Hannah96

Hi everyone. I’ve been an RN in the OR for 3 years now. I have my BSN, my CNOR, and am currently obtaining my MSN in clinical nurse educator. I also am in an RNFA program. I am just wondering am I missing out on some MSN specialty that would better prepare me for being a surgical NP? Clinical nurse educator seemed like the best route to go for my MSN. Where I’m at in my life I cannot pursue an FNP or ACNP program which will require me to be in person and go through clinical rotations (I may be moving in the next few months). My end goal is surgical NP. Just not sure if I’m going about this correctly. Any advice would be appreciated!

For me, the hardest semester was numero dos. Not because of the clinicals, the check-offs, the projects, the papers, the 180 paged powerpoints...BUT because of the exams. In s2, you will learn HOW TO TAKE AN EXAM and you will learn how to study for it too. This is when you will learn what nursing school is all about, my friends. Let me tell you. Second semester, I cried. I did not eat, sleep, or drink hardly anything. I stopped going to the gym, which is also where I worked. I cut down the hours at my job (which is at the gym) to like 2 hours a week. Lost all my friends, did not see my family for 3 solid months. I completely lost it guys...I was not performing well in clinical either, as I was too stressed out about exams. What it all came down to was that I needed an 80.0% average for my exams (all 12 of them, 7 of them I failed). Well. I needed to make an A on the final HESI exam. Yes, a 90% is what I needed on a nursing exam. Unheard of, at this point. I had talked to my guidance counselor, and I spent many hours in her office [5 hours at once, one time], she made me hot tea, wrapped a blanket around me, and comforted me/dried my tears and helped me soldier through it. I would not have made it without her. That last HESI exam was it for me. So, turned out, I made what I needed to pass onto 3rd semester. A lot of folks were in the same boat i was, but we all found our way (most of us, but some unfortunately did not). I am not bashing the program at all, but take this as testimony. You can fail 7 times and still make it. I made about 5 index cards full of prayers, intentions, and prophecied over the words I wrote daily. Put them on my bathroom mirror, on my computer, in the visor in my car. Somewhere, where i could read those prayers everyday. I stayed positive. I went to talk to my instructors. I communicated with my counselor (DAILY). I talked to my mentor. You will get through it. When times get tough, and they will....keep running. When you feel like you're going to throw up from running so hard for so long, you throw your head to the side, do your business, but you don't stop till you reach the finish line. Do not drop out just because you have a low average and the drop date is approaching. STICK it till the very last dying second. Miracles can happen. They did for me, and a lot of others. Now, down to actual business. How to study med-surg. No simple answer. Find your own way, for me...it went something like this formula: diseases-what is it, what's it mean, criteria for diagnosing it, nursing process it, tx modalities- cog, psychoanalytic, family, pharm, etc. Some suggest making concept maps for each system you are going over. Some draw pictures. Some purchase Kaplan at this point. Do whatever works for you, there is no right/wrong way. Just make sure you are highlighting what is important, screw the powerpoints and the handouts if they are not helping you. At some point they became clutter in my mind. I had a whiteboard, a marker, and my textbook, and I would teach each ailment to my family over and over again until we all thought we had whatever the disease was. This is a semester you won't be on the sidelines for. You will be in the trenches. Gear up, STAY organized. Do not give up the gym, your family, your evening walks or what have you. Communicate with your mentor, they have been through it and are there to help you. Talk to your teachers. Your student success coordinator. Your clinical instructor. You should have those cell phone numbers on speed dial. When it comes to clinical, you will be going to the hospital. Remember all those basics from semester 1. Get yourself a clipboard you can store stuff inside (I will link below). Print out references and keep them with you. Get a pocket journal to write down stuff in. Besides, if you have that kind of clipboard you can put money inside of it so you can have enough to get a coffee or something to snack on in the cafeteria. Seize every opportunity. I feel like I missed out in clinical and spent more time on the computer documenting than interacting with the actual patient. I regret it now... I am going to link below a few references I advise you watching no matter what semester you are in. Abraham Verghese: A doctor's touch | TED Talk Clipboard I referenced: Amazon.com : DISCOUNT Nursing Clipboard with Storage and Printed Reference: White Durable Medical Clipboard (Includes 2 Freebies: Nursing Brain Sheet and Physical Assessment Sheet) : Office Products (the exact one I have) Good luck all. I believe in you. :)

