determine what workshops are needed and which ones are not. So don’t feel bad if you have other commitments or work or family obligations that get in the way of them. They are there if you want to use them. Get ready guys - its going to be a crazy fun ride.

For first semester - READ what they tell you to read. ALL OF IT. All 19 chapters per test. Don't skip the boxes - some test questions come from those boxes and charts. Get yourself organized. Heck get an planner and keep ontop of things. If you have your schedule now - start putting thing that are coming up in there (in pencil). Get familiar with the nursing modules - they are SUPER helpful in your learning. Learn to LOVE ATI. It will SAVE YOU for your ATI tests, exams and adequately prepare you for NCLEX. Time management is key. Sure they say at orientation kiss your life goodbye for 2 years. That's not entirely true. What you do have to have is amazing time management. Know when to say "you know what you're gonna have a birthday next year too - I have an exam on Monday." Know when to tell your work "Hey, I've got to cut down hours (or quit)." I worked 30/week my first and second semester. I worked 24 the third and forth (sometimes i only worked one shift but the last 2 months I didn't work at all. I can tell you i would have do MUCH Better if i didn't work at all the 4th semester! These courses are not learn it and dump it like anatomy. Heck even anatomy isnt. There was anatomy questions (like "what side is your liver located on") on the first few tests! These course you have to KNOW know because they build on each other and will help you be a great nurse!

Hi gang! Recent grad here. SPC truly does prepare you adequately for the NCLEX. I don't know of a single person in my graduating class that has failed. It's a GREAT school! It's going to be the hardest, most challenging, FUN ride you've been on yet. If you thought Micro was hard and disorganized....wait for it! ? I have some things I'm trying to offload as I'm relocating for my RN job. I have a skills kit ($50 for bag and all contents. Yes it's used but it will work just fine for clinical checkoff. Will need to buy gloves that you can get at walmart or the bookstore) and scrubs (4 sets with undershirts - sz Lg - $200 takes all) and Dansko shoes (worn twice - they kill my feet - $80) all available. I also have many textbooks. If your looking for something specific let me know and I'll see if I have it (book lists change). They are well loved as I studied from all of them. Any questions don't hesitate to reach out! I'm happy to help!

Any recently graduated Level 4 students still out there looking to offer help? (Beautiful pinning by the way!)

Everything "disappears" for a few weeks inbetween semesters while they settle everything in and upload all the necessary documentation. It will "reappear" in a couple of weeks (usually the Friday before) the semester starts again on January 14th

Any 4th level students out there watching?

So far (as I'm only in level 3) I've used most of the books in the package each semester. Level one you'll primarily use the Fundamentals one. Level 2 you'll primarily use the med surge book. But each text is used each semester for portions here and there. For myself, I purchased the books because i wrote and highlighted the heck out of them!

As far as I can remember if you have proof of them that is all that matters. For myself my TDAP came from hospital records as I cut myself a few years prior and they gave me that in the ER. I sent that in and it was accepted. SO.. get your vacc records out. If you have proof of all that is required - awesome! If you don't you have to get titers as the proof that you're actually immune. Congrats on getting in! Best of luck!!

I think it took about 4 days to a week to get the titers back. I got the Quantiferon TB test done and that takes 7 days. I didn't have time to run back 3 days later for it to be checked for a reaction. Your best bet is to call the health department. They know exactly what their processing times are and then you can decide if you need to push your appointment out or not.

Feel free to ask questions anytime (even after the semester started). Nursing school is hard - but if we all stick together we'll make it through. I'll share tips and tricks as I remember them or as people ask. I may even repeat myself a few times - nursing brain after all. The couple that I remembered today are: - learn how to use the search feature in my courses. It will save you time and frustration when your trying to look for things in the course or commons. - decide early how much you like to do laundry. You have to wear that uniform every day that your at campus/clinical. I started with two - then quickly moved to 4 as I didn't like doing laundry while I had school requirements due. I also purchased long sleeve tees and the lab jacket (as i get cold). Shoes have to be all white, or all black or all blue. Minimal to no logos. Don't wreck your feet - you're gonna need them for a long long while. You don't have to get super expensive ones as long as their comfy and your feet don't completely fall off at the end of a clinical day. Uniforms and shoes can be purchased at scrubs and stuff (st pete and clearwater). They are a specific kind, color and have the logo on it. Other scrubs will come once you graduate and get into your new career. For now we all wear navy blue :) - when doing your ATI (what works for me) - is physically write out the questions you got wrong into statements. (example: Vancomycin infused too quickly will cause red man syndrome. OR Potter syndrome is the absence of fluid pockets in the uterus. I have a little spiral 5x7 book I use for my ATI questions. I take that with me for an extra study resource as it fits nicely into my purse/backpack. You will need a pen light, blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. You don't have to get fancy expensive ones but you do want to be sure you can hear through the steth. I personally have a litmann cardiology III that i ordered from Medical Scrubs, Nursing Uniforms, Shoes & More from allheart. KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS - some of these items are tax deductible (uniforms, steth, some books, etc). If you don't already have headphones get a set of those too (or the little jack that goes from the iPhone to the computer) For books - The success series is AMAZING to get practice questions. I purchased them all for each class. While the pharm one was not super helpful it was still used. Elvisier and ATI are helpful as well.(You'll get access to those the first week with your codes). The two Davis guides are worth getting. I used both of mine quite a bit. The "Prentice Hall Bundle" is handy too. Again an extra reasource for studying. Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care - was super helpful for care plans both semesters. You will start going to your site later in the semester. You have many checkoffs to compelte before going. I think we ended up going around the end of September or early October. Before that date you'll be at the HEC. We were there from 7 to 3, if i remember correcttly. For our group there was some down time while waiting for checkoffs. Use this time wisely to catch up on the mountian of reading or care plan work or ATI or whatever else there is due. Belive me... there is ALWAYS work to be done in nursing school. Once you get to your sites your clinical instructor will tell you where you're to park, what will happen, who you're assigned to. The first semester you'll be helping to take care of the elderly, which is extreamly rewarding! You will also have some assignments based on your clinical experiences this way it's still learning. Congrats on your new job. PM me and let me know where you are! You're going to learn SO MUCH at this job. It will be tricky when you get into classes though. What is done at work is not necessarily what the book tells us to do. Your key it to know the difference on tests. Tests want BOOK steps not what we do at work!

