Calling all nurses! (Or nurses-to-be)

[Judy from Boise]

OT post

Judy, I see you're in Idaho so I have to share this.

My DD10 announced out of the blue the other day that when she grew up, she wanted to move to Idaho and live on a ranch.

So I asked her why. (there's nothing wrong with Idaho, except it's a really long way from here! Plus, we've never been there, so I wondered where that idea came from)

She replied matter-of-factly that she liked snow and she liked potatoes. So she was moving to Idaho.

(I'm quite sure there is more to your state than those two things! but it's funny how kids see things)

And to get back on topic, yes, thinking is the most important part of nursing. You have to prioritize, put together small pieces of big puzzles, and know when to call the MD and INSIST they come NOW and when it's okay to watch and wait.

Well we do have great ski resorts and the best taters!
We would welcome her

one nursing trivia about Idaho is were one of the friendliest states toward NPs. They have by law completely independent practice and reimbursement. It just makes sense when you are rural and underserved in most of the state.

We also have a very tight CNO network, we all meet monthly and work on common projects. I have great respect for all of the critical access hospitals, they do an great job in challenging circumstances.

 

[laurie31]

Well we do have great ski resorts and the best taters!
We would welcome her

one nursing trivia about Idaho is were one of the friendliest states toward NPs. They have by law completely independent practice and reimbursement. It just makes sense when you are rural and underserved in most of the state.

We also have a very tight CNO network, we all meet monthly and work on common projects. I have great respect for all of the critical access hospitals, they do an great job in challenging circumstances.

Wow, sounds great!

Alabama isn't too NP-friendly. There are political forces working against us

 

[Beka]

Oh and I just scheduled my NCLEX exam!!! I take it July 1 at 2pm and I'm so nervous. But at least now it's scheduled and I have an end date in sight!!![/COLOR]

Yay! Finally!

As for which degree, it wouldn't benefit me at all if I had a BS degree. The hospitals in this area have the same pay scale no matter the degree. A BSN is necessary for a management position, however.

My number one tip for getting through nursing school is to have a support system. Study groups are invaluable! And if you need a sympathetic ear, it looks like there's a big one right here on the DIS!

Same thing here about the BS. I remember hearing something about working for the health dept & having a BS, but to me the pay isn't worth the debt I'd go into for the BS. I'll just do a RN to MSN program when I recover from nursing school.

I love our little group here! Mickey AND nurses?! Does it get any better?! I think not!

 

[heartsy77]

I just saw on our local news, in upstate NY, there is a nursing shortage. Mostly because there are not enough nurse educators or space to graduate them? I start LPN school in the fall because there was a 3 year wait at the community college for the RN program. I have attended that community college for three years for my AAS in Human Services when I wanted to switch to nursing I was told good luck most people graduate with a degree in General Services waiting for the spot, that never comes, in the Nursing program. I was told by my advisor that program is very competitive; all the incoming high school students are choosing nursing. Basically they are giving new hs grads first dibs because they were in school recently; it makes those of us whom are adult students angry! I maintained a 3.5- 3.8 gpa, Dean's List almost every semester and President's citation for three years! Here is he kicker: once I am a LPN I can jump to the head of line at the RN program, challenge the first year of RN and go from LPN to RN in months!

 

[Judy from Boise]

a very smart plan all the way around. I confess i left my teaching position in a BSN program to take the job I have now. First off i was at the point that I could no longer get one year contracts, and would have to really start the faculty/tenure dance to get my first 3 year contract, and wanted to put my DD back into private school, and my salary wouldn't cover it.
My salary went up about 30k instantly when I left the university.

 

[laurie31]

I just saw on our local news, in upstate NY, there is a nursing shortage. Mostly because there are not enough nurse educators or space to graduate them? I start LPN school in the fall because there was a 3 year wait at the community college for the RN program. I have attended that community college for three years for my AAS in Human Services when I wanted to switch to nursing I was told good luck most people graduate with a degree in General Services waiting for the spot, that never comes, in the Nursing program.

Judy hit the nail on the head. The pay for teaching nursing is lousy. I like teaching, but I'm also very fond of electricity. And food. Stuff like that. So it's not something I'll likely ever do again, unless it's a second job on the side.

The lack of nursing educators is a big factor in the nursing shortage. There are other factors as well, but that's a biggie.

