New Grad Job Market: A Game of Chance

Someone smart once said: "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." This article talks about the unhealthy trend of newly licensed RNs applying to numerous job postings for months and years without getting a job, and how the importance of education is downplayed in applicant selection process. Maybe there needs to be a change in the healthcare system so that new nurses are given a chance to show their knowledge and skills. Read More...

Buy or Rent Nursing Textbooks

I start my nursing program in August and wanted to know what is better renting or buying when it comes to the actual nursing textbooks? I usually rent my textbooks but one of the nurses that I work with says she regrets not keeping her books, so now I'm wondering if I should buy them to keep as reference for later.

Another nurse said she wished they had a rent option when she went to school because she just gave all that "money away." In other words she had no use for them after school. So what have all of you done? Read More...

Any tips on how to succeed in nursing school?

School costs are increasing every year. Heck, some even take out a loan just for the books. I still remember how I felt when I purchased my first book - . $300 is a lot of money for a book! That was a wake up call. By the time you finish school, what do you think will be your total school loan costs (estimate)? How many decades do you think it will take to pay it off? Read More...

How Many Preceptor Hours Are You Required To Do?

One thing I have learned from this site, is that everyone's programs are so different!

I start school end of August and my preceptorship in October . We do not have to do nearly the amount of preceptor hours I thought we would have to. I have 8 weeks to complete TWELVE 12-hour shifts (Total 144 hours). How does this compare to your program? Read More...

Nervous/Anxious about starting Nursing Program!

I was accepted into my school's nursing program for the fall, and have been feeling increasingly anxious. I am a good student, have 6 yrs experience working in the medical field as a medical assistant and cannot stop worrying if I will make it through the program. I'm so excited to start, but have been reading horror stories of people who have failed out of their programs. I am ready and willing to give this all I have, it's all I ever wanted! I started watching trama life in the ER when I was like 8 yrs old and would practice healing my stuffed animals, helped take care of my sick grandparents until they passed away, and i have done some volunteer work. My passion for nursing has always been evident. I find myself worrying about material I have not yet learned, I honestly think I'm just psyching myself out!!! I feel like I'm going crazy. Anyone else have the nursing program jitters? Read More...

Clinicals and religious observances?

Any other nursing students out there from minority religions- have you found that a religious observance is an acceptable reason to miss clinical? I just realized that I have a clinical on Rosh Hashanah and while I am not extremely religious or opposed to working on that day, I generally take it off to be with friends/family.

It would be nice to get some info on here from others who have been in this position before I go through the trouble of asking my clinical instructor and potentially putting her in an awkward position. Read More...

Number of Hours per Week in RN School

How many hours a week is RN school? I'm thinking of working as a LVN as I go to RN school and I'm curious how many hours will I have available for school. Read More...

NCLEX Tips - One I Never Knew

Ok everyone - I am going to make this quick. Before I took my NCLEX, I too was freaking out. I get horrible test anxiety and was terrified. I did the online Kaplan class and had scores from 55-78 on the trainers. I had a zillion practice books too - some in my car for when I was in traffic, apps on my phone, you name it. Now that it is all behind me (and I passed!!!), I have a couple of quick tips I would like to share... Read More...

Recent NCLEX-RN Takers, select all that apply content/Questions

Taking the boards in about 2 months. I am curious as to the question content that people have come across on SATAS so I can attempt to narrow my focus... Read More...

Advice on going to school for my LPN or RN!

I have a dilemma I think. I don't know if I should go to school for my LPN or RN. The LPN school is about 30 minutes away from where I live and the RN school is 1 hour away or more with traffic. I got a lot of people's advice but I feel like I came to far to not be able to do what I want to. My husband told me to do what I think is best but I don't really know what's best. I took 2 semesters off already because we moved to another area and I don't want to take off anymore. I know some of you have a lot of experience and will be able to help. Can someone please give some advice? Read More...

Help w/pediatric care plan

I am writing a careplan for a 6-month-old patient who has had cranial reconstruction to correct craniosynostosis. I'm having some trouble with my as evidenced by. I need to list three and my patient is sedated, so I can't really use the FLACC scale. Patient is one day post-op. Any thoughts? Read More...

What happens to nursing students who fail out of the program?

Does anyone know what happens to the average nursing student who fails out of the nursing program? Typically, what is the second major that they often pursue? Do they go for LPN? Go to work full time? Read More