booty911

I also got powerpoints from my profs via emails and took notes on the side. A laptop also is somewhat noisy and takes too long to set up and turn off when jumping between classes; I didn't use mine.

It is hard but not impossible. The first couple weeks I started school in my first year (now starting my last year of a 4 year program) I hated it. I was terrified every day, stressed to the max and just so overwhelmed with the work. But with hard work and good classmates ready to help you get through it too (because we're all in the same boat), you'll survive and be an excellent nurse. Good luck!

Don't forget about uniforms!!! Most schools will have a specific uniform or style/color they want students to wear, my school wanted all white. This was annoying for most students since our first day of classes everyone had to go out and buy all white underwear, bras, socks, everything! For clinical days, make sure you have a stethoscope and put your name on it somewhere because doctors like to use them and then disappear with your $100 prize lol, dressing scissors, pen light, tons of pens and pencils (you'll end up losing them probably so make sure you buy a lot), excellent sneakers...something with bounce in them. For lectures, lots of paper, highlighters, pens, pensils, binders, dividers, post-its. I bought a medical dictionary in my first year and to be honest I didn't use it because most of the terms you learned in class and from reading other material. Buy a book related to your school's preferred format for referencing papers....such as APA or MLA or Chicago style, they're a great help for paper writing. Best of luck! Try not to let the first semester totally freak you out!

Wow, thanks so much! I'm suprised that there are different exams given to students at random, makes sense though I guess. Thanks again!

Hi guys, Anyone know what mark/percentage/grade you need to pass the CRNE? I'm writing mine next year and I'm using the prep guide now but no where can I find where it says something like "you need a x% to pass the CRNE"... Any ideas?

That's somewhat a relief! Thanks! I was kind of nervous about the thought of moving to the US and starting my first job as a nurse and being expected to insert a PICC line on my first day...my eyes would cross! lol.

Hi everyone, I'm just starting my last year of nursing and I have some questions about nursing in the US. First, let me tell you that I am a fourth year nursing student at a Canadian university working towards my BN and will be graduating in a few months. After graduating, I'd like to stick around my home town and get a couple years experience in before I move away or whatever...however, I want to get the best experience possible and become an awesome nurse! I have heard of so many different things that nurses in the US do (skills and procedures) that many Canadian nurses do not perform on a regular basis and aren't taught in school. For example, I believe nurses insert PICC lines into pts at the bedside in the US, but in Canada...this is rare (even if you're a nurse with 25 years experience who has been all over the globe). I want to know what kind of "cool" nursing skills American nurses are taught and do regularly. I'm thinking of working in the US for a little while and learning all these new great skills. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, Chris

Wow, this thread makes me feel really young! I'm 20 years old right now and entering my last year of nursing school...I'll be 21 by the time I graduate!

hahaha, that was awesome to read. i can't wait to start nursing school this fall!