belliot2

For your struggling friend: I agree with Asytole RN: all types of people become LPN's and Rn's, and it may be her struggle is more HOW she studies is not the best way for her to learn. i.e.- she is trying to absorb material visually when she might learn better auditory, kinesthetically- or all 3. I struggled personally- until I learned how I learn best. I would encourage her to take the Kaplan course to prepare her for the exam- I believe they most closely prepare you for the exam. Work their program- which shows you how to approach each questions, how to be sure you are understanding what the question is, how many questions a day to practice, and exactly how to get it all done.... 2/3rd's of my class did and all but one have passed. She needs to experience success and be able to confidently know what she has worked hard for, she can now do. Once she's a LPN- she can begin to work part time and her tuition will be paid for by her employer- and she will not be adding debt on top of feeling like a failure. I would not take time off, but it sounds like she is already on 'wait lists' and is waiting anyway-

Depends which classes, but in my program,(MSN_CNL) most classes I needed to read them deeper than skimming. I used highlighters - and could follow along in courses such as 'Med-Surg" and it helped to see what they were emphasizing. Pathophyisology I had to read repeatedly ( sometimes get other text books from the library and read them, if the one I had was not clear). Skimming was fine for communication type classes. Most exams, for us were in multiple choice in the NCLEX format- which means you need to be able to recognize IN a scenario- what is the correct action to take- some people put all them are going to test on in their powerpoints- but some do not. Reading took a large portion of my time starting out in the program- so that is to be expected. Good luck!

I have been hypo-for over 19 years. Its not alot, but enough I do have symptoms if not taking the Synthroid. I did have a benign tumor and 1/2 my thyroid removed in 1992. Then it was fine for several years- (but about 30% of people have benign tumors grow back- and should be followed up for this). I have had tumors grow back recently- but all thyroid tumors grow SLOWLY- so it takes time for it to impact you. These tumors grow off the natural T3,T4 that your thyroid puts out, which is why your norms can be only slightly off , yet you have lots of symptoms.... Yes, it can increase your heart rate, but it should be putting it within normal range. If it is exceeding normal limits, it is too much. I have had heart palpitations, but that was a sign that it was too much. Actually, the first sign its too much synthroid is not being able to fall asleep at night within 10-15 minutes. So, ask your patients if they have any trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Do they experience any time they feel their heart is racing? report these symptoms to their MD, likely they will want to re-test T3,T4, TSh.

I have been on several interviews recently as a new grad, depends on where you are applying. Some hospitals ask questions like: How do you handle stress Where do you see yourself in 5 years, in 10 years? How do you prioritize when you need to get more done than it seems you have time for? How do you handle another nurse who is not communicating,is angry and you need to work with? Tell me about a situation with an angry hostile patient, and how you turned it around? Tell me about a situation when___ is used often for several other types of questions...such as working with ULP- LPN- how you handle those who report to you... Then I have been at one interview for float RN where they asked many clinical type questions: What are the main symptoms for hypoglycemia? What diet should a person be on for renal failure? What would be your discharge instructions for a person in renal failure? What are the symptoms of A-Fib? What does STEMI, CABG stand for? so IF you know the position you are applying for- study for the main diagnoses you might be seeing on that floor. Good luck!

I am 53 and just graduated from one of those MSN programs- Still interviewing, but hoping it will be at a local hospital working FT nights. Definitely have similar concerns- working nights will be a issue for this early riser, and my husband was just thinking that all the sacrifices he'd been making for school were over.... :-( nope... I do not know any in my group of 17 that act like 'know-it-alls'- but I feel that when I am around nurses in a hospital setting that they always make comments about 'well you'll probably be running the place' or 'I guess I'll be working for you!" I have learned to not tell any one that I have a masters. I am amazed- I don't think that at all- I usually say- "I doubt it will be anytime in the next 5 years- I have ALOT to learn". I have heard many state that they feel my accelerated MSN program did not prepare me adequately, (they are weary of training new RN's) and I would be first to admit that my skills need work, so I would really appreciate hearing how new RN's who do catch on quickly, how do they do it? - What do they do differently? Thank you.

L Take it THIS week, so we shall see- I don't know yet, but was encouraged by the few that took it ( and the professor who did take it) that it should be 'common sense' in the scenario part-and is no nearly as hard as the NCLEX. I am just reviewing the NCLEX kaplan notes, and the leading/managing book I had- things like risk analysis, and how you would go about analysis of a problem, and getting people to buy into the need for change... at least we will know right away! B

I will be sitting for the CNL exam myself in August. Two of my cohort have taken it, and passed, thinking it was not as hard as the NCLEX. I purchased the sample exam on the AACN- it is $50.00 and I have mixed feelings about if it was worth it- It is 40 questions of multiple choice, and one scenario- where you are selecting what you would do next- this is essentially 'select all that apply'. I 'passed' this sample exam- but felt it was so short, I'm not sure it is enough. One instructor suggested you pick 3 different scenarios ie: CHF, head injury or trauma, DKA- for example... and talk through them or make your own sheet- using your notes from your med/surg classes to review- what you might do next, what are the aspects of each of these cases... In addition, the exam covers things like risk- analysis, change theory, dealing with conflict, how you might perform as a charge nurse... we had a class that dealt with these aspects our last semester, so I will be studying these notes... Hope this helps...

I am speed reader, but still struggle with the amount of reading. In my 2nd year of a CNL program (graduate, entry level RN) I am a older student, and I get up early - try to study 3 hours in am, and 2-3 hrs in pm. I usually have to take notes when I read, so its at a deep level to get this down. There will be differences in how you have to read between classes that you will realize once you take yor first exams. With a minimum 80% though, I figure I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Its #2 Report for suspicion of abuse. This all you may ever have- the suspicion, not proof. Its their job to determine if a gut feeling is right, if you wait he could be dead the next time you visit.

Maggie, I have a non-nursing Bachelors degree- and went into Masters- ENTRY level Nursing degree (30 years after the BSW I had): CLINICAL NURSE LEADER- these are offered at over 150 colleges and are for people who want to get into nursing. I will finish in 2 years. With your undergrad of Health Care Management- you should be ideally placed for management. ( IF this is what you want). 5 years is fine- our only requirements were: A& P 1 +2. It is a VERY INTENSE program- that is your LIFE year round, but we have a high NCLEX pass rate, and a great reputation at area hospitals for the preparation we have. CNLs are in demand in many areas (VA loves them) because they are older, demonstrate that they can be leaders, are seeing the big picture, and save a hospital money (always the bottom line). Only down side I see is that you are paying for a masters degree, so it costs more... but will open more doors in variety of areas: i.e. minimum BSN for work in schools...