First semester of nursing school began Fall 2017 for me. First day: make nametags for your desk. Icebreakers. Very Grey's Anatomy Episode 1 Season 1 feel that goes sorta something like Webers speech: "Each of you comes here today hopeful, wanting in on the game. A month ago, you were in med school being taught by doctors. Today, you are the doctors. The seven years you spend here as a surgical resident will be the best and worst of your life. You will be pushed to the breaking point. Look around you. Say hello to your competition. Eight of you will switch to an easier specialty. Five of you will crack under the pressure. Two of you will be asked to leave. This is your starting line. This is your arena. How well you play...That's up to you". Expect group projects. Discussions. Longer lectures than you're used to (9am-12pm/9am-5pm). Bring your YETI cup full with ice, something comfy, your laptop (don't forget your powercord!), and why not go to Hobby Lobby for one of those rolling carts. They are super nice. Methods of Care (MOC) is a 1 credit hour class you will be required to take your first semester, it is a lot of writing, participation in class, and learning the legalities of nursing. Do not take this class lightly. It is a big chunk of the NCLEX that can easily be overlooked. CLINICAL: there is no possible way to be the perfect nursing student in clinical. You are not going to be going to the hospital until 2nd semester. You will be learning how to take vital signs though, and doing it on others in the lobby of the library. They will try and scare you will check-offs. DO NOT FREAK OUT. Pay attention to wound care and foley labs. It is so easy to cross your sterile zone, and if you do, you will fail that check off. Oh, and you will fail a check-off. That's ok. Respect your clinical instructor. You are NOT supposed to know everything semester 1, but you are expected to give it your all. This is the time to ask questions, get to know your clinical instructor, connect the pieces between what you read in your book to application. EXAMS...Do not change your answer. It IS the most obvious, easiest one...No, they are not trying to trick you. Read carefully. Very...carefully. Usually the exams are 50 questions and you are given 1.5 hours. It is plenty of time. First semester is multiple choice, maybe 1 or 2 SATAs (select all that apply)...Use process of elimination. You can easily rule out 2 then you gotta 50/50 chance. The one you stick with is most related to the root of the question. STUDYING FOR EXAMS...Quizlet! A lot of people write their notes, I choose to make flashcards AS the teacher is speaking. It helps me put it in bullet points, I get the most important info out of it, and when lecture is over, bam. I've got all my flaschards on me, and I can take them on the go. Overall: Try to look for your textbooks on e-bay, because most of them can be purchased in the PDF format for like $3.99. The PDF format of the textbook looks identical to the e-book, you can press Control+F to search keyterms in the file. It's great, and you can take it with you anywhere. If there are a few pages you want to print out from it, you can do that too. ADDITIONAL TIPS- The most important thing you will do your first semester is NOT sign a contract with a hospital and NOT go to CNA school over Christmas break and try to get a job. People the first semester that signed a contract with SLH or HC (Southlake Hospital/Health Central) for Med-Surg are stuck with that now. When 2nd semester came and they did their actual med-surg rotations, they realized they hated it. You won't know what you want to specialize in until after 3rd semester or even during 4th. If you don't know what kind of nurse you wanna be, that is perfectly OKAY. It is ok to not know. You will find your niche along the way. For now, focus on learning the material, passing the exams, and taking it one day at a time. As for getting a job. Instructors like noobs. Let's put it that way. This is just simple advice for a nurisng student to not water down your vision of what it means to be a Registered Nurse, to work in a hospital, to work with a great team of people and technology. Instructors LOVE it when you do not have any prior medical experience, because that means you are moldable, they can teach you as a baby and raise you fresh, and organically. realize some CNAs are respectful, kind, and love to learn...But some (no longer in my class anymore) always tried to talk over the instructors, give attitude because things are done differently, etc. So as a disclaimer I am not neautralizing the hard work CNAs do or who they are. That's it for Semester 1. Read next for Semester 2! A month ago, you were in med school being taught by doctors.Today you are the doctors.The seven years you spend here as a surgical resident will be the best and worst of your life.You will be pushed to the breaking point.Look around you.Say hello to your competition.Eight of you will switch to an easier specialty.Five will crack under the pressure.Two of you will be asked to leave.This is your starting line.This is your arena.How well you play, that's up to you.Clinic Read more: Grey's Anatomy s

