AmandaPanda101

Hello, everyone! I am looking for advice/encouragement. Sorry! this post is going to be all over the place! I started out on a level 2 NICU floor with a 4 month set orientation! I thought I was doing really well until the end of orientation where I met with my learning specialist and manager and they informed me that they wanted to extend my orientation by two weeks. Each two weeks I was handed a different preceptor (on my last week they had me switch to days) which I feel like really threw somethings off for me because we obviously do things different depending on the shift. Again, I met with my learning specialist and management and they wanted me to orientate for another week, with a different preceptor. Just yesterday, they informed me that I am still not ready- although devastated and now severely anxious I am trying my best to stay positive. For these three weeks of orientation, my preceptors were told not to intervene at all and let me take on the team. I was told that I could come to them for questions or concerns. I am not blaming them, however, I quickly realized that me asking questions would get comments reporting back to management such as me not knowing certain things this far in orientation. I thought it was always good to ask questions/get clarification? At this point I have had 11-12 different preceptors and it can become overwhelming because all of them do things differently. I've had some relaxed preceptors and others who seem to nitpick at every single thing I do. Also them switching my preceptor every week (and also nights to days, back to night) was a struggle. On top of that, they gave me a new assignment every new shift of the week for experience, which I am grateful for.....but it was hard and anxiety provoking. Also, every preceptor does things differently so its always hard to gage what they want from you.....I have also ran into some bully preceptors but I am too scared to mention that to management since they have been here longer.... Im going in my fourth week and I AM TERRIFIED......I feel grateful that they want to invest time into my development, but I can sense that my manager is getting a little upset by these delays. Some feedback that I received and need to work on is time management, critical thinking, and prioritization and then last shift, I was told that I am not responding to alarms fast enough. This week I will be working with a charge nurse for two shifts and then one of my old preceptors. I have also asked for a set team so hopefully I will be accommodated and I can prove to them that I can establish a work flow and improve as the week goes on. Some positive feedback I've gotten is doing great SBAR's, speaking with providers, charting is perfect, medication, milk administration is perfect, and safety checks are perfect. I agree with some of the feedback that my preceptors have mentioned but I also feel like it's nitpicking a lot since they are sitting down and watching me for 12-13 hours...I also feel like if they do have to intervene such as a critical blood sugar level, its gets immediately reported back to management. I feel uncomfortable asking them any questions and feel like I just need to be faster/more efficient.... As of right now I believe that they think I am a safety concern because I am not responding to alarms fast enough (I think I get so fixated on a specific task that I just can't hear the alarm going off)- but, I will do my best to be more aware. If anyone has any advice/tips please let me know! I feel like I am under a microscope right now and will continue to be even off of orientation until I can really prove myself.

Well! I got a 70% which leaves me with a score of 100 points even! I figured I should just apply and see what happens. I've got nothing to lose at this point! As a plan B I was going to do an LPN course and then try transferring into polk that way. Good luck everyone!

That is such a huge accomplishment! I know you'll get in with a score like that! I'm taking my exam on Friday at 8am! I'm hoping to get an 80% too that way I can have the same score as you! However, if I don't get that score I hope you kick *** in the program for both of us! ?

You guys are life savers! Thank you so much! Has everyone here already submitted their applications?

I appreciate the help! Would you also happen to know how you can calculate your pre req GPA? I understand that you factor in the required classes such as English comp 101, A&P1, Etc. However, what if you also took the recommended classes? such as A&P2, Humanities, etc. Do I factor in those grades aswell to figure out my GPA?

Completely disregard that last comment! I guess I got confused between my dates from this school and another school! (I am taking the TEAS this Friday the 11th! I'll let you guys know how it goes)

I thought the application wasn't suppose to go in until the start of October. I figured I had a couple of weeks before I took it and submitted my application + TEAS score to polk.

Oh my gosh! I am so happy someone started this thread! Hi, Guys! my name is Amanda and I am also applying for Polk state. My GPA is just a 3.0 and I am studying for my TEAS! (My last score was a 68% so Im hoping to at least get up into the 80% percentile!) Any tips?? Also! I emailed ------------------- and she said that the lowest score who got accepted into last fall was a 110! But she also mentioned how that isn't a good indicator since scores are constantly fluctuating. She also mentioned that Spring is easier to get accepted into. Sometimes I'm doubting my abilities due to my low GPA and entrance exam score! kind of stressed!

Hello, Diane! I am in the exact same boat as you! My overall GPA is a 3.1 and my pre req GPA Is a 3.0! So I'm JUST hitting the minimum requirement however most people have higher GPA's. I have to retake the entrance exam since I didn't too hot on it. I've also been a CNA for about a year now. My only advice to you is to stop worrying about things that are out of your control (I know, easier said than done!). I know it can get hard sometimes with feeling discouraged but try to focus on all of the things you've accomplished so far! You finished all of the pre reqs, you are just about to have your bachelors and you even applied to some nursing schools already! BE PROUD OF THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS! Keep on applying. keep on trying. because you may just get a yes from somewhere! I know we can both do this! stay strong! ?

Hello, Everyone! I'm hoping that someone can help me out with what to do next, I feel as if I've completely failed myself. I've finished all of my pre req's with a GPA of 3.0. A&P1: B A&P2: C (79.8 but my professor refused to round it.) Micro: B The rest of my pre req's like psych, dev psych, stats, I got A's and B's in. I was going to apply to Valencia college here in FL but because I got that C they told me to look for another program. A lot of the other schools I've looked at usually take applicants with GPA's of 3.5+ and they also won't allow you to retake any pre req classes if you passed it. I don't mind retaking one or two of the hard science classes if anyone knows of another community college that allows this and has a good nursing school. I've been a CNA for a year if anyone also knows of community colleges that look for experience. I've been completely stressed out because I've spent awhile on these pre reqs and now I feel like its just the end of the line and only because of that one class. I'm terrified of going to a private institution because of how much debt I would be in by the end of it. I feel so down and discouraged, I've watched my other nursing friends get accepted into the program and now I feel like I'm behind and stuck. I guess my only option is to find a good school in orlando, FL where I am able to retake some of the pre reqs. I suppose I could also study REALLY hard for the entrance exam and hope that, that balances out my bad GPA. Any advice or words of encouragement would be great at this point!

Thank you both of you! You have really helped and eased my anxiety a little bit about nursing school!! :)

Thank you, AnnaRose! your words really made my day!

Hello, Jman88! I would be willing to help however you would have to tell me your GPA and your TEAS score! From my understanding if you meet the criteria you automatically get accepted! however, you WILL be wait listed! (As of right now you will be wait listed for two semesters!) Good luck!

I am currently still doing my pre req's at Valencia CC. However, I would LOVE to hear about your experience and ask questions if possible! feel free to contact me! :)

The pre req's are not that hard! it just takes a lot of time and dedication to study and stay organized! you've got this! don't give up! :)