JPine

Thanks for reminding us all about the multiple tattoos. I always forget to take that into consideration when I choose to believe if a patient is in pain or not. ***the above is sarcasm*** As a person who has multiple tattoos, I hope no nurse makes this part of his/her assessment for goodness sake.

No. I think "enraged" is exactly what was meant. There were a myriad of other words or phrases the OP could have used (ticked, miffed...) and even went so far as to punctuate his/her "enraged" state by throwing in childish red blinking-eyed santas. The OP wasn't just "annoyed" when it was written. So, to answer if I ever get "ENRAGED" no, I don't get enraged and guess what? I don't even get annoyed. Perhaps if this is causing the OP or anyone else some grief, in the future it will be in his/her best interest to choose a word that is better suited to his/her state of mind instead of simply pulling out a list of assumed synonyms and picking any word that is a remote cousin to the one you actually feel best describes your state of mind.

No, I'm not lying when I say I can't relate to someone else who becomes "enraged" at their patient.

No I've never been enraged by a patient. I only get enraged at other nurses who get angry when their patients want to be medicated.

I did know that jobs in those towns are traditionally hard to come by, but just 3 or 4 years ago, there were TONS of full-time nursing jobs in Durango, Steamboat Springs, Loveland, Boulder and Fort Collins. I was just really shocked to see just a few years later that there are very few full time jobs to be had. Gee, I guess we're closing in on the "shortage". I just hope this isn't forshadowing the Dever area's nursing opportunities in 5 or 6 years... yikes.

Holy Moly!!! I just spent a few hours looking for Full-Time jobs in CO that are in areas outside of Denver and there doesn't seem to be much available. Is it always like this? I've been looking in Fort Collins, Boulder, Steamboat Springs, Durango and Loveland. Are people having a hard time finding work? I've seen a lot of per diem and part time stuff, but very little full time.

29% differential!!! I'm getting screwed with my 15%! YUK! I'm jealous!

My friend did per diem CNA work on weekend nights (Fri and Sat) and she made a little over $14.00. She worked at a hospital.

I know the average age of a new nurse is 31.5 years old, so I guess the average student age would be around 27 or 28, but that's my guess for all the programs. I do know the average new BSN grad is a lot younger and the new ADN is much older. In my ADN program there were about 60 of us and maybe 10 people were under the age of 25 no joke. There were a handful of Grandparents too! I'm gonna guess the average student age in my program was somewhere around 35.

Maine State Nurses Association? geez, I haven't heard hide nor hair from them or of them-ever, so I'm guessing no clout. Now, the only hospital I can think of that has a nurses' union is Eastern Maine Medical Center. I'm sure there could be more.

CNA training unsually lasts a few months 2 - 4 depending on the program... I think it can even be as short as 6 weeks... You will definitely be able to find work as a CNA. But if you're looking for useful experience for nursing school, I think your best bet is to find work in an acute care setting (hospital). Medical Assistant programs are usually two year associate degree programs (at SMCC, KVCC and Beal College). I haven't come across any Medical Assistants in a hospital setting. They are usually in Doctor's offices helping with shots, blood draws, vital signs, insurance billing and other stuff.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that UMA does use the University College at Bath-Brunswick's campus as a "distant site" for their nursing program, and yes, it does have a four year wait (I think the Ellsworth site has a 6 year wait), however, the Augusta campus is only about 30 minutes from Brunswick if someone were desperate enough to drive a little extra to knock off 2 years. The distant sites at UMA are so overloaded 'cause the only take ONE group of EIGHT students every other year. I know a lot of people who went to the Augusta campus the first semester and then transfered out to a distant site after people dropped out and believe me they drop like flies after the first semester. I know Central Maine Medical Center is competetive, but what about Central Maine Community College? I thought they were like UMA where they just put everyone with a 2.5 on a waitlist.

About the residency... you might want to check, but as far as I know anyone in the military or their spouses are usually granted immediate residency wherever they move to because of the nature of their jobs (constant moving), so don't cross SMCC off your list. Also, University of Maine at Augusta has a "distant site" in Bruswick. These are both 2 year programs so you do have a chance of getting it done in for years with the 2 year wait list. I'd apply now if I were you... and explain that you are a military spouse.

A few hospitals will give $100 - $200/month loan payback the first year or two, but it nothing like it is out in AZ... Maine doesn't have the dire need for nurses like they do out your way. If I were you, I'd stay in AZ to do it. They nursing school wait is just as long here as it is anywhere else.

I thought I'd just give you a little heads up on SMCC... they are not taking any applications from out-of-state students for their nursing program. You must be a resident of Maine for one year before your application will be considered ulness it's an LPN upgrade. This information is reflected in the fith paragraph of their "nursing overview" page. I hope this is the right link: Nursing - Overview | College Catalog | Southern Maine Community College

Hi. What's the nurse to patient ratio in your hospital? I'm really looking for information on Med/Surg units, but I'll appreciate anyone's contribution! Does anyone know of a hospital that has 1:4 ratios on a Med/Surg unit? Thanks!

Cut the tubing of the stethoscope in half? Holy cow. Maybe they don't understand that cutting the length of the tubing that much seriously affects what you hear. My friend works at a LTC facility near Boston and she said there is one clinical group that must wear caps. I do think it is a Diploma program. Caps suck. There I said it.

Oh, I found my job by looking on the hospitals web site.

I applied to my choice hospital three weeks after passing my NCLEX. I didn't get hired by this hospital until 10 weeks after passing the NCLEX. Yes, I had to shake the bushes and I'm not so sure it was worth it.

I'm crazier than my manfriend (he's a lot older, so I feel funny using "boyfriend"...lol), but that's about it for differences. He and I are a lot alike in almost every way. I don't think I've ever dated someone who's completely opposite of me.

Could someone elighten me? What's the difference between a MICU/SICU unit and a "Step-down Trauma" unit? Some hospitals have both and I'm trying to figure out specifically what the typical nursing duties in each would be. Is this a little fuzzy for anyone else? Thanks!

It's actually unusual for any BSN program to have a wait list. I'm positive Orono, Husson, UMFK and USM don't. What happens is 200 - 300 people apply each year for 40 to 80 spots and those who don't make the cut must apply all over again the following year. I heard Eastern Maine Community College does the same thing.

I worked with a nurse from Canada who's nursing school forbade the students to use Homan's because of that.

How about a skull and crossbones?

Hi! I hope you don't mind if I butt right in. I'm an RN who graduated from UMA. UMA's nursing lecture classes are ALWAYS Monday and Thursday from 10:00 to 12:45. Some semesters you may get out at 12:30 and in the 102 class (that's second semester) I believe that class is held every Monday and every other Thursday (if memory serves me right). The Lab and Clinicals are always on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The math test runs through part of the semester. You have 4 attempts to pass with a calculator (it used to be 10 without a calculator). I believe you have to pass by the 9th or 10th week of school, but it may be a little longer for 1st year students. If you're desperate to get in next fall I say go with wherever you can get in. The Augusta campus will definitely have spots open by the middle of the semester so you can switch to that site it's better for you (I don't know where you live). This semester two people have already left the 101 class!