My nursing school story

When I was accepted to nursing school everyone had some advice to offer, whether or not I wanted to hear it. The OR nurses told me the floors are horrible but its only two years during school.The floor nurses told me medical/surgical is where every new grad should start. Everyone told me it was the hardest thing I would ever do. I wrote this article because I wanted to share my experiences and let others know nursing school isn't what people tell you it is, it is what you make it. It may take two years, four years, nine or longer. The journey is yours alone not theirs. Don't concern yourself with time,degree type, making friends, or landing that dream job right out of school. Be the best nurse you can. I wrote this article after spending time with some nursing students this summer, I had the opportunity to share my experiences and inspire them. They told me I should become an instructor. That ended up inspiring me. This article is about my longer than normal journey to become a nurse without letting anyone or anything get in my way. Read More...

How Not to Get Taken Advantage Of

I am not going to let people walk all over me! I am highly efficient and crazy organized. My notes are renowned, I record every lecture (and type them into my notes), my calendar is impeccable, and I do crazy good outlines. Please do not think me conceited, organization is my forte' and I take it (and my studies) seriously.

The problem is, people know these things about me, and I feel they take advantage of me. "Can you email the lecture that I missed on Thursday", "can I copy your calendar on the copy machine", "I didn't have time to read can I copy your concept map" - you get the idea. So my question is this, does anyone have some tactful, (possibly witty) responses I can give to people when they ask me for too much? Read More...

I've been so busy with school that my dog forgot who I am.

Any pet lovers out there? Do you have a pet back home that someone is taking care of? Please tell us a little about your pet? Attach a photo to your post if possible. We would love to see photos. Read More...

Would you miss the first day of class?

I just received a job at my local hospital as a NA2. I was super excited about receiving it until I found out that I have to complete a full 2 days of orientation. In order to do this I am going to have to miss my first day of class. I keep wondering is it worth missing this day? I had applied for the job at the beginning of July and thought if I received the job I would have plenty of time before school to get everything in order, but they just called and offered me the job yesterday. It is a very part-time position just 12 hours a week so I thought it would be perfect for school and help me get my foot in the door of the hospital. It is known that the hospital offers new RN jobs to their current NA staff that has completed school. Am so worried that I will miss super important info on the first day. Read More...

New Grad RN Orientation

My first day orienting, I was 'shadowing' my preceptor. On my second day, I took on one patient and she wouldn't let me get into the charting until after we had given report off to the night shift. I offered to go ahead and chart and she could look over it once the shift was over with, but she kept telling me to wait to do it with her. Every time she went to do something, she asked me to go administer her meds or hang a bag of IV for her. So I felt, like I was missing a lot of the things that happen 'behind the scenes.' That second day, we did not leave until 9. The third day, I took on 2 patients, but we still did not leave until 8:30. I've always been 'on top' of my interventions/assessments/charting when in school. And this bothered me a lot. I've always been thought 'real time' charting was the best (for the patients and for myself). The following 2nd and 3rd week passed pretty much the same. I would go about thinking that I was doing alright, but she would notice that I didn't do something and 'teach/criticize' me. That was the only time that I actually learned. Read More...

I am psyching myself out... someone smack some sense into me

I am starting college as a brand new student. I am a little late to the game- I graduated from high school in 2003. I work full time where I make pretty good money but after having my daughter a year ago, I decided that being a good role model to her means to show her to pursue to do something rewarded and truly will make you happy. For me, nursing was it.

Here's the issue I am having: I start class on Monday 8/19. I have not written a paper in probably 12 years. I haven't taken a math class (my worst subject) in 11 years. Science? Ha! Talking 13 years! My classes this semester are English 1A, Elementary Algebra, and Biology. I need some inspiration from my fellow late 20's and beyond friends who started very late to the game. Read More...

Considering a non-accredited school

Will it make it harder to find a job if I attend a non accredited school? Is there anyone who has graduated from a non accredited school? The school that I am looking at is Pensacola Christian college. Read More...

Managing life outside of school...

I am about to enter the 1st semester of an ADN program and I'm curious how others with families manage home life. I'm married with 4 children, a 13 y.o. son, a 9 y.o. son, a 5 y.o. daughter and a 1 y.o. daughter. My husband is self-employed and runs a small manufacturing business in the converted barn on our property. (So he's physically close by, most of the time.) We live in a small farmhouse, that we love, but where nothing is level and something always needs to be fixed. I have been a stay at home mom for most of my children's lives. I currently am fortunate to be able to concentrate solely on school and family. I love school and enjoy learning, always have, and get a kick out of doing something finally that I've always wanted to do.

My question is: How do you keep up with your families and their needs and your home during the nursing program? Read More

"Doing too much"

My neighbor 43, who does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with her life but drink beer and beg for cigarettes all say, told me I was "doing too much". Initially, it struck a nerve with me, like why would I listen to you of all people. However to respect my elders I listened to her. She made a few valid points but still, I'm doing too much and she does nothing, two extremes if you ask me.

My biggest fear is to be like my neighbor. She's 43, sleeps on a mattress on her sister's living room floor, smokes cigarettes, drinks beer, COPD, seizure prone, CHF. and has nothing to show for her age, nothing. And would rant about her medical history as if it's something to be proud of. Read More...

How many men in your cohort?

We had Nursing orientation today and I had my first opportunity to meet my fellow students. It turns out there are only 3 men including me in our class of 45. How many men are in your cohort? Read More...

Why Hurst is key (How I failed and passed in 75)

I've posted about failing NCLEX in May. I took a few weeks off after and regrouped. I looked for some magical combination of tactics or books on here and everywhere. I didn't know what to do. I had good grades in my BSN. My Kaplan scores were above 70. I went in thinking I had it and I was wrong. I landed on Hurst, said a prayer and took a leap. A few of you asked if Hurst was helpful.. YES. Do it, you won't regret it. Read More...

Help! Ready to quit nursing school

I am ready to quit nursing school, I have another year and half left. I have good grades but that's because I have worked my but off. Unfortunately I think it's taking a toll on my own family. I am married and I have 2 children ages 7 and 4. My husband has a very dangerous job and he comes home exhausted everyday he sometimes works 7 days a week. I also work full-time. My family say that they will help me with the children so I can study and do what I need to do but I have been burned so many times frankly I just don't trust them and cannot depend on them. Read More...