Special Thank You to Teachers Everywhere

An article expressing the importance of a good teacher and the role they play in a student's life. So many fail to recieve the recognition they so deserve. Most of the nurses are only as good as they are today because of the teachers they've had throughout their nursing school journey, as well as long after. Yes, some nurses may eat their young, but some choose to nurse them (no pun intended). Some nurses choose to teach the newbies, knowing how important a good nurse is. Teachers can include colleagues, professors, peers, employers, and even the patient. The different kinds of people you will gain wisdom from are endless, and your gratitude should be as well. We're never too old or too dumb to learn from another. Read More...

NCLEX Passed; My Kaplan Story

I took the NCLEX Oct 19, 2012 and as of Oct 22, 2012, I can now call myself an RN. I used Kaplan to prepare for the monstrous test. Any who, I wanted to post my test score because prior to taking my test, I liked to see others' progress in relation to my own so I hope this helps you as you continue to study. People say don't focus on scores, but try to learn from your mistakes. However, scores mean a deal to me and probably to others too. Read More...

What motivates you to keep going?

We can all use motivators in our lives to achieve what we want. What do you have or do to motivate you to keep going? Read More...

Patient Prioritization Questions

I took a practice exam that had a ton of patient prioritization questions which included several with COPD patients. I think I'm confused about what is an okay oxygentation saturation for a COPD patient. I was taught that it depends on their baseline, but that below 90 is not good. Obviously they don't give you a baseline in these types of questions, and I'm not sure that my below 90 rule is correct by ATI testing standards. Can someone help? Read More...

Super awesome day today (L&D/Newborn)!

I had the best experience today! Not only did I finally get to see a c-section and a vaginal birth, I also got to do a cervical check(most don't let students, but this was a teaching hospital and a former grad from our program). Then all the other goodies: newborn assessment, hep b vaccine, baby's first bath! It was my last day in clinical and I had been disappointed so far b/c I'd seen one vag birth and the rest of our time at this hosp, we'd been sharing babies for feeding/care, and finally we had tons of babies! Just had to share b/c no one else (besides other students) would understand the joy... Read More...

Am I burnt out? What should I do?

I'm in my second year of a 3 year BSN program. For about a month now, I keep thinking of different jobs that I could pursue. Don't get me wrong, I love nursing... really the clinical. However, I do find myself being very sluggish this semester. All of non-nursing friends are always out and about, having fun and going to the saints games and LSU and everything.. and I ALWAYS have to study. I feel like I'm so over studying and school! I just want to have a life! Read More...

Types of school accreditation - The Guide!

There are national and regional accreditation for both an academic institution as a whole and specifically for an institution's nursing program. There are so many labels and types that this topics frequently misunderstood by pre-nursing students as well as nursing students and nurses! Make sure you know the differences and what accreditation the schools your are considering posses It is important for your future employment, career advancement, and academic opportunities. Let's explore the different accreditation types and accrediting bodies! Read More...

Thank you note--too much?

I just want your opinion on something. I'm on the east coast and as I'm sure you all know, we were hit by hurricane sandy. I went home to help out my parents during the storm. I had my exam today and when I checked the commuter rail website it said that it should be running close to schedule. I left well before my exam, but was still late because another tree ended up falling on the tracks! I emailed my teacher asking her if I could take my pharm exam even if I was late. I honestly thought she'd say no, because she's pretty strict, but luckily she actually told me I could!! For some reason she couldn't have me take it later today (I think she was teaching other classes) but she is letting me take it tomorrow. I think it is really kind she is letting me take the exam a day late because she could have very easily said no. I want to write her a thank you card, but I am wondering, is that too much? Read More...

First semester nursing student... at the brink!

Where to start... HELP!! I am in my first semester of nursing school. I came to this site via a search for "reality of nursing career" and have spent the last hour and a half reading comments and ACTUAL realities of nursing.

I started this search because I am really starting to wonder if this is the career for me... and only 6 weeks into a nursing program. I have the ability to go back to school and not work for the duration of my schooling. (Yes, I am lucky!) I already have a degree and have had a very successful career before moving across the country and deciding to start over again. Read More...

Major Illness Increases Venous Thrombosis Risk

People with major illnesses, including liver or kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke, or arterial thrombosis, have an increased risk of venous thrombosis that dramatically increases during periods of immobilization or in the presence of thrombophilia, according to research published online Oct. 26 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Read More...

Religion in Nursing

I am a third semester student (graduating in May, whoop!!) and we had a lecture last week over religion. We had a chaplin from one of our local Catholic hospitals come and talk to us about praying with our patients and supporting them through their healthcare stay. I am from a very Republican and Christian state, but I am far from what my community would consider religious. This lecture made me very uncomfortable when they got to the topic about saying prayers with our patients. I have only been in one situation where I was confronted with a patient asking me to pray for them; I replied with "you are in my thoughts," which is not a total lie. I have my beliefs, but they are not as strong as most people I am surrounded with. Is this wrong for me to say "thoughts" instead of "prayer?" Read More...

Heads up to all nursing students, from recent grad...

Hello Everyone and congratulations to those just entering nursing school, those about to graduate, and everyone in between. You worked hard to get here, congratulate yourself for getting to this point, wherever that point is for you. I just wanted to give you a piece of advice from the perspective of recent graduate. I wish someone had told me, or perhaps that I had heeded the warning. Here goes... Read More...