Eclectic1

Well, my army /Germany experience is 33 years ago, but I try to keep current. Hawaii is fun, but Germany is a life changer. Landstuhl was cool, I did a few weeks there learning ENT follow-ups. Great food and a never ending choice of things to do. I never-ever get bored in Europe. I love America, but I'm in love with Europe. In the summertime it is warm and reliable enough that I'd ride my BMW motorcycle into Italy/Venice on long weekends. I'd often add 2 days leave to a weekend or holiday making my time off pay. I lived in Garmisch, our Ski resort there, so I got to play almost all the time. But know you'll probably be working your butt off. I hope this doesn't get moved, because we should all have to ponder the load we ask. I think I owe my deep appreciation for history and living to my experiences in the military there. I pull my hair out at times for the things that we ask our military to do, and am frequently chagrined at the tough talk of those who would never do as you're about to. Make no mistake, you will be making a huge sacrifice and shouldering an inordinate amount of our nations burden. But if you're lucky--- you'll come out with a few life long friendships like no other, and a depth of nursing experience to build your life upon. I envy you!

I hope all of us are looked at as more than just gpa , because half of us are below average!

You should be able to find RN 2 BSN programs that will award significant credits for your diploma., it shouldn't take much longer or cost much more than someone entering with an AA/AS in nursing. Once you have the BSN you'll be on the same academic footing.

Hi, just be aware that there are a few traps going into X-ray, as they have different levels of licensing, (limited) and that can be an obstacle to employment. Check CAAHEP for accreditation for any program you choose, as some are a costly mistake. Some schools have even formed their own phony accreditation/boards to look legitimate. There are even a few schools that train as MRI, CAT, ECHO, and Ultrasound, that leave you unemployable. The good news is a CAAHEP program usually leaves you with a good education and eventual employment. In your situation I often encourage investigating ultrasound, general, echo, on vascular. It is a very cool profession if you love A&P and the diagnostic end of our game. Earnings are very close to RN in most areas, plus call $$ adds up. Good luck, look closely.

Here's what I've done in my class; there is 64 objectives identified and covered throughout the semester. We divided them throughout the class, each person responsible for one or two. I set up a FB group where we all network, and email the .doc's out. We have these reports before lecture, then on top of lecture you can do any more review as you might want to add to each report. Otherwise, I agree-it would be a nightmare! A little organizing between us goes a long way. Good luck.

I mean COME-ON! I've heard it noted that even before execution by lethal injection, an alcohol swab is used. I'm just sayin.....

Well, a long time ago I did my premed in zoology and wound up with a head of cool knowledge, but no real applicable skills, and never actually went to med-school. I always wished that I had done the RN as a premed (you have to study something!) and I would have had a rewarding career eons sooner. However that was also during a time when there were no wait-lists and gold flowed in the streets. That's not the case right now... you're only looking at options, I love that. If you have the ability and resources to plow straight to med-school, then get a BS with the best grades and most impressive activities that you can. (And NETWORK!) If your situation dictates that it will take you a long time, then I'd consider the RN route, at the very least it will expand your alternatives. Another cool idea would be ultrasound as a premed. Having that (BEWARE only do FULLY ACCREDITED programs) gives you a great physiology and anatomy insight, plus it's easier to pick up some money doing it while in med-school, not as draining, and time commitment is more flexible. IMHO GO GET EM!!!

OK nurse friends, I'm just a simple truck-driver turned SN, but I have noticed that similar to sleep apnea working in the evenings completely throws off our healthiest rhythms, such as inappropriate eating because of fatigue, boredom and even depression, so we compensate the best way we know (I'm 65% hot-dog). Starts a chain of events, (domino effect) that finally results in the scream in our head when we don't recognize the person stepping out of the shower.... in the mirror. I ballooned to 300lbs. and developed SA (6'4, but it still isn't pretty) driving I-5 all night while waiting 3 years for school. Now that I'm in class 35lbs melted off without my say-so. I'm feeling TONS better and even hit the gym and eat like a regular guy, now that I have the ease of nursing school. Nights take years off our lives in insidious ways, I advise moderation in work and life. Beware the midnight trucker!! Best!!

Mom, is that you??

