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Wonderful & encouraging story. Thanks for posting.

:ancong!:

I'm reviewing with Saunder's Comprehensive and their Q&A book. I've found that I tend to use the Q&A book more often and usually only turn to the Comprehensive if I'm unfamiliar with something or need a more in-depth explanation. I started out with just the Comprehensive and planned on doing a read-through of the entire book but I can't manage it. It's no complaint with their layout or writing, I think the series offers great information and rationales, but my brain is just about shot! It really depends on your own studying preference - if you like to go for mainly reading and reviewing or just NCLEX-style questions. At this point, with my attention span gone, the questions are working a lot better for me than attempting to sit down and read like I had to do in school.

Of course no one student has been in the same situation as any other student and we all cope with things differently. I've known students and nurses who've gotten pregnant twice during nursing school (note: part time and thus extended program!), have lost loved ones, gotten divorced or married...you name it. But being completely overwhelmed, stressed out, and tempted to throw in the towel - even near the end - seems to be the one thing we've all had in common. I hope things work out for you. All I can say is don't make any rash decisions and keep in mind how much work you've already put into this. I know that since I managed to convince myself of the following facts: School is temporary. There will be good, bad, and neutral weeks. Every moment one sticks it out brings one closer to graduation. The everyday frustrations of nursing school have been MUCH easier to deal with.

"It can't last forever." Though it sure as heck seems like it will never end.

congratulations, nurse isadoragag!

Sorry to hear about your test, jay. You might want to contact your state's nurse aide registry. The registry staff should be able to tell you of any laws concerning working before you receive certification. Of course, there's always Google, if you haven't tried that already. Good luck finding a job. I hope your next testing experience goes better. (FYI: I've been there and done that. You aren't alone with failing the skills exam the first time. )

The ordeal is now officially over. I'm a CNA! :w00t: 100% on skills and 94% on written. So happy and relieved.

What I wrote in a separate thread: I just got back from the CNA written test (last step after passing the skills) and *drumroll* passed it with 94%. I had four questions that I was kind of iffy about, so I put down my first thought. When I went back to make sure I had answered every question, what did I do? I changed my answers. All four. Guess how many questions I got wrong? Mmmhmm. Four. I should have followed the advice that my mom always gave me, test phobia queen that I am, when I had a test: Stop over analyzing everything and just go with your gut reaction. Mother knows best. *grumble grumble* I have to say, she would be smiling right now if she knew she was right yet AGAIN. I managed to graduate with a 4.0 because of that advice, so why didn't I use it this time? *sigh* But it's over, and now I'm a CNA, so I'm happy regardless. After I get back from my trip, it'll be time to start looking for a job so I can gain some much needed experience. Then I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and actually apply to nursing school instead of just talking about applying. ---- Thanks to everyone for all the help and words of encouragement! I'm a CNA! :w00t: Can't believe it. For those of you reading this and wondering what to expect with your written, I didn't think it was that difficult. I had a lot of scenario questions, and as long as you don't read too much into them, you'll do fine. I had a few questions that were worded a bit strangely, but other than that they were all pretty straightforward. Luckily, what I had envisioned was much worse than what it turned out to be. Good luck to all the future test takers out there. Don't forget to remove that bath blanket.

i have an idea how you must feel. i was extremely nervous both times i took my exam, and i'm a nervous wreck just thinking about going into nursing school. rest assured, you aren't alone. good luck with your exam!

Sorry the first place didn't work out, Dreamy. Hopefully this place will be a better fit for you. And I have to say, I know what you mean about not liking the LTC environment. That was probably my biggest problem during clinicals. Congratulations on getting this new position! All the best! :balloons:

Thank you! And "yay" for not forgetting! :balloons: I'm glad to know that something good came out of my mistake. I also want to say thank you to amanda1229 and Suesquatch for their kind words. Means a lot to me! :icon_hug:

Congratulations! :balloons:

Oh, Arwen. That was heartbreaking enough to read, I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to experience. You write beautifully. Thank you for sharing this important story with us all.

Thanks! :icon_hug: And I forgot to mention this, but I remembered the bath blanket this time. The whole time I was doing pericare I was thinking: Bath blanket, bath blanket. Don't forget the bath blanket. Something I would otherwise do automatically and for some reason I have to consciously think about it when I'm being tested on it. I'll never understand it...

*sending moral support* Just remember: Safety, infection control, privacy, and comfort. (And don't forget to breathe. ) Wishing you all the best today!

Awww... Thank you so much. :icon_hug: You must have missed my post up above you. I took the skills exam again yesterday, and I did pass it. So relieved. One more test to pass and I'll be a CNA.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I took the skills exam again yesterday and passed! (Second time's a charm, eh? ) Got the same set of skills as the first time. Not sure if that is the way they do it, or if I just lucked out. Either way, I'm glad it's over with. Oklahoma changed the rules concerning who was eligible to be the volunteer "patient." I ended up having to use someone from the school to be my patient; the people I knew that fit the criteria couldn't get out of work or school commitments. I think I was more nervous this time around. My mind still went blank, luckily not as completely as before. The only hitch was the volunteer's pulse. It was extremely difficult to count. Weak and highly irregular. I thought I was obliterating the pulse, but apparently not. (I thought I failed it for sure right then and there.) The observer even mentioned it to the volunteer after the test, so I hope it's nothing serious. After the test, while waiting for my test to be scored, the observer (an RN) asked me if I was going to apply to the LPN program, encouraged me to, and then introduced me to the organizer of the program. She even told her some things about me that makes me surprised that my head still fits through doors! (Made me feel a little uncomfortable, to be honest. I'm the absolute worst at taking compliments.) All right. Now I just need to get my written test scheduled and pass it. I'm better with written tests/book knowledge than I am with standing up and demonstrating skills, so I'm hoping I won't have any problems. Halfway there... :monkeydance:

Congratulations on getting through your first day of clinicals. :)

Look at what I just found. It definitely brings to light one of my biggest pet peeves. I found it and immediately thought of you all and this thread.

Add long pauses, exasperated sighs, and a lot "Ums" to your description and that's me. I hate public speaking. :uhoh21:

Crocs Athens Sooo comfortable.

Good luck! :)

Good luck!

Good for you for going after the help you need. I'm not very familiar with bipolar disorder, but one of my family members has many of the signs and symptoms that you described in your post and refuses to seek any treatment. I also want to applaud you for stepping up and posting this. I'm sure it will help many people who are in the exact same boat as you, but are afraid to confront it outright. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. :icon_hug: