SpiceChick01

Hi all! Any tips or suggestions on how to study for the HESI exams? They are rather awful, and the companion book and CD the the EVOLVE corporation puts out to study for it is useless....

Hey all! I was wondering what passing percentage is in the Nursing program at Southwest. For example, I know of one school where it is 80%, and another where it is 77% total average to pass a class. Thanks!

Thanks for the replies! This is clear now...

What the difference is between Private Duty nursing and Home Health? I am really unclear on this. Thanks!

Ooh, just try not to think about how long it will take. I go part time evening wknds and I won't graduate till August 2011. I have stopped dwelling on it cause it makes me IMPATIENT.....So, I just try not to focus on the length of the program, just on how nice it will be to truly be done and not have to go back!

I agree with you Jessie RN about those without education being able to value it. I know a someone personally who lacks education, but strongly advocates education and donates to scholarship funds, etc. But, I think that maybe the previous poster was remarking toward the irony of a Senator with a high school education passing a BILL requiring others to have college degrees. That kind of falls under failing to lead by example, you know? In any event, this rumor has been around forever from what I understand. And with the world screaming about a nursing shortage already, I doubt that diploma or associate RN's will be getting phased out anytime in the next 500 years!!! Just my little

Memphis Tiger: I am also a Memphis Tiger:yeah:!!!I don't work and I also have a B.A and an M.A as well. I am scheduled to graduate in August 2011. Labpus00: So far, the things covered in class have been on the tests. But, I am only taking the Geneds right now, no hardcore Nursing classes. I start clinicals in Fall of 09.

I am a student at Baptist in the evening and weekend program. Evening/weekenders get priority during class registration, and classes are usually 6-915 pm. I like it so far. The faculty and staff have been friendly and helpful. I have heard nothing but good things, which is why I am there. Good luck!

Do you have to be at Baptist for an extended period of time(like 5 years) to get the entire 2:1 match, or is it immediately given as soon as you start to contribute to your 401k? Also, do they match UP TO A PERCENT of your salary like many places do, or the ENTIRE amount you contribute? Thanks!

Hi! I'm in a situation where I may be attending a private school that is affiliated with a hospital. I am thinking about choosing the option to sign a contract to work for them for two years after graduation, in exchange for them covering my tuition. This will save me about $17,000. However, I would like to hear about the experiences of others before I decide. I am a bit hesitant, as I have heard that these situations can suck big time:trout:. My questions for those who have done this: 1.Were you able to work in a department of your choosing, or just stuck where they saw fit? 2.Were you treated like a slave, expected to work 60 hour weeks against your will? Or unable to have a halfway decent schedule (like being stuck working rotating shifts if you don't want to, or working 12's every OTHER day) 3.If you did it and changed your mind, what happened? Were you able to make payment arrangements, or did they want it all at once? I am wondering about these things because I would rather pay as I went along than get locked into a total nightmare situation. Also, I have heard this hospital has bad nurse/patient ratios and works you to death anyway. Responses please!!!!!!!!!!!

It is certainly possible to go to school with a tribe of kids at home, LOL!I am a 28 year old SAHM myself. When I did my Master's, my kids were 1, 1, 2, 6, and 7. Five in all.....the only thing about you situation is the newborn. Mine were small, but not that small. In my experience, the smaller they are the less predictability you can have in planning. My newborns had ridiculous sleep schedules, so I would have been hard pressed to schedule my study time around their sleeping, which is really the best way to go when you are a mom of very small ones like that. The English and speech may be pretty doable, as there is no real studying for those, but writing instead. The Math and Medical Terminology would be bigger problems, as a lot of studying and memorization is involved. Mind you, I am challenged with Math and such under even the best circumstances. This may not be the case for you. If it were me, I would just take the English and Speech. If you are determined to take more, then you may want to CHOOSE one of the others. I understand how it is when you want to get a jump on things. But, bear in mind with the fierce amount of competition for slots in Nursing programs, you want to get the best grades possible. Rather take a little less on at a time to achieve that than put yourself at risk for spreading yourself too thin with class and kids and get mediocre grades, thereby making it that much harder to get in somewhere. Hope this helps you, and good luck!

QueenJean, I am LMAO at flappy Hoohas! It's gotta go one day, ain't THAT the truth!!!!!!! :lol2::lol2::lol2:

Yes, my point also ItsyBitsy! Why would you choose it. Medical necessity is different. I was highly upset at the time my son was born because I ended up having a c-section after 13 hours of labor :angryfire. I was prepared for a lady partsl birth and felt cheated, as I took all those classes that teach you techniques on how to focus and such.......

Well, I don't know where folks would get the idea that a lady partsl birth is DISGRACEFUL! That is what we are made to do. I had all of mine via c-section, so I don't know firsthand which is worse. But, I will say that I have heard the opposite of what you posted: in some cases- c-sections are not worse than lady partsl deliveries. Personally, I had no problems or complications after mine. I was up and about with the babies within 2 days, full of energy, no problem. Just had to be careful not to do a lot of abdominal bending for a little while. Otherwise, I was fine. I have friends, however, with true horror stories to tell. One friend had a 4th degree episiotomy (sp?) and swears that sex has never been the same. Yet another friend with six kids says her husband could tell the difference in lady partsl tightness after the fourth baby. One of my neighbors suffers from occassional incontinence since having her third baby lady partslly. A family member of a friend pushed hard enough that she pushed OUT her lady parts (OUCH!!!!). Would have thought it was an exageration if she hadn't told me herself. Still others have bad experiences with lady partsl births AND c-sections. I think it's crazy to just schedule one. I expected to deliver lady partslly, but my baby had other ideas:o. But there was no choice with my twins, being that they came EXACTLY 12 months after my son. My ob was concerned that I would injure myself trying to deliver two more right after having a c-section months before (though you feel alright and can get around quickly after a c-section, internal healing can be slow going). And after all those prepared childbirth classes my husband and I went to, LOL! I was glad later though, after some of the stories I heard.......

It just depends on what you can handle and how good your support system is. I just took A&P 1 AND 2 along with Micro and Human Development in the Spring of 07. I have a husband and 5 kids under the age of nine, so yes-it's doable! My grades were B,B, C, and A. Was a little mad about the C in Micro, but the professor is a nightmare! I was fortunate not to get a D like a lot of my other classmates. I had to do ALL the extra credit just for that C though! There were no A's at all in there, and a few B's...........and the man had the nerve to brag about this at the end of the semester!!!!! So, barring evil professors, you can do it, and make decent grades too. Best of luck!

I think it is awful that someone would be discriminated against for any reason, but PARTICULARLY in healthcare. It seems such a violation of what the profession is all about, IMO. I could care less what anyone's color, religion, OR sexual preference is, they deserve quality care and treatment when it is needed. And the thought of that lady dying alone really makes me sad. No one should be subjected to poor healthcare options or have to die alone regardless of what anyone thinks about what they are doing in their bedroom, or what color they are, or what their religion may be. Just my $19.20.

Yea, it's rather hard to guess what is going on in the families. In my case, I had a twin birth. The girl was okay, but the boy stayed in the NICU for a week. I had a casarean, and it wasn't easy for me to get around (this was my 2nd c section in 12 months). So while I was in the hospital I went down to be with him 3-4 times a day, but once I checked out with the other twin I had to rely on phone calls to the NICU for the last 3 days he was there, as I had a 12 month old at home as well and was recovering from the birth. You never can tell......

I am starting to know the feeling ladies.....I didn't have the mommy guilt when I did my Master's because I went two days a week in the evenings. I had no problem leaving the kids with hubby, as he works all day and I stay at home. We have 5 kids, ages 4,4,5,8,& 9. So the Master's was not easy by any means, but in a sense, almost a break for me, because I have been at home since 2002. However, nursing school wil be a lot different, I can already see. It wouldn't be so bad if the programs were mostly in the evenings- but they aren't. I took 15 hours of prereqs in the Spring, during daytime hours. I felt guilty, as I had to miss field trips, helping at the school, etc for the first time ever. But I know it will all be worth it in the end. Now I'm just waiting to see where i get accepted..........

ICURN7, you may want to provide your general location, as that type of thing is probably subjective to region, city, etc. This will probably get you more replies! I noticed it's been a couple of hours since you posted this.....

Thanks for the info! I appreciate the replies. Hopefully a couple more people will pipe in at some point. CRNA, I have heard that Baptist is a real bloodsucher for nurses, LOL! Don't know if a few extra $ are worth all that, truly. I will check into the Methodist system and St. Francis as well. Also the MED, as I have heard good things.

One more BIIIIIIG BUMPITY-BUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where are all the Memphis nurses nowadays LOL

Go ahead and bite the bullet! I just took A&P 1 with A&P 2 AND Micrbio in the Spring of 07. You just have to be disciplined enough to do it, but it is certainly possible, and you can get good grades too. I got B's out of each A&P, a C out of the Micro, and an A out of the fourth class I had. My A&P's were online, while the Micro was traditional. Lots of work, but do-able! Good luck.

Bumpity-bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! Just wanted to know- what are the best hospitals in Memphis to work for as an RN? 1. Who pays best and has the best benefits (please let me know about shift, weekend dif., etc). 2. Who has the best patient ratios? 3. How much experience must you have before you can work a weekend program somewhere? 4. How hard is it to get into, let's say, an NICU or CCU as a new grad? Do you know of anyone who has? I would like answers to these questions because I am in the process of narrowing down potential places to work as a nurse tech or intern while in school. I think it would be nice to start my career out wherever I am a tech or intern if possible, as I will at least already be familiar with the surroundings and 'culture' of the hospital in that case. Thanks!

Hi guys! Just wanted to get some clarification on this. I have noticed Registry and PRN sometimes lumped together when people talk about them. Are they the same, or different? And if different, how so? Which one makes more(if this applies)? Thanks!