CRNA vs. RN

I want to go to medical school for sure, but I'm not sure what I want to be. I was going to be an Anesthesiologist, but after seeing how much they had to pay for malpractice insurance-the numbers scared me away.

So I started researching medical careers, and nursing seems appealing to me. I think I want to either be a RN or a CRNA, but I would MUCH prefer to be a CRNA. The problem is, is that I live in Indiana, and from what I have heard, there are absolutely no CRNA's out here because the Anesthesiologist's hate them (which to me seems totally ridiculous)... Read More...

What do you carry your gear to clinicals in?

Right now my gear is just loose in my backpack, the last thing I want to do is jack it up. Have you found a safer, better way to carry it? Do they make bags just for BP cuff, stethoscope, pen light, etc? Read More...

Changes to Federal Student Loan Rules: Be afraid, be very afraid...

Your student loan will haunt you for the rest of your life. What are you going to do about it? Are you up to speed with the new federal student loan rules? Please share what you know and any tips you may have. Read More...

Ca BRN Website License check?

I took my NCLEX last Thursday, Oct 3, finished the exam at 2 pm and went on the Ca BRN website, apparently it went down on Oct 3 for an update and the license verification just re-opened today Oct 8, I got the good pop-up / PVT, but I'm still not listed under the registry. Anybody know how long it usually takes to see your name on it? Read More...

Plan B for if you Fail/Get Kicked out of Nursing School? I need help.

I am curious to hear from those who have considered this or who maybe approached many options; what do my prerequisites to get into the Nursing School allow me to go for if Nursing turns out to not be for me? I have heard of Health Information Management but what other options exist, if any? I wouldn't even know how to look, to be honest. Similar questions have been asked but those were specific to Pre Nursing. While the options maybe the same, perhaps there is something that would be a good fit to segway into after getting in. Thanks in advance for responses. Read More...

Hospitals hiring BSN & Obamacare

I'm wondering, with Obamacare gearing up to begin next year and baby boomers getting ready to retire, would hospitals potentially revert back to hiring ADNs again? Where I live, pretty much all of the hospitals only hire BSNs and it's discouraging as I would like to get my ADN first. Thoughts? Read More...

Preparing for clinicals

I was wondering what everyone is required to do to prepare for clinicals. At my school we are required to do research the night before clinical. We have to research the pt. diagnosis, the A&P which the diagnosis is related to, signs and symptoms, treatments and labs. Then we have to come up with 2 nursing diagnosis, expected outcomes and nursing interventions. Then the day of clinical we have to present our research and come up with 2 more interventions. Then that night we have to revise everything we did to be more specific to our actual pt. Does anyone else have to do this? Just curious what you guys are required to do. Read More...

NCLEX-RN - Don't Give Up!

I always had to work harder than other people. Sometimes it went unnoticed, but it made me stronger. It made me believe that no matter the task, I can do it. I am smart, and I will put in the work and the time, to succeed.

I took the NCLEX twice. The first time I failed with 263 questions, and the second time, I passed with 75 questions. My goal is to inspire you and make you believe that you are worth it. Feel free to ask me questions or post comments. I'm here to help. Read More

Can an RN student work as an LPN?

I'm in my first year of an RN program and I was wondering if after my first year I qualify to work as an LPN or at least take the NCLEX for it? The school offers an LPN to RN transition and they only complete the second year, so I'm assuming we learn everything as LPN learn in classes. Read More...

Why do you choose to start IVs in certain veins

I tried to start an IV today and I was preparing to stick the hand veins. However, my nurse told me to start on the forearm.

What do you consider when choosing a vein for IV? Type of solution/continuous vs. intermittent infusion/other factors? Why not start IVs on the hand if the veins are visible/palpable instead of going to forearm or other areas? Read More...

My First Job as an RN!

I haven't posted on here in a while. I just thought I would give a random update to what just recently happened to me in my pretty new life as a registered nurse.

I took the NCLEX-RN in May and failed... I took it again after taking Hurst Review and passed it again at the end of August. Now let the job hunt begin!

I put in soooo many applications everywhere. I submitted them to local area hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, hospices. Probably totaling around 100. I had 2 interviews total. 1 at a GI clinic that I never heard back from and another at a hospital that had a specific RN New Grad post on their HR site. I decided..."What the hey" and submitted that application. I almost forgot I submitted that one and eventually got a call asking to set up an interview. Read More...

Ebooks? Some, all or none?

I debating on whether to buy eBooks. I do prefer a book that I can flip through but I'm thinking cost and having to carry them all. I was thinking maybe I can a few eBooks and wondering which ones you have used the least that would be OK to buy as an eBook? Read More...