Sammygrll

Thank you....I keep having dreams that I go back into RN school. Just intimidated because I didn't get in again and failed out of 1 already. Thanks again.

Thank you for your reply. You are right-Being specific is the way to go. I think that is why I feel so lost. Health Science is so broad...I need to be more specific. I set up a counseling session and go from there. Thanks again!

Hello everyone! I am so confused and lost. A year ago I was accepted to my local of CC RN program...long story short, 2nd semester took the best of me and my clinical instructor did not pass me. It was horrible. Thinking back, I honestly don't think I could have worked any harder. Theory I was fine, clinical was just flying by me...and she was to no avail. Pass a semester and a half later...I am done at the CC with my transfer courses and have recently been accepted to my local University. At the time of application, I applied to their RN program and didn't get in. I was so hurt, drained and just emotionally done from what had happened..I honestly did not think nursing shcool was for me anymore. I did not want to hear about what my fellow RN friends were doing, didnt go on here, didnt touch my textbooks....depression set in bad. Now I am a little more stabilized (however still have some resentment?)....Am I doing the right thing? Am I selling myself short? My major chosen at the University is Health Sciences, but I cant apply to thats schools RN again per their policy. My other issue is my pre-req sciences may expire soon as well. I loved what I did as a student nurse. I loved the challenge, the intellect, the studies, the people and patients. I did not like the belittling and being talked down to. I'm a tough chick and can handle how things go...but I may need more time than the average "smarter" kid in the class to "catch" on-is that such a bad thing? Thank you everyone for letting me vent-this has been so helpful! So question is....stick to Health Sciences for the next 2yrs at the University (or maybe other Health major?) Or...finish what I started and apply to other schools and just do it and get over my bad attitude! Thanks again! -Samantha

Recent Update: My clinical instructor replies to my reflection email from last weeks clinical that we send out every week. She insisted I chose 1 patient this final week, and I replied with no thank you, I really want 2 so I can finish this successfull, etc. She replies back saying that shes already putting me on a marginal (meaning Im not going to pass clinicals) and I should pick 1 so she can focus on the other students! I am so frustrated and emotionally drained....is this normal? I honestly feel like shes putting me on the back bunner because I'm not up to speed and it's ok, because she has to help the successful students... PS...still waiting to hear back from the program director after 2 emails...this is ridiculous...I'm hunting her down.

You are very kind. Thank you..that would be wonderful! And yes...I am ON that! I've already emailed the program director twice, and we still haevnt met up...I'm going to talk to my councelor for some guidance (whose a nursing instructor as well).

I'm sorry that you quit...I really hate hearing that!! I actually spoke to the LVN director, just for the heck of it, and I didn't find it encouraging at all. She said I need to take pre-reqs! What..I'm in the 2nd semester of the RN program, and you're telling me I need to take pre-reqs to go backwards!! I don't think so...I am NOT doing that....so I'm going to fight this and kick butt on my last clinical. I also am waiting to hear back from the program director. I emailed asking to meet with her...if I dont hear back, I'll knock on her door or talk to someone else... I'm not going down without a fight...and I'm not quitting... Have you talked to your clinical teachers? If thats what you deffinitely want to do, then good luck!

Thats great!! Thank you! To get more specific, the first 2 clinicals, I was "spinning"...I took on too much and wasn't organized on that fast paced floor. I did make a timeline for each clinical day,after that and I got better with my organization, passed meds out on time, etc, but I was so consumed with all my tasks, that I didn't have time to complete my careplans...and thats unsatisfactory. She basically says, I'm too slow and I need to be more effecient...Ok..got it..I know that...it's not like I'm twiddling my thumbs all day...I'm doing work, reassessing, charting, etc..She also says I lack on my basic fundamentals. ex) I had a pt with a new NGT order who was severly contracted and kept slouching down in bed, and I should have positioned her upright in bed, more often. Ok...I will learn from that and move on. I'm a student, I learn, I won't make the mistakes again..and I move on. I never put anyone in harms way and always ask/double check before I do things I'm unsure of. I also allow to let my nerves and anxiety to get the best of me...my previous clinical instructor didn't pressure us as much and I did very well. I'll get over this too. I only have one more clinical day, on Thursday...so I'll post the results of this week! I'm going to get through this!

