The Knight and the Windmills of Nursing

I am never a better nurse than when I have just been a patient. A recent ER visit highlighted this fact. I was in pain, anxious, and very very tired of being sick for the past year. I will stress quite clearly that I do not like being on the gurney side of a hospital bed and that, coupled with my pain, made for very bad vital signs. The next few hours were what I had expected as a former ICU nurse-EKG ,blood work, etc. However, what struck me the most (probably because I DID expect those things and had time to think about the other stuff) was how different I was treated between my doctor and the two nurses who cared for me. Read More...

How to Handle Night Shift Challenges as a CNA

Night shift is the most challenging time to work be it any profession. Since we are going against the routine procedure, our body is not made for, experiencing certain health problems is natural once you start working in the night shift. As we are working during the time when our body and mind need the rest, we are doing the opposite. Even nursing aides working in healthcare sectors are not untouched with the problem faced while working in odd shifts. They have to deal with several types of problems besides fatigue. As you have joined the nursing profession, you must first know the following challenges while working in the night shift. Read More...

Insensitive nursing instructors

Is your nursing instructor insensitive? We don't all have thick skin. What do you do to protect yourself from insensitive instructors? Please share any experiences or stories that you have heard. Read More...

Shortage of Nurses

I am a Pre Nursing student. I realize that nursing is a challenging career but was wondering if there is a shortage of nurses why is it so hard to get accepted to a nursing program. Some schools are requiring 3.8 to 4.0 GPA to get into a program....Obviously there are a lot of students who are able to achieve that but since I have not does that mean I am not worthy or able to have a career I have dreamed about and had a passion for since I was small?.....Feeling frustrated and out of options Read More...

The Dreaded NCLEX-PN; to be or not to be?

We enter nursing school with an open mind, and open heart. There is this determination that is instilled in every nursing student when they receive that call, or that letter; letting us know we have been accepted into a nursing program.

It begins, the journey begins. The journey to become a "nurse" such a prideful and meaningful moment, and even more meaningful when it is done right. Of course, in order to get to this point in our journey we must first learn to study and get through nursing school. Read More...

CNA vs MA

Currently I'm waiting to go to nursing school in January but I'm looking for a new job for the fall so I can stay on my toes with everything and gain more experience that will help me in nursing school. So I'm just wondering what are some pros and cons to both job choices? I know pay varies by state so ill have to look that up separately. I know most cnas work in nursing homes and I really don't want to do that. Read More...

What sacrifices will you make? / How hungry are you?

Recently, at the age of 33 (to be 34 in July) "the light" went off. I have been searching my whole life for a purpose. I have been working a menial job, while trying to get by. I thought that this was it for me. All of the years of self loathing and feelings of worthlessness have done nothing for me except balloon me up to 500 lbs and make me feel like a horrible person. I don't know how it happened, but it just clicked for me. I decided that I want to be an RN. Now, nothing else matters. This is my goal and I will do whatever I have to do to make it happen. I haven't ever felt this motivated in my entire life. Read More...

Professional Organization Conference

The student applied for and was awarded the grant to attend the Professional Organization conference. Due to the intransigence of an administrative assistant, the student was forced to pay the $200 required for the conference, as well as the cost of the hotel. At the new member/first-time attendee breakfast, it was made clear that we were not going to be teamed with a current Professional Organization member as our mentor due to the large volume of students in attendance, therefore, there was no-one to interview. Instead, the student interviewed several people about the various affiliations between the Professional Organization and other organizations, as well as the vendors in the exhibit hall. The following is a summation of the conference sessions and the student's own impression of the role of the organization in the profession, health care and in policy. Read More...

Horrible Professor!

I just finished my Chem pre-req with the worst and hardest teacher. He never actually "taught" anything. Just threw a bunch of notes on the board. Things we did not learn and that were not part of our lectures, labs etc consistently showed up on our exams.

More than half of my class actually signed a petition to the Dean of Sciences at my school (and it would have been more of the class had I had enough time to talk to more people). And the only response we got was that she would discuss it with him.

It is incredibly frustrating that I studied my butt off and I had an A- the whole semester until the last two tests where more questions showed up that were not part of our curriculum, equaling an entire grade difference. I'm pretty sure I will end with a B or B+ average for the class. Which I would happily accept if it was my fault for not knowing the material. Read More...

"For-profit" schools... As bad as they say?

I was on another thread, and someone stated that they believe the reason someone hasn't passed their NCLEX was due to the fact that they must have gone to a for-profit school... Are they really as bad as they say?

The reason I'm asking is because I have applied to Galen College of Nursing, which is a for profit school... I applied knowing what they were, but also after doing my research.. They have a high pass rate, and offer job assistance, which could or could not be helpful. They are also going to be getting their NLN accreditation this June, but still...

Have any of you attended a for profit school, and if so, have you been able to find a job/ what was your experience on taking the NCLEX-RN? Please, only people who have gone or who have second hand experience (ie, your friend, husband, wife, etc attended). Read More...

So, when are you going to get your RN?

I am a happy LPN. I got my LPN late in life, because circumstances were all in place for me to do so. I was interested in increasing my clinical skill set. It was a perfect plan.

When I was younger, I graduated from High School with a goal in life of popping out babies and baking bread with a husband that would work. (To all you younger readers, this was a viable option in my day). I successfully raised kids, and when school time came, I was interested in something more. I was not an ideal student in high school, and took the local EMT course to perhaps do a little call, raise a few kids......even had the white picket fence. Then, family was ill and my parents sent me to CNA certification, and I spent some time with family taking care of them. Humbling, for sure. Read More...

Recipes and snack ideas for school and clinicals

I'm starting LVN school on Friday and I thought it would be a good idea if we got a thread (is that what this thing is called?) going for snack and food ideas. I know it would help me and maybe a few others! So post your go to grab and run snacks for school and clinicals and those easy peesy dinner ideas! Read More