I realized quickly on exam #1 that med-surg was not my cup of tea (when I made a 72). The second exam came and made an 88. I brushed the first one off as just "getting back into the game". Then came the 3rd exam, where I scored a 68. Then the 4th...5th...6th...all below 80s. Finally I made it to exam #7 and scored my first 90. This was the start of psychiatric mental health portion. Exam #8 came and I got another 90. Then exam #9 came and I got a 98. Then my HESI MH exam rolled around and at this point I needed a 84 in order to pass the semester. During the hesi I thought for sure I was failing the entire time, I wasn't going to make it. I hovered over question 55 of 55 on the submit button. As soon as I clicked it, I closed my eyes. I was either going to have to re-do second semester all over again or get to move onto 3rd semester. The score revealed an 89.8! I nearly collapsed! Now, since I took this speciality exam today, I will tell anyone who is taking the hesi MH exam to study personality disorders, assault/rape, antipsychotics/antidepressant medications (specifically sertraline, geodon, zyprexa, haldol, and trazadone). I just want to let everyone know to NOT GIVE UP! During my midterm I went around interviewing other nursing programs in the area and felt like withdrawing. I wanted to ride it out though despite the fact I was approaching the withdraw deadline. If I can bring myself up from a 73 to an 80 in a matter of 4 exams and only less than 1 month of the semester left, it just shows that you can do. This is how it worked for me: Use Saunders NCLEX Get the HESI NCLEX book and register it with evolve. Like 4 questions out of that green little book were on the hesi mh exam. Make a quizlet while in lecture on the stuff the teacher is talking about. Do that quizlet over and over again! DO PRACTICE QUESTIONS. Find them on quizlet, on here, your nclex book, find them anywhere and do them. over. and over. again. 2nd semester is where you really establish how you'll pass 3rd and 4th. Also, do not let others get into your head. Some people are natural test-takers, they leave the exam within 15 minutes and score 90s. Some people take the full 2 hours or whatever and they end up passing with just as good of a grade. Those people have to work harder for it and that's okay! Go see your advisor/student success coordinator. Their job is to encourage you and give you really helpful tips. I believe in you guys! Best of luck!

It's going great! It is stressful, which is expected. The instructors are wonderful and are there to help you. The labs are a lot of fun. We have an exam every week and a math quiz every week (pulled from the Math for Health Related Profession book in MTB). We have clinical check-offs are almost every week as well. So far, I have been checked off on performing vital signs and a physical assessment. There are long days and long nights and everyday is a study day, but it's nursing school. I found out to pass an exam you must make an 84, I previously thought it was an 80, I believe it was changed this semester. I suggest getting some letters of reccomendation now, you will need them for your portfolio in the first semester. For your oreintation, they will just tell you that you do not want to go into this for the money and some information on what you need to make on the HESI, your class grades, and how to get in basically. Take a lot of notes! Good luck!!

