Advice for First semester nursing students!!

The first semester of Nursing school is considered the "shocker" courses, because that is exactly what it is, a shocker. However, with adequate rest, creating good study habits at the beginning of the semester, you will be able to succeed. I found that I was struggling for a while, until I finally realized what I was doing wrong. My advice for all first semester Nursing students is to remember that you are not alone in this, and a lot of people are going to be feeling the same way you are. Just relax, and don't worry about hearing about the horrors of Nursing school. Just look at my advice for the first semester, and to "Just Keep it Moving!" Read More...

PhD student who is also a New Grad! So Confused!

I am recently finishing up a Entry Level Masters Program and graduating in a few weeks and will be taking the NCLEX really soon. I was very excited to get out there and work, however I received the opportunity to attend a PhD Nursing program, starting this summer, which I accepted because I really enjoy nursing research.

However, I still have a lot of loans from my ELM program plus I want to get my experience as a new nurse. The PhD program discourages anybody working because of the heavy workload so I wanted to work in a nursing specialty that wouldn't be so stressful and difficult to handle while I am in school for the next four years. I do love Psych and wanted to work in a Psych facility part time, but many people, including current nurses, have discouraged me from this field, saying I won't get my necessary acute care experience and it's a lot more stressful than what it looks. Read More...

Student frustrated and impatient

It sure takes a long time for schools to get back to you regarding your acceptance. Are you one of those that wait impatiently out the window for the mailman to arrive? What do you do to take your mind off things while you wait? Read More...

I Didn't Get Into The Nursing Program...now what?

I applied to 4 programs, all state schools, and I've received rejection letters from 2, one of which was my top choice. I did, however, get accepted into the universities as a undergraduate transfer student. Has this happened to any of you? I need advice. Should I just take another year off and apply to more schools next year? OR should I get into one of the universities, change my major to (let's say) public health, and reapply next year to the nursing program with the hope that being a current student and local resident I'll have a better chance at getting in? Read More...

Nursing Judgement does not equate a Nurse's judgement

Nurses are human. We all have our own thoughts on our patients, each other, our units, our systems. Some can be positive, enlightening, and even help us to build a better practice. Others, become character contests that in my opinion have no part in nursing practice.

I am not for a moment suggesting that a nurse ever be unethical in the care they provide. Never cross the boundaries of practice that would ever put your license in danger, your life in danger, knowingly or unknowingly do stuff that you know is unlawful.

But what is worth exploring is the thought of practicing good nursing as opposed to practicing moral judgements. Read More...

I'm a procrastinator... Help?

I'm a procrastinator and I always have been. Up until this point, I've been just fine. I've started writing many papers at 10pm the night before it was due and I'm no stranger to staying in the library cramming the 24 hours before an exam. Now, I am about to graduate with a bachelor's degree and have a GPA to be proud of. But I'm getting ready to start NS and I know if I procrastinate in NS, I'll fail out faster than I can say RN. Have any of you experienced this? I need tips on how to learn to not procrastinate. There's been several times in my life where I say (and mean it) that I'm not going to procrastinate, yet I still do. Help! Read More...

Do you have a plan B?

As I sit here waiting until Friday when I turn in my application to the nursing program I'm wondering what do I do if I don't get in? I'm 30 years old and don't want to wait a whole year to apply again and possibly not get in again. So what else might I do with the pre-req's I've taken? Have you given it any thought? What are your ideas? I'm thinking maybe Dental Hygienist. Read More...

There no crying in....nursing school

I lied. There is crying. Prepare for venomous rant! I am in no way planning on quitting but I would like permission to throw a big giant temper tantrum. These are the reasons:

1) Between work and school I am gone over 50 hours a week. My husband also works full time so I am struggling to find sitters constantly--even more annoying is that there is usually some minute overlap in our schedules so I really only need a sitter for <1 hour (but that is just as difficult as finding somebody for a full day). This sitter situation makes me poor!

2) I was working on a ginormous assignment yesterday and left the room to discover that my five year old snuck in like a ninja to play computer games. Instead of minimizing she chose to exit. WITHOUT saving. Read More...

How many of you...

How many of you are required to take a HESI, every semester, in your school? I'm asking because my school requires us to. They basically serve as a final for each semester and count as 40% of our grade. They are supposedly written NCLEX style and are designed to prepare us for the exam. Read More...

Chemistry Question - Is it necessary?

I would like to find out from nursing students if they feel that chemistry is a necessary pre-req to do well in nursing school or on the TEAVs? My school of choice does not require it as a pre-req, but they do require students to take biochemistry within the nursing program.

I was planning to take chemistry for understanding chemistry questions on the TEAVs since I have no chemistry experience other than what I have learned in cellular biology. Do you use chemistry very much in nursing school? Is it needed to do well on the TEAVs, or could I do some basic home study and khanacademy.org for chemistry? Read More...

My husband said...

My husband said that he doesn't think nursing school is going to be as hard as I think it will be.

This was said after I told him come this fall he'd have to help with laundry/cooking dinner/taking kids to school.

Sink or swim, husband. Sink or swim. Read More...

How much does your school matter when it comes to getting hired as a new grad?

I am currently taking my BSN prerequisites at a Junior College and it's getting to that point where I need to decided where I would like to apply. I live in California and I am definitely interested in staying here. I know of just about every BSN program in the state, but there is very little information when it comes to which programs are the best! I know that where your diploma is from isn't the only factor in getting hired, but I truly believe that some schools must have better reputations than others, yet there is absolutely NO information on it. Read More