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Ball still has night shift diff.

Like others have mentioned, it depends on what type of nursing you want to do. You could have a job as a nurse that doesn't involve direct patient care, but you would still have to go through it in nursing school. Our first clinical was a nursing home so there was plenty of poo. But from your post, I'm wondering why you want to be a nurse. You don't sound too interested.

My first clinical was in a nursing home. I volunteered to do evening clinicals (3p - 11p) but most clinicals at my school are 7a - 3:30p. We would have a pre-conference before we started our day. This would include discussing what we were going to be working on (glucometers, shots, meds, etc.) and then being assigned to a patient. Since it was our first clinical, we only had one patient a day. After we were done with our assessments, we would help out the nurses and CNA's with whatever they needed. We did a lot of bathing, glucometers, toileting, and answering call lights. Every day was different though. There were times when someone would need a catheter, trach care, flu shot, etc. and someone would volunteer to do it or our instructor would make us check off on it. At the end of the day, we had a post conference to discuss our day and anything we learned. It is scary at first being by yourself but we worked with other classmates and it made things a lot less stressful. Plus, our instructor was always around if we needed help. And remember to always be on time!

Jpeters, we had to do 2 ATI tests last semester or we couldn't go on. However, if we didn't pass, we got to remediate on our own. It was easy. If your school is the same, I wouldn't worry about it.

I agree with everyone else and that you should try not to take as many science classes all at once. It's hard enough just to keep up with one! I did want to add that I failed EVERY single class I took my first semester of pre-reqs. I was discouraged but I retook each class the next semester and aced every single one. That was about two years ago and I am now going into my second semester of my schools RN program with a 4.0 GPA. Don't be so hard on yourself. It's not the end of the world. If you want to be a nurse, pick yourself up and try again next semester. You will be fine!!

Well, it seems like you kind of have your mind made up after reading this: "I didn't spend the last 3 years banging my head against a wall so I could work 2 jobs." I think you should keep looking. Maybe you could find something that offers more hours so you wouldn't have to work 2 jobs.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am feeling a bit better about things today. I thought about volunteering at a Children's Hospital but the nearest one is a little over an hour away. I honestly can't afford the gas money while in school. I did, however, just get hired as a student nurse in a step down unit. Hopefully, it will give me some general experience and maybe I can even float to peds occasionally. I'm just glad to know that I am not the only one that has felt this way.

I'm in my second semester of nursing school and I am seriously doubting everything right now. I get good grades and I love clinicals but I know that real world nursing is completely different. My heart is set on working in pediatrics, specifically oncology. However, I am worried that when I graduate I will not be able to find a job in peds due to lack of experience and I will have to accept a position that I am not really happy with. I am fairly young and am wondering if I can do this for the rest of my life. I don't want to be a burnt out nurse. I have a lot of passion and I have been told by instructors that I will make a great nurse but I am just terrified that I am going to put all of this time and effort into nursing, only to be unhappy in the end. Or that I will not be able to handle all of the nursing politics. Can anyone else relate or am I just thinking too much into this?

I will be starting my second semester this spring. I have Med Surg II lecture and clinicals at our hospital. I think our Med. Surg. clinical is on a floor dealing with neuro. Then we have Maternal Mother Child and OB clinical. I can't wait. I am really not interested in working in OB because I can't handle deliveries, but I think it will be really exciting to have the experience.

Thanks for the reply. I just went and explained everything and was told it didn't matter, if I don't have BOTH, I can't start. Guess it just wasn't meant to be.

I just got hired as an SNT (student nurse tech). I am excited and was told I would be starting next week. Problem is, I need two letters of recommendation from 2 instructors or I will not be able to start. This wouldn't be a big deal if we weren't on break. I have called instructors and sent emails and I can't get ahold of anyone!! I am a complete loss on what to do and am afraid that I will not be able to start this job. What would you guys do?

Well, since someone already revived this thread, I'll go ahead and say that you guys really know how to turn off a nursing student. Hah. I am now terrified and second guessing my career choices. Thank you.

hahaha. that is awesome.

Hey, you sent me a message but I figured I'd respond here. I only got like a 73 the first time but I studied and took it again and scored an 85. I checked out books about other nursing entrance exams and then studied the TEAS manual nonstop. It helped somewhat but I also memorized some questions on the TEAS that I took. I sat down and wrote out all the questions I remembered and asked friends/family to help me solve them. I then searched online for questions that were similar and that helped. I don't know that I'd recommend memorizing questions because I believe some TEAS tests are different than others, but it worked for me.

We sound a lot alike minus the two job ordeal. I'm 20 and work part time (25 hours a week) and start nursing school in 10 days. I live with my mom, however, I help support both of us. I am completely independent and pay for everything I have as well as groceries for both my mom and I, cat food/litter, and everyday necessities. There is no way we would make it without my income. We are barely making it by now! It doesn't help that I can't get student loans besides Stafford. I am terrified to work 25 hours, go to school 26 hours, and have a load of homework/studying in between but I know I can do it and I have no choice. Your post gives me courage. I hope that both of us can make it through this!! Goodluck with everything. :)