VIXEN007

I like Texas, especially El Paso. There is a small airport there, so you can get away to Vegas. There are large hospitals there and a Level I Trauma Center. There is no state income tax in Texas. Traffic in El Paso is nothing compared to CA...

It is not impossible, because sometimes men get raped usually by other men. So what is the real answer here? There are other areas of Forensic Nursing, like corrections, psych and death scene investigations...

What about wearing a cotton slip underneath? They sell them at JCPenney.

If you have the HESI book, there are critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter. I like to review those while I am driving. My favorite review book is Saunders. I like it because it helps reinforce the material in nursing school. For example, we are doing critical care airway management and respiratory issues. I read the text and now I am reading Saunders. At the end of the Saunders chapter, I can answer the questions. This is a great way to study for the NCLEX while studying for nursing school.

Ditto on the above post. I usually make A's. Not because I try to. I ask lots of questions when I am reading. I try to relate it to something that I know about. It is really important to understand the concepts. Are you able to explain it to someone? When you can teach it, you really know it. Are you having fun? Learning should be fun not drudgery. Do you draw little pictures and diagrams to help you understand how things work? Are you finding 30 minutes a day for yourself? Sometimes just going for a walk will allow you to clear your head. Suddenly a difficult concept makes sense.

I did quite well on the HESI. I would focus on concepts and critical thinking. The Saunders book is quite good. The Hesi book is good for quick review of core content. I like Saunders better.

I took the NCLEX PN yesterday. I think the idea of "studying" for the test is wrong. You have to "prepare." The difference is opening your mind by learning a few fun facts each day and incorporating it into your mental filing cabinet. I read a lot about the test. It is designed for an entry level nurse who is able to practice safely. It is impossible to know everything that could possibly be asked. The main thing is, are you safe? ABCs, lab values, nursing interventions, stuff that you know has to be applied to safely take care of a patient. I would first read about the test. Read about critical thinking. Read the nursing journals that you subscribe to. Read about the core areas (physiological integrity, client needs, etc.) Then, answer a few questions with yourself as the PN. Everything you need to answer the question is given. What is the question asking you to do or say? Come at it that way and you will be a different person. That being said, I hope I passed...

Ditto on the above post. Don't you look at your patient's lab values when you are prepping for clinicals? Make it a point to learn 2 lab values per day. You should know the norms and what causes the patient to be above or below normal. Then you need to know what interventions to consider. Start with the basics like sodium and chloride. Then do potassium and calcium. Then magnesium and phosphorus. Just learn 2 a day. Once you learn them, they are yours!

I used the NCSBN. I did the 3 month option or 4 month option. It was okay. I prefer the Saunders book. There are some advantages. You can carry it with you, like a pet. You can use it in class to supplement lecture material and you can use the CD to pretend you are actually taking the NCLEX. The drawback for the NCSBN is you cannot take notes or draw pictures, unless you draw on your monitor. With Saunders, you can beat it up, highlight it, draw pictures in it, make dog ears, etc. Mine looks like it has been in a fire. I just took the NCLEX-PN exam at 2pm MST. I am anxiously awaiting results...

Ditto on the above posts. I have been using the Saunders RN since June 07. I had to shift gears to get ready for the PN exam. I am using the Saunders PN-3rd ed. I will take my exam on 2/17. After that, I will switch back to getting ready for the NCLEX-RN. The Saunders has been quite helpful to me in nursing school. I usually incorporate it into my reading. I use the interventions and questions to get ready for exams. So far so good. Also, I would rather understand concepts. I have a photographic memory, but I get bored unless I understand the whole picture. Saunders really helps with developing concepts and core knowledge.

I will take the NCLEX-PN on 2/17. I plan to obtain a position at a SNF so that I will have some nursing experience when I graduate in June. I am estimating that I will not be able to take the NCLEX-RN boards until late July or August, depending on how fast the BON processes the application. So, I could have at least 5-6 months experience as an LPN when I start looking for RN jobs. I just want something that will give me experience while I work on an MSN. I plan to start the MSN program in late Aug or Sept. I do know that the US markets are getting flooded, so you have to think outside the box.

Best regards to you! I just received my ATT and my test is scheduled for 2/17 at 2pm. I am so ready. I have been studying since 2007 for the NCLEX-RN. Now, I am ready to take the NCLEX-PN. I hope I do well. I am using Saunders-PN after finishing Kaplan and several others. I also do the NCLEX questions that come with my textbooks. I will let you know what happens!

I wouldn't cram. Use the Saunders PN book and take the quizzes and exams. I have been doing this everyday since 12/5/08. I am still waiting for my ATT. I am so ready to take the test and get on with my final semesters of the RN program. I want to take it, and start reviewing for the NCLEX-RN again...You have time to take 100 questions twice a day. That gives you time to focus on areas of weakness and hammer on the concepts. I hope you do well.

