RN2Bin08

Just took is this morning... - 75 questions - Saunders 4wk online review course - HESI x2 - have to wait until Monday or Tuesday for results - felt really good through out exam even though my heart was in my throat, felt great when it shut off at 75, still feeling confident but it's going to be a long weekend! - 1st time

When you hold OB study group at a local restaurant and are discussing various STDs and an employee comes over to announce that customers are complaining about your inappropriate choice of topic! When you think that cinnamon toast qualifies as a semi-nutrious meal for both breakfast & lunch 2 days in a row! When you go out to dinner with your husband and find that you have nothing to talk about b/c he is so grossed out by your stories from clinical and you have nothing else on your mind! When your daily planner has a number on each lecture day, counting down to the very last one ... tomorrow!!

What a great thread! Thanks to everyone for the great advice!

if you happen to be using the book "clinical calculations" (5th edition), beware that the book is loaded with incorrect answers!!

My 1st semester books were going to run me over $700 if I got them at the bookstore. Find out the ISBN for each book (our school gave us that info) & look for them on Ebay & Half.com - I paid about $400. I would recommend getting all the required books and holding off on the recommended ones. Also, pick up 1 or 2 NCLEX review books and a Nursing Care Plan guide (NCPs are a mystery to you now, but you'll soon grow to know and hate them!). You'll absolutely need a nursing dianoses book and a drug guide! Good luck in your bargain shopping! Oh ... the 1st semester hurts the most as far as money is concerned ... after that you'll only need a few (if any) new books each semester.

There is no harm in applying and trying things out ... There are a lot of students in my class with lots of kids and crazy work schedules and they are doing fine. Then there are others without much going on outside school, and they've been asked to leave the program. I really think it depends on how badly you want it. Good luck!

I'm a senior nursing student at the tech. It's definitely a competitive program and there's no denying that it's difficult, but I think it's worth it. NHTI has a great reputation and I understand that many potential employers will choose to hire an NHTI grad over another grad nurse based upon what school they graduated from (all else being equal). You won't be able to work full time. They recommend no more than 10 hours per week and it's best if you can not work at all. You will eat, sleep, and breath nursing school for 2 years ... prepare to put everything else in your life on hold. A few suggestions ... - Where ever you go, form a study group ... I wouldn't survive without my group! You'll become very close and you'll need them for preparing for exams and for emotional support. - Get all your pre-reqs out of the way before applying - acceptance is based on the grades you get in those classes & your score on the pre-NLN exam - After completing NU 115, get your LNA license & work part-time - you'll greatly benefit from the experience - Take NU 116 before NU 117 (I wish I had!) A lot of people don't make it to graduation, but if your heart is truly in it and you put in 110%, you'll make it. Good luck!

I'm a nursing student and am required to wear nursing shoes for clinicals. I bought Dansko clogs on sale for about $90 after hearing they were the best. I hate them but refuse to buy a new pair until I graduate. I roll my ankle at least once a shift and they are so tight across the top of my foot that I have to take them off whenever possible (including while driving) b/c my feet go numb. I would not recommend them. On a good note, however, they are very rugged and they are clearly going to last forever! I also work as an LNA and I wear Skecher athletic shoes for work which are very light and comfortable, though not very stylish.