Persnicketier

I agree with marilynmom. You will gain so much confidence after your first year of nursing school that it is amazing. I started off with zero experience in health care and fumbling around the hospital in clinicals to feeling like I belong there because I already think like a nurse. As for grades, I have done better in the nursing classes than I did with my prereq's. I was always a little lazy when it came to studying but now I am truly interested in what we are learning so I tend to pay more attention and pick up more. I haven't found the classes to be difficult, though I might change my mind if you asked me the night before a big exam while I cram. The first semester was mostly review of what we learned in our prereq's. The second semester you start learning the disease processes more and how everything fits into the "big picture".

Not sure where you heard that, but I am in the OU program and know very few people that have Macs! Most people use PCs which I think are easier to use with the online class programs.

What's a nursing compact for the state?

I've noticed a lot of people recommend getting supplies such as alcohol swabs, bandage scissors, etc. Do your clinical settings not provide these supplies for you? I'm a little confused as to why they would be extra costs for students.

Do you know if they sell Litmann stethoscopes? I need to get mine still, and was looking to buy online. I've heard allheart has the best prices, but they are very unreliable in shipping. Does anyone know of somewhere in the OKC area that sells them for good prices?

Bestplaces.net is also a good place to get that kind of information. You can compare the cost of living, schools, weather, etc. with other places. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I think it's pretty reliable. Like Dotti said, it can get hot here in the summer, but we have more mild winters. Personally I love living here, and have my whole life. Good luck with the move!

Congrats, Lana! ICCU should be very interesting to work in. I hope everything works out for you.

What kinds of things do CNAs do in hospitals? Are there other jobs available in hospitals for nursing students that aren't CNAs? The pay sounds great, but I was just wondering what else there was.

How much do CNAs make, if you don't mind me asking?

What exactly do you have to do to get CNA certified? I'm starting a BSN program this fall and won't work my first semester, but I'd really like to have a job in a hospital after that. I'm assuming most students work as CNAs, right?

What exactly is a nurse partner at OU Med Center? I've heard of the program before, what kinds of things do you do? Also, what are the hours like?

Both. I'm not sure if it's the same everywhere, but at the OU Med Center they don't distinguish pay-wise between ASN or BSN nurses, at least for the first few years.

Thank you both for posting those. :)

Do you happen to know where can I find information on NCLEX pass rates for different schools?

I've heard new grads can make about $40,000-45,000 in Oklahoma. It was on an info sheet from the OUHSC program, but no details other than that.