You Don't Know You're . . . Beautiful?

I just completed my first week of nursing school. I have learned so many things about nurses that I didn't know before starting school. People out there in the non-nursing world don't really know what nurses do, and, the truth is, they can't know. Only a nurse knows how important her or his job is. Only a nurse knows how much time and planning and sweat and tears are put into her or his work. Beyond the skills, the charting, and the medications is a vast amount of knowledge, critical thinking, dedication, and experience. Nurses are beautiful. Read More...

Sigma Theta Tau International membership

I just got invited and joined Sigma Theta Tau International. I don't get what the difference is for each chapters. I got invitation from Phi Pi Chapter from Chamberlain College of Nursing. I hate fraternity/sorority system so I don't really know what these chapters and stuff mean. Anyone care to explain? I was once invited to join something similar when I was taking prereqs for nursing school in community college, but I decided I didn't need that. Well, since I'm still struggling to find a job in hospital, I figured BSN and Sigma Theta Tau International might be a nice addition to my resume. Read More...

Are you or anyone you know getting burned out in school?

A nursing education can be stressful. But how do we recognize stress? What are the symptoms? What to look for? Most importantly how do we relieve stress? Please share your knowledge or tips. Read More...

What can I expect after becoming a Nurse & Nurse Practitioner?

I am studying as a pre-nursing student and plan to get my Masters and becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner in the future. What can I expect from the career field? Any advice or information from current nurse practitioners would be great! Read More...

Who motivates you? Inspires you? Share your stories.

Is their anyone in your life that inspires you? Motivates you to continue up and down the road of being a Nurse? My motivation comes from my daughter. There are a lot of times where I feel that I want to just quit and go back to Accounting. There are times I'm working so hard, then come home so tired and have to study. She always tells me "never give up daddy, the only thing you can do is do your best" My daughter motivates me so much that I just have to continue, don't let no obstacles get in my way. She gives me that extra energy to continue and know that down the road, my goal of being a nurse, my second career that should of been my first career, my passion is at the end. I just wanted to share my story with you all because motivation/inspiration certainly does take you a long way. Motivation/inspiration can come from anyone or anything in your life. I would like to hear your stories. Read More...

Embarrassed to even post this...

I'm still on the fence about enrolling in the lpn program and the main thing that is holding me back is the math. From my research my program is 1yr long at a Vo Tech type school and you don't need pre required classes to start. This is something ill need to take a loan out for so I need to make sure I can do this. Now for the embarrassing part...

When I was in high school I had a lot of trouble with math and they put me in the "slower math classes" I'm not sure the correct term for it but needless to say I learned nothing there because my teacher would hand me her grade book and class work and I would grade papers for her and she would give me a grade that way. She did this with a lot of students...she never got up and taught class. Here is what I do know.. Addition..subtraction...multiplication and division. Long division is tricky for me but I'm working on that. Looking for advice... Read More...

Senior Student - staying motivated till the end.

I feel like I've lost the zeal for nursing school, can't wait till graduation, and wondering what do I do next. I'm not even excited about clinicals coming up. I got bills to pay but have learn to just ignore them and other issues at home. I'm very much self motivated or always the guy pushing others to do their best. I guess my batteries have drained. I know its only 1 year left but how do you senior nursing students stay motivated and get back the excitement that you had when you first started school? Read More...

How to read and study nursing textbooks?

I've gone through my first week of nursing school, and the amount of information you have to read and understand is absolutely overwhelming. For my fundamentals class alone it took me almost 2 days to finish reading about 50 pages over asepsis, and as the semester progresses the readings are going to be piling up and before I know it I'm gonna have to be reading multiple chapters a week.

How do you guys read the chapters and study the information? I know its important to read the chapter summaries before reading the book, but how can I manage to read the chapters fast while retaining the information? My teachers also provide powerpoints, so is it better to study the powerpoints and use the textbook for reference to certain sections I don't understand? Is it also important to memorize the key terms (definitions)? Read More

AA or AS? Help in deciding which

I'm currently in my first semester or nursing school and we have the option in getting either Associates of Arts or Associates of Science. I'm guessing toward going to AS because in my mind, I don't see nursing as an art, I see it more as a science. We've been told in class there's no difference in either when applying to jobs or further education like master's etc...what do you think? I already have 2 previous AS degrees and a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology if that helps? Read More...

The importance of "staying fit"?!?

Why is it important on looking and staying fit? I honestly want to see different reasons other than "being healthy and looking good" and also what type of exercise would you guys suggest that every nurse should do more often when exercising to perform really well in the career or school. Read More...

Connecting the dots- Will it ever happen?

I need your thoughts! I am currently in my last semester and will graduate in a few months- I am panicking! I absolutely DO NOT feel ready or competent enough to leave the cocoon of NS; I know nothing and feel as though my clinical experiences lack productivity (on my end).

The program I attend does not assign you patients, they assign you a nurse who you will follow. In the beginning I very much enjoyed this model as I felt it was far more beneficial to shadow the nurse and assist in caring for her entire patient load; but now, I'm beginning to think otherwise. Seeing as we are attached at the hip for the entire day, my nurse's patients become my patients- with her present, I pull and pass all of our patients meds, start the lines, hang bags, complete assessments and do treatments. But, due to this 'nurse-buddy' system, I am embarrassed to admit I have never taken a full patient on my own- subsequently I have no clue what I'm supposed to be doing. Read More...

Elementary Statistics...

I wanted some opinions and general feedback on your experience with this class. Math is really not my strong point for the most part, I'm a bit intimidated. Do any of you think it would be a bad idea for me to take this class online? I just don't really know what to expect from it. Did you find statistics especially difficult? Was it easy for you? Read More...