Skilled Care

There are a number of different types of skilled care facilities. Generally speaking, skilled care can be defined as a long term care facility which houses non medically acute patients, that do have medical needs that need to be maintained on a long term basis.

Skilled care residents are all ages, come from all walks of life. They all have a story. Some more complicated than others. Skilled nursing is a passion. There are nurses who will tell you that they can't imagine doing anything else, but have the ability to if needed. Skill care nurses have the ability to take anything that comes out of or goes into a resident--any tube, any wire, any drain, anything--and make it work. Not only literally, but for the needs of the resident as well. Read More...

Public's lack of knowledge about what nursing actually is...

I understand that people can't be informed about all the roles in every career out there, but am I the only one who sometimes gets frustrated about people's misconceptions about nursing/your personal career goals within it?

I'm just starting my nursing portion of my BSN in the fall. My ultimate goal is PMHNP. I knew going into this that I was sacrificing "easy explanation of what I do for a living" for all the other things I like about this career path. However, I didn't expect that the misconceptions would start so soon. Things I've heard so far... Read More...

Hungry like a wolf...

Do you hear that? That's your stomach talking to you. Grrrrrrrr!
What is your diet like? Read More...

Anyone who has taken the NCLEX RN after April 1st?

I'm going to take the NCLEX RN on the 19th. I am really nervous about the test considering things have changed after April 1 on the NCLEX.

For those of you who have taken the NCLEX - RN, what is the exam like? What percentage of questions were select all that apply or the dreaded drag and drop? Where there drug calculation questions? <--- my saving grace. How hard did you find it? What did you do to prepare for it? Read More...

Love in a Time of Hospitals

As a nurse, you have to prepare yourself for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Also, you should probably take some time to steel yourself against the smelly, the disgusting, the offensive, the exhilarating, and the exhausting. And wait, did I forget to mention the terrifying, the grotesque, the impressive, and above all else, the amazing?

I am a student, and I know I have a loooong way to go in nursing. I'm essentially the equivalent of a nurse toddler: playing with my care plans and concept maps and stethoscope, dressed in my ponytail and shiny new scrubs and HIDEOUS nursing shoes (I would love to meet the person who designed heavy white nursing clogs in a dark back alley some day). I won't pretend to understand yet what it fully means to be a nurse...and maybe I never will. But what I can talk about is how even in a few short months, I have seen one of the most amazing parts of nursing: the depth that human emotion can reach. I have seen how beautiful and strong relationships can be between people: in couples, in families, and in friends. Read More...

What classes did/are you take/taking for Summer?

Just wondering! I know some schools start differently and you might already be done with your summer schedule. Here's my lovely layout ... Read More...

Engraving on Littmann

What do you guys have engraved on your stethoscope? I know this is an item I'll have for many years to come so I'd like RN after my name. ....but I'm not an RN yet. Is it wrong to have it engraved like that? I wish I could add that later. Read More...

Critical Thinking

Critical thinkers want to be clear. They want to be logical. Nurses want to be accurate and precise in their practice. It is safe practice and in a patient's best interest.

So how does one become a critical thinker? A nurse needs to learn how to be fair and actively listening to their patients. Newer nurses would benefit from a mentor. Someone who's practice they admire, and who they can observe and learn from. Nurses benefit from leading with their heads, and not their hearts. Read More...

Acceptance letter into the nursing program

I just got my acceptance letter to the nursing program and there are no words to describe what I feel but feel blessed to share it with beautiful people who are reading this.

To know that I could share my struggle for others to read. The struggle of trying to better oneself' while balancing everything else around.

I thought that it was too late to start a career, because I felt that old due to comparisons..... but now I know that even at 26 y/o I can still accomplish this and god helping more to come. Read More...

39 select all that apply on my NCLEX!!

I'm so worked up, I got over 50% of select all that apply questions. I literally guessed on 90% of them! I had no maternity, dosage calc, or fluid and electrolytes and that is 75% of what I studied! I only got 75 questions and it shut off. I got a B in nursing school and felt pretty confident going in here but I'm sure I failed. I can remember 10 questions at least that I looked up the answer and it is incorrect. I'm so worked up I'm also so worried about being humiliated since my family, friends, and job knows I took it today. I am usually a smart cookie but this test made me feel ridiculously stupid. Please any encouraging words?? I wish I didn't have to wait over 24 hours to know for sure, it's killing me! Read More...

Single mom in nursing school...

Just curious if there are any single mothers going through nursing school willing to give me tips and advice?? I will be starting NS in January14 and I am finding myself a little scared and nervous as to how his is all gonna work out. I'm going to have to get loans to live off of because I do not want to work. I really want to focus on school. I'm also curious as to how to get my kids to school in the morning. I do not have close relatives to help. I am pretty good at figuring things out because I have no choice but I would appreciate advice and suggestions to what has worked for you. Read More...

School supplies?!

I know the basic school supplies I will need (binders, notebook, pencils, etc) but is there anything anyone used "outside of the box" that helped? I'm not the most organized person so I am trying to figure out how to do this all and be successful!! Read More