Perspective: My Path to Nursing and Beyond

Back in 2000 I was a a failing science major. My ideal career at the time was a double major in Physics and Chemistry. In 1996, after failing even choir, the only words on my mind were "Academic Bankruptcy". Bouncing in and out of community centers for the next few years was basically my attempt at finding a path, but instead finding nothing but slowly mounting student debt.

Around 2000 I was dating a mediocre man who suggested I "just be a nurse". I didn't take him seriously because he had also told me to "just be a secretary like my mom" which pretty much showed me how much respect her had for her. A few months later I gave up on that relationship, earned some cash waitressing, and set off for a new city. $1000 in my pocket, a casual boyfriend to crash with while I looked for a studio, and no plan other than to work at a local restaurant. Read More...

March 2013 Caption Contest: Win $100!

Participate in our March 2013 Caption Contest and win $100! Good afternoon nurses. Your mission is to provide a caption to the cartoon below. You may submit as many captions as you wish. Read More

Student struggles - Share your stories

Do students really have it that bad? What stories have you heard? Money problems? Test problems? Dating problems? Share your stories below... Read More...

Please don't judge....it's been 13 years since graduated RN and debating the NCLEX

I am going to make a long story short. I graduated in 1999 with my LPN and passed boards on 1st try. I immediately started RN school and graduated in 2001. I have taken the NCLEX RN 3-4 times and have failed. On the paper they sent me in the mail I was almost on the line of passing and there was no particular area I needed help in. I worked as an LPN until 2008. Married in 2004, child in 2006 and twins in 2008. I then quit work to raise my kids. I am now and am haunted on a regular basis about the fact that I haven't passed my boards. It eats at me and I feel like a FAILURE!!!!!!! A friend just graduated RN and passed her boards and let me take one of the ATI comprehensive tests, not the predictor and I got 77%. I have no idea how to prepare or if I should even pursue the dream of becoming an RN. I mean after all that is all that is between me and my RN is a freaking test. Does anyone have any insight on the 77% or any advice at all? Read More...

I need advice to pass my first nursing course. Any tips or technique I'll be grateful

I was wondering if anyone can give me great tips or technique to survive and PASS my nursing exams. I already took my first one and sadly I did not do too well. I study really hard for this exam too and most of the material was not even on the test.I review my notes, read the chapters each night up until the day of the exam and read over the power point slides. Plus I bought the Fundamental Success book. I feel so lost right now. I worked so hard to get into the program and I would HATE to fail or leave the program. Read More...

Any career switchers starting in the Fall?

I just got my acceptance letter today! All of the prereq's behind me and a new career ahead of me. I'm currently a teacher and am a little nervous about stepping back into full time school from the safety of a full time paycheck! Should be interesting. Are you in the same boat? What worries you the most? What do you look forward to the most? Read More...

Can I Work as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant While in School?

Imagine you are a nursing student who wants to start accruing healthcare experience now. However, volunteering at a hospital or nursing home might be totally out of the question because you need to be paid for the services that you render. Volunteer experience is valuable in many ways, but let's face it: the unpaid experience will not keep the bill collectors away.

If you are a nursing student, you have several employment options at your disposal that will lead to direct or indirect healthcare experience. You can directly apply for entry-level positions as a direct care staff member (also known as a caregiver), dietary aide, hospital housekeeper (also known as environmental services technician), or unit secretary, and hope that you are hired. The aforementioned occupations generally do not require certification and can be learned with on-the-job training. Read More...

Where to find Accelerated BSN with good clinicals

My final career goal is to pursue a degree of Nurse Anesthetist or Midwife. But every time I check accelerated BSN curriculum I don't see the courses such as Surgical-Medical and Maternal Nursing, instead it's loaded with Nurse Management and related administration courses. I have no interest to become a Nurse Administrator. So I was wondering if anyone knows a college which offers accelerated BSN but actually has Nursing courses? And has reasonable price? Read More...

My NCLEX RN Journey....Finally made it!!!

I've been waiting for this day, when I will finally be sharing my success story on this site. and this day has come. Yes my time has finally come. I can now refer to myself as an official US RN!!! Yes I am... God is good...

Over the years, since 2011, cuz that's when I joined this website, I've been reading stories of success and failures and they have helped me a lot, by serving as a source of inspiration to me. Thanks to all.nurses.com....

First of all before I begin, I would like to tell you all that I owe my success to

1. GOD-He is faithful and will never let you down. Put your trust in him and pray and he will work it all out for you at his own time.
2. Perseverance - Never give up!!! Keep on trying... Read More...

Some facts about the West Coast BSN program

So as I'm preparing to apply to BSN programs in the Southern California area for Spring 2014 admissions, I recently had an interview with West College's admissions and financial aid reps. So far, West Coast's program was on the bottom of my list because of all the negative information i had heard about the school, teachers, and that horrific price tag we have all seen associated with the school. But i'm so glad i met with the rep and got a lot of these rumors and facts verified because i can now make an informed decision. I wanted to share the details with you guys so you guys can have that opportunity as well......here it goes. Read More...

This question has been bugging my class...

When caring for a patient who has critical limb ischemia who has just arrived on the nursing unit after having a percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty, which action should the nurse take first?

1. Take the BP and pulse rate
2. Check for the presence of pedal pulses
3. Assess the appearance of any ischemic ulcers
4. Start discharge teaching about antiplatelet drugs.

My thought is B as did everyone else initially, but othe people are saying A. I'm sticking with B because pedal pulses are the key indicator of for the success of this surgery while BP is not specific. A high BP does not guarantee perfusion. Pedal pulse check is a direct check of limb perfusion. Read More...

Everything I Know About Life.......

I learned from nursing. Here, for the reader's enjoyment (I hope) are a few of the life lessons that nursing teaches us over the course of a career. Though my own sojourn isn't over yet, nursing has provided me with many moments I'd never have chosen to experience, mental pictures I wish I didn't have, and traumatic events I would like NOT to have to re-live for the rest of my days. And that's just the *fun* stuff! Read More...