Introductions:"New" and "Old" Students.

Nursing Students General Students

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How about a thread that will allow us to introduce ourselves to those who are new and the new students can do the same.

I am Stephany, 42, mother of 3 children, a son 22, a daughter 15, and a son 13. I am an LPN of nearly 11 years, and I am in my first semester of a five-semester rn program.

Care to share?

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Welcome aboard, Kitty! :D

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Hi! My name is Charleanne and I was recently accepted into a two-year ADN program that begins Sept. 2005. I have been peaking at this site for some time now and I am excited to finally post a message here. :wink2: Recently, I attended the orientation for my program and I can see that I have quite a challenge ahead of me.

Aside from being a nursing student, I am a single mother of two children ages 4 and 10. Other than the CNA class I took a year ago, I have no official healthcare experience. My last job was in the garden dept. of a Home and Garden business, so I expect that my life is about to change quite a bit! I hope to eventually work in Labor and Delivery or in the NICU and I have some volunteer background working with new parents.

I look forward to meeting other students who are starting their programs this year and I am particularly interested in hearing from students who entered nursing school without prior CNA work. How did this lack of experience affect your first term in the program?

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Hi Charleanne and welcome to Allnurses. I'm a senior nursing student (age 52!) and started nursing school 2 years ago and had no prior clinical experience. My previous life I was an administrative assistant (glorified name for a secretary, really) but I did work for the head of the pharmacology department at the uni so I was pretty familiar with the terminology and such. So I'm sure you will do just fine. Good luck to you.

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Hello all!

I am a 35 year old wife and mother of 3 children (ages 13, 9, and 3). I am in my 2nd year of a 2 year RN program at a local Technical college. I am on summer break now, but go back in 3 weeks. I have been trying to relax and enjoy my time off, because from what I have heard, 2nd year is a terrible year. I am scared to death and just want it to be over!! :bluecry1: I am to graduate June 2006, the good Lord willing.

It's been tough with 3 children, a husband, working part time, and taking care of a house. My husband is on 2nd shift, so that is tough as well in the evenings.

The first year went really fast, though tough. I just hope this next year goes just as smoothly. :sniff:

I hope to get to know you all and get some good advice and encouragement.

Thanks,

2ndyrnursestudent

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Hey everyone.....I'm Annie from KY. I'm a 22 year old first year nursing student. Actually, I'm a first day nursing student. I had my first lab today and I'm a little overwhelmed already! They threw so much info at us today! Anyway~I'm glad I found this site. I've already found so much helpful information.

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Specializes in FNP.

Hi everyone - I'm Ann, 29, from MN - I'm in a 4 yr program and will be starting my junior year in 2 weeks :) I'm a mother to a 5 1/2 yr old starting kindergarten in one week, and a wife to my husband, who's finishing up his AA. We stay pretty busy :)

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Hey everyone.....I'm Annie from KY. I'm a 22 year old first year nursing student. Actually, I'm a first day nursing student. I had my first lab today and I'm a little overwhelmed already! They threw so much info at us today! Anyway~I'm glad I found this site. I've already found so much helpful information.

I know how you feel Annie. My first day of class last Fall was so overwhelming, I thought for sure I'd end up quitting and felt that way the beginning of every quarter since then, but here I am a year later and only 3 quarters more to go. I know in 3 weeks, my first day will be the same, overwhelming, and I will feel like quitting, but I keep praying.

Hang in there, even though it seems like a lot, and you will feel overwhelmed, it isn't as bad as it looks. Just study alittle each day, read over your notes every day, and don't wait until the weekend before an exam to study. You will be fine.

Take care and good luck,

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Hi, Just having graduated from RN school in May I could a little of my experience. All the seniors when I was a freshman scared us into being so darn frazzled the second year. They said they had to totally quit thier jobs, etc. They were not really very encouraging.

I started the second year thinking it would not be that hard. And it wasn't for me academically, but the politics could kill you.

