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.
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!!!
I hope you have a very merry Christmas as well.
I think that you could offer more advice to others than I possibly could. I remember being a pre-nursing student and really worrying about the program, that it really seemed that every pre-nursing thread on Allnurses really focused on nursing school "being so hard". There were students who would say that you just had to experience it, but I find that you can answer people based on your own experience with more specific answers. That is the purpose of this thread. To help any of those about to start nursing school with any questions they may have, or maybe even a place to express fears and simple worries, with someone dedicated to answer their questions based on the first semester of nursing school. Other nursing students have chimed in as well, which is great.
In retrospect, I should have chosen a better thread title but I thought choosing to put it in the pre-nursing forum would help.
Best of luck though with your venture into another field of nursing. With as many years of experience that you possess, I'm sure you will find something that fits your repertoire, knowledge, and nursing ability.
I just finished my 4th semester and will start my last in January. I am a solid A/B student. I will put some info here that may be helpful to those just starting out and still new to nursing school.
1. Nursing school is NOT hard. It is VERY time consuming. Those not willing to dedicate the time to actually learn this stuff will not be in nursing school long.
2. The amount of work required each semester is insane. If in the past you studied by reading the entire chapter you need to find another study system. Often tests will be 2-3 weeks apart and cover multiple chapters in several books.
3. Learn how to do dimensional analysis dosage calculations ASAP. You can get by with the others in the early semesters but later you will need to know DA. Learn it now and get good at it. Get so good you can do it in your sleep. We had several people fail to reach 95% on the dosage calculation test this (4th) semester and they were put out of the program.
4. If you must join a study group make sure there are not more than 3-4 or it becomes a social hour instead of study time. Also, make sure you are all on the same level. If your group just wants to keep their grades up do not allow someone that is struggling to pass in. Your group will suffer trying to teach the other person.
5. Remember why you are in school, to become a nurse, not to make friends. Passing must be your priority. Don't get involved in fellow students drama (boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, kids, job, teacher problems).
6. On your first day of class look to your left and to your right. Chances are only one of you will be at graduation. For the next five semesters you have to make sure it is you.
missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN
869 Posts
I hope you have a very merry Christmas as well.
I think that you could offer more advice to others than I possibly could. I remember being a pre-nursing student and really worrying about the program, that it really seemed that every pre-nursing thread on Allnurses really focused on nursing school "being so hard". There were students who would say that you just had to experience it, but I find that you can answer people based on your own experience with more specific answers. That is the purpose of this thread. To help any of those about to start nursing school with any questions they may have, or maybe even a place to express fears and simple worries, with someone dedicated to answer their questions based on the first semester of nursing school. Other nursing students have chimed in as well, which is great.
In retrospect, I should have chosen a better thread title but I thought choosing to put it in the pre-nursing forum would help.
Best of luck though with your venture into another field of nursing. With as many years of experience that you possess, I'm sure you will find something that fits your repertoire, knowledge, and nursing ability.