Negative Aspects of SUNY Downstate's Accelerated Nursing Program

I need to take a second to say that I have only posted on this blog about the positive aspects of SUNY Downstate's Accelerated Nursing Program. 

 I, like many of my peers, had issues with the program.

I, like many of my peers, had issues with some of the professors.

But there are 2 main reasons I didn't write anything negative about the program on the blog.

#1 I researched about the program before enrolling and I was aware about what the problem issues were before I started.  So while some things were annoying I never really freaked out like some of my classmates.  

#2 Many of the professors or issues that annoyed the hell out of me didn't bother my classmates in the least.  And many of the professors and issues that annoyed the hell out of my classmates didn't annoy me in the least.

Everything is subjective.  That being said I would recommend that you do your homework.  Go on allnurses.com and read the negative things people write.  Come here and check the positive things I write.  Then weigh the pros and cons.  

I would also like to take a second to mention the fact that if there is a major issue with any professor.  The department generally boots the person out next year and seeks a suitable replacement.

While the folks in the nursing department may not respond to student's complaints as quickly as they would like them to.  They do eventually respond and make changes.

IF YOU WANT TO LAND A JOB AFTER GRADUATING THEN GET ROLLING WHILE IN THE PROGRAM

• 2 independent studies.
• Leadership practicum.
• Landing a Nurse Externship.
• Volunteering.

The independent studies helped tremendously.  I did both of mine in the same hospital in the same area focusing on two separate issues.  You need luck here.  I lucked out with clinical preceptors that took to me and liked my personality.  In the end they introduced me to the nurse manager.  They suggested that she hire me.  

Be sure to buy donuts and coffee for the entire unit and a thank you card at the end of your indy studies.  I bought small bags of Godiva chocolates for my preceptors.  These small touches help.  

The Leadership practicum.  I did my leadership practicum at Kingsbrook Jewish and after graduating my preceptor pushed to help me get a job.  Very important as well.  Put your best foot forward here with your nursing leadership class.  Other classmates also formed relationships here that landed them jobs after graduating.

Nursing externships.  I did a half-ass job applying at Maimonides and didn't get it.  So glad I didn't because they don't let you touch the patients really.  It's just shadowing.  On my second indendent study I got a preceptor who made me do everything.  From prepping to administering meds to every damn thing.  I even signed off on nurse's notes.  But nursing externships are still GREAT!!!!  If you can get one that is AWESOME!!!!  Look on North Shore LIJ's website as spring approaches and look for professors in the program who worked at North Shore LIJ that can recommend you.  Hint!!!  Hint!!!!   Two of my classmates landed North Shore LIJ.  I was in Pediatric clinicals when my classmates were all abuzz about trying to apply and going on and on about when they would open the gates for accepting applications.  It was a somewhat tedious process to fill out the online applications.  You fill them out first then they open up to applications later.  While an externship is just shadowing.  They do pay you.  And it does greatly increase the likelihood that you will get hired.  Greatly!!!  If they like you they will keep you on after you complete your externship and keep on paying you as a student nurse until you pass your boards.  Two of my classmates got externships at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope.  One is looking very good for getting a job once she passes her state boards and the hospital is currently paying her bills.  I'm sure it feels good to go in and get a paycheck for doing work that is health care related.  Another classmate was hired at Lenox Hill after she graduated through doing her externship.

The program will not support you in getting an externship.  The hours cut into your class time.  You will have to cut class to complete your externship hours.  The hours cut into psych and the early part of Community.  And Nurse Leadership as well.  So there is a little grief that comes along with it.  But it is well worth whatever headaches the faculty may give you.

Volunteering can't hurt.  Also as a side note my classmate that got into Methodist as an extern was volunteering at Methodist long before she applied for the externship; which may have helped her some.

Downstate's program is only concerned with you passing state boards.  That's it.  They don't want to know about what you are doing to find a job.  That doesn't really interest them.  

