"Nursing School Dropout"- Starting the Path into Nursing

To me, nursing is a mix of things. It is the mix of learning something new every day. It is the highs and lows of doing something amazing for someone else, while constantly being in a position to mortify yourself. It is the art form of constantly changing your plan based on the ever-changing conditions of your patient, your environment, and yourself. It is bonding with some of the most amazing people I have ever met within only a short period of time, because nothing brings you together faster than cleaning up someone's bodily fluids. It is a glass of wine with your coworkers, when you don't even feel like drinking, because you just need 5 minutes of a break from your brain and its high-speed feed of 'what do I do now? What's next? What does this mean?" It is a permanent path of growth, experience, inspiration, and tragedy. Nursing is a unique blend of caring, skill, intelligence, humor, humility, foresight, insight, and empathy. It is more than a career: it is a way of life. Read More...

Waiting for that letter - what to do until then?

What do you do to pass the time from going crazy? Read More...

I PASSED NCLEX-RN! so thank to allnurses.com

I have Saunders 5th edition, Kaplan book (dont have the Qbank 'coz I cant afford it) and pda by Lacharity. I highly recommend Lacharity and NCBSN. They were really helpful. Thank god I bought them on the last 2 weeks of my review. I also watched videos on Youtube like the ecg readings and procedures and they were so helpful as well. Read More...

Safety for Nurses and Nursing students

Last night on my campus there was a robbery and abduction at gunpoint of two male students. They were forced into a car with no license plates and robbed. They were released and unharmed. Thing is as a female nursing student our classes would last until 8pm. They abduction took place at around 7pm. My campus is known to have had armed and unarmed intruders. I carry mace with me but I fear that wouldn't be enough. I'd like to get a taser but I'm afraid the program won't allow it. Plus, it costs about $400. Does anyone own a taser or agree with getting one for protection? Are there any nurses or students that know if it's even legal to have in nursing school? Any and all opinions are welcome. Read More...

Just a "Little" Word

I have been an AN member for well over six years or so, and I have read, and posted, many a topic. I have seen English as a second language posters get belittled for their lack of structure while ignoring the meaning or request of their post. On the other hand I have seen carefully worded topics about ridiculous expectations applauded. I have seen multi-degree, intelligent posters, degraded for use of a text speak or abbreviation. I have seen people go into tantrums over overly-direct posts, while completely missing the point of those too inundated with fluff words. Read More...

So excited to move to this board...just got accepted for Fall 2013!

I've been an active member of the allnurses Pre-Nursing Student forum since last year. I am thrilled to finally move over to the Nursing Student board. I just got my letter this afternoon and I'm over-the-moon thrilled. Looking forward to getting to know my fellow allnurses Students on this forum in the coming semesters. My orientation is May 2nd and I start August 2013. Cannot wait to begin! Read More...

Been studying for weeks, and Feel like I just Want to take the test

Everyone tells me to not take it unless I'm ready, but I'll never truly feel 100% ready because there's just so much info out there to know for Boards. But, I've been studying consistently at least 4-5 hours a day and my brain, heart, and body just wants to take the test. Does this mean I'm ready? Someone told me that if your gut is telling you to take the test, then that means you're ready. Several weeks ago, I knew I was not at all ready and I knew I had to study ALOT. But now I just feel like I need to take the exam, even though my scores are still low in Kaplan review. Read More...

Wound Care

I had my wound care check off and I have to retake it due to the fact that I broke sterile field. My instructor told me that part of my lab coat entered into the field, thus contaminating it. I didn't realize it had happened when I was performing the skill. Does anyone have any tricks to keeping this from happening again? She said that I did everything else perfectly but obviously, I can't contaminate the field. Read More...

Tips on Saving Money

I recently got accepted into a BSN program at a small Catholic college. I was able to receive a scholarship to help offset some of the tuition, but I will be living on campus for one of the two years I will be enrolled (for safety reasons... the school is in the biggest city in my state & has its shady areas) which costs a little more than getting my own place. I plan on getting a campus job at the library or signing people in at the dorm's front desk for a little extra cash. I would really like some tips from other students on how you guys save money while in school. This goes for everything: school supplies, food, lifestyle choices, etc. Read More...

Lacharity

I started doing Lacharity , and I'm a little concerned about getting more wrong then right questions on the chapter and now I feel not prepared at all, when I do Saunders I do better, are the questions harder or I just need more practice on priority questions, any advice ?? Read More...

"Hard Work Isn't Enough" a.k.a.: About to give up!

I am 21 days from the possibly completing my ASN, and I'm about ready to give up. I am doing well in all my classes, but one. I have only been hit-and-miss in passing my exams in my Critical Nursing class. I put in the hours of studying, answered hundreds of NCLEX-style questions with relative success and have even had professors tell me that I have a good handle on the material, only to bomb their exam. I have done test taking seminars, done test anxiety exercises and personality profiling all geared towards improving performance, but still do poorly.

My mind keeps going back to one test-taking seminar where the leader told us that in nursing school "hard work isn't enough". How am I supposed to work with that notion? Is it really true that hard work and studying won't get you there? If not, what is the magic ingredient that it takes to at least get that magic 75%? Read More...

Chamberlain for BSN?

I didn't do too well at my community college. I have been taking prerequisite classes for BSN. Should I try applying at Chamberlain and try again if I get accepted? Or should I try again at the community college I am at. How hard is it over there? Is it a good idea to stay or transfer? I need some advice. Read More