clep or excelsior

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 9, 2005

Thanks!! Yes, I am an avid reader, until lately (because I try to use my free time to study) :) I always had a book of some kind or other with me at all times. I was one of the "weird" students that loved John Steinback in school and also others that others groaned because they had to read. Dot

Me too! Then A/P Lit. is right up your alley- go for it.

ihavehorns · Mar 9, 2005

Dear Horns, I wanted to hear how you manage your studying and how you have learned to keep your focus? I also have ADD and have had it since I was a child. I guess they didn't a name for ir then. I just remember my teacher's used to always tell me to try to focus, and stop wiggling in my seat or tapping my pencil on my desk. I wouldn't even realize I was doing it. Anyway, I just wanted to hear some of your tips for focusing and studying with add. Also some of your tips when your at work such as organazation and time saving tips. I also use lots of post-its and lists. Maybe we should start a thread for nurses with add or adhd, so we don't bore anyone who doesn't want to hear about our mental madness:chuckle c-ya

LOL ....Yes I'm sure an ADD nurses group will make the public feel very safe :chair:

To study, I make sure I am in a room with no distractions. For me, that is my bedroom. No T.V., magazines or books (unrelated to my studying) I do everything in 15 minute increments. I actually have a timer. I read for 15 minutes. Write out my study cards for 15 minutes. Practice test for 15 minutes. I don't leave the room for anything! I make sure I've gone to the bathroom prior!! :) I make sure I've eaten, I turn the answering machine on

and the ringer off. The main thing is no distractions and sticking to my 15 minute routine. I feel like a kid, but it works. I sometimes wonder how I manage at all in life. I should own stock in post-its. The 15 minute rule really

works. No stopping what you are doing for 15 minute increments. I do this at work too and it really helps. :uhoh3: Like when I have charting to do

this is my downfall, I hate it. So, I do my 15 minute rule. I have to chart for 15 minutes at a time (unless someone is hanging out of bed, or coding! LOL)

without walking away from my paperwork. I always carry a clipboard with my post-its. I always have one of those pens that have 4 different colors, so I can write things to pass on in report in green, Med times in black, etc. It's just a way of life for me now. My friends at work just think I am really anal!! lol! :rotfl: Lisa

Hairstylingnurse · Mar 10, 2005

LOL ....Yes I'm sure an ADD nurses group will make the public feel very safe :chair:
To study, I make sure I am in a room with no distractions. For me, that is my bedroom. No T.V., magazines or books (unrelated to my studying) I do everything in 15 minute increments. I actually have a timer. I read for 15 minutes. Write out my study cards for 15 minutes. Practice test for 15 minutes. I don't leave the room for anything! I make sure I've gone to the bathroom prior!! :) I make sure I've eaten, I turn the answering machine on
and the ringer off. The main thing is no distractions and sticking to my 15 minute routine. I feel like a kid, but it works. I sometimes wonder how I manage at all in life. I should own stock in post-its. The 15 minute rule really
works. No stopping what you are doing for 15 minute increments. I do this at work too and it really helps. Like when I have charting to do
this is my downfall, I hate it. So, I do my 15 minute rule. I have to chart for 15 minutes at a time (unless someone is hanging out of bed, or coding! LOL)
without walking away from my paperwork. I always carry a clipboard with my post-its. I always have one of those pens that have 4 different colors, so I can write things to pass on in report in green, Med times in black, etc. It's just a way of life for me now. My friends at work just think I am really anal!! lol! :rotfl: Lisa

Hi again Lisa, I felt like I wrote your post except I study in 30 min. increments and in between I go throw some laundry in or make my kids a snack. I'm very hyper so I'll fall asleep and start daydreaming if I sit too long. Ialso use the different color pen, and have one of the notebooks that close and have a handle. I couldn't be without it. I read on this or a yahoo website that alot of nurses are add or adhd and that is how they do a million things in one shift.

txflwr · Mar 10, 2005

The Human Growth & Development CLEP towards the required Life Span Developmental Psychology. They will take it as an elective. You have to take their exam or take a course, and it must cover the entire lifespan (conception to death) which the CLEP does not do.

I just talked to Excelsior today and they will accept the Human Growth and Development CLEP instead of Lifespan.

expatnurse · Mar 10, 2005

Hi again Lisa, I felt like I wrote your post except I study in 30 min. increments and in between I go throw some laundry in or make my kids a snack. I'm very hyper so I'll fall asleep and start daydreaming if I sit too long. Ialso use the different color pen, and have one of the notebooks that close and have a handle. I couldn't be without it. I read on this or a yahoo website that alot of nurses are add or adhd and that is how they do a million things in one shift.

