barleynhopsBSN

Email the instructor before the first class and let him/her know that you want to add Bio 112 once there is room. Show up to class and introduce yourself to the instructor and be involved in the class. People always drop after the first class or two and then you will get in.

You will need any bachelors degree plus pre-reqs for an ABSN program. I would start by taking Biology or A&P while you figure out the specific pre-reqs for the nursing schools you want to apply to. It can be overwhelming having to start from scratch with the science pre-reqs, but it can certainly be done. I have a previous degree in Art History and always avoided science but after a few pre-reqs I found the science classes very interesting.

The way I learned it was this mnemonic: "Al Pacino Takes Medication." Aortic, Pulmonary, Tricuspid, and Mitral. Aortic 2nd intercostal R sternal border Pulmonary 2nd intercostal L sternal Tricuspid: 4th L sternal Mitral: 5th L midclavicular

I would recommend getting the job as a student nurse tech. Perhaps take out a private loan to help tide you and your family over until you graduate. I was a student nurse tech while in school and was amoung the first to get a job as an RN after graduation. Sure the private loan will need to be paid back but waiting several months to get a job as an RN is a lot of lost income as well.

PVT trick worked for me. Took the NCLEX yesterday from 11am-1pm. Got home around 130pm and had the good pop up using the PVT. This morning at around 9am I had my name and RN license number on the Oregon BON webpage. Good luck everyone the PVT works!

If you have time before you start nursing school you might consider becoming a CNA (if you do not already have a job in healthcare). The reason for this is two fold. First, you will be more comforatable during your clinicals. For many nursing students clinical is the most stressful parts of nursing school. Second and more importantly if you can get in a hospital as a CNA you will have a better chance of getting an RN job after you graduate.

Underarmor makes nice synthetic tops. They have a few shirts that have a high neck. They are not as high as a turtle neck but might be enough to cover your tat. If you can only find the long sleeve shirt wth the high neck you can always cut the sleeves off.

Admission to RN schools in Oregon is very competitive and based on grades and other criteria not waiting lists. Check out the OCNE community colleges which all have similar admission requirements. Also, any of the BSN programs such as: Linfield OHSU George Fox Concordia Univeristy of Portland Wala Wala

I throw my notes away after every class. If I want to look something up it is easier to look it up online or in a book rather then my notes.

Sorry to hear you are still looking for a job =( Have you also been applying to SNFs?

I got canker sores all the time until switching to a Sodium lauryl sulfate free tooth paste such as Tom's Toothpaste. Now a very rarely get cankers. I hope this helps.

I can relate. I always hated science and math when in high school and college. I avoided both and got BA because math were difficult for me. 5 years later, still scared of science and math but wanting to become a nurse I started college again with basic Bio and Algebra. I found that it was more interesting as an older student. I think that it also helped knowing that the classes were building a foundation of knowledge that would help me during my goal of becoming a nurse. My suggestion to you- stop telling yourself that you are not good at math and science. Find out who the best math and science teachers for your learning style and go for it with a positive mindset. If you tell yourself that you stink at math you wont give yourself the chance to try and learn in. Most schools have a math and science tutoring center where you can get extra help if you need it. Also go the office hours and meet with your instructor to ask questions. Also keep in mind that as you progress into AP and patho the concepts will become less abstract and feel more related to nursing then say algebra or chem.

You guys dont be scared of the micro class. It is not hard to get an A and it is really interesting stuff. He gives you a detailed outline and if you go over that and attend class you can get an A pretty easily.

I walk or ride my bike to school also 90% of the time. However, for clinical the school expects you to have a car. Sometime you are at clinical sites by yourself so you cant carpool with other students and the bus may not be reliable when you have to be at clinical in the wee hours of the morning or late in the evening. Hang on to the car if you can.

Since the curriculum hasn't changed for this summer I am assuming the books will be the same as the last several years. The professor for the first class should email you soon with enough time to buy the books online in time for class. If you buy the books early based on my recommendations do so at your own risk -I would buy the older edition of Taber's that you found for under $10 on Amazon. For the amount you use it that would be fine. I actually rarely use Tabers usually it is easier to just google terms I dont know then look it up with Taber's. I wouldn't pay the extra money for the PDA version. -If anyone is really into using PDAs, Linfield students are usually offered a discount on Nursing Skyscape Constellation. (search for threads on All Nurses for discussion on Skyscape). http://www.skyscape.com/estore/storetwocol.aspx?category=64 -There is a decent free Ipod/Iphone app which is similar to Davis Drug guide called Epocrates. -PDA vs book is personal preference. For me books are easier to use most of the time but depends on what you like. Most of the time at clinicals there are Davis Drug Guides at the nurses station to look up when you are passing meds. -You wont need Tabers and Davis Drug guide until July so it is not a huge rush to buy before class starts unless you want to. -I would suggest buying Life Support and start reading it now if you have the time and feel like it. Perhaps start shopping for the Fundamental's set by Wilkenson and Van Lueven but wait to buy it once you get your syllabus from the school. -We were all annoyed that the school didn't contact us earlier as well! Things will work out fine and you wont fall behind even if you dont start reading before class starts. One of the problems with any nursing school is the lack of organization at times, just need to roll with it -I hope this helps!