IlliniGuy

I just wanted to say that I am a recent grad as well and I passed in 75 questions. In fact most individuals that I know of passed in 75 questions. West Sub was a school that went through a lot of changes in the last few years but they really have been for the better. The school really prepares you to become a Nurse and fosters your learning experience with excellent teachers and staff. Give it a try.

When I worked at a psych facility, I really found that the nurses applied a great deal of the principles and techniques I was taught in school while pursuing my MSW (community mental health). I thought it was a great combo plus my BS is in Biology and Psych so nursing combined my love of science and social work aspect as well. I love both fields but I believe having a nursing degree gives you more opitions.

Do both. I was getting my MSW and took a leave of absence to finish nursing school (accelerated program 15 months). I am going back in Janurary to finish my internship and my MSW. I like both fields but the truth is there is more options with nursing. I might do psych nursing and try to get some hours for LCSW then I can do nursing and counciling as well. Good luck!

I will be honest with you, it is a school going through growing pains (organizational difficulties). The administration is trying to improve the program with the implimentation of ATI and it has worked. Last year the NCLEX pass rate was 85% and has improved to 92%. Some posts have indicated that the school is all self-study....learning in general is self-study...you go home and learn the material. Granted some of the teachers at the school need to improve their teaching style to get through to their students...but isnt all schools like that??

so the first 10 minutes of my clinical rotation on my first day i was doing chest compressions on an unresponsive patient. unfortunately i had my first patient die as well (the unresponsive pt). crazy day.

Thank you everyone for your input. Wish me luck!

So I have a clinical rotation in the ER and I am a bit scared. Any tips, books to read, or advice. Thanks

Melgaard is a professor that cares a lot about students and you can tell she really wants you to succeed. You will not have any problems with her. She is very fair. Some students say to avoid DeWolff but you have to take her for health assessment. Her class is hard but if you study and do the questions from the book and study guide you will do fine. Personally, I did not have any problems with her but some students did. I would say dont buy the Mosby dictionary. but all the books you will use. The Fundamentals of Nursing you really dont use that often but it is a great resource to have especially when studying for ATI. Its kind of the standard in nursing to own this book though. The first clinical site for block A is at a nursing home to brush up your basic nursing skills so anywhere you go to is going to be the same (Bed change, Bath, Diaper change, Activities, Feeding, and maybe some other items). For Block B, I personally like to take my clinicals at West Sub because it is more convient because you will have to get your patient info and medications before going to clinical so that you are up to speed with your pt. care.

WSCN is trying to really improve their program. They have a new Dean and Asst. Dean who are doing great things. The NCLEX past rate has increased dramatically from previous years. Nursing school is hard especially since we run in blocks (7 week classes), 2 Blocks a semester. I come from a University setting where things are a bit more organized, this is something that I hope they work on. My overall score of this school would probably be a 7/10 (an 8 if they were a bit more organized which I think they are trying to work towards, and I would say in two-four years this school will be excellent instead of just great)

Take Cronk, she is great. The only bad part of block B is that Pharm is online, and it very hard. So study study study.