Always an nurse...

No matter how hard you try to be a nurse practitioner, you still want to be a nurse to your patients too.

Studying:

I admit to barely studying 90% of the time, but my last semester of classes in graduate school gave me more than enough papers and projects to work on. Study groups are great, as long as everyone actually studied ahead of time. Though it's tempting to socialize, I have found that going out to places like those trendy coffee houses and Panera-like restaurants to study with friends is great. I started going usually by myself this semester and accomplished so much (once I had gotten bored of Facebook and web browsing). I know it's public, but it's much less distracting than being at home and less boring than going to the library. Grab some headphones and keep the coffee flowing.

New Grad Nurse Internship/Residency Programs:

I recommend applying to an internship program. There are also "nurse residency" programs. They match you with a preceptor and allow you to take extra course work which I am sure everyone is dying for. This gives you a chance to brush up on your skills and learn more about working as a nurse. If you are still in school, there are several externship/internship programs available for rising seniors. I liked doing one because I was able to work in an area where you do not normally rotate through in school, which became everything I want to work for now.

*Don't forget you can join professional nursing organizations at a discounted rate as a student.

***Websites:

-The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has a program called "Rx for Success" for Nursing, Pharmacy, and Respiratory Therapy students about to graduate or have just graduated every February. It's completely FREE if apply in time. Free hotel, travel reimbursement, free parking, and free meals. I found out about this and attended February 2007 before I graduated from nursing school and it was great! http://www.chop.edu/careers/rx-for-success.html

-http://www.aftercollege.com/job-channel/nursing-new-grad/

A Few New Nurse References:

***Books:
~The Everything New Nurse Book
-by Kathy Quan, RN, BSN, PHN
-ISBN: 1-59337-532-8
->I like this book. It starts with talking about becoming a nurse and then goes on to talking about where to work, time management, using what you learned in school, patients, and more.

~Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professionals
-Donna Wilk Cardillo, RN
-0-7615-3333-8
-> This book offers more strategies for using resources, communication, etc.. It also talks about preparing for your first job, expectations, and more.

***Websites:
~Nurse Scribe-Nursing Assessment page: http://www.enursescribe.com/assessment.htm
->Great links to assessment videos and powerpoints, free EKG courses online, lab test guides, and more.

~New Graduate Nursing search engine and links: http://www.thenursingguide.com/s/graduate_nurse

~Advance for Nurses-New Grad Center: http://nursing.advanceweb.com/NurseStuff/NewGradCenter.aspx?SEC=NGC

~Nurse Connect: https://www.nurseconnect.com/

~Listen to Heart Sounds:
http://www.medstudents.com.br/cardio/heartsounds/heartsou.htm

http://www.md-do.org/heart_sounds.htm

Resume and Interview Tips:

~Preparing Your Résumé

Your résumé reflects who you are, what you can do and what qualifications you have.

•Be honest about your experience and skills
•Make sure your résumé is easy to read
•Make sure it is error free (spell check and proof read)
•Include a cover letter indicating the position you're applying for
•Take extra copies with you when you have an onsite interview
•Use off white/tan/light grey bond paper; don’t use unusual colors

~Include on your résumé:
•Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail address
•Objective Statement
•Education
•Work Experience
•Related Courses/Computer Experience
•Honors/Extra curricular activities/Volunteer experience
•Interests
•References

~Interview Tips

The job interview is the most important part of the career search process.

~Be prepared:
•Dress conservatively and professionally for your interview.
•Research Children's prior to your interview. Arrive with questions to ask.
•Bring extra copies of your resume.
•Practice your interviewing skills by answering questions out loud.
•Allow enough travel time for your interview. Don’t hesitate to drive to the interview location prior to your scheduled appointment.
•Know the position you are seeking and why it is important to you.

~During your interview:

•Make sure to sell yourself based on your skill set and knowledge.
•Do not be too chatty, but make sure you allow the conversation to flow.
•Be prepared to ask a few questions (benefits, orientation, schedule).
•Be able to articulate your skills and strengths.
•Remember body language and maintain eye contact.
•Speak slowly, clearly, and show interest during your interview.
•Turn your cell phone/pager off.
•Remain positive. Do not criticize previous employers or managers.
•Be confident. Let us know you want the job.
•Collect contact information or business cards for future correspondence.
•Thank interviewer for their time. It is polite to send an e-mail or card.

***WEBSITES:

~ Nursing Career Information:

•Choose Nursing: http://www.choosenursing.com/
•Hospital Soup: http://www.hospitalsoup.com/
•rn.com-Career Center: http://w3.rn.com/careercenter.asp
•Nurse.com: http://www.nurse.com/
•Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow: http://www.nursesource.org/
•Discover Nursing: http://www.discovernursing.com/

~Interviewing:

•Monster-Nursing Interview Questions: http://healthcare.monster.com/nursing/articles/interviewquestions/
•Monster Interview Center-Interview Quick Tips: http://interview.monster.com/archives/tips/
•Interviewing Information: http://www.collegegrad.com/intv/
•WSJ-Interviewing: http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/interviewing/
•Management Interview Questions-->What they might ask you: http://www.hospitalsoup.com/interviewmanagement.asp
•Interview Questions (Questions you Can Ask): http://www.hospitalsoup.com/employerquestions.asp
•Sample Interview Questions for Nursing Majors (ILSTUS): http://www.careercenter.ilstu.edu/students/nursing/InterviewQuestions/
•Nurse Zone-Interviewing Tips: http://www.nursezone.com/career/ex_interviewingtips.asp
•Ten Killer Interview Tips (Nursing Spectrum): http://www.nursingspectrum.com/StudentsCorner/StudentFeatures/TenKillerInterview.htm

~Resume:

Searching keywords such as "nursing resume" will give your some great results, just make sure they are from a good source.

