How to get an "A" in any course.

It's that time again, the prerequisite and nursing school boards will be filling with new fall students. The most common questions I see are usually people feeling worried about some of the 'harder' classes associated with the prerequisite and nursing curriculums. I find that it was never a subject that had me stumped, but more so, how I approached a subject. I went years trying to figure out what worked for me. I found some things worked in certain courses and failed miserably in other. (i.e. What do you mean I can't use flashcards for everything?!) Reading other peoples study tips have always helped me figure out my own study flow, so I want to give you my tried and true take on how to do well in anything. Of course, your attitude is important, I've wrote about this before. So make sure you're positive, regardless of your studying approach. Okay, okay, on to the good stuff. Read More...

How many people are in your nursing class?

I just went to check out my nursing roster and there are only 19 people starting my program in the fall! I don't know if they only had that many meet requirements or what. I thought in previous terms they accepted 40 but we only have 19 this year. Idk why but I cant complain about a small class size. How many are in your class? Id this strange to only have this many starting a class? Read More...

Slashing budget to pay for nursing school

Now that you are in school, have you cut back on spending? How are you paying for school? Read More...

I am DISSAPOINTED in myself...

Okay, guys I need some encouragement. Since I started nursing school I have been passing just to pass; looking for questions online and then memorizing them. This has made me pass. But I don't understand the material when someone asks me out of the blue. I would not know. Same goes with skills. I get nervous to do vital signs, and most times I do them wrong. I feel very discouraged. I haven't had anyone to help me in my school... And I feel like really bad. I don't want to go to work with no skills...But I want to pass!! I am in a private school (new school) not even accredited! I cannot even read/make proper nursing notes. My skills suck, and I especially suck at cardiac... Anything to do with it... I have hope that I when I get a job I will learn through orientation, but some of my classmates have told me that they do not teach you there... I am in my last semester. Should I just quit and start over? Help me out please? Read More...

How many work and go to nursing school?

How many people work and go to nursing school? I have a full time job at the hospital in the ER and I also start nursing school in a few weeks! After attending orientation I was filled with anxiety! Our instructors and the dean urged us to not work at a job if we did not have to. Our minimum amount of work during the week during school would be about 50 hours and if I included mt 40 hour work week I feel it would be difficult to do both. Like other nursing programs, if you fail twice during the program you are done and cannot reapply! I do not want to put myself in a position where I am failing a course because I am working and going to school and then only have one shot left to pass.

I asked to go to POOL at my job where I will only have to pick up a minimum amount of shifts during a period of time so I have more time to study at home and focus on school. However, I do not know if I should just leave my job all together (I am blessed to have a father who will take care of me financially during school so I would not have to work). If nursing school is as time consuming and as difficult as I have heard, should I just quit all together? I am stuck with this split decision because I do not want to close my "door of opportunity" in the hospital. If I do then it will not be as "easy" to get a job as a nurse once I graduate (I'm optimistic lol). What should I do?! Read More...

$33, 000 for Medical Assistant program

Worth it or no? The local LPN program is only 12, 000 but hard to get in, and I'd rather avoid all the icky stuff. I want to work in the health field but also as a "receptionist" so I find that being a CMA fits me perfectly. Read More...

Who Here Has Worked Their Butt Off???

Who here has worked their butt off doing pre-reques???? I know I have!!! I started February 2013 that's when I did my GED and passed, right after did my accuplacer, and after that in March I started college off with ENGL and MATH the (basic one's.) Then Composition 1, Composition 2, Chemistry, and Psychology; I've passed all classes so far!!! Now am waiting for FALL going to do A&P 1, A&P 2, MICRO, Ethics, and a stupid Student Development Class. I plan on entering the Nursing Program in FALL 2014, but I believe these are all the pre-reques required for entering the Associates Program, so from Spring to Summer 2014 I'ma do my pre-reques for the Bachelor's. But I still can't believe my determination! From getting my GED to doing 11 classes in less than a year, wow I never thought I had it in me by the way, while dealing with 3kiddos!!! So post how hard you've worked too, let's inspire people!!! Read More...

It was a nurse

Funny how it often takes one doctor to diagnose a patient, but MANY nurses to care for a patient. What's that say about your profession?? IT'S IMPORTANT!! Read More...

I only used one Resource & Passed with 75 questions

Just want to let you know that I used Hurst to study for NCLEX-RN, and I did not use any other study material.

I made sure I knew the core content, I listened to videos twice, made note-cards, and I studied, studied, studied their material!! They have 6 practice tests (125 each) and those were the only practice questions I completed. ( I did these 6 days before my test!)

I Love Hurst, because I learned a LOT, but I was still worried that what if it wasn't enough? I kept asking myself should I do more practice questions? Should I use the Saunders Book? Should I purchase something else? Well I didn't have time because I spent all my time studying Hurst! 

So the day had come to take the test, and I passed with 75 questions!!

Also, I want to let you guys know that I wasn't an A student in nursing school. I always struggled! I had taken my exit Hesi numerous times, and I barely passed it. So going into NCLEX I was afraid, but I did it. So if I can do it you can do it! Read More...

Does Nursing School equal Depression?

Since I have started Nursing School (October start date. I am now halfway through my accelerated BSN program.) I have had this overwhelming depression. I don't know if its the stress or constantly comparing myself to the overwhelming gorgeous girls in my cohort, but I can't seem to feel alright with myself. I am doing well in the program (3.5 gpa) but I have no energy for my daily activities outside of school. I have packed on the pounds. My room is a mess, family stress is through the roof, and lets not mention the financial hardships. Everyday I want to quit. Am I alone in this? Or does everyone go through this? Read More...

The Insanity that is APA in Nursing School

I am sure that I am not alone in having had pure evil thoughts about “A.P.A” format. What is this APA format, you ask! This so well-loved format that could be the determining factor between a passing or failing grade. If you have ever heard the saying, “crying more than the bereaved”, then you have successfully described the APA in nursing. Nursing schools took APA from the original initiator and simply ran with it.APA is to nursing school, what water is to fish; one crazy love!

It was hammered into our skulls, we were terrorized with it. It simply HAD to be the APA format. You were often judged more by your APA format than the contents of the paper. Wrenching! (Show of virtual hands) Can one nurse, just one, say that she has EVER used APA format in the care of his/her patients? I did not think so. Read More...

Doing My Happy Dance Today!!!

Today I received an email from my nursing program that I have been selected to move up a semester. Originally I had accepted to start the nursing program in the fall of next year but now I'll start in the spring. I am so overly excited and I can't wait to get started on everything that ill need to start. It's really starting to seem so real to me now and while some people that I've told share in my joy I know no one will share in my joy like my future colleagues. I just felt the need to tell the world and AN was the closest thing to it lol. :-) Read More