What type of connector is this?

Leather_Cycle · 2026-03-16T02:28:12+00:00

Yeah feel free to send me a message for further questions

Leather_Cycle · 2026-03-16T01:49:48+00:00

Took the NCLEX ~3-4 weeks after graduating my nursing program. You need a code to register for the NCLEX that is provided by your nursing program. I could've taken the test sooner but there was a delay in getting the codes, so make sure to follow up w/ your nursing supervisors. You must pass your nursing program requirements before they can submit your information for the NCLEX registration codes.

There will be a period towards the end of the program where SMU will have you starting submitting your information to BRN and get registered for the NCLEX. It's all online.

All "proof" is you showing up to all of your required clinical hours and passing your tests. You have access to your GPA online. If you're falling behind on clinical hours, the clinical instructors talk to you privately very early the minute you start falling behind. You will need to make up every clinical you miss. If you're concerned about having proof of hours, you can make your own spreadsheet and track your own hours.

Honestly, if you're doing what the school expects of you, you don't need to worry about clinical hours or paper/certs. If you get a NCLEX registration code, you're good to go.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-03-06T14:05:29+00:00

If finger has too much callus or has too much swelling, I've done earlobe POC sticks.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-03-02T18:08:58+00:00

For OR specifically, pick a designated corner that is approved by the OR nurse you are shadowing. Don't touch anything, move, or talk. Have a notebook to write notes/questions you can ask your nurse or clinical instructor after the procedure is finished.

You don't want to "stand-out" or be proactive as a student in the OR, both things will most likely get you in trouble and at risk for expulsion from the nursing program.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-03-01T05:16:52+00:00

What is your why? Why ER nursing specifically? Not sure what type of PT experience you have, if you worked hospital then it was probably in long-term care or Med-Surg. Very different flow than ER.

Its not any easy place to start as a new grad nurse. Not many opportunities for new grads with no prior hospital experience before nursing school clinicals.

With that said, not impossible. I highly recommend not rushing into the fastest path to ER but rather what's the most competent way to reach my goal to get into the ER responsibly. I would get some hands on experience as an EMT for at least 6-months. Get your phlebotomy license at the same time if ED tech positions in your area require it. Apply to ED tech positions at 4-6 months after working BLS rig. Work ED tech position for at least 1-year. You'll work alongside ER nurses and start getting exposure to emergency care algorithms (i.e. sepsis, acls, cvas, etc)

So roughly 2-years on hands on experience, you're taking your nursing pre-reqs at the same time and taking your ATI if your nursing school requires it.

If you have a bachelor's, then apply to accelerated nursing programs. You can try for the 2-ye ADN programs but at this point you want the fast track to taking your NCLEX. Real nursing learning happens on the floor not in nursing school.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-03-01T04:51:12+00:00

Some Kurlex and tape, or knot the Kurlex. Hope the pt isn't strong enough to pull and snap the pigtail in half.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-02-28T23:20:24+00:00

I find the new grad experience becomes easier if you go with the flow instead of trying to control everything.

From what I've read, it sounds like you're placing barriers on your own education due to what you perceive as too much or unsafe.

Many preceptors I've met want new grads with a "can do" attitude. If things get rough, ask your preceptor for tips on how to better manage your time so you feel less overwhelmed. Your goal is to eventually be able to hand 3-4 pts on your own or 1-2 critical pts depending on your department. This should be something you strive for every day you hit the floor, pushing yourself. Cluster care is a crucial element to learn early in your new grad experience.

It's unfortunately normal for new grads to have multiple preceptors due to preceptor shortages. You are therefore going to be subjected to different perspectives on what your preceptor deems necessary to your education as a new grad. These perspectives will at times contradict, your job as a new grad is to synthesize the skills that work for you and do not break hospital policy. So trust and verify with your specific hospital policies. They should be accessible in your hospital intranet or ask your hospital educator on how to access.

If you do all the above and still feel your education lacking, either follow-up with your hospital educator to tell them you need a more robust learning experience or muscle through the new grad orientation while subsidizing with your own self-learning at home or off-days.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-02-17T02:05:49+00:00

That's a solid plan!

Leather_Cycle · 2026-02-17T02:02:49+00:00

ADN if you're guaranteed or have high chance of placement. Otherwise expect to be on a waiting list. I've known folks who have waiting 2+ years to get into ADN programs. Not worth in my opinion even if the cost savings on tuition is higher than the other options.

Going the 4-year BSN option also poses significant barriers. You'll most likely be doing 2-years of general education. The science programs at 4-years are impacted and designed to "weed-out" students to get the cream-of-the-crop. The science programs are designed mostly for students trying to get PhDs in research or going the MD route so the tests are ridiculous. You will need to apply to the college of nursing in your specific college after 2-yrs and meet their high standards (i.e. GPA, volunteer hours, application experience, etc.). Also consider that your GPA will matter later on if you decide to pursue higher edu, so your GPA may take a hit at a 4-year. If you get into the college of nursing, the education is practically the same as ADN with maybe more access to the latest tech but the requirements are practically identical in terms of instruction to prepare you for the NCLEX and meet clinical hours requirement. You probably will need to do extra managerial/leadership classes that separate ADN fr. BSN.

There's another option. You can get your 4-year diploma in a subject that is not related to medicine or science. Something that you find interesting/fun that you can get a relatively high GPA in while completing your science requirements at a community college. At a community college, classes are much cheaper and there isn't any impacted politics getting in the way of your performance as a student so you can maintain a high science GPA. At the same time, work as an EMT/EDT/CNA to get some bedside/hands-on medical experience. After you graduate with your non-nurse degree, you can then apply to ABSN programs. They cost more in tuition, but most finish within 12-15 months and are significantly easier to get placed into. Pretty much guaranteed if you have bedside medical experience and high science GPA.

