MAKING THE TRANSITION TO PRACTICING NURSE

It really is a journey!

LOOK HOW FAR YOUVE COME

Think of how you defined nursing or described a nurse BEFORE taking the course: The Art and Science of Nursing.

PRESENT DAY Think of how you define nursing and describe a nurse TODAY..

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?

Would you say that you made a transition from non-nurse to student nurse?

THE NEXT TRANSITION ON THE HORIZON IS THAT OF STUDENT NURSE TO PRACTICING NURSE (LPN)

HOW WILL YOU MAKE THIS TRANSITION?

y COMPLETE N-150 AND N-155 y CREATE, MODIFY AND FOLLOW A

TRANSITION PLAN THAT MEETS YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

y REMEMBER THAT YOUR NURSING

EDUCATION JUST BEGAN AT KCC. HOWEVER, EVENTHOUGH YOURE JUST BEGINNING, YOURE A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE NURSING PROFESSION.

PREPARING FOR THE NCLEX

NCLEX PN
y APPLICATION PROCESS/FEES-Letter in

March, applications ordered; $200.00 y MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO TESTAuthorization to Test (ATT)-You should be offered an appointment within 30 days y TESTING PROCESS-CAT, testing entry level knowledge, skills and abilities; 85-205 questions long, time limit of 5 hours y PASS RATE

ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A PLAN

y REVIEW BOOK y REVIEW COURSE? y SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYER y OTHER RESOURCES y IT IS REALLY A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE

LEARNING A PRIORI TY WHILE YOU ARE IN THE NURSING PROGRAM (Imagine that!)

PN LICENSURE
y APPLICATION AND FEES-Eligible for

licensure after successful completion of the NCLEX-PN; $40.00 y CONTINUING EDUCATION-Michigan requires 25 Board of Nursing approved contact hours (CEUs); Nursing courses qualify to satisfy PN licensure

PREPARING FOR EMPLOYMENT

WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A JOB, BUT FUNCTION IN A DIFFERENT ROLE?

y Pros and cons y Can you make a role transition? y Can you supervise those who were once your y y y y y

peers? You can keep your seniority You know the patients You know the staff Will respect/power/authority be a problem? Others?

JOB SEARCH
y Endless possibilities depending on your

y y y y

personal desires and needs-find a good match Resume Cover letter Portfolio Interview

COVER LETTER
y Purpose y Content y Length y Professional and perfect y Proofread cover letter and resume or ask

someone else to. y Coordinating conservative paper-no neon or paper with ducks or Bambi on it

RESUME
y Purpose y Format y Length y Professional appearance as cover letter y Make a good first impression and be sure

to take credit for accomplishments y Never be untruthful

PORTFOLIO
y ONLY your best work y May or may not present to potential

employer y May be a deciding factorwhat do you think?

INTERVIEW
y Dress y Time y Preparation-plan to interview the potential

employer y Format y Follow-up y Your chance to make a positive first impression

*Activity-With a partner, create questions that you might be asked and ask in an interview. Create 5 of each and write them down.

OK, SO YOURE HIRED! NEXT COMES ORIENTATION

ORIENTATION
y HIGHLY VARIABLY FROM FACILITY TO

FACILITY y ORIENTATIONS OFTEN CONSIST OF A GENERAL INSTITUTIONAL ORIENTATION FOLLOWED BY A UNIT ORIENTATION y UNIT ORIENTATION MAY BE DONE USING A PRECEPTOR y A THOROUGH ORIENTATION IS ESSENTIAL-YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LEARNING-BE INVOLVED!

BEST WISHES IN YOUR CAREER AS A NURSING PROFESSIONAL!