Help. Need Advice on Prepping for Nursing School!

[Angela.RN2B]

Hi everyone. I am hoping for some good advice. I am from st.louis mo. I am 32 and have two amazing kids and have found myself in the position of having to return to school and support myself and two kids. I was home schooled years ago and when I graduated I took what was called back in 93 the Ability to benefit exam. Come to find out the state has advanced home school learning and even though they say my courses are fine that I took I should sure up the test score of the ATB with a GED. I have called several Universities and they say it would be best so they have solid test scores for my academic files! well, It has been YEARS since I have taken general ed. classes and I find myself having to take a GED exam it sort of ****** me off but whatever I have no choice. I know I want to become a RN I plan to apply to St.Louis Community college but before I can do anything I have to take a GED exam, A Dosage Calculations Exam and Chem 101, and Bio 111. I will do what ever it takes to amke it happen for myself and my kids but I am so stressed over everything I don't know where to start, what to study first. I have been a stay at home mom for 10 years and due to sad circumstances Im on my own with NO support system no family just me and my kids. I find everything to be so overwhelming, but I cannot afford to waste time, I have to make this happen. I also have a interview with Chamberlainollege of Nursing this Thursday but I am leary of this school. I need to make clear healthy choices and need some advice from people who have already been through this. I want to start studying this Dosage calculations test has me confused! and I have been out of school for so long I simply do not know where to start. Am I just over stressing because I have suffered a huge loss recently or is this enough to stress out anyone? I just need some advice and maybe some study tips...especially for this dosage exam I was told I must make at least a 90%...It's crazy and confusing. Please some advice thank You!

[kayleeray]

Read, read, & read some more! Here's a cool site I found with study resources for nursing (and AP! which has been the most helpful) --

http://www.studystack.com/Nursing

I'm taking a CNA course this summer > I'm hoping that will make me a little more prepared for when I start nursing school. Maybe check that out?

[TXstudentRN]

That's annoying about having to take the GED, but for the case of formality, I guess I understand. If it were me, I would tackle that first, then go onto the dosage. If you go to a bookstore or look at one online, you will find numerous study books for the GED that have an overview of the information covered and study questions. I can't personally recommend a certain one since I have never taken it, but generally the Princeton Review, and ones like that, are pretty good.

Same for dosage calculations - they seem much more daunting then they really are. It seems that most nursing schools, mine included, use what is called dimensional analysis to do them. There are also books for this - I would definitely recommend getting one.

Good luck!