My best friend, a lovely person who had a 82% average in lecture got kicked out, told not to come back because she handed in her care plans late! That was it...she was 2 weeks away from being able to get her LPN, she got nothing for all her work, they gave her straight F's and would not let her back in. Sounds hard to believe and it was. The instructor that did it was a part time clinical instructor. No degree, an RN that took great pride in getting rid of someone each semester. I was sick over it. You can imagine how that student flet not ending up with anything.

Maybe that is what started making me so nervous the second year. I could hardly think, the writing was endless, care plans were not anything to prepare me for my career but I had to do them over and over and over...24 hours to get one done for the same clinical instructor and it failed. I am not a dummy. .. It failed because I forgot to say "notify the MD" in my actions for a cardiac enzyme! I defined it, said it was used to dx. cardiac ds. etc, but it failed for that minute detail. I worked on the next three, I did a good job but not as persfect as the first one. I saw other ones that passed and mine were very good comparably speaking. They all failed too. I took the last 3 to the clinical director and asked her what she thought, she asked if she could keep them. She sahred them with another instructor...they decided two of the three were pass material, and yes in one I forgot one major diagnosis...I would literally fall asleep writing all that and sleeping for an hour at a time and getting up and continued writing. It was crazy.The last time I went to school I got straight A's...I was a nutritionist for 18yrs. and had a solid clinical background. I used to get invited to speak at the colleges and my college was one of them, just to let you know I was not a slouch.

One of the two instructors that re-read my care plans came to the next clinic and talked to the clinical instructor. She passed two of the care plans and gave me an opportunity to correct one, and then I only had one mini care plan to do to graduate. I think she marked me for the next victim. I know I was good in clinical and gave excellent patient care. I was tired, beat, never slept, worked all weekend to keep my house etc.

It wasn't the academics but the lack of professionalism of one or two instructors that made the 2nd yr. so difficult. Also if all your prereques' are done....

I was so upset my GI system just went into spasms, I would be studying for an exam and be doubled over in pain.I would go up the stairs to bed still doubled over, very sick. I could not eat during each day until school was over because I would get sick immediately...I was certain I had colon cancer and just prayed that God would let me live until Capping and Pinning, that is if I made it.I had leg pain so bad I could not sleep at night...I did not have a clue what that was about.It hurt driving just up to the corner.

Well, thanks to the two instructors that had faith in me and had the balls to do the right thing, I made it. I never wanted to see that darn school again. One of the instructors quit over the first girl failing and being told by the director if she even tried to come to her defense she would have her job posted in the fall!

I was the oldest in the class, not the dumbest by far and not the smartest. If I would have failed it would have devastated me. I am single and gave up two years of regular income to make the decision to go to school....it almost happened.

I think the politics of school were the worst stress I was ever forced to live through. I did not even want to get up in the am and drive to class.

Never did I dream that stress could make me as sick as I was....I am better. How my leg pain went totally away I will never know. My GI symtoms are much better also....almost gone and I am not dying.

The instructor that helped me knew my family had enough money that we would hire a lawyer to fight anything unfair....she told the instructor that was trying to victimize me. ....it's crazy isn't it?

My advice is to call your instructors periodically even if you don't need thier help that bad. Set up appointments periodically to see how they think you are doing. Go in after class...etc. Be prepared for extra time for last minute things, have extra money for last min. expenses.

I think the care plans take up a ridiculous long time.

Do you think they are helping me be a better health care professional now that I am on the floor?? The experience in clinical would have been more beneficial.The whole situation was crazy. Students would tattle on other students just to look good.

There was another girl that was a little rougher looking than the rest of us. She got kicked out on hearsay. Two weeks before graduation.

You hang in there, if I can do anything to help you on line, answer a question, etc, I will....I taped positive affirmations all over my mirror. I got a relaxation tape so I could slow down enough to sleep.

I almost got into a serious MV accident, my fault on the way home after a night with an hour sleep to complete all my homework.

I swore I was never going to be so stupid not to sleep again.Even if it meant getting into trouble.

Tell yourself what a great nurse you are going to be and then just do it!!The very best of luck to you.

Later...Nancyicon6.gif

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Hi, my name is Clavel and I come from a long line of filipino nurses: mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, family....tried hard not to be typical... but decided to go to surg tech school...it was in the med field but not nursing.

