sumthnspecial

Yes, you can start working before passing the NCLEX. I live in CA, so it may be different where you live but the BRN sends me an IP license to practice until I sit for the boards. I got hired before even finishing nursing school. Most of the hospitals in my area started interviewing 2-3 weeks before graduation. I start working January 5th, but probably won't take my boards until the end of january.

I only had 2 classes this semester(my last semester), Critical care and leadership. I got an 'A' on both finals and ended up with an 'A' in both classes. I am so glad it is over. Amber

I also graduated December 11th, I can't believe its over. The hospital that I signed with pays for us to take the Kaplan review class. I start working January 5th. Amber

Like you, I had a previous bachelors degree so when I decided to go back to school for nursing, I only had to take my science pre- req classes. Fortunately, my sciences didn't have any other pre-reqs because then it would have taken me twice as long. I took Chemistry, Anatomy, and sociology(my upper division sociology didn't transfer) 1 semester, then took Physiology and Microbiology the next semester. So it took me a year for the pre-reqs and then 2 years for the nursing program. Even though I could have gone back to the university that I got my first degree from I decided to attend a community college instead to go to nursing school, I think I got through faster doing it this way. Good luck. Amber

I also loved the evening shift. We only had the option of doing it 1 semester, but I would have done it the whole time if I could. I don't know about anyone else, but when I had clinic from 700-330 I would be use less after because I was so tired. But with the evening shift I was able to get up at a reasonable hour and get things done in the morning/early afternoon when I had some energy. Amber

I gradutate in December too. We only have 2 classes in 4th semester...Critical Care and Leadership.

:yeahthat:

They wouldn't accept me while I was in progress, so I had to wait out 1 semester while I was applying. It wasn't too bad because I took medical terminology and a couple other classes that were "recommended". I got accepted my first time so it wasn't too long of a wait. I don't know the payscale exactly, I have heard through the grapvine that its around $25 an hour(with 10% differentials for nights and weekends). I can tell you more come January, I plan to work at Mercy Southwest.:wink2:

Me. I am currently a 3rd semester RN student at BC. What kind of info are you looking for?

I could have written your post. My husband and I have been married for 6 years and the past 2 1/2 have been the worst years of our marriage due to his gambling problem. He actually left me last december(and I started the nursing program in January). We have since tried to reconcile things but it is really hard. We are actually legally seperated because I DO NOT trust him. Gambling is such a hard addiction to deal with. It was horrible when he left and even though I hate dealing with the gambling issues, I would rather him be here than not. I don't think I have any advice, other than put your foot down and stick with whatever you say. It has been a very long and hard road but I hope that we are on our way to recovery. I graduate in December of 08 so if things don't get better in our marriage then I will be able to support myself(and my daughter). Even if things started heading downhill again, I think that I would still stay until I was done with school. Let me know if you ever want to talk, it sounds like we are in similar situations.

I just finished 1st semester and passsing was a 78%, but we got a notice saying that starting next semester they are lowering to 75%.

I have to look away and stare at a spot on the wall when I am taking a pulse. I look at my watch to get the starting time but if I continue to look at my watch I start counting the seconds instead of the pulse. So get a start time, and then look away at a blank space on the wall and concentrate on the pulse beating under your fingers. Good luck.

5 years, wow that is a long time. I just wanted to let you know that some schools give preference to in county residence, so you may want to ask them about that. I applied to College of the Sequoias(in Visalia), and didn't get in because I don't live in that county. Luckily I did get into my town's RN program. Good luck. Amber

I am in CA and my school doesn't have a waiting list, I got in on my first try. PM me if you want more info. Amber

I feel the exact same way. I told my husband that when my letter came I felt really relieved, but now I am terrified. I said the same thing about finally figuring out what I wanted to do when I grew up and now it is starting and it a little overwhelming. Like my life is about to totally change(in a good way) but still change is hard. I am scared about everything: will I be able to get through this, will I(we) survive financially, am I going to be a good nurse? I am also so excited, I feel blessed that I have this opportunity. Last year I turned my life upside down in order to go back to school. I quite my job and took out a ton of student loans in order to help support my family while I was in school. I put all my eggs in one basket and banked on getting into nursing school. So far everything is going as planned(except one little hiccup in the application period that added a semester onto my time in school), and I am so thrilled it is all working out. Amber

My school doesn't use a point system. Instead they use a computation to come up with your "likely-hood to succeed". They take our totaly GPA, grades from our core science classes(Anatomy,Physio,Micro), and grades from all English classes and come up with a percentage. You have to get at least a 70% to be eligable for the program and then it is all random. They basically pull your name out of a hat. They used to take the top % down the list, but then they realized that the "best" students dont alway make the "best" nurses. We are not required to take any tests before applying to the program. Mixy- In my acceptance letter they said that I have to take a test before the semster begins and that it will take 5-6 hours. It is supposed to test our general knowledge, do you think it is the NET test? I noticed you were taking it in your 1st semester, like me, but my school didn't give me the name of the test. Thanks, Amber

I got my letter today, I am in! I am so excited, I still can't believe it. Amber

My school doesn't do A&P I and A&P II, so I took Anatomy one semester with Chemistry, and then Physiology with Micro. It wasn't too bad, but I had a fairly easy Micro teacher. I think it can be done, but I dont work either so I am sure that helped. I just didn't see the point in adding on another semester because I was taking one class at a time. Get in, get it done, and get out! Good Luck Amber

Haha, it irritates the crap out of me too when someone asks to borrow a scantron. I heard someone the other day asking my neighbor if she had an extra, but she didn't. I just pretended like I didn't hear her asking because I need mine for the other tests. BTW, I am in CA and I have attended a CSU and a CC and we always had to buy our scantrons. I just pick mine up when I am at the bookstore buying my books at the beginning of the semster. Amber

I haven't been around here for awhile, but I submitted my application this month. My school allows the whole month of September for applications and then we won't find out until the end of November or early December. Talk about waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Amber

Hi, I know how you feel. I was home for 4 months after my daughter was born 2 years ago, I found that I am not cut out to be a SAHM. My advice is to get out of the house. Go for a walk or walk around the mall. Try to join a mommies group, it is a good way to meet people with other little ones. I take my daughter to My Gym, it is a gym for little kids and they start out of 3 months old. I have met several other moms there with kids the same age as my daughter and we get together and have playdates. I remember that my world seemed to be shrinking when I was at home that long. I felt like I had no interaction with the outside world, even though I am married, he worked all day. I loved being home with her but after awhile it gets lonely. Good luck

Oh I hate this classs, I am taking it this semester with Microbiology. I find Micro to be a lot more interesting than Physio. I think this class is so boring and it is hard to get into the material. I also have a little girl who just turned (the terrible) two. Sorry no advice, just know someone is in a similar boat.

I am taking both of these classes right now and it is do-able in a regular semester, but I am not sure about the summer. I have heard summer science classes are hard because they cram everything into just a few weeks. I dont think it would be a good idea to take them together, during the summer. Good Luck, btw, where in CA are you? I am in Bakersfield.

I always feel super rushed during lab also. It seems he talks forever and gives us a laundry list of things to do and not enough time. As far as the cells being dead or dying I think that just happens, I dont think it is anything you did. Good Luck Amber

My teacher says that sometimes you could get a red color Cocci because of dead or dying cells may appear red. Also maybe you used to much decolorizor????? I am not sure though, I am still trying to get used to all this Micro stuff myself.