Change of plans....... I'm fighting this!! Stay tuned......

Well I just spoke to my clinical instructor today...and I quote "If you walked on water for the next few weeks, you still won't average out to satisfactory"...Nice So...I thought about this....I can't be tredding water, hoping to just "get by"...I do need to build a strong foundation if I want to be a strong nurse. My instructor did recognize that I'm a hard worker, she said she does always see me practice and knows I do well theory wise...but clincals gets the best out of me and I spin! I emailed the LVN program director to look at my options. I don't think I should just keep going, stressing myself out to witts end and not really understanding and learning as I should. This isn't failing, or dropping out...this is just going a different route. I have to swallow my pride, so to speak..and I really hate that...haha Thanks for all the tips! I'm going to finish this section through of course, and let you know any updates if anyones interested.

Thank you all for the wonderful encouragement! I have a wonderful support system...and a great clinical group too! They keep telling me I'm doing great, but according to my clinical teacher, I'm not. For example, I'm not doing things EXACTLY on time as she wants them...1200VS, I may be a few minutes late, and she's very specific.. To the poster that said I need more sleep..I do agree with that. Unfortunately, I have to say that our hospital is the only "unfair" one, but can I? haha..The other clinical groups get to pick their patients at 2pm, we can't go until 430, now we heard that the staff complaned about us, so now our teacher scedules us in groups..so some of us go between 430-630 (shift change) and then 7-9pm! So when the other clinical groups are getting all snuggled in bed...I'm driving home still having to spend 2hrs writing up on my patients before I wake up at 4! This too shall pass....Just a little frustrating is all... I think my main issue is...I need to go faster? But I dont want to spin myself out of control...

Hi everyone....I'm hoping I can grasp some advice and opinions here... I'm in my second semester on an ADN program and this semesters clinical portion is taking a toll on me. Theory wise, I'm doing ok with a B. However, the clinical portion is another story. We take care of 2 patients on a fast paced Med-Surge floor, once a week. Long story short, the first 2 shifts, I was a mess. It was nothing like 1st semester and I was spinning and had a full blown panic attack on the first shift. I understood my weaknesses, made a timeline and my time management imporved the next 2 weeks, ex) getting meds out on time, charting on time, etc. Unfortuntely I am still not up to par with my clinical instructor, and have failed to find the time to complete my careplans so far this semester. I've never had this problem before, of course last semester it was a much slower paced floor. I'm so worried about getting my meds out on time, charting (its paper charting), AM care and just keeping up with the speed and not spinning, that the next thing I know, she's collecting my the careplans and of course mine aren't completed...yet again. This is ashame....I get to bed at midnight the night before, and get to the hospital at about 4-430am that morning to "prepare" myself, and for some reason I'm still not up to speed. The entire shift, I dont eat, drink, take a break or even find the time to sue the bathroom...what the heck am I doing to not get all my tasks done on time?? My instructor recommended I look into the LVN program. At first I said no because I AM a hard worker and I want to prove to myself and to her that I CAN and will do this. However, I want to build a clinical foundation for myself, and barely tredding isn't going to cut it in the long run. My friends/classmates think I shouldnt go into the LVN and I should stick to it, and so far I am. We have 2 more clinical days in the rotation and honestly..how much more can I prove in just 2 short weeks? So the question is....should I concider my options? Or suck it up and show her I CAN do this? Thank you for letting me vent. This is very helpful..

I bought these today at Sports Authority and so far they feel very comfortable... I'll wear them during first few weeks of lecture and let everyone know how they are! http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=2874U&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=New_Balance_511_Walking_Shoes_-_For_Women&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEBASE2KX&codesProcessed=true

Hi everyone... I start Nursing School next week (yay!)... Can anyone suggest some VERY comfy, supportive, "duty" shoes for my upcoming crazy schedule? I've heard crocks are wonderful, but I'm not sure if they are "duty shoes" and will be supportive enough for the 8hr clinicals? I'm wondering if I should just stick to a classic New Balance sneaker? Thanks a lot! -Samantha