You will need the some of the codes in the first week so bring them with you to classes. They will be walking through how to get things registered and it's handy to have the codes ready so that when their doing it your done and it's one less thing you have to worry about once you get home. The books should be the same for all classes no matter if your days/nights or what instructor. We all receive the same tests (with variances so there is no cheating). We were also provided ATI books in the first week which are amazing! This will give you extra study help and they will help you register into ATI that first week. The way they had it set up for us in the first two semesters is 3 clinical groups in each lecture session. Clinical groups had 10 people per group. On our clinical days it was just the 10 of us. Lecture/test days it was the 3 groups together. Lab skills days we were taught then broke off into our clinical groups for check offs. Now, second and third semester they moved the clinical groupings around. For us the clinical core group remained the same, but the large clinical groups on lecture days were mixed up. (for example Semester 1 the grouping was BPVA, BayCare and LPN. Semester 2 it was BPVA, BayCare, and HealthSouth). I was lucky the first two semesters to keep with my established study group, they were not in my clinical group. This semester I'm not so lucky as I'm with a completely different lecture group, but no worries. We're gonna make it work. It's all about being adaptable and resourceful, right? If your a book person you may wish to print the lab guide out. You can download all the files and put them on a usb drive. If you sign up with nsna.org you can print them out at staples and get it all bound together for a fraction of the cost (I'm talking the total cost is under 10.00 with the membership discount). You can also print out the power points inexpensively with the discount code as well. The cost per membership is 40 per year or 70 for two years. It honestly pays for itself within the first few months if you like to print things.

For first semester I purchased the book only package that was taped up in a huge box. We basically used them ALL at one point in the semester or another. The ones that were well loved in first semester are: Nursing Fundamentals, drug guide, and nursing diagnosis handbook. Does that mean ONLY purchase those books - nope. I did use all the books in the package in either first or second semester. I just used those ones mentioned the most in first semester. I also purchased other study books as well to better prepare me for exams. The books are EXPENSIVE - but no worries you'll be purchasing more a few more specific books each semester as well. My suggestion - get the books. Don't skimp out on the books. You are going to use these books like no other courses in the past. Pre-req's are done. This is your future career. Don't short change your education - it's not worth it in the long run. If money is tight (let's face it we're all students here) you may have the option to rent (BN College*-*St Petersburg/Gibbs*Bookstore). They will also give you a list with the ISBN numbers. Use your resources and see if you can buy them used either on the college site (Sign In) or elsewhere (Amazon, ebay, AbeBooks, BookFinder.com, etc). As long as the ISBN number match up that is all that matters. If your using your book line of credit and its not enough to cover EVERYTHING you can get that book line of credit increased by visiting financial aid. Just keep in mind that their not in every day at the HEC so book yourself an appointment or call before you drive down there. Good luck guys - You got this!!! It's going to be the BEST and HARDEST two years of your lives but, I promise, it's SO so worth it!!

This is THE.LAST.ONE. to fall off your to do list. Even mine entering in 3rd semester still says pending. It takes a bit for the admin to go through EVERYONE'S information and either approve (or not) who's getting in. I think mine switched a week or two before classes actually started. So no worries just yet.

Just make sure when your getting your CPR classes that it is the one for health care professionals. I do believe it lasts for 2 years but I'd double check with the instructor you take it with. If you didn't get a flu shot last year - no worries the school will let you start as long as you get the flu shots that come out this year you'll be ok. They should be out by end aug/mid September. Look for ads at Walgreen's and CVS. I would get titres first to see what immunizations you do require before you sign yourself up for the full gamete of them. You'd be surprised what your still immune to after all these years. I'm old too and the ONLY one I had to get done was MMR. If your an alternate - no worries. There is lots that can come into play. Mistakes within the system, people chose other schools, people don't pass their background/drug tests. We even had people drop out the first week! If your an alternate keep yourself busy (maybe take some courses to finish your AA), make an appointment with a health campus adviser to see what is what and don't forget to 100% reapply for the spring session! It's not the end of the world - it's just a little delay. In the grand scheme of life its honestly 4 months..... and that's not a long period of time at all.

That looks like the one that I had used last fall. I brought mine to my primary and he filled it out and signed it. If you are wondering how do I get all these docs uploaded to castle branch. If you have an iPhone you can use iScanner or Android has an app called Handy Scanner. Both work at making your photos into pdf. Works like a charm!

TB test is done annually for clinical placement - because you can catch TB anywhere! I just had mine redone last week.

Hey guys! I would say its safe to jump on everything. The key is you don't want anything to expire while your in classes (in any of the semesters - even summer if your going through the summer session). It is a tremendous pain in the behind to renew your CPR as your trying to study for an ATI and two exams - ask me how I know Immunization records may be held with the health department as well - at least the ones you had to get while you were in primary and secondary school.

Adviser can be done at any time. I recommend Tammy Capleman, but I just went to the campus i was at that day for my summer classes and they signed off on it. Flu shot if you have 2017 send that in but ALSO get 2018 when they come out. I believe CVS/Walgreen's has them early (In mid Aug/Sept)