erin1205

Congrats!! It's going to be a whirlwind of a year for you, but in the end it is definitely worth it!!

Blueelle...there were a handful of my classmates that did not have CNA experience either. Like txakolina said, it definitely is a plus on your side if you do, but definitely doesn't count you out if you don't. Good luck!

Congratulations and good luck on your journey!! :nuke:

I graduated from UW Oshkosh Accel program in October, and just passed my boards a couple days ago. Just to throw in my experience regarding staying on campus vs. the hotel....I highly highly highly recommend staying at the holiday inn! For bootcamp and capstone week, I shared a room there with a couple other classmates and it was great. Not that much more expensive than the dorms, and we really got to bond!! It was completely worth the extra bucks! Good luck to you all!

Well, first and foremost, good luck!! I found that the hardest part of the application process was making sure all my ducks were in a row. The phone interview was a bit intimidating but they were very nice! I know that the biggest things they look for is someone who has done well in previous studies, and if you have CNA pr other healthcare experience, that is a big plus. But that is not to say that its required. About 8 students in my group didn't have any previous experience. The first few months of the program, up until probably about bootcamp, I spent 8-10 hours a day reading and doing schoolwork. As time went on, I figured out away to study more efficiently and really had to adapt my studying to what I was used to before. Once clinical started, I wouldn't say things slowed down, they just changed a bit. I found it much easier to do a course while doing clinical because I had the immediate "real world" reinforcement of what I was reading everyday. But I am definitely the type of learner who gets more out of doing than reading, so I'm sure it varies from student to student. The shifts worked during clinical totally varied. I was lucky and never had a preceptor that worked nights. I usually did 12 hour days, three days a week. But I know other students in my group who had to start late on some clinicals and really pack in the hours at the end. Some also had nights, or only weekends...it just depends on who they find that agrees to precept you and what that nurse's schedule is really like. In general, if I didn't have clinical, then I was able to take my weekends "off". I quote that because occassionally, there would be a test over the weekend, or a clinical. Ultimately, this program will be the focus of your life and everything else takes a bit of a back burner. BUT, I would definitely do it this route again. As far as scholarships go, I didn't pursue it very far. I started looking and just about everything I found was not applicable to us because this program is seeking a degree of the same level that you already have. It is considered a lateral move, and most scholarships don't honor that. But, I'm sure there are some out there if you really do your homework. I know Affinity healthcare in the Fox Valley will pay you $10k toward school for an agreement that you sign a 2-yr contract with them. A couple students in my group did that, and if you are in an area of an Affinity site, that might be a way to go. The other plus of that is that you will do your clinicals there, and be pretty much set up with a job straight out of school. I don't know where you live, but that could be a way to go. If you are not close to an Affinity facility, you could look at your local hospitals and see if they would do something similar for you. If I could go back, that is what I would have done. Good luck with the application process and let me know how it goes! And if you have any other questions, let me know-I'm happy to help!

Hi there! I am currently in the accelerated program through UW Oshkosh. I'm actually at the end of the program and will graduate on October 10! It's been a LOOONG year, but ultimately, I am glad I went this route. It's a very intense program, and school will quite literally be your life for the year. I'd be happy to tell you more about the program...any specific questions you have?

Anxiety is a nursing diagnosis, but hypertension and arthritis are medical diagnoses. So, I don't think you can exactly prioritize one over another...

:yeah::yeah: :ancong!:

Funny to see this thread up here..I just got back from clinical (after 13 hours) and FINALLY got to change out of my ALL white uniform. I wear nude underwear only, and have yet to have a problem. And the boyshort type undies are great! I highly recommend them!

Thank you both so much for the clarification...that really helps! Many many many thanks!!!

hello all! i am in my second month of my accelerated bsn program and things are going well....there is one thing that has me stumped and i can't seem to find a clear answer. can anyone tell me what the difference is between goals and outcomes? i know that they are measurable achievements, but when writing care plans, how do i distinguish the two? thanks a million...

I've officially confused myself beyond comprehension with this darn research study!! If you were reading a study that is basically a profile of nursing students which categorizes them demographically and also uses descriptive statistics to describe their experience would you assume it was a quantitative study? My problem is that the survey they sent out collected qualitative data!?! Is it mixed method in that case? I asked my professor, but the response I got has confused me even more.... I feel like I am lost somewhere between total confusion and critical thinking (maybe that last part is wishful thinking, huh?)

Yes, that does clear some of the fog I feel like the more times I read this thing, the more torn I get about what it really is! And in reality, in my critique I don't have to answer whether it is one or the other. For me, I just would like to know so I can feel like I understand this stuff. Thanks!! And any more insight is greatly appreciated!