 So hopefully these are some helpful hints for you because many of us were dead broke after completing this program.  I will write more about what I did job wise after graduating.  As I chose to beat out on a totally different path from my classmates.

Resume, Cover Letter, Interviews, & Such

FINDING A JOB???  YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN KIDDO!!!  

But you can check out ---> John Hopkins Nursing Website.  

• Tips on resume writing.
• Tips on cover letter writing.
• Tips on interviewing.
• Sample nursing student resumes.
• The site is well organized and extremely helpful.

                         CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW!!!

http://nursing.jhu.edu/life-at-hopkins/center/resources/index.html


http://nursing.jhu.edu/life-at-hopkins/center/documents/resume_guide.pdf

HOW TO USE THIS BLOG

LOOK AT: 
           
       SELECT FROM BELOW WHAT APPLIES TO YOU.

                            ---------------------------------------------------->

                                                                THEN CLICK ON IT!


If you are looking for an additional site to help you with studying look to the right under 
CHECK THESE BLOGS OUT and click on AMY's Blog.  Lots of free NCLEX style questions to help you to get your chops up for MED SURG Examinations.

Irrate Family Members

I've seen family members come in, curse out the entire staff, yell and curse out the patient relations rep, yank the IVs out of their family member's arm, turn around, and walk off the unit, leaving their poor family member to have to get stuck again to replace the IV.

I've personally been yelled at by a patient's family member who turned around later and hugged and apologized to me, thanking me for being so good to the patient.  And telling me, "You know it's all just so stressful.  I didn't mean to yell at you"

What was the reason she yelled at me and my preceptor?  A miscommunication on her part.   

Everyone behaves differently when they are worrying about an ailing family member.  Some are quiet, some are sweet and kind hoping that you will treat the family member in kind.  And some look for someone to knock around and release their frustrations out on.

And guess who they usually select as their punching bag? 

You!  The RN!  

The doctors and PAs are usually not around.

While doing my psych clinical, some of my classmates and I where placed in the psych ER for a half day.  One of the veteran nurses there asked us where the top two areas for RN assaults were.  

We guessed: Here in the psych ER?  On the psych unit?  

Nope...  

#1 Emergency Room   #2 ICU

Guess who is doing the assaulting in the ICU Room?  

The patient that's there for intensive care with one foot dangling over the grave?   Not likely...

This is something to take into consideration if you are planning to choose nursing as a career path and you intend to work the floor.  

What get's everyone through the day when dealing with difficult family members?  

Compassion!!!

Ultimately this is where compassion, understanding, and empathy come into play.  If you are a compassionate and empathetic person you will understand how the family members feel, what they are going through, and you are less likely to take the negative things they say and do to heart.  

When I got balled out, I later received an apology, but that is not always going to be the case.  Sometimes people make no apology for their nastiness, despite the fact you took excellent care of their loved one, and had the patient's back through thick and thin.  

For those of you that chose nursing solely for the money, the scenarios I've mentioned could easily make you end up a statistic.  20% of new nurses quit within their first year of working.

Without real empathy for the patients and their family members you likely won't make it.  And if you do you will probably be kicking cans all the way to work and kicking cans all the way home.  Miserable. 

People's antics can easily drive you crazy, especially when you are pushing hour 10 on day 3 of your work week.

They try address how to handle difficult situations when you go through your psych clinicals and learn therapeutic conversation skills.  

The Last Class - Community

The 2014 class will be using a different book from the 2013 class.  

So don't buy a used Community Health Nursing book from the upperclassmen.    

HOW TO USE THIS BLOG

Look under SELECT WHAT APPLIES TO YOU.

---------------------------------------------------->

THEN CLICK ON IT!


If you are looking for an additional site to help you with studying look to the right under 
CHECK THESE BLOGS OUT and click on AMY's Blog.  Lots of free NCLEX style questions to help you to get your chops up for MED SURG Examinations.