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Anyone else getting ready to apply for the 2018 nursing program?
The program is good. Extremely fast paced. The first term was just trying to figure out the flow, the second term was insane. It wasn't until about week 8 or 9 that I finally felt like I could breath a little bit. It comes down to time management with the sometimes 13 chapters a week to read, studying and clinicals all in the mix. This term I've heard from instructors that it is better than last term in the views of time management. The first week of this term is not nearly as insane as last term so I am excited about that.My favorite and least favorite part about the program are the same thing I think, the pace. It is extremely demanding and if you expect to have a life and be in nursing school, you will not succeed essentially. Your life becomes nursing school, and it sucks. I miss my kids, my family, my friends. But the amazing part is the pace makes it all fly by, and I am 4 terms away from taking the NCLEX and being a nurse. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My kids miss me, but I've promised them Disney Land after this is all over....really its more for me than them.
I've had some extremely hard personal stuff come up last term. I kept the instructors very informed and they have been absolutely amazing in making sure that I succeed and that I was able to deal with my personal issues.
Schedule wise, it varies by term. First term you are in class or skills lab every of the term almost. There are only 4 days of clinical. Exams occur in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and the final is week 11. Grading is primarily based on the exams. You will not do well on them if you do not do the readings.
Second term we had most Wednesdays off, but lecture days were slightly longer and there are several 6ish weeks of clinical, 2 days each week. Along with that there are other side projects that count as clinical time. Second term was the hardest so far in terms of material covered and the amount of information to retain and study. I think everyone in the program could agree with that. This term, doesn't look as scary as last term, but clinical starts right away next week and goes through beginning of June.
But there is a light at the end of this crazy tunnel, and it is super exciting.
Thank you so much for the information. It is really helpful to have an idea as to what we are all getting ourselves into. Is anyone in the program working as well? You're so close!! That is amazing! And Disneyland is a great reward for a patient, supportive family.
There are a few of us working that I know of. I work 24 hours per week on Friday and Saturday nights, which can be tricky during clinical's on Fridays. It's very demanding if you work and do the program, you have to have strict discipline and schedule down. It's working for me, but I also have a lot of experience in health care so some of the stuff we cover is not completely new to me. I feel full time work would definitely be out of the question. I've seen people fail out of the program due to trying to do both. Not that it couldn't be done, but I know if I worked full time I would not be doing well at all.
There are a few of us working that I know of. I work 24 hours per week on Friday and Saturday nights, which can be tricky during clinical's on Fridays. It's very demanding if you work and do the program, you have to have strict discipline and schedule down. It's working for me, but I also have a lot of experience in health care so some of the stuff we cover is not completely new to me. I feel full time work would definitely be out of the question. I've seen people fail out of the program due to trying to do both. Not that it couldn't be done, but I know if I worked full time I would not be doing well at all.
That is my plan to work approximately 24hours as well. I also have healthcare experience so I am hoping that some of it translates and helps me catch on a little easier than I would of I didn't have it. What do you do for work?
One of my friends from last year worked full time at the state hospital and did really well. He worked Friday, saturday, and sunday nights. However, if there was a test that monday he would only work either part of sunday or take the whole day off so he could get enough sleep. He also is married with 3 kids and he was the only one working. It is possible, it just takes a lot of discipline and motivation. It will poop you out though!
I chose not to work during nursing school and I think it is the best decision for me,especially since last term was so busy! But, it is a great program!
One of my friends from last year worked full time at the state hospital and did really well. He worked Friday, saturday, and sunday nights. However, if there was a test that monday he would only work either part of sunday or take the whole day off so he could get enough sleep. He also is married with 3 kids and he was the only one working. It is possible, it just takes a lot of discipline and motivation. It will poop you out though!I chose not to work during nursing school and I think it is the best decision for me,especially since last term was so busy! But, it is a great program!
I wish that was an option for me! Unfortunately, I need to keep working. I work for Kaiser Permanente and have beyond incredible benefits so I provide that for our family, as well as continuing education benefits that will pay for most of the program. Also, by continuing to work for them, I'll still have seniority when I graduate from school and will be an internal candidate making it more likely that I'll get a great RN job right out of school. And, we are still paying for childcare, which is insanely expensive.
I am looking forward to becoming a nurse and needing to work less! Thank you so much for your input and your advice. It is greatly appreciated.
Hey guys,
I am staying super optimistic but I got a 79% so I have 296/315 possible points. What are your honest opinions on acceptance for this score. If it helps, the test is the only place where I lost points, I had straight As on everything else and scored high in all the other subjects on the exam, my writing just sucks.
sbaker47
66 Posts
The program is good. Extremely fast paced. The first term was just trying to figure out the flow, the second term was insane. It wasn't until about week 8 or 9 that I finally felt like I could breath a little bit. It comes down to time management with the sometimes 13 chapters a week to read, studying and clinicals all in the mix. This term I've heard from instructors that it is better than last term in the views of time management. The first week of this term is not nearly as insane as last term so I am excited about that.
My favorite and least favorite part about the program are the same thing I think, the pace. It is extremely demanding and if you expect to have a life and be in nursing school, you will not succeed essentially. Your life becomes nursing school, and it sucks. I miss my kids, my family, my friends. But the amazing part is the pace makes it all fly by, and I am 4 terms away from taking the NCLEX and being a nurse. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My kids miss me, but I've promised them Disney Land after this is all over....really its more for me than them.
I've had some extremely hard personal stuff come up last term. I kept the instructors very informed and they have been absolutely amazing in making sure that I succeed and that I was able to deal with my personal issues.
Schedule wise, it varies by term. First term you are in class or skills lab every of the term almost. There are only 4 days of clinical. Exams occur in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and the final is week 11. Grading is primarily based on the exams. You will not do well on them if you do not do the readings.
Second term we had most Wednesdays off, but lecture days were slightly longer and there are several 6ish weeks of clinical, 2 days each week. Along with that there are other side projects that count as clinical time. Second term was the hardest so far in terms of material covered and the amount of information to retain and study. I think everyone in the program could agree with that. This term, doesn't look as scary as last term, but clinical starts right away next week and goes through beginning of June.
But there is a light at the end of this crazy tunnel, and it is super exciting.