When it Comes to Taking the NCLEX, Always Remember:

1.) ABCs in an emergency
2.) Always assume the worst.
3.) Priority nursing action=If you could only do one thing to help your patient, what would it be?
4.) Priority nursing diagnosis=What would kill your patient first?
5.) The Nursing Process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation)
6.) Do what you can do first to prevent harm to patient. (ex. stop an infusion then call the doctor if the patients is reacting-but stay with them if they are unstable and call for back-up)
7.) If it's not stated in the question, forget about the details.

GRE Test Prep Resources:

• ETS-GRE home: www.ets.org/gre/

• GRE Test Takers website: http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=e1b42d3631df4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=5416e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

• Download Library with lots of great free materials and practice questions: http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=d683919ac3ca5010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=7aff2ce292885010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

• Free GRE Study Guide: http://www.studyguidezone.com/gretest.htm

• Practice test questions and other information: http://www.testprepreview.com/gre_practice.htm

• Test Information: http://www.testprepreview.com/gre_test_breakdown.htm

• Vocabulary: http://www.testprepreview.com/vocabulary.htm

• Flashcards: http://www.studystack.com/

• Ivy League Admission-GRE Prep: http://www.ivyleagueadmission.com/greindex.html
-->Great site with review guides, a sample full length GRE test with answer key, vocabulary, logic games, and lots more

• Kaplan: http://www.kaptest.com/gre;jsessionid=25BJJ1SRSGKBVLA3AQJXBM3MDUCBE2HC
-->You can sign up and get access to some free materials. You get access to a free full-length GRE practice test if you sign up for free e-mails (see "Practice for the GRE Test" and look under "Free Practice GRE").
-->They also offer free events such as free practice tests. I attended one and you take timed verbal and math sections and they go over a few probelms like the would in the class. Then you keep your test booklet and they send you your scores and the correct answers.
-->You can go to features such as "Practice for the GRE" and practice questions for free.
-->Classroom courses run from $1149-$1649, depending on if you want access to additional online materials. GRE Express is $399. hey run specials where you get free hours online or $100 off.
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~BOOKS:

• Practicing to Take the GRE General Test-10th Edition
• Kaplan GRE Prep Books

-->Books with CD-ROMS are the best because they are more like the test itself since they offer practice tests on the computer.

Great Names for Your Future Children

-Gonorrhea (Gah-NOR-ah)
-Chlamydia
-Salmonella
-Syphilus/Syphillus
-Placenta/Placenta Previa
-Eczema
-Vagina
-Klebsiella
-Melena

The Rules of Dieting:

~It does not count if:

1. No one sees you eat it.
2. You eat it standing up.
3. It is free.
4. It's a special occasion or you have a valid reason to celebrate
5. You eat it in your sleep
6. It falls on the floor
7. It will make you sick to your stomach, but it's too good to resist because you'll burn off the extra calories running to the restroom anyway.

~It's diet food if:

1. Your dog will not eat it, let alone smell it.
2. It has no flavor whatsoever.
3. It holds many of the characteristics of cardboard.
4. It costs more than snack food.
5. It leaves a nasty after taste in your mouth.
6. You just can't eat another bite.
7. You'd rather starve than eat it.
8. What goes in, must come out sooner than later.

~If you have to ask for the nutritional information, you probably shouldn't eat it.

What it Takes to be a Nurse:

-Major sense of humor.
-Be caring and everything else nurses are known for.
-Large bladder.
-Observant.
-Able to remember minute details.
-Ability to multi-task while multi-tasking.
-Knowledge of multiple disciplines (psychology, social work, PT, RT, teaching...).
-Ability to be a nurse/tech/educator and many other roles at one time.
-Ability to keep a straight face no matter what your patient is saying.
-Good shoes.
-Ability to cope with having every body fluid known to man on you and some that aren't so well known.
-Ability to stand for entire shifts.
-Good listener.
-Educator.
-Creativity.
-Flexibility.
-Strength in numbers.
-Good with all kinds of crazy technology that will beep at you.
-Able to tune out certain sounds and screams once you know they have been checked out.
-Ability to keep your cool under all sorts of pressures.
-Ability to chart, double chart, triple chart, and leave on time.
-Love for what some may consider torturing and others necessary procedures for the patients' health (placing tubes in every orifice, playing with needles, ripping off tape...).
-Ability to make sure the doctor knew what he meant when he wrote that order after deciphering their handwriting and signature.

What should every nurse carry in her magic Mary Poppins bag to work?

-Citrus deodorizing spray
-All kinds of tape
-Hemostats
-Scissors
-Lots and lots of pens
-Highlighter
-Pencil
-Scrap paper
-Extra hair ties
-Lots and lots of hand sanitizer
-Snack bars, drinks, etc.
-Advil, Excedrin, Midol, etc.
-Vick's VapoRub salve
-A sound-proof bag to yell in to
-Extra scrubs and shoes
-Sharpie to label everything
-References books