allnurses got me into Nursing School

I know there are many opposing opinions in regards to private/ for-profit/ community college/ university/ ADN/ BSN schools and degrees, but I just wanted to say that thanks to AN, I have been able to research, visit, take an entrance exam, submit an application, and be accepted to the nursing school of my choice.

I was able come to a decision to start at Galen College of Nursing at St. Petersburg, FL.

My ultimate decision wasn't made from school reviews. It wasn't made by people who didn't attend the school. It wasn't even made by just touring the facility. It was made by me; by spending hours online researching medical facilities in my area; by talking to hiring managers and different colleges in my state; by talking to individuals who were directly responsible for Galen's accreditation; by interviewing (in person) current students and recent graduates. Read More...

What helped you in your first year / semester of nursing school?

I start my first semester this fall woo! So excited for this, I was just wondering in general what had helped you your first semester? What did you expect? what you didn't expect? Any advice or tips? Did you have fun or just any general discussion about your first semester. Read More...

Nursing school expectations

Is school all it's cracked up to be? Are you having the time of your life? Please tell us about your school life. In a few years, you will be able to look back at your comments and reminisce, laugh, and cry - All at the same time! Read More...

I passed NCLEX-RN!!!

I want to thank everyone who helped me in this website. You guys are the best! I'm a foreign graduate and took nclex the first try last May 17 and had 3 months to study before my big day. The only review course I'm using was Kaplan online review, Saunders and exam cram. This 3 helped me understand the concept on how to take the test. In my opinion, Kaplan was very helpful! I find the nclex similar to their questions or even kaplan was harder than nclex. They are really good in preparing you for your test. I took all their test my scores are the following: Diagnostic test: 46% Q1: 47% Q2:55% Q3: 53% Q4:543% Q5:57% Q6:56% Q7:54% Readiness test: 60% Qbank average: 53% As what you've noticed I only got 60% once! The key is to read rationale, right down notes and read it often. Read More...

Help! I've fallen behind in reading and I can't get up

Ok so it's a mare 10 days into the summer and I don't believe that I've already fallen behind in my reading. What is wrong with me? Where did the time go? Wasn't I up until 3am last night, I mean this morning, what did I do? I missed Memorial Day, family day get together for what? To be 10 chapters behind? What did I achieve besides nursing school sucking me dry of all my energy?

Does it seem like you are spending hours on end studying just to get B's and your friends are driving a Ferrari F430 zooming by passing classes with A's, while you're stuck in a 1930's hotrod? Sure it looks nice but you are getting nowhere fast!

There has always been a big contention as to how a nursing student should learn best. Some say you've absolutely got to read because without reading you simply won't know the foundations of the nursing practice. However, others say to heck with reading! "Just do questions at the back of the book," they say or use the study guide or follow the lecture and record them onto you iPod and just listen to that and you'll pass the test.

" Yes!!! I passed the test!" Read More...

Class of 2015

Congrats to all those that are accepted and will be the class of 2015. I thought it would be nice to have our own thread where we can support each other along our journey. Mine is an ADN program, but I know some will be BSN as well.

With all that aside has anyone had their nursing orientation yet? How was it? What are some of the costs you have to dish out? Did it finally sink in that you will be starting nursing school soon? Read More...

Just starting at 21

I'm feeling a little in the dumps, because it's taken me up until recently to be in the position to gear towards Nursing. I'm 21 years old, and have all my general ed pre requisites but none of the sciences. There's 4 science classes, so I'm looking at not being able to apply until Spring 2015. Just wondering if anyone else is in this boat, has been, or done well. Read More...

How to Survive the Job Search

It's a game. The job search and all that it entails is a game. It might not be a game that you enjoy or are very good at, but like it or not you must learn to play. Imagine if I told you that getting a nursing job depends on how good you are at tennis. But I hate tennis. I'm not good at tennis. If I wanted to play tennis I wouldn't have gone to nursing school. Why did that person get the job – just because they're good at tennis? What does being good at tennis have to do with being a good nurse! This article is going to teach you how to get better at playing the game. Read More...

Having issues with death anxiety

I am wondering what everyone's ideas are on being a nurse without dealing with death. I have been having severe anxiety but would love to complete my nursing program. Do I have any option where I'm not around death? I love helping people but mentally I just don't think I can do it. Read More...

Scolded by the teacher!

I'm 30 and taking a prereq at the local community college. Yesterday was the second day of class and I had worked ahead in the computer module because we have company this weekend.

My teacher, in front of the whole class, basically scolded me for working ahead! I apologized and said I would not work further, but she said I didn't listen on the first day of class when she said "Don't work ahead." Now, we did not get our syllabus the first day and she did tell us a lot of things, but I don't remember her saying "Don't work ahead."

There's only a few of us in the class so I was pretty embarrassed but decided to just not do anymore homework ahead of time. Then she said she didn't like it when students work ahead bc then they don't come to class. But I haven't missed any class! Read More...

Do you remember the moment?

When you decided to go to nursing school and become a nurse? I know not everyone has necessarily experienced a specific moment that made them want to be a nurse, but some of us have. I had forgotten mine for a little while trying to get through the grind. But my mom reminded me recently.

It was when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I was in labor at home for 13 hours before going to the hospital. I was in pain and choose to have and epidural. It did not go well. So I ended up leaking spinal fluid and it was 45 min of pure torture of them trying to get the epidural in. I felt everything they were doing back there and was severely contracting on top of that, my parents heard me screaming down the hall. One of the nurses in the room grabbed me by my elbows and very calmly but firmly said, "Stop. You need to breath and calm down." She put a vomit pan in front of me because I told her felt like I was going to puke. She took breaths with me and held my arms until the epidural was in. This was my moment! Read More...

How long did you study before taking nclex?

I just graduated and am trying to come up with a study plan for the nclex-rn. I have a bunch of nclex review books and am taking a 1 week review class. I noticed the review books vary greatly on how long to study before taking the nclex. One book says study 2 hours a day for 2 weeks, and one suggests 3 months of studying. All I know is that I do not feel anywhere near ready right now. What type of study plan did you have? How long did you study before taking the nclex? Read More