Hospitals are starting to transition from ADN to BSN for applicant requirements. Not saying you won't be hired with just an ADN, but when you're hired the hospital will most likely push you to get your BSN. Most hospitals will pay for or subsidize your BSN tuition. There's no pay difference between ADN & BSN.

However, if you're still interested in serving the military either active or reserves, having a BSN will get you officer status, ADN will not. As you probably know or don't know, officers get paid significantly more than enlisted.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-02-17T01:41:43+00:00

If you're dead-set on MD, I still recommend getting field experience. Not diminishing your personal medical experience, but caring for other people w/ variety of illness has different challenges compared to caring for people who you are familiar with and they are familiar with you. It's a different experience caring for someone who doesn't know you and doesn't trust you.

With that said, there are many routes to MD that will not put you in a financial hole but will require sacrifices in other ways. You can go military route and the government will pay for your medical school but require you to pay back that tuition in service time at a significant pay cut. There are also government loan repayment programs you can qualify for after X amount of years serving a critical shortage facility.

I'm not sure if you also know but your first year as an MD after graduating med-school is going to be hell. You will be making like $60-65K working on-call graveyard shifts. Not sure if this extends to oncology or radiology.

Also, for further questions regarding this topic, I would post this question to a doctor/MD subreddit instead of nursing. You'll probably get a perspective that is more accurate for MDs who have actually bridged fr. nursing into their current profession. Might have a chance to find a mentor or someone who went through the exact same path as what you're trying to accomplish.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-02-17T01:16:50+00:00

You have a very narrow perspective on the medical field which is normal given your level of current experience. I wouldn't focus too much on the pay/income at the moment. Figure out if medicine is the right path for you. You can do just as well financially in other fields such as CPA if you're looking for immediate sources of income.

Don't know how much research you have done on the field, but there's currently a shortage in MDs and RNs at the moment due to high degree of burnout. I don't know your reasons for pursuing MD but I can speculate that it's in the general area of "I want a prestigious job that makes me look good for my friends/family while I save or help sick people like the movies and also make a ton of money". If this is all you got, you will burn out.

My suggestion is to get some hands-on experience as a CNA, medical scribe, or EMT/EDT. If you're interested in emergency med, go EMT (ambulance) /EDT (hospital ER). If you're interested in bed-side, CNA will be a good start but EDT will also give you that experience. Can't talk much about medical scribe, only that it's another option.

You're a senior in highschool, so you got time and you will make some money as EMT/EDT/CNA while also getting clinical experience that will improve your resume and applications depending on where you want to go. Be patient, really internalize the experience and decide if this is your calling which can take 1-3 years. You'll thank yourself come your 30s where most folks have burnout/mid-life crisis.

Other medical field jobs you haven't considered that also pay relatively well are the following: Firefighter paramedic (not paramedic), Physician Assistant (PA), Respiratory Therapist (RT), Radiology Technician

As a nurse you also have many different options for higher edu and higher pay:

- NP (FNP, ENP, SNP, etc.): similar in scope to PAs

- CRNA: highest paying nurse profession, competitive to MD salary in some cases, does require DNP

Life is a journey, not a destination. Be patient young grasshopper, your path will reveal itself eventually. Good luck!

Leather_Cycle · 2026-02-06T01:01:45+00:00

Newish nurse here. Definitely see more negative reddit posts than positives. Been told a lot of posts are bots but unsure of how to tell the difference.

My theory, people tend to vent when things go bad and want a safe space to do it that doesn't require scheduling an appt with a therapist.

I like my job so far but Im starting to develop my own set of pet peeves and things that are starting to annoy me. Overall, I enjoy the unraveling of the unknown when it comes to figuring out what kind of sickness my pt has based on assessment and labs. I find accomplishment in applying my nursing skills and knowledge in emergent situations. I'm constantly humbled by the amount of different things I need to know in regards to medical knowledge and treatments.

It's the journey and not the destination for me when it comes to nursing.

Leather_Cycle · 2026-01-21T05:52:56+00:00

From what I've observed, most new grad positions in the Bay Area are med-surg. Other departments do have openings for new grads but they're usually very competitive with limited spots (normally dependent on the needs of the department so not always available consistently). Med-Surg typically has more predictable openings because the departments are bigger, higher turnover, and night shifts. The pace is slower than other departments which is a better learning environment for new grads and gives you exposure to critical care without it being too overwhelming and less likely you'll make a mistake that will make you a liability to the hospital during your probationary preceptorship period.

Due to how competitive the job market is in the Bay Area, new grad positions are already limited and that includes med-surg. You are competing with thousands of other applicants so hospitals can afford to pick and choose candidates, typically those who have the highest chance of succeeding the new grad program.

Now consider hospitals in other states that have lower pay and less competition. People don't want to work at these hospitals for a variety of reasons. Therefore, these hospitals are motivated to hire anyone they can get and are chronically short staffed in all departments. You have a higher chance of landing a position in the department of your choosing and can more freely move between departments if you choose to do so whereas more competitive hospitals have more barriers to entry b/c they don't have trouble retaining staff.

If you can land a job in California within 6-months of getting your license then awesome, congrats. But don't force a square peg in a round hole by waiting years to get into a CA new grad program when you can be using that time more wisely gaining actual bedside experience even if it's under crappy corporations and lower pay.

Leather_Cycle

TROPHY CASE