Current Nursing Mentor- Ask my Anything

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Mar 17, 2018

Hello!

Is there any position in a Coroner's office fit for a nurse? Would a master's degree in Forensic Nursing open that door?

Thanks!

kaylaguthrie5 · Mar 19, 2018

Hey Mike,

I am currently a pre-nursing student at TCU, awaiting my decision letter for their 2018 Fall accelerated nursing program. I have a BS in neuroscience from UT Dallas, which entailed some vigorous studying at times. Currently, I am taking my pathophysiology course, which covers roughly two systems, spanning 100-200 diseases/ disorders per unit, over a two week period. It is absolutely grueling at times! Additionally, I am a full time student, toddler-mom, and I work four nights a week at a bar. My time is very limited, but instrumentally precious. I am experiencing difficulties studying, prioritizing, and organizing so many ailments and the vast material within such a short amount of time. While the grade I will acquire from the course is important, I value the knowledge I will need in order to care effectively for patients. Do you have any tips or advice?

Thank you,

Kayla

Mikethetutor · Mar 19, 2018

Hey Kayla,

Absolutely. So, I take it you are currently taking Pathophysiology as a prerequisite I am assuming for TCU? If that is the case, as important as it is to know and understand the information for this particular class , it is more important to make sure you get the overall best grade for the class. The reason I say this is because TCU will likely ask for your grades to progress into their accelerated program. If for some reason, you don't get the grade they are looking for, they can easily reject you, unfortunately. So, in this case, don't worry about getting to know all the information. Just get to know the right information to pass your exams with the best grades possible. At the end of the day, schools will not look at what you know, but will only look at what your transcripts say about you. However, I also would like to add that everything that will help you become a better nurse you will learn in nursing school. So, essentially that is where your focus is primarily going to be. So, at this time, I would highly suggest to ask your professor about specifics that will be on the exam. Ask your professor which chapters to focus on and which concepts. Don't be afraid to ask because professors are generally nice and they usually give a lot of hints. Lastly, try and look for previous exams as they are the best tool to gauge your knowledge and to know what to expect. I know you are on a tight schedule currently, and its no easy task, but you'll definitely get through this. Also, if I'm not mistaken you mentioned this is a 2 week period class? If that's true, then I would try and see if its possible to cut down some hours of work and have a baby sitter or someone watch over the little ones while you focus on your studies. Again, these are small tips you can implement. Let me know if there's anything else you need. Take care. - Mike

Mikethetutor · Mar 19, 2018

Hi Devon,

I am current unfamiliar with this. I will definitely look online and see if I can find an answer.

- Mike

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 19, 2018

Are you a nurse?

Mikethetutor · Mar 21, 2018

No, I am not. I am currently an advisor/mentor who helps pre health majors get into their perspective programs. I have successfully mentored hundreds of students get into Nursing programs, Pharmacy programs, PA and Med schools programs. - Mike

Willowpdx · Mar 22, 2018

Hi Mike,

Thank you for making yourself available. I feel a little vulnerable putting this out there but here we go.

I just turned 30 and am a mother to a 6 year old kindergartener. I finished my Associates of Arts degree when my son was a baby. When I started this degree I was torn between teaching and nursing and ultimately went forward with acquiring credits for teaching as I believed that were the practical choice. I became pregnant when I was just a few credits shy of finishing my Associated degree and took a break. At that point I knew teaching wasn't for me but had no idea what to do next since I didn't have any nursing pre-reqs so I just finished the Associates of Arts. Since then I have worked as a CNA in a private long term care facility and as a Medical Assistant in a public health clinic and I know that nursing is what I want to do but I feel like I've missed the boat. I am currently not working in healthcare at all. Nursing programs are incredibly competitive out here, and since I already am in debt for my Associated of Arts degree, I am going to have to pay out of pocket to complete pre-reqs for nursing. On top of that, I have to start from the bottom to complete all pre-reqs since whatever ones I did complete are already expired. So anyway, I guess the reason why I am writing is because I am torn and I fall in that category of people you mentioned, the ones who have lost belief in themselves. I have put my career focus completely on the back burner since my son was born. I always said once he was in school I would go back. Now that we are at that point I am not sure if it's worth the risk, time and money, or how I can even afford it.