Hi everyone..this is such a great feeling! I believe I finally know what kind of nursing I want to get into!! I start nursing school in August, however, have been volunteering at a local hospital for about a year and have been all over in areas such as ER, ICU, MedSurge andL&D, and did not find my niche. I have always been very interested in young women's health, teens, sexual education, prevention, counseling, etc, however, did not know how to pin point it and what it was called. I even thought that L&D would be in my favor, but soon found out, that I prefer to help women before they get pregnant, I like to focus on more of preventative care. After some research on this great site, turns out I want to go into Community Health Nursing and focus on young womens health if preferrable, something similar to a Planned parenthood. I posted on their message board, but recieved no replies. yet. I am sooo excited about this though!! I can't wait to focus my goal and career towards this...I just wish I knew where to focus...Womens health, community health? I also plan on calling and maybe volunteering at a planned parenthood next summer. On another side note, I'm trying to get a scholarship, and if accepted, will be locked into the same hospital I volunteer for, for 2 yrs post-grad..so all this would have to happen after that. Anyway...thanks for listening...if anyone has any info...that would be great! Thanks! -Samantha

Hello everyone! I will be a soon to be nursing student in just a few months, and have just had the lightbulb moment of what kind of nurse I want to be! I have always been interested in young women's health, sexual education, prevention, counseling, and community involvement. I have volunteered at a hospital for a year in such departments as ICU, med-surge, ER and L&D, where I thougt I would fid my niche in L&D, but did not. I'm more interested in young women/teens and helping them before they get pregnant. What do I do from here? I will graduate with an ASN, and am also trying for a scholarship which will lock me into a 2yr contract at that same hospital if I'm chosen as well. However, after my ASN...what do I further my career goals on? Majoring in Community health? Womens health? Do I need a BSN? I would ultimately like to ubtain a MSN and perhaps become a NP is something like a Planned Parenthood? Any suggestions? I'm very excited about thsi lightbulb moment! I always knew what I enjoyed, but never knew what it was called. I also plan on trying to see if I can volunteer/intern at local organizations or planned parenthoods over the next few years as well. Thank you for the advice, -Samantha

Hi everyone! Thanks for reading this...I need opinions on whether I should bother pursuing this scholarship opportunity or not... Here are the details... I just got accepted and will begin Nursing school in August! YAY!!! A lady from a local hospital came into our last advisement session and told us about this wonderful scholarship opportunity, which is associated with a local hospital, in which case, they will pay for your entire 2yrs of nursing school, books and supplies, however, you will have to work for them upon graduation and passing NCLEX for 2yrs. She made it seem like everyone was eligible for the scholarship, however if you are or have been associated with the hospital, you're chances are even better!! Ok...soo....I email her. This is great because, I was part of this internship they do as well for pre-nursing/med majors, and I did this for about a year at this hospital, but was unable to finish my hours for personal reasons. She replies telling me I'm not eligible unless I finish training again and complete one more rotation (3mon) of 4hr shifts, 1/week. Sounds like no biggie right? Ok...but here's the thing.....is it worth doing all this again, even though I already put so much time into this hospital in the past, without even knowing if I'll for sure get this amazing scholarship? And 2...I'm not the only one that notices how wrong she worded this entire thing at the meeting! I mean who comes into a college and boasts about a scholarship, gets everyone excited and then says later, oh yeah...you're not eligible! I'm already in the process of getting reference letters from professors. I don't have much going on in the summer though, but the training required before hand will take up time. Do you guys think this is worth it?? Just 3mon of volunteering for a chance of your entire nursing school paid for?? Opinions?? Thanks a lot!

This is great! I dont start nursing school for a few more months, but have heard horrid things about care plans...thank you for the motivational pep post!

I know how you feel.... About 2 1/2yrs ago is when I started my whole process. I quit my dead-end job, this was about 7years after HS and decided to START college. I had to start from the bottom up!! It took me a year to get into Anatomy, and I took each science by itself (with other classes), per semester..(does that make sense?) I also said...."geez, why didn't I start right out of high school?" But honestly, I wasn't mature enough, and everything, in time, happens for a reason. Now....2 years later....I got my acceptance letter, passed the TEAS...and am officially IN!! Pending they don't see the few felonies I have on my background check...hahaha jk! I look back, and can't believe how fast these 2 1?2yrs have gone! My husband is amazed! I didn't stop! Not one time! In addition, I also finished all my transfer courses for later on when I want to transfer to the University. So....please try not to get frustrated with the process...we all have to do it! But once you look back....you will certainly be amazed on how far and hard you worked for the spot you deserved and earned! Good luck!

