Piper98

Great ideas, thank you!

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. I should add, I am currently in school getting my RN-BSN, so I agree I also don't want to overextend myself. I just feel like I need some thing more, if that makes sense? There are just so many options in nursing and I really want to find my niche, ya know?

Hello! I have been an RN for about a year and a half and started bedside after NCLEX and transitioned to school nursing about halfway through the academic year. I have always wanted to be a school nurse, but now I am not sure. I imagine next year will be different, but I found the work sometimes dull. I am not an adrenaline junkie AT ALL, but miss aspects of the hospital environment (not necessarily the 12s). I want to stick with school nursing for at least another year, but I wish I could find something to keep up my clinical skills since I am still such a new nurse. I have looked into different PRN opportunities but have found it difficult because I only have a year under my belt. Just curious if anyone does anything PRN? Thanks!

I am scheduled to be done in early May 2024. However, I only have to take the nursing courses because I have a previous bachelor's degree, and everything transferred. In the first course, we wrote 3 papers, but honestly, the discussion posts are basically papers as well. You have to have references, etc., to back up your points. I think this is pretty standard for an RN-BSN program, though.

I did! Finished my first 5wk class last Friday. So far, it is definitely doable, just takes some time management. I work full-time, so 7:30-3:30 Monday-Friday, so I work during the day during lunch and evenings and weekends. So far, it is a lot of discussion posts, reading, and writing. We did have a group project, but we collaborated easily via text and Google docs. Lmk if you have any other questions!!

CONGRATS!!

Of course it is possible to fail even after getting high percentiles, it sounds like you are very prepared and will do very well!! I had similar percentiles prior to taking the test in February, and ended up passing in 75. Good luck, you will do great!!

I am scheduled to be starting the Purdue Northwest RN-BSN program next month, and I am starting to have second thoughts. I graduated with my ASN a year ago, and am currently working as a sub school nurse, but may be working a FT permanent position starting next semester. The PNW classes are only 5 wks long, and I'm just so worried I won't be able to keep up! Would love to hear from someone that is in or has completed the program regarding workload, etc.! Thanks!!

Definitely not! I worked 24 hours per week in the ICU after graduation. I lasted 6 months…it was just not for me. I wanted to make it a year, but feeling miserable all of the time wasn’t worth it. I am now doing something I love and am so happy I made the leap! Good luck!

In our district, only the high schools and middle schools have health aides.

I bought a cute sparkly one from Amazon. I just started as a sub. My hubby says I’m trying to flex…maybe I am. I worked darn hard for those two letters behind my name!

What is your favorite aspect of nursing? Would you be interested in doing something in a clinic? What about dialysis or home care?

Thank you!

I am currently looking to start a RN-BSN program in the Spring. I already hold a BS in Health Science, and just got my ASN in December. I wanted to get my BSN from the school I have my original BS from because many of the prerequisites I have already taken. But their program is RN to BS, not RN to BSN. What is the difference?? I’ve googed it, but I’m finding conflicting info. Thanks!

You are not alone. I am 4m in, one week off orientation and still feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I am in the ICU, and have yet to get a flash doing an IV. Nursing school did not prepare us for how hard this first year was going to be. You are only 2 weeks in and are DOING GREAT. If you weren’t asking a million question and/or were not terrified THAT would be concerning. Give yourself grace and know that you are amazing and you can do this!

That is really up to you and how competitive your area is. I applied a week after passing NCLEX, and within a week or so, had 4 offers. I didn’t want the added stress of job search with finishing school and studying for NCLEX. But most of my classmates started applying 1-2 months prior to graduation. Many had secured jobs before graduating. If you have a specific specialty you want to be in, I would definitely start talking to recruiters now.

Just curious…how many preceptors did you have as a new nurse? Or what is to be expected? I assumed as a new nurse you would have one, maybe two, and follow their schedule. I have had nearly a new nurse each shift and am finding it not ideal. It is so hard to adapt to the differences with each nurse, explain what I know, and still try to learn and develop my flow and skills as a new nurse.

What are you using to study? How many questions are you doing a day? How many times have you failed? When did you graduate?

I’m in Indiana. Unless you were dropped for something illegal, I think you would be fine as long as the grades are there. Keep in mind all nursing programs are competitive.

I went to a CC and there were several students that were dismissed from a BSN program and then decided to go the CC route. I don't think you will have a problem at all!!

Just my opinion, but if the drive doesn't bother you, I would go for the first job. It seems like the residency has a lot of negatives that you have identified. The clinic job would not give you the bedside skill set you would need to get into L & D. Best of luck to you!!

I would recommend talking with a recruiter for the health systems in your area. They will be able to give you an idea of what shifts they are hiring for. Have you thought about outpatient? Those jobs are generally 8-5, no nights or weekends. Best of luck to you!

Thank you all so much!! I appreciate the feedback!

Good luck! I took mine last week and passed. It was an odd test. Just take your time and don’t overthink those SATAs! Also, my state posted my license in less than 24 hours, so check that the next day.

I worked as a nurse apprentice in surgery last Summer and HATED it. But the reason I hated it was because I had no patient interaction. It was so cold (literally and figuratively) and so procedural and boring. All I did was help position patients after they were under anesthesia, count sponges, get supplies, and set up and break down rooms. So maybe this is an area of nursing you would thrive in??? Nursing has something for everyone, it just wasn't for me!