LSSC Nursing student, cafe dupee employee, and Learning Center Science tutor and HESI exam tutor here! I visited this website so many times trying to find tips/information on what the nursing program was like, what to expect, etc. and never could find the details I craved. So this is for all you blood thirsty pre-nursing students at LSSC. The breakdown: HESI 40%, GPA 60%. Extra "points" are awarded to you if you pass Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, (basically all of your science classes) with an A or B. Additional points are awarded if you live in Lake County. The HESI specific to LSSC consists of: reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, and math. Advice for the HESI: Take it as early as you can. You get 2 shots a year. (It may be 3 this year- that I'm not 100% on). There is a study guide available in the Learning Center and the library. Arrive 30 minutes early, BRING A HOODIE (I swear I would've done better if I came with a hoodie/jacket, I couldn't feel my fingers when I took it. ) Pay for the test at the admission office. Cash/check only. Attend the info session. This is not a profession you go into for the money. You are a dedicated, cut-throat student who is excellent in time-management and flexibility, and you want this more than anything in the world. Apply. They will want you to get finger printed (it's around $120), just go to UPS and get it done. Start updating your shots now. Get your shot records ready. Create a file on your computer for CastleBranch, this is where you will upload all of your documents like shots, physical, fingerprinting, background check. Save and print all these documents, keep it in a safe place. Return whatever documents they need. Fill out your VECS form immediately to return. Books. They are pricey, so start saving up now. Occasionally, graduate students will donate their books. The only way to know about these awesome give-aways is to check your LakeHawk e-mail account on a regular basis. In fact, this should now be your primary e-mail for everything nursing and school, check it often, set up alerts on your phone for whenever you get an email. I received all of my nursing books from a graduate nurse for free (not including the access cards) because I responded to the email first. This saved me around $1000-1200. Orientation. It's 2 days. The first day you go over expectations. Food is provided! The second day you meet the SNA and the 2nd year students answer your Q's. You get to know your mentor (which is kind of like your "big"). Signing up for classes. Sign up for the CRN's exactly as they tell you. From what I have heard, 11 credit hours in the program equates to a full time student. You'll be taking 3. You will be emailed a master calendar for the entire first year of nursing school. Write it down in your planner (if you don't have one yet, invest in one), and get a calendar either on your phone or one to hang on the wall as well. They suggest writing your personal events on the master calendar as well in order to see everything in one place. You will also receive a clinical grid and clinical group. Your grid is where you'll be at for clinical. You don't start going to the hospital until the end of the first semester. Organizational tips, things to do NOW until it's time to apply: 1. Get a planner and get used to using it. 2. Pass all of your science classes. Aim for a A or B. A's get more points! 3. Study for the HESI 2-3 weeks in advance. Then schedule it as early as possible. 4. Create a quizlet account 5. update your shots (this will save you time) and if you are within a year of applying, go ahead and get your BLS CPR certification ***THROUGH AHA**** ($50-70) 6. Declutter your room. Get rid of unnecessary papers. Have a garage sale or donate to Goodwill. You want a clean space so you can think straight while in the program 7. Start exercising. Get a gym membership. Starting a healthy routine now is a good idea so you can stay healthy in the program. 8. Start learning how to meal prep! Some days you just won't have time to make food and the cafe can get expensive. Those $1.50 fries add up! Plus you will be able to eat healthier. 9. Organize your computer. If you have a mac, get the CleanMyMac app. You will have a lot of files to store on your computer and the last thing you need is a computer with low-space. 10. Relax, meditate, start new hobbies now. SIDE NOTE: when you go to take the HESI, save your evolve username/password. You will be using evolve throughout the program. If you have any additional questions come see me in the learning center or contact me by e-mail: [email protected]

Hey tdm1482! I was accepted into the program in June and I start next week (Monday the 21st). I have a 3.8 GPA, made a reasonable score on the HESI (87), passed all of my science classes with an A. If you pass your main science courses with an A or B (A/P 1 and 2, Micro, Biology, Nutrition), those are extra points towards your admission. If you live in Lake County, that's another point towards your admission. Its 40% HESI and 60% GPA. Take the HESI as soon as you can. I work in the Learning Center there as an Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Biology, math, and HESI Nursing Entrance Exam tutor and can let you borrow the HESI study guide. There is also one available in the library. You will have to attend the orientation, then apply. They will tell you to get CPR/AED certified, turn in your shot records/update your shots (if you decline the influenza shot, be ready to wear a mask during clinical and not be able to do certain things like in the ICU----Just get the shot!). You get your uniforms from Meridy's, they are comfy and cute, but run SUPER big. My advice is if you don't have a job, get one now to start saving up, because the books are very expensive. You'll need to remember you Elsevier Evolve username and password when you take the HESI, so write it down somewhere. You'll be using the Evolve account throughout the program. If you have any questions or need help, come see me in the Learning Center. Good luck!

My advice is to NOT buy the Mometrix TEAS Study guide, I don't know about the others, but they claim to be the "best study guide" on the mark. It is in no way related to the actual test, and I had to find that out the hard way. Your best route is to go to your library, ask for a teas practice book, and do it there. There are 4 sections: reading (53 Q, 64 min), math (36 Q, 54 min), science (53 Q, 63 min), Eng/Lang (28 Q, 28 min). Best advice is to use Quizlet (just type in TEAS), and use your library's resources. I used the Mometrix study guide and failed 2x (1 point away from the minimum!). I ended up taking the HESI somewhere else and scored way higher, because I used Quizlet and the library. Good luck! :)