I have been a surg tech for 10 years and Love it! But nursing school kept calling me, so I responded to the call. I have been going to school forever, trying to raise my GPA, finally did to a 3.0 and finished my first year of nursing school at a local city college. :thankya:

Boy was it a big kick in the butt! Not at all what I expected!?!?!?! After 3 years of trying to raise my GPA, it dropped after my first semester of nursing. I was devastated, to say the least! But I didn't give up, I met with teachers, classmates, and RNs, to help me get through and find out what my weaknesses were.

Reality hit me and made me question whether this was the right choice for me, as I continued with my 2nd semester, still questioned it, but stuck it out!

I passed my 1st year but I took a summer review class, where I learned new testing and studying techniques! I not only had to memorize but I had to rationalize!!!!!

As 2nd year approaches, I am excited, nervous and scared, but I am ready! My husband Paul is very supportive, and has been pretty good about keeping his mouth shut when it comes to school, house chores, etc. With his help I can go to school FT w/o working.

Nursing school does demand alot of attention!!! I give much credit to those who have to work & have kids and go to school.

In 9 months, I will be getting my associate degree in Nursing, soon after I will pass my Nclex and get my RN license. ( positive affirmations help me get through the good & bad....)

Any extra support is always good, Allnurses.com has been very helpful!

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Hi, my name is Clavel and I come from a long line of filipino nurses: mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, family....tried hard not to be typical... but decided to go to surg tech school...it was in the med field but not nursing.

I have been a surg tech for 10 years and Love it! But nursing school kept calling me, so I responded to the call. I have been going to school forever, trying to raise my GPA, finally did to a 3.0 and finished my first year of nursing school at a local city college. :thankya:

Boy was it a big kick in the butt! Not at all what I expected!?!?!?! After 3 years of trying to raise my GPA, it dropped after my first semester of nursing. I was devastated, to say the least! But I didn't give up, I met with teachers, classmates, and RNs, to help me get through and find out what my weaknesses were.

Reality hit me and made me question whether this was the right choice for me, as I continued with my 2nd semester, still questioned it, but stuck it out!

I passed my 1st year but I took a summer review class, where I learned new testing and studying techniques! I not only had to memorize but I had to rationalize!!!!!

As 2nd year approaches, I am excited, nervous and scared, but I am ready! My husband Paul is very supportive, and has been pretty good about keeping his mouth shut when it comes to school, house chores, etc. With his help I can go to school FT w/o working.

Nursing school does demand alot of attention!!! I give much credit to those who have to work & have kids and go to school.

In 9 months, I will be getting my associate degree in Nursing, soon after I will pass my Nclex and get my RN license. ( positive affirmations help me get through the good & bad....)

Any extra support is always good, Allnurses.com has been very helpful!

Welcome Clavel! I too have one more year (9 months of class) to go yet to get my Assoc. degree in RN. I am anxious to get it over with, but nervous and scared to get started again.

Good luck and take care,

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Hello fellow Nursing Students, My name is Marie. I am a mother of three, ages 10, 5, and 2. I am also a wife of 6 years. I will be beginning school in 5 days. I am so so nervous. I have been reading test success books and also my text. In this book it says to make notes on index cards that say, "I CAN...", "I WILL...", "I WANT...". PLEASE DO THIS !!!!!!!! It may help banish any negative thoughts in your mind. I know I will be using these and will post them so that I can see them while studying. Best Wishes to you all.

Welcome Clavel! I too have one more year (9 months of class) to go yet to get my Assoc. degree in RN. I am anxious to get it over with, but nervous and scared to get started again.

Good luck and take care,

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Hi Stephany

I am in my 4th semester of a five semester (ADN) program. I don't get to check in here at allnurses very often anymore because they keep us so busy!

I am also taking a required business elective this semester via the internet, it's a lot harder than I thought!

I have three kids, two teens and a toddler, so I am really trying to organize my time.

Good luck in class! Just try to pace yourself and don't sweat the small stuff, and you'll do just fine!

Debby

hi all i'm Tara and I'm an ADN student beginning my second clinical semester, Med Surg I and II, I'm 25 years old, and want to pursue a career as a CRNA

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