My NCLEX story...

The NCLEX exam is one of the major milestones in a nurse's career. NCLEX is a long, stressful, and sometimes frightening journey that we, nurses, unfortunately have to take. I'm sharing my story to hopefully inspire those who are still to take this exam, that they may continue to hold on, never lose focus, and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Read More...

Need help understanding insulin affect on colonoscopy procedure

Why would a physician order not to give fast acting insulin to a diabetic patient who is about to have a colonoscopy? I understand that insulins lower blood sugar and for this scenario the patient has a BS level of 131 and is on a sliding scale that says he is due for 2 units, except I'm not supposed to actually give it. He's been NPO since midnight so am I wrong to say that his BS of 131 isn't that bad? And if I gave the 2 units it would lower his BS to normal range but how would giving it harm him during the procedure? Read More...

How did/do you pay for nursing school?

Nursing school is expensive. Many people have used student loans, scholarships, VA loans, grants, and even worked through school to pay for their education.

The main reason for this thread is to provide information for people who can't afford the rising costs of nursing school. Many people aren't aware of the resources that are available. You don't have to give specifics but it would be great to see how people are paying for school.

Please share how you paid for nursing school. Give any links or resources that you may have. Read More...

Must-have gadgets for the nursing student

I start my nursing program this January, and I'm in the process of getting prepared. I've got the uniforms, the shoes, the stethoscope, most of the books, and all of the office supplies. I'm in fundamentals of nursing this semester, so most of that stuff I have already. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what one techy gadget they have found invaluable for notes/lectures/projects during the program? Read More...

Why do students voluntarily drop out of nursing school?

Okay so I have been very curious about this lately mostly because I am starting an accelerated BSN program in January. I know it will be HARD and it will be even harder for me because I have 4 kids BUT I CAN and WILL do this. I am a bit disappointed in most of my friends/family for their reactions to this decision I have made. Most say "I cannot believe you are going to do that...it is going to be too hard" or "what about your kids? you have been at home with them for so long, what about how they will feel?" and finally.."so many people drop out of nursing school and they are doing a traditional program...your taking on an accelerated...are you nuts?! It is going to be too much". Read More...

You're going to think I'm nuts

I. LOVE. Nursing school. There. I said it.

My school has a super interactive curriculum and I feel like if you don't learn it, you must have just slept through it completely because what we learn in theory is reinforced in practice. The assignments might get overwhelming some days, but we learn from them. Maybe it seems crazy to write up a teaching plan on one drug, but you now know about that drug and how to think through a teaching plan. There is a difference between learning how to do a teaching plan, and actually doing one. Read More...

Clinical awakening

It was a warm fall morning. The alarm clock jarred me from my dreams at 4’oclock. I jump to turn it off so it does not wake my baby who is snoring in her crib. I almost want to pinch my husband in a jealous rage that he is sleeping so peacefully. I sulk off to make a pot of coffee, throw a load of wash on, and scuff off to get in the shower. As the warm water hits my back I am still filled with self-pity, thinking “what the heck have I gotten myself into?” I loathe my situation thinking that I will not be home to relax until 8 that night. I go about the steps of putting on my clinical uniform the stiff , itchy scrub top and scrub bottoms, that seem to be shirking every time I wash it, no way it’s me gaining weight! Read More...

How to fail clinical

This is from a document I post for my students at the start of clinical. Doing any of these things will probably result in failing clinically. Remember, we faculty have wide leeway in making a call on this. It often boils down to not letting you move on if you are unprepared, unprofessional, unsafe, unskilled, are unable to critically think, or communicate poorly with others or fail to take responsibility for your actions. The following infractions may result in a clinical failure... Read More...

Never live with a fellow student!

I'm living with a girl who is in my program and I'm really starting to regret it. She seemed nice and sweet but about 2 months into living with her, the true colors came out. She will skip class all the time and just listen to my recording. It's frustrating that I'm going to class and she gets to snooze and just listen to it later. I'm tempted to just tell her it's broken. She also asks to do assignments with me all of the time, which I wouldn't mind, but due to my adhd and anxiety, I tend to get stuck on things and it takes longer for me to finish... Read More...

No New Safety Concerns for Gardasil in Young Females

Since its approval in 2006, no new safety concerns have been found to be associated with vaccinating girls and young women with the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4), Gardasil, according to a study published online Oct. 1 in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Read More...

I came, I saw, I conquered. Passing NCLEX RN.

I am so elated today. I found out I passed the NCLEX RN. Lord has really answered my prayers, I have been sad and depressed for the past two days waiting for the results. I thought those 48 hours were the longest days of my life. The world stopped for 48 hours, I just looked at my wall. Hopefully this will inspire others who are going to be taking their NCLEX RN soon. Here's what I used to study for this test... Read More...

My NCLEX Journey!! :)

I have been on this website or a while, looking at people's NCLEX journeys and decided to share mine! And I just decided today to make an account after taking my NCLEX (got the good pop that everyone talks about).

I studied on/off for a month and did at least 1 qbank set everyday. I took two hours for 77 questions. I had about (give or take) 8 SATA, 1 Exhibit, 3 Put in order, and 4 math. Here's what I used to prepare/practice test scores... Read More...