Nursing school discouragement

After struggling to get into nursing school (6 years, co-reqs plus pre-reqs while working) I finally succeeded! I started this fall and learned quickly how much more difficult it was than I could ever realize until I actually got it and started. I have been working/studying hard but unfortunately I messed up, at the much needed recheck on medications (3rd try) I failed. Read More...

Best Career Path to Take?

I'm a university graduate from Chicago holding a non-nursing BS degree, but I have all the pre-req's completed to be able to jump into, say, an ABSN program. My ultimate goal is to become an NP (preferable Family or something related to the ER). However I also want to reach this goal ASAP, or at least be able to support myself and a family ASAP. Which of the following options would allow this the best? Read More...

Can I swap brains with you?

Why would anyone think NCLEX is hard? It's not right? Read More...

How do you listen to respirations on newborn?

I did my assessment yesterday on my patient and her newborn but while doing respiration I couldn't hear it well or the heart sounds made is hard to hear respiration. I'm kind of worried about my midterm clinical evaluation I keep on giving inconsistent results when I do it with my instructor. I also have a hard time listening to the heart on a heavy patient...any tips? Read More...

My NCLEX success story

I have been a lurker on this site for a very long time (all through nursing school to be honest!) , so I figure it is only fair that I share my nclex story since so many people inspired me throughout my journey! I am a graduate of an accelerated ADN program and landed myself my dream position in a local critical care unit prior to taking my test, I was ecstatic but it definitely placed extra stress on me to pass nclex the first time! Read More...

How much extra time do you spend in the Nursing Lab?

We don't really have a lot of time to practice during our scheduled nursing lab class, so I feel like I'm living in the nursing lab. I'm going in for three hours this afternoon - just to practice passing meds. I'm already in there 3 - 6 extra hours a week. And we haven't really done anything complicated like NG tubes and Foley catheters yet! (we don't get to touch needles until next semester) I guess it's paying off since I haven't had to retake a skills check. How much extra time do you (or did you) spend in the nursing lab? Read More...

Need help with nursing diagnosis

I'm doing a care plan on a postpartum patient who had someone bring her medication from outside the hospital and midway through the shift had a dramatic change in LOC due to OD. She was hospitalized 3 times during her pregnancy for similar behavior. She also has a history of bulimia but I didn't get a chance to ask her anything about it before she started talking nonsense. Here's what I have for my nursing diagnosis... Read More...

Losing confidence....

I'm a 42 mother of 2 young daughters, back in school since 1988 I did my pre req's and maintained a 3.9 GPA (fist pump!) and now am in my first semester of nursing school. I felt pretty confident in my abilities heading into the semester. I am adjusting to hectic schedules between my school/ kids school/sporting events/meetings and everyday life. Or so I thought. Skills tests have become the bane of my existence!!!! We practice during lab and I practice at home. Well, I passed first VS skill, but then failed the next two (PPE & Lung/thorax). Had to remediate and passed, then passed MAR with no problem. I enjoy clinicals and hoping to go on to earn a NP degree. But with two stupid mistakes, these failures are shaking my confidence! Yes, I am a bit of a perfectionist and set high goals for myself, but I m worried about how my instructors view me now after this. I get nervous during skills exams (fear of failure) and need some advice! Read More...

Confused about what an MSN really is.

I'm a 2nd year student in a pretty good California nursing program and I am totally confused about what an MSN is. I understand that it is a post-grad program but what I really don't get is if the degree itself is the same/or higher than a BSN or RN. The program that I am in is a generic masters program for people who already have BA/BS in another field. We take the same nursing curriculum as the BSN students in our cohort, but they get a BSN and we get an RN, then one more year an MSN/CNS. After I get the RN, is that considered equivalent to an ADN, or a BSN, and can I get a job before I get my MSN? Read More...

Patient Navigation Speeds Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Patient navigation -- a service that helps patients navigate the health care system, including setting up appointments, dealing with health insurance, and coping with fears about cancer -- leads to quicker breast cancer diagnosis, especially for women requiring biopsy, according to a study published in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Read More...

What Pre-Requisites should I stack?

I am an LVN/LPN. I plan to start the bridge program on Jan of 2014 (only one LPN-RN cycle here in Alaska). I have declined job offers to begin my pre-requisites full-time in January 2013. That being said, I have not completed science courses... In order to start the BSN I need chemistry. (I plan to start my BSN right after completing my RN which means applying before finishing my RN and getting those pre-reqs finished now also.) Has anyone stacked Chemistry with A&P or Chemistry with Microbiology and fared well (including labs)?? I typically do very well in school environments but do not want to set myself up for failure. Thank you, in advance, for any tips! Read More...

You know you are a nursing student if...

Your significant other's diet consists of asking what happened at clinical.
People are calling you at all times asking you off the wall medical questions.
As you are asperating GI juices you wonder when is lunch because you are starving
You palpate veins while holding someone's hand...

Add things you are started doing with nursing school. Read More...