JessCNA2RN

Thanks everybody for the tips!

So you think it would be helpful to review a pharm book thats comparable even if its not the same? I am willing to spend $50 bucks if it means it will help me make it through the course-it seems like a wise investment-but I wasnt sure how each edition varies. But i guess a basic pharm book should work well....?

Hey everyone, So I am starting the nursing program this fall and all I have heard are HORROR stories about pharmacology 125-especially regarding my particular instructor. We have been told to get our books as early as possible and review-we have even been given chapters to review in the pharm book. Unfortunatly for me, (and other students who need financial aid) our book award dose not kick in until one week prior to the begining of class, and you can only purchase the books in a package for 700+ dollars. Oh, by the way, you cannot buy the books and then use to book award to repay your funds, so it dosnt look like I'll be getting the book until they release my funds. Does anyone out there have any tips, pointers, words of advise, ANYTHING that will help a student to be successful in pharm(its our first semester pharm) that I could maybe start doing now or tips to help me through the semester? Any positive feedback would be lovely! I've had enough of the negative feedback! lol:) By the way, I am not looking for an easy way out and I can accept a challenge but I would just like some tips from other students or nurses who were successful in pharm125 :)

I am glad to see other people know this method! Its sooo great! You dont have to shake or struggle with the pillow at all! :DMy CNA instructor taught it to us 6 years ago and I have never seen anyone else do it except for myself!

I guess it depends on who interviews you. I see your points, I understand the logic and even agree with you, but what the hiring manager thinks and sees on a resume is more important. I was giving my personal thoughts and my experience in applying for CNA jobs. If your resume states that your last 3 jobs were waitstaff, bartender-whatever and on the second page it states that you were a CNA it is my thought that they may not get to the second page and think that you do not have health care experience. Many jobs, especially right now, want to hire individuals who already have heathcare experience, sometimes they ask for at least 1 year of experience. My overall point is that you should tailor your resume to show that you are the right person for the job which I believe is by putting together your most relevent job experience.

To foreverlor; I am the same age and I tailor my resume to the feild. For example, If I were to apply to be a waitress I would put my waitress jobs on there. If I'm applying for a healthcare job then I put mainly health care related jobs. I have found that health care jobs want to see what I've done in health care not what restaurant I worked at. However, if you have large employment gaps in doing this I think its wise to put your last 5 jobs. I try to keep it short and sweet with a strong cover letter. :)

Thanks a lot! This will definity come in handy! :)

as far as i know waiting lists are not used anymore. It is competitive though. You need to have all of the pre-reqs finished, good grades and good test scores. I applied without one of my pre reqs (i was finishing it when i applied since you apply at least 6months before the program starts) and i got in as an alternate. That meant that if someone gave up their spot it would go to me because my points were close to the cut off. luckily, somone gave up their spot and i got in. :) good luck to you!

To my fellow CNAs..... Keep doing great work! I have worked in 3 diferent states over the past 6 years and have found that some CNAs don't care about their patients and lack even the slighest bit of common sense. Please don't let it discourage you! Also, if you can deal with it emotionally, try hospice. Yes, its tough and yes every single one of your patients is going to die relitivly soon but it is rewarding. I work at a hospice where we have 4-7 patients during our 12 hours shifts and its a wonderful enviornment. I am able to take extra time to speak with and try to make families feel welcomed and cared for ALONG WITH my patients!! (I say families first because often is hospice the family needs more consoling than the patient.) It is an amazing feeling to be able to be with someone in their last days and to be able to provide excellent care both physically and psychologically. I will say again it is hard and its not for everyone, but it can be so heart warming. In hospice you tend to get paid well and have less patients than a nursing home which is always nice. I recommend trying it out, maybe going for a per diem position and see how that goes. You'll either love it or hate it. :)

Please don't go into nursing for money and job security. The job is sooo much more than that. It tugs at your heart strings daily, its stressful, high paced on your feet for 12 hours a day work. Sometimes, you dont even get to pee for 12 hours! Its tough but it is rewarding. Nurses get paid well, but IMO if you dont love the job it wont financially be worth the stress, responsibility and emotions. Also, as for job security I have met many nursing students with bachelors and associate degrees who cannot find a job. With budget cuts going on at hospitals right now they cut all the new grad programs which took in brand new nurses and gave them some extra orientation to the hospital and the job before they started. Also, the hospitals and nursing homes are only hiring nurses with experience. If you just graduated and no one will hire you how are you going to get experience? I worked with a woman who worked for a LTC facility for 5 years as a CNA, she was a great employee and an excellent CNA. SHe graduated from nursing school last year and they wouldnt hire here because she didnt have experience as a nurse! Its tough out there right now, even for nurses. Good luck to you.

I have been a CNA for 6 years (since I was 16) so I always got the....."Honey, are sure you're old enough to do this?" lol I look super young as well so that never helps. Even now at 22 I had a 93 y/o woman as me if I was about 14 years old!! She was very kind though. Family members and patients seem to doubt that I've had enough experience and usually follow up with a question regarding how long have I been a CNA. When I tell them 6 years and when they see how I act towards the patient and the respect given they are always pleased to have me. But, it takes a few minuets to get there! I am starting nursing school this fall so I am more than prepard to continue to get the "Honey are you sure your old enough for this?" question much more frequently.... :)

Hey everyone, looking for some advice.....so the first semester is only 8 credits which is full time to nursing but not to financial aid...has anyone taken any other easy courses during the first semester? If so what do you recommend? I dont want to overextend myself so im hoping that someone out there has some good advice on the situation. Thanks a lot.

thanks!

Hey all, I have a quick question...So for christmas i got a wonderful Littman stethoscope, but it isnt double bell(is that the term??). As you know it was expensive and it works great. But,will it be ok for the program? I do have a cheap one that is double that maybe i could use during peds...which is when you need the smaller bell...correct? Thanks Guys!