Heartsy, your plan sounds like a very good one!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't know if they're doing this everywhere, but where I am, colleges are offering tuition vouchers (for one class) to clinicial instructors. It might be something I consider as my kids get closer to college age (I've already asked if you can save them up, and unfortunately, you can't. )

 

[Judy from Boise]

That is one of the projects we CNOs are trying to negotiate.......if some of our nurses volunteer to be adjunct clinical instructors, will the university give them very reduced tuition in the masters program(where we hope some will do the educator track!)
Idaho has hundreds of qualified applicants we can't get into programs because of faculty shortage.
I did the educator track for my MSN. I love to teach, and would be doing it today if I was paid well, and not have to worry about "publish or perish". That, and i burned out on am clinicals, and the pediatrics course i taught was in the summer! So I was the only faculty member that taught year round.

 

[Beka]

K ya'll I need your help.

My feet called today, they quit.

I gotta find me some shoes that don't kill my feet & my back. Also, do ya'll have any suggestions for varicose veins? (Such a pleasant side-effect of having a baby!)

TIA!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I swear by Birkenstocks Boston clogs, and Dansko professional enclosed clog.Also JC penny's full support hose!

 

[Beka]

Judy hit the nail on the head. The pay for teaching nursing is lousy. I like teaching, but I'm also very fond of electricity. And food. Stuff like that. So it's not something I'll likely ever do again, unless it's a second job on the side.

Most of my instructors are nurses at the area hospitals as well as teachers. Gotta supplement that income!

 

[npmommie]

K ya'll I need your help.

My feet called today, they quit.

I gotta find me some shoes that don't kill my feet & my back. Also, do ya'll have any suggestions for varicose veins? (Such a pleasant side-effect of having a baby!)

TIA!

Dansko clog, swear by them

 

[Beka]

Some other girls in my program wear the Danskos. I'm going to have to look in to those.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I wear them almost daily, of course in nice colors to match my street clothes.Over the years I've collected 8 pairs all in different colors. They are seriously great shoes.

 

[O_Jr71]

I just have a question...i want to work in the NICU, do i decide that during the clinicals??? How do you get into a specific field of nusing (ie: or, er, NICU, ICU, etc) Thank you!!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

You may have a chance for a NICU experience during clinicals, or possibly a senior preceptorship/internship......but specialization comes usually after lisencure and is employement based. Each hospital has policies on routes into critical care areas, some exclude new grads, or only take the "cream" of new graduates. Many hospitals want to see you succeed in a non critical care area, and maybe even go through a class prior to allowing you to interview for full time position.

 

[Disneylover79]

I swear by Birkenstocks Boston clogs, and Dansko professional enclosed clog.Also JC penny's full support hose!

I too have the Danskos professional enclosed clogs... my feet were killing me because I was doing 4-5 12 hour days a week with clinical and work.. and the Danskos made them much better.... it does however take almost a year to break in so be sure to have a backup...now I do have to say.. when I do clinical in the OR (standing like 6 hours straight) I need to wear my ASIC running shoes..

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

I agree with the Danskos. I have quite a few friends who wear them and they love them. They say they're incredibly comfortable and swear by them.

 

[laurie31]

I just have a question...i want to work in the NICU, do i decide that during the clinicals??? How do you get into a specific field of nusing (ie: or, er, NICU, ICU, etc) Thank you!!!!

Most clinicals are the same for everyone - they want you to have a solid foundation in the basics.

Some schools will allow an elective in your last year; if so, you could do that in NICU. Also, most schools require a preceptorship before graduation (you are paired with an RN and work a certain number of hours) and most places let you choose this area, although sometimes you have to list 3 choices and you might not get your first choice, because of either a lack of RNs willing to be preceptors (it's a lot of work, but also interesting) or a lack of slots in a certain area.

Sometimes it's easier to get hired in a certain unit if you precepted there, but not always.

Also, you might consider getting a part-time job in an NICU as a secretary or CNA. Then you can find out more about what it's really like to work there, and you will often get first pick (over other new grads) for an opening once you graduate.

 

[Beka]

Did anyone watch the show last night? What did you think?

I was pretty offended that they opened the show with a nurse performing an adult act on a pt. I felt like it degraded the profession (not to say that it's never happened, but come on people.)