I am seriously starting to confuse myself-can someone help me out there? So, I am in Research and we are writing a research critique paper on a selected journal article. I already picked my article, and definitely don't want to change it now, but am really starting to question and second guess myself as to whether it is a quantitative study or a qualitative study. I won't post all the details, but here is where I am confused... This study is basically a profile of a certain type of nursing student. There are four research questions, the students were surveyed and results are of numeric value. All of this would lead me to describe it as a quantitative study....BUT.... The survey sent out was, as the study quotes, qualitative with open ended questions. The report itself has a ton of quotes too. These parts make me question myself and chock it up to a qualitative study. And it stinks because the more I read my text, the more things I find in the report that pull me one direction or another. I am leaning towards the fact that this is a descriptive quantitative study...maybe slightly mixed method because of the quotes thrown in? Does anyone have any advice? I have searched and searched, and I just seem to be getting more confused. Thanks all!

:welcome:Welcome to the board. This forum has been incredibly useful to me throughout the last year, and I am sure you will find it helpful as well! Your first day of classes your instructor will go over everything you need as far as your "clinicals" go. More than likely, she'll ask you to wear scrubs and have a watch with a second hand on it. You shouldn't need a stethoscope. As far as that first class goes, I would bring any books you were required to buy, a notebook and writing instrument, and an open mind and eagerness to learn! Being a CNA has been the most rewarding job I've had (though I'm only 27) but more than that, it has inspired me to go on to nursing school. I started a week ago, and my CNA experience has already proven invaluable. Enjoy your experience and if you have questions, post here. Everyone is more than willing to help out!

Hey everyone! I have my first exam for my Fundamentals of Nursing course tomorrow. I feel like I have prepared well..I have read the chapters, done the review questions...I feel like I know the information, but I am nervous as it is my first test in nursing school! Any last minute advice? Thanks!!

Yeah, I definitely thought I was going to!! After three years, I haven't had a gross moment that comes close to it!

There are so many good/best experiences! Happy residents, happy families, happy endings...it makes it all worth it! But I have a worst that could top them all!! I had worked in an assisted living facility for about a year and got a job in a hospital-thats what I had really been hoping for! So my first shift alone, after three days of orientation, we had a 90+ year old, very confused gentleman who only spoke Swedish. (Though his wife said he had spoken English his whole life, but refused when he got sick :) Anyway, I was helping him with getting cleaned up and he had just had a red jello after being NPO for a few days. He said something to me in a desperate voice, but being that I don't speak Swedish I didn't understand. Just as I was asking him what was wrong, red, projectile vomit! And yes, my mouth was open! Terrible, horrible, disgusting, I never thought I'd be able to come back.......but I did!!!!

Daytonite-thanks a million for your great explanation! The book gave the answer of 533.3 mcg/min, so they must have assumed the microdrip tubing. Thanks for talking me through it!

I'm having some trouble with this problem. I feel like there is not enough information to solve this question: A solution of 400 mg dopamine HCl in 250 mL of D5W is infusing at 20gtt/min. Calculate the mcg/min dosage. Is this "solvable"? I remember reading somewhere in this chapter that gtt/min and mL/hr were interchangeable... If that is the case, can someone explain to me why? EEK-I don't get it!

I have worked as a CNA for about three years and have seen (and smelled) everything! For me, its a mental game...I just think to myself, no matter how bad I think it is, just think of the patient, client, resident you are caring for. It is most definitely a more "uncomfortable" situation for them. Dealing with it physically, almost everyone I know swears by carrying around Vicks, or other mentholated type substance, and stuffing it up the nose! Good luck-you'll surprise yourself, I'm sure!

Hi there! I start an accelerated second degree program in October and have the same problem with paying!! I am taking out a private loan with Wells Fargo. There aren't many scholarships available to second degree students, but there are a lot of hospitals and health care companies that will do a repayment of a portion of your tuition with your agreement to work for X amount of time for them. That is what I will be doing after graduating! Of course, this doesn't help to pay now, but can certainly help when you are trying to pay back any loans you have to take out! Good luck to you!

Thank you both! I am so glad you sent that link...I did a science practice test and a math, and its got me a little freaked out! But at least I know now some topics to review. Thanks again, and good luck txmommy. EGKB-glad to hear that the real thing was a bit easier-I'll try not to freak myself out too much then.

I start nursing school in October, and have to take the TEAS in a couple weeks. Does anyone have any links to good sites to help refresh and prepare for this test? Or any study tips? Any help is much appreciated! Thanks all!

I was just accepted to an accelerated online second degree BSN program at UW Oshkosh. I start in october, and so I can't say yet what my experience is. But from what I have heard, I'll be kissing my life goodbye for the year, and be living, breathing, eating nursing school. Personally, I am completely excited, and wish I could start tomorrow! I would say pros are you get your schooling done faster so you can get a job. My clinicals are one on one with my preceptor which is a huge plus! The only major cons I can think of: expensive$$$ and absolutely cannot hold down a job during the schooling due to the fast paced, intense nature. Good luck to you!!!