You discovered the Zen of weight-loss-- One must walk where the donuts aren't.....:bowingpur

It's a scientific fact..... donuts come out at night.:icon_roll

Organize. Organize. Make folders for notes and bills in and out. Simplify everything you possibly can. Make sure you have pens and pencils, replacement printer ink and paper. Have a back-up plan for anything that can go wrong. Dry run to classes and clinical sites and know alternate routes. Find a quiet place to study, outside your room/home. work on healthy eating and figure out a work-out routine. then do it. Get comfortable shoes and "things".Prep your friends and family for what an ordeal you're undertaking and get commitment for help of all sorts. Don't ride a Harley until you graduate (I lost a semester, but gained a cool new piece of Harley related chrome in my L leg ). Review pharmacology math and start thinking/reviewing in terms of pathophysiology. Get a Saunders NCLEX review now and begin understanding critical thinking, and relate it to each section as you go through classes. Buy your class syllabus as soon as possible and understand how it works, and how it will relate to class instruction. Find out where all the school resources are located and how they work, IE. financial aide, vet center, computer learning, (also be familiar with power-point, word, notes, and outlook. Get student version if necessary online-or @ costco, or download OPENOFFICE and THUNDERBIRD a free utility and similar suite.) Also I use DRAGONSPEAKING for speech to type as I type a poorly (Learn how!) and have a LIVESCRIBE pen that is too handy for capturing notes and recordings. (see their sites) I know that's a lot more than you asked for but I was bored. Best, and I'm prepping for next semester myself!!!!

Hi. There's no easy way to make this happen for you, but lets start with some fundamentals. The very last thing you want is an "F" on a transcript. It's difficult to transition while paying off debt and working, but not impossible, it just takes longer. Do not tackle too much, even if it takes longer. There are no good shortcuts. Get yourself into a better financial situation first, read and study ahead, then take classes, or if you're ABSOLUTELY certain, maybe an easy one. Just don't let the clock push you into taking on too much. Bad for your transcript, marriage and life. Make a plan with small achievable goals and celebrate each one as they're completed. You'll get there!

Think 113 was hard, wait until you take 666...... it's Hell! Come-on, the only 113 I know was an armored track ambulance that I lived/worked in during the winter of 76 in Germany. if that's what you're talking about wear long-johns. If not-- I think anything less should be pretty simple. Just get up @ -20f at 4:30 am go for a 5k run and keep your weapon dry. Oh, and coffee, lots of coffee and a sense of irony.

Exactly Sir. It's as if the those who oppose our right to organize have a terminal case of cognitive dissonance. They decry a Union and its 'handouts" while enjoying many of the benefits that were paid for with the blood and sweat of braver folk. It seems they are completely willing to dismiss the organizations that rally against them---driving us in a race to the bottom. From the John Bircher's seeing communists in any group to the Federalist Society fighting to limit your ability to litigate in court (notice how often we as a society are limited by binding arbitration today), and more AstroTurf organizations pretending to be grass-roots than I can name. Point is they ALWAYS advocate to limit the rights of the middle-class but never their own. Corporations use the vast majority of the judiciary but only limit and cap awards of the type brought by workers and consumers, never going near or limiting avenues that might effect their own interests. They stand in line and are granted socialized benefits when disaster strikes, but call the worst of names and accusation when like benefit goes to workers. They take socialized insurances like federal flood, disaster, and guarantees, while checking your access to similar. Corporations are a legal construct that affords them protections and advantages that fill books, is it really asking too much for the tools and vigilance needed to balance their power? Initially the founders limited their lifespan to 20 years, and mandated their existence link to a public good. they couldn't be politically active. They are not people and should not have the rights of Americans. But they do--and more. Additionally please realize that more and more we are being bought up by foreign entities. I mean come-on.... I realize some think the company store is run by the nice man down the block who has your best interests in mind, but even the most conservative among us must see that as a working society you do not want to be at the mercy of those who actually want to profit at your expense. We are no longer in a fair free market. We are dominated by entities that profit off of the American people through a series of TRICKS and TRAPS. One definition of a third third world country is where raw resources are exported to be finished elsewhere. Unfortunately this is the situation we now find ourselves in. Your wallet is being besieged on many fronts and in ways that the majority will never see coming until it is too late. Your future is being mined and the raw product refined into another's profits. Organizing is only one of the few ways that we protect ourselves, our families and communities. Don't give up your rights willingly! Fact is, besides war and famine, it's the only way a middle-class arises and survives. I'm amazed by people who claim to love America but clearly hate Americans-- who by there own statements would never support the Bill of Rights were it put to a vote; but claim to be Constitutionalists-- and deride others as immoral, but forget Sermon on the Mount. For our mutual prosperity, I wish all a Happy New year!!