I am also add/adhd I find some of your tips very helpful. I would love to start a section for add nurses. I really think at the end of the day my patients do feel safe because I fully now my areas of weakeness. I watch my clients like a hawk and act on the smallest detail. do you all have any tips on how to manage the ward (charge nurse) I am now on my management placement and I am in charge later today. Also do you have any tips on how to learn drugs. since I am training in the UK pharm. is the weakest area of are training so I am very worried about this. During your training did anyone give you any hassle about becoming a nurse with Add I really had a hard time my first year with the head of our school. I don't know if any of you take medication for your add but do employers give you a hard time did you find it hard to find a job? thanks.:)

ihavehorns · Mar 11, 2005

I am also add/adhd I find some of your tips very helpful. I would love to start a section for add nurses. I really think at the end of the day my patients do feel safe because I fully now my areas of weakeness. I watch my clients like a hawk and act on the smallest detail. do you all have any tips on how to manage the ward (charge nurse) I am now on my management placement and I am in charge later today. Also do you have any tips on how to learn drugs. since I am training in the UK pharm. is the weakest area of are training so I am very worried about this. During your training did anyone give you any hassle about becoming a nurse with Add I really had a hard time my first year with the head of our school. I don't know if any of you take medication for your add but do employers give you a hard time did you find it hard to find a job? thanks.:)

I've never been a charge nurse, so I can't help you there. Oh...I have an idea...DELEGATE!! :chuckle Seriously, I've never been in charge. I agree with you about the watching like a hawk thing. I do the same thing. Do you think we overcompensate a little?? :uhoh21: I am ashamed to admit that I have never told anyone I work with that I have ADD. They just think I'm really ANAL! I know it's dumb, but I worry people will judge me. I work really, really hard and I'm an excellent nurse. I just have to use lot's of post its and be very organized. People probably can tell anyway, since I've always been the class clown I love to have fun at work too, but I have to watch it or I will get off track. I don't take any medication and I guess that makes it harder too. I don't want to take medication, so I just have to work on being organized everyday. It's a daily battle believe me. Oh and as for learning your drugs, sorry, but I always had a problem there too. There are just so many....I get overwhelmed. I am so glad to have met you guys. It's easier to talk about oneself in a safe place like this forum. Love ya, Lisa

Hairstylingnurse · Mar 22, 2005

I am also add/adhd I find some of your tips very helpful. I would love to start a section for add nurses. I really think at the end of the day my patients do feel safe because I fully now my areas of weakeness. I watch my clients like a hawk and act on the smallest detail. do you all have any tips on how to manage the ward (charge nurse) I am now on my management placement and I am in charge later today. Also do you have any tips on how to learn drugs. since I am training in the UK pharm. is the weakest area of are training so I am very worried about this. During your training did anyone give you any hassle about becoming a nurse with Add I really had a hard time my first year with the head of our school. I don't know if any of you take medication for your add but do employers give you a hard time did you find it hard to find a job? thanks.:)

Hi Expatanurse, I would love for someone to start a thread for add nurses. I also never told people I am add/adhd. But friends and family tease me and love me for it. I too have always been the class clown still to this day I'm a total comedian. I am a perfectionist at work, and much more lax at home. I keep a little sheet in my notebook of most commonly used drugs in my field of nursing and always added to it. Start a forum for us (I'm clueless ) and we can sharing tips.

Sorry I'm just now replying but haven't been on line in a while.

Rock, LPN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

Hi Expatanurse, I would love for someone to start a thread for add nurses. I also never told people I am add/adhd. But friends and family tease me and love me for it. I too have always been the class clown still to this day I'm a total comedian. I am a perfectionist at work, and much more lax at home. I keep a little sheet in my notebook of most commonly used drugs in my field of nursing and always added to it. Start a forum for us (I'm clueless ) and we can sharing tips. Sorry I'm just now replying but haven't been on line in a while.

Hi Horns:

I admire your determiantion. Don't sign up with Excelsior until you have all of your Lliberal Arts credits. Once you sign-up with Excelsior, your fees will start racking up, and since you have a limited income, you would want to keep costs down as much as possible.

I recommend that you get your credits in the least expensive way, as they are not nursing credits, and will only let you be slightly rounded when it comes to reading, etc.

Sincerely,

Rock