After prepping for the NCLEX-RN since I started nursing school in June 2007 and switching gears to prep for the NCLEX-PN, I have used or read just about everything out there. I did use the NCBSN website for three months. The background info was good, only I prefer to have a book to make notes and pictures in. I have also used the 3500 book and the Kaplans (RN and PN). I think at this point you should narrow it down and focus. Two many resources can be as bad as too little. I also have questions on my PDA that I take during class breaks or downtime. I like Saunders because I like to know WHY. I have had to really focus on the questions and to shift from thinking like an RN to thinking like a PN. After this, I will have to shift back in order to get ready (again) for the NCLEX-RN. I think doing the reviews and answering questions makes you better at taking your time really reading the question instead of "reading into" the question. :uhoh21: I usually take a 100 question test once a week and I take quizzes each day on a specific therapeutic area. I also use Saunders to reinforce coursework and nursing care plans. I wish you the best!

I think that may be because of time constraints or not knowing how to be frugal. I think I was one of the few pharmaceutical reps who shopped at Salvation Army and other thrift stores. I actually get my shoes reheeled and resoled. It is amazing how much the little things add up. I saw some great recipes for crock pot cooking on this website. I love my crockpot and rice cooker. This makes the difference between getting home hungry and ordering out or getting home to a hot meal that gives you enough for leftovers that you can take for lunch the next day. Other things, like taking snacks with and water from home instead of hitting the fast food places. I am a huge coffee drinker, so I brew my own at home and sometimes splurge at Costco on to-go cups. If you save $5 a day, that adds up to $1800 a year. Who couldn't use an extra $1800? That would fund a family vacation or a major appliance purchase.

Be careful where you get the certification. I love wound care and colostomy care. Some certifications are only available for BSNs or higher. Some programs will just charge you thousands of dollars and you will get a certification that is not highly viewed. I have a great wound care resource that I use for clinicals. In the past few months, AJN and RN 2008 have published wound care articles. I think LPN 2008 has also.

You should check out skyscape. There are some programs geared to FNPs. As a nursing student I have: RN Notes Medical Spanish Archimedes calculator Davis Drug Lipp Man of Nursing Procedures Harriet Lane Peds Psych Notes OBGYN Notes Lab Manual Drug formulary Drug Interactions EZ ECG Nursing Assessment Nursing Diagnosis I also have NCLEX programs loaded The only book I have to take to clinicals in my Tabers...although that is available for PDA also.

Maybe we could start a "thrifty forum" ? With cheap and yummy recipes, ways to do more with less and how to have a decent quality of life as a poor nursing student?

I plan to complete my MBA, I stopped while going to nursing school. After that, I plan to pursue an advanced nursing degree, I am thinking MSN with a concentration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. I plan to return to medical devices and work PT/PRN as a nurse. The sales and business experience, combined with nursing will help me ensure that quality and cost effective products are in the hospitals and surgical suites and that the nurses have a voice.

Go to Dave Ramsey's website. There is a link for student loan consolidation. There are also tips available for debt reduction and personal finance management. I was doing this program before nursing school when I was a pharmaceutical rep. It has really made a difference in my sanity. Nursing is a great career, but it helps to have a handle on finances.

I am in similar shoes. I carve out 15 minutes at the end of each day for a cup of tea w/milk or hot chocolate. Just sitting down with your child for 15 minutes-30 minutes will do wonders for both of you. If I do it after a warm bath, my daughter usually falls asleep leaving me time to study. It means a lot to have a cup of something and talk about your day. This could be something that you continue after nursing school.

I have been using Saunders and reviewing each week since I started nursing school. I am waiting for my ATT. I will be ready whenever I receive it. I am in an RN program, so as soon as I pass the NCLEX-PN, I am going to shift my focus and start prepping for the NCLEX-RN. :typing I looked at the Kaplan book and several other PN books. In my opinion, the Saunders is the best hands down. I also use Saunders to prep for course work and exams in the nursing program. I also use it for care plans and just getting more familiar with the nursing process and WIIFMP (what's in in for my patient). In other words, what will help me meet the patient's needs...

I meant to say fake MBTs. Some of the nurses wear Crocs. They complain about foot pain a lot. I like the Curves because they really help and they don't have the coil that always gets caught in cords if you are not careful...

I have Z-Coils and a pair of Avon Curves that look like MBTs. I paid $170 for the Z-Coils and $40 for the Avon Curves. I am only wearing the MBTs now. At the end of my shift, my feet are not hurting and I feel like I got a good workout all day. I take a ballet class once a week (that is all that I can fit in). I also do some yoga exercises during the day. I fit them in before going into a room. So, basically, I have turned my work day into a workout day. I even use some of my ballet training to help patients who are post surgery use their legs more efficiently.

I am happily enrolled in Pima's ADN program. I considered the second degree BSN program at UNM and the programs at Apollo and CNM. I was not willing to wait 2-3 years to petition for acceptance. There is a strong emphasis on clinical competency and critical thinking. I plan to pursue advanced degrees after I graduate. I think that having a degree and understanding how to think critically, manage your time and be self motivated are important at Pima. I also found that when I asked questions at Apollo, I never got a straight response. I was attracted to Apollo because of their evening program. Bottom line, I believe that I made a good decision. Do your research and consider all of your options.