I'll be very honest here.... Have I ever felt discouraged? Sure...a little bit..who hasn't right? We have one of the more competetive majors for sure! However...I DID NOT let that stop me one bit. Are you really going to let some fellow classmates that just happen to have the same major as you alter your MAJOR?? Really? It's the fun of the competition..to me at least. All of my science classes, about 95% of them were nursing majors...I did not get all A's, but I tried the best I could..and just received my acceptance letter to my first school choice! I will start in August, pending I pass the Teas test. Any major you attempt will have competition. Stick to it, if you REALLY want to be a nurse. I know I do..and nothing is going or has stopped me yet. I don't know how far you've come..but if you have done your sciences, I say stay with it! I don't only love learning about the body and how other to help other people, but I LOVE the competition. I love working hard and knowing I did my best for something I truely enjoy. Good luck to you, let us know your outcome. -Samantha

MEE!! SOOO Happy!! My first choice and first application...I will start the ASN program at Long Beach City College (my current school) in Aug 2010!...Pending I pass the TEAS test, which I have to take within the next few weeks, (they'll tell us the date this Thursday)..then off I go! I am thrilled beyong belief! Good luck to everyone!

I'm so sorry you didnt get in!! I also go to LBCC!...I love that school.... Of course I don't think anyone here can just read your post and be able to answer your personal question about why you didnt get selected. There's so many factors being held,, I honestly just don't know. We can point the finger and try and guess and make assumptions all day, but how do we really know? What I would do is...have a backup plan, which you seem to already. You said you applied at Cerritos...ok..well they'll let you know within about 4-6weeks right? Also you have your undergrad? Have you thought about going to Cal state? Goldenwest and Cypress aren't accepting apps until Sept-Oct..so maybe take classes until then, god forbid, Cerritos doesn't work out. LIke I'm taking pharmacology now to prepare. I did get accepted, however, I prepared myself for all the above. It's not the end of the world, and this will not paving the way to what kind amazing nurse you will become. Take classes to boost up that cummulative GPA, especially since theyre boosting it to 2.5. And deffinitely apply to LBCC again! I know people that did not get selected, but last minute, people failed the TEAS, and they called the "waitlisted" people and they had to rush immiediately! So you never know! Always be prepared! Good luck and don't be discouraged...keep your game face on and head up and keep doing what you're doing! All the best to you! -Samantha

Yayyy....see you ALLLL there!!! :) Honestly..there's a lot of factors that go in besides just your GPA, for example...what classes you take with your sciences, how many of the non-required classes you take as well, etc. For sciences I only got 2B's and an A, and an A in English, overall GPA is 3.7. But let me tell you, I worked my A** off for that!! I also interned at a local hospital while doing those classes which helped immensely and I heard theyre doing the same stuff I did in their first few semesters of the program so thats good, but has nothing to do on your app, too bad! However, I have some friends who are 4.0 students and didn't get in..I'm very upset by this...I believe it's the luck of the draw and also how your past grades effect you now, like if you have passed W or F... Congrats again!!

I am SOOOO happy I can't stand it!!! I just got my acceptance letter to Long Beach City College, where I've been going to for the last 2yrs!! I have worked hard for this..and am soo relieved!! I learned to drive to go to school and passed my test 1 week before classes began and never looked back!! Now here we go...I'm sure you can even see my posts of 2 years ago of where I began...this is the so exciting and I am so blessed and thankful!! Hold on tight...its gonna be a bumpy ride! Now onto the next steps...Teas, etc.... Let's do this!!!

Take micro with Dr. *****!!! Shes the best!!! Good luck

I also put my app in mid Jan and am still waiting! Some people said end of Feb..some said March'ish...so I'm just waiting... Good luck to both of us...I really want to stay at my school!