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Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I just finished my first semester of an ADN nursing program, and I remember wondering what things were going to be like before I started.

I'm going to start this thread so you guys can ask me anything. I'll give you a little bit of a background first: I am a mom, I do not work, and this is a second degree. I have a previous degree in Literature. I also found that I LOVE nursing.

So, any questions or worries about your upcoming program or nursing in general, post your questions here. I'm sure I won't be the only person who answers, but I'll be more than happy to answer your questions concerning nursing school and my own personal experience.

I start my BSN program jan 6, so I'm off for 3 weeks. I have 2 kids, a supporting man and no job. Is there anything I can do over break to prepare?

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Specializes in Geriatric nursing.

Hi

I passed my TEAS & TABE was considering applying to 2 different schools.I am a mother of 4,but I haven't worked in 8 yrs;I also had my 2youngest children in that time.It has always been my dream of being a nurse,(but life happens)literally! I met my husband at age 14 got pregnant & married at 15 had quit school,had my son,went to work in a nursing center,& at 16 pregnant with my oldest daughter so I had to put off high school & nursing school. So I worked as a M. A. T. Then passing meds in an assisted living center for 6mos then back to get my CNA then CMA & passed meds in a nursing home until 2005 anyway I just completed my GED last July & now am finally trying to pursue what I've wanted for so long! But like I said life happens in 2008 we found out we were expecting( 12 yrs after our daughter) so things got put back again& on my Bday 2009 my 2nd daughter was born!We found out that she had a 10-12mm ASD in Nov.2011& it required 2 surgeries to repair it! In Jan 2012 we found out we were expecting again now our 3rd daughter is 15 mos.& I'm kind of questioning if I should go now that I have the chance.I want to for me,but now I want to so I can be a better mother/provider for my children! My husband is very supportive as are my kids.our son will graduate high school in May.I guess it just goes to show God has a plan for everyone.(even though it's usually when he wants& not us!)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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I understand that it's not "real" nursing, since I am only a nursing student and I couldn't possibly understand all the complexities that is involved with the nursing you do, since that has to be the point you are trying to get across. How could a nursing student possibly love nursing?

As a nursing student I believe this is the perfect time to either fall head over heels in love with your career path or see that it just isn't what you want to do with your life. For me I knew I wanted to be a medic then go to nursing school the 1st day of clinicals I knew I had to have that rush everyday. So please don't down play you're love for nursing and the time that you have to spend with the patient's at this point. Congrats on completing your first semester many set out on the journey and unfortunately didn't make it to the end of the semester

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I forgot to ask do you use your books enough to say that buying your books would be better than renting?

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
I am starting my nursing classes in January and I am soooo nervous. Do you have any recommendations for supplemental books that helped you? Thank you starting this thread!!!

The Davis fundamental success book, any NCLEX book, and for care plans, I suggest "Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes" by Gulanick and Myers. I have 3 care plan books and this is by far the best.

Congrats on getting in and best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
I start my BSN program jan 6, so I'm off for 3 weeks. I have 2 kids, a supporting man and no job. Is there anything I can do over break to prepare?

I read my entire book before I started, but I found that did not give me an "edge" because I was reading it for fun. Sit back, enjoy your time with your children, and enjoy the holiday season. If you have a DVD that came with the book with skills, you can watch those, but I would enjoy the time you have now.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
I'm kind of questioning if I should go now that I have the chance.I want to for me,but now I want to so I can be a better mother/provider for my children! My husband is very supportive as are my kids.our son will graduate high school in May.I guess it just goes to show God has a plan for everyone.(even though it's usually when he wants& not us!)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Hi Kmwatt,

I think God does have a plan, and congrats on passing your TEAS! You do what is right for you, your family, and your children. If you decide to not go now, then go later! I wish you the best luck on your journey!

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
I forgot to ask do you use your books enough to say that buying your books would be better than renting?

I am old(er) student and old school about books. I always buy them and I've never rented before. I like to mark, write, and dog ear my pages. I like to keep my books, all of them...forever. I think that's a personal choice :)

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The Davis fundamental success book, any NCLEX book, and for care plans, I suggest "Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes" by Gulanick and Myers. I have 3 care plan books and this is by far the best.

Congrats on getting in and best of luck to you!

Thank you for the input!! One of our required books is Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes" by Gulanick and Myers, but they told us we won't need it until March. I bought it already so I am going to start going over it now. I am waiting for my Saunders NCLEX to come in. I can' t wait to get started!!!

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Specializes in Acute Rehabilitation. School Nursing. Oc.

Hi Miss Mollie! How's everything? May you and your family will have a Happy Christmas! My concern is complete transition from my Nursing Field, from Acute-Rehabilitation to Emergency or Trauma Nursing. I'm from New York area. Do you have any idea about an NY Hospital who offered "paid" Emergency Nursing Fellowship Programs? I'm a Nurse Manager in a skilled rehab facility but I already resigned to venture another field of nursing. I'm not that young but i need continued training and skills development to improve my craft. So, that's it! Hope you can give me worthwhile suggestions. Thanks again!!!

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Hi and many thanks for starting this thread!

I am an older student - have undergrad degree in science (from last century :-) and was a registered dietician for some time.

Now at 52 - I am looking to start and ADN program. My concerns are related to the number of class/lab/clinical hours and the projected "out of class" assignments of approx 30 hrs per week.

My son is 9 years old and has high functioning autism. My husband flies for a living and is rarely home. My son requires a lot of attention. Re: childcare - do you think I should be looking in to a full time or live in nanny? I have childcare coverage for my classroom hours but no coverage to allow for homework. Did you find your homework assignments to average out at approx 30 hrs?

Any information and/or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
Hi and many thanks for starting this thread!

I am an older student - have undergrad degree in science (from last century :-) and was a registered dietician for some time.

Now at 52 - I am looking to start and ADN program. My concerns are related to the number of class/lab/clinical hours and the projected "out of class" assignments of approx 30 hrs per week.

My son is 9 years old and has high functioning autism. My husband flies for a living and is rarely home. My son requires a lot of attention. Re: childcare - do you think I should be looking in to a full time or live in nanny? I have childcare coverage for my classroom hours but no coverage to allow for homework. Did you find your homework assignments to average out at approx 30 hrs?

Any information and/or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

My program didn't really have out of class assignments for lecture with the exception of one paper we had to write. For clinical, we had to turn in an assessment, a care plan, and three different medication reports each clinical day.

I was able to study about 12-15 hours a week, usually after my child went to bed. That may or may not be an option that works for you, and you may have to take more credit hours than I had.

Best of luck to you in getting in your ADN program!

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