NCLEX-RN: 5th Time Test-taker

I would like to tell my story to give encouragement to others who are going through the same situation as me. This will be my 5th time taking the NCLEX, which has been a very difficult time for me because I have always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. I even had the fisher price nurse's kit LOL.

After I graduated from nursing school, I signed up for the Kaplan online class. My scores were in the high 50's to low 60's so I felt ready to take the test and pass the first time. I waited 2 long long days and paid for the quick results and when I saw the word fail, my heart sank and I just started to cry. I was so heartbroken and felt like a failure... Read More...

Nursing is better than what is out THERE. What do you think?

When did you know that nursing was the right choice for you? Do you agree that nursing is better than what is out THERE now? Share your thoughts... Read More...

A Watched Kettle Never Boils: Waiting to Hear From Nursing Schools

The weeks of waiting for acceptance or rejection letters are dwindling down to days. Between the constant email-checking and All Nurses forum-checking, I wrestle with the thought that I have become a slave to thesix schools that hold my future in their hands.

It's bad, folks… Especially in the evenings, when I eagerly check my home mailbox only to find a Penny Saver and Del Taco coupons, a mockery of a consolation prize. My fate for the day is sealed and I know that the hope of receiving any responses is dead. All I can do is wait to repeat this agonizing ritual again the next day. Read More...

Physical Exam required for Nursing program....questions!

I have to have a physical exam done this summer before my nursing classes start and a few things on the list I'm very uncertain about....

Please describe in depth how they test these and approx. how long they take .... it will be greatly appreciated!

• Mental Status
• Gastrointestinal
• Genitourinary (I'm a female)
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurological

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Are there any RN-BSN programs that are not online?

When I graduate from my school, I will have an ADN and I want to immediately move on to my BSN. I keep looking at different RN-BSN programs, but they all appear to be either online or at night. I wanted to go away to a school so that I could live on-campus. But I can't live on campus if my classes are online! And I just don't do well with night classes. So I wanted to know if anyone knew of any schools that offer on-campus, day classes? Read More...

Books I should read before school starts?

I just got accepted into Nursing school this fall and was wondering are there any good books or text books I should read before school starts? Also any tips advice etc for a prospective student? Read More...

Is it right to pursue nursing if the school is 2 hrs away from husband & kids?

My husband knows it is my goal/dream to become a nurse but he is very unhappy about me going through the program because it means we will be separated as a family unit. We would only be able to see each other on the weekends and even then I would probably be so busy with school that even weekends will be dedicated for school. He wants me to apply to other schools in our area, which I have been but I never got accepted. I finally get accepted into a school 2 hours away and I am so heartbroken that he is not supporting me in my goal. Read More...

I have to share this with all of you!

Today I found out I got accepted to the nursing program. I start in May. There are no words that can describe how happy and excited I am. I studied hard and passed my Teas test.

I wanted to share this good news with all of you because this site is where I went to get my questions answered and just to read your experiences and opinions. Reading your responses to other peoples questions made me feel more confident that I can pass the Teas test. Read More...

Low GPA, should I get it up or go for LPN?

The ADN program requires a 2.5 overall to apply, but takes 50% nursing pre-reqs GPA + 50% HESSI score to rank and accept students. They do take in to account every attempt with a 2 attempt max for nursing pre-reqs (A&P etc).

The LPN program requires a GPA of 2.5 in the 6 pre-reqs and does not go by overall GPA at all. They take every attempt into account, except in A&P 1 & 2, nutrition and computers, those must be done within 5 years. Anything over 5 years they don't use the GPA for. The picks go 100% off the TEAS test at that point and the advisor said scores in the high 60's get in.

The problem is my GPA sucks... Read More...

Public colleges vs. Private colleges?

I am new to these boards and I just had a few questions. I have finished most all of my pre-reqs, with the exception of A&P, for nursing. I already have my CNA as well as a phlebotomy certification! I am just wondering what people think about attending a public college like a university or community college over a private college for a nursing program. I know private colleges cost more that a state college. I was just wondering if workplaces look differently at where you took your nursing program? Anyone have any experience with this? Read More...

Care planning decreased cardiac output

I was hoping someone could help me out with this care plan I have. I have spent hours and trolled the internet for answers to no avail! BTW I am a 2nd semester RN student!

My patient is a young man with an ejection fracture of 28%. He came in through ED with c/o chest pains unrelieved with nitroglycerin and increased troponin and CK with elevated BP 221/87; normal echo in sinus rhythm and the following hx... Read More...

When a friendship turns toxic? Treat or release?

We are in our last semester Jr. year and we have formed a very tight knit group. We have all pushed and challenged each other in a great way. We are at the top of our class and I know I wouldn't be where I am right now without them.

Here's the issue: one our "members" has been slowly dropping of the radar for the last semester and a half. Not coming to classes and when she does she's miserable. She says she wants to be there but just doesn't show. Of course when it come to the night before the exams she's calling late at night crying that she doesnt get the material, she's studied SO much but shes lost, she doesnt X,Y,Z (honestly does it matter what excuse she has?) Read More