Do not underestimate the difficulty level of nursing school...

Like anyone else, I was nervous and apprehensive about doing something new, but quickly found that Fundamentals was a piece of cake, labs were no problem, quizzes were a joke...why the hell doesn't everyone take this class, right?

As the instructor handed out our first real exam, it was just another test after the hundreds of other tests I have taken in my life, no problem.

I got a 56.

Now you can imagine the utter shock and nausea I felt when I saw that lonely number on the paper. I panicked, big time. I can only imagine the inner voice of my instructor "muwahahahha my plan is working perrrrrfectly." Read More...

Nursing student stereotypes

Before you started school what did you think it was going to be like? Did you think it was going to be harder or easier? What do your friends/family think of nursing students? Read More...

To much time wasted on classes that have nothing to do with Nursing!!!

My personal opinion on taking classes that really do not have anything to do with nursing suck. If they focased on the nursing and passing boards maybe the pass rate for the NCLEX would be better. Are you going to be a math, english or writing major or a NURSE. Just my opinion want to see what others think!!!! . Read More...

Help Statistics is killing me!!

I'm taking intro/elementary statistics right now and I'm not doing well, I only have two more months of school left. I have taken 2 test already and failed both of them; my teacher told us we have 3 more test to take and my online homework count as one grade, plus we can drop the lowest grade and replace it. I was wondering have anyone taken this class before and if so can you give me some kind of advice about studying. I need help BAD Read More...

Getting into a Good, cheap nursing school

I currently am finishing my pre req's for nursing school... but my GPA is quite lower than I want and I feel like I'm running out of time to get my degree... I'm currently 20 years old and will be 21 this year.. My GPA suffered when I started college early and I went party raving (which obviously I now regret. So now I am making up all these semesters for that ONE semester I went crazy. So my question is.... Is there any schools out there that will accept an applicant into the ADN program with a GPA lower than a 3.0? Is there any other factors that they mainly look at besides the ACT or your NLN? My ACT is a 20. and I'm going to take my NLN in April or the fall. I want to be in nursing school by Spring 2014. Read More...

MY studying and Nclex experience!

Just wanted to share with you guys my experience up to today! I graduated in December took Hurst live review Jan 5-8 and received my ATT March 1st and scheduled my test today...March 25th. I was hesitant to schedule my test today because that meant I only had 3 weeks to study. But I spoke to fellow nurses and they told me just take it ASAP...I also was afraid about how they said the test changes in April.

So from March 1st- up to yesterday I studied everyday....I used Hurst...Kaplan Qbank and Qtrainers scores were as follows... Read More...

Accredited vs. Not

How important is it that a program is accredited? Any success stories of people attending non-accredited programs? (I plan on going on after my BSN if that makes a difference also) Read More...

What degree is better for an RN?

I'm just starting college and I'm confused on what degree to go for? Some say a BA gets you a job faster but more expensive. Others say an ADN gets you to work right away, gets you more experience. Are costs the same? So what's the point of 2 extra years? Read More...

New CNA just got hired at a hospital-need advice

I just got certified as a CNA in January and I have been hired at a hospital. I've been at general orientation the whole week just learning stuff about the hospitals policies and such but also about patient care somewhat. Well, I officially start on Monday working on the Med/Surg unit. I'm trying to think how I will manage my time as I am brand new and don't know the best order to do things. I know we have to do VS as soon as the shift starts (I am day shift 6:45 AM to 7:15 PM). I think my day will look like this... Read More...

Choosing a Stethoscope - Littmann Master Classic II vs. Classic II S.E.

I start my clinicals in the fall and am deciding between Littmann's Master Classic II and Classic II S.E. stethoscopes. The Master Classic II has better sound quality, you don't have to flip the head depending on what you are auscultating, and the oval shape is easier to fit under a bp cuff. However I've heard the Classic II S.E. is easier to learn with for beginners.

My scholarships will cover my stethoscope so I'm not worried about price. Just want to know if any of you have one of these, what you think of it, and what you have heard regarding usage of these stethoscopes? Read More...

Am I too old to start a new career in nursing?

I have been working in human resources for the past 15 years. I have enjoyed this career and have spent some time recently recruiting medical professionals for clients in clinics and hospitals. This experience has inspired me to go back to school to become a nurse. However, I am wondering if being a 47 year old man and a beginner may be an obstacle to getting that great job. I want to achieve a BSN and plan on exploring a more advanced degree after working in the profession for a few years. I think this career choice would absolutely match my passions and personality. I'm truly hoping my age will not hinder a great a satisfying career. Read More...

Clinical Instructor Sharing Information from My Journal

Long story short, we are required to keep journals about our clinical experiences which we hand in to our instructor. Last week I wrote about something I witnessed that I felt was unprofessional and unfair to the patient. The next clinical day my instructor comes up to me and says that the nurse manager would like to speak with me and another student (who also witnessed and wrote about the same incident). She had shared the account from our journals with the manager. I was a bit taken aback as I thought our journals were private. If my instructor thought it was something that should be addressed, I think she should have at least let me know first or encouraged me to speak to the nurse manager on my own. The nurse manager said she is going to address the situation with the staff member. As a student I feel like this could cause resentment towards students in the future. I don't want staff to think we are 'spying' on them and rating out there bad behavior. Read More