lifewithkids

Thanks NedRN. Maybe instead I'll start the process of applying for CA license and then reconsider traveling there after the six month process. This would give me more time to practice as well as safer working conditions. Though I was so excited at prospect of trying out traveling!

I am considering trying travel nursing close to my house. I have submitted for a job that is over 50 miles away and would plan on staying in a hotel for those nights. Would my untaxed housing money affect my taxes? I'm having a hard time making decision as I already make 43/hr for my other jobs so, with not so great travel pay in my area, I would end up actually paying for my own hotel ($800/month) out of my own pocket essentially. According to travel company, having one assignment under my belt will really help me in long term marketability though. I only have 1.5 years of ICU experience so I am still pretty green. I'm worried about being tripled or having a horrible experience. Are you able to prevent yourself from being tripled in your contract? What suggestions do you have for things to add into a contract to protect yourself? I would love some advice and insight from those who are more knowledgeable in this area!!

I saw someone recently post that they marked all the right answers in their nclex prep book and studied by reading those and ignoring the other (incorrect) answers. Have others done this? Was it a successful or unsuccessful strategy for you?

I am starting my senior year of nursing school. Time has flown as everyone has told me it would. I already have a previous degree so I thought converting a BS to a BSN would be relatively easy. It has been a huge wake up call. Here are some things I have learned so far that I think can be helpful for those starting out: 1. It IS hard and your family WILL suffer with you through this. Let the guilt go as you are bettering their lives and they are learning from you that hard work will pay off (for those of you with kids like me). 2. PRN jobs are good to be able to work around nursing school schedules. 3. Plunk the money down for Bose quiet comfort headphones now. They will let you pay $25 a month on a credit card without getting their credit card. Then you can study w some pandora classical music anywhere. I can drown out ALL noise with those babies and I'm thankful I got them in the beginning on advice from a student going for her masters. Worth every penny. 4. While people say nursing school gets harder every semester, they fail to mention that you adapt, learn better and quicker ways of accomplishing things, and it evens out overall. Yes, it gets harder as the expectations generally increase every semester. BUT you get so much more efficient and confident that I would say it almost gets easier when you take everything into account. 5. Record your lectures and listen to them during your commutes. Several times I literally didn't have time to study for a test due to absolutely no free time after clinicals, school, kids, and work. But listening to lectures while driving saved my butt in those circumstances. 6. Keep your class paperwork organized from the beginning. I have several large binders that I put all class paperwork and power points into at the end of the class. Because I did that from the beginning, I am organized really well all the way back to first semester. 7. Wen studying for tests, take the nclex questions related to that in your nclex book so that by the time it comes, you have done 5000 nclex questions and you'll be ready to rock it. You've got this!!!

I am starting my senior year of nursing school. Time has flown as everyone has told me it would. I already have a previous degree so I thought converting a BS to a BSN would be relatively easy. It has been a huge wake up call. Here are some things I have learned so far that I think can be helpful for those starting out: 1. It IS hard and your family WILL suffer with you through this. Let the guilt go as you are bettering their lives and they are learning from you that hard work will pay off (for those of you with kids like me). 2. PRN jobs are good to be able to work around nursing school schedules. 3. Plunk the money down for Bose quiet comfort headphones now. They will let you pay $25 a month on a credit card without getting their credit card. Then you can study w some pandora classical music anywhere. I can drown out ALL noise with those babies and I'm thankful I got them in the beginning on advice from a student going for her masters. Worth every penny. 4. While people say nursing school gets harder every semester, they fail to mention that you adapt, learn better and quicker ways of accomplishing things, and it evens out overall. Yes, it gets harder as the expectations generally increase every semester. BUT you get so much more efficient and confident that I would say it almost gets easier when you take everything into account. 5. Record your lectures and listen to them during your commutes. Several times I literally didn't have time to study for a test due to absolutely no free time after clinicals, school, kids, and work. But listening to lectures while driving saved my butt in those circumstances. 6. Keep your class paperwork organized from the beginning. I have several large binders that I put all class paperwork and power points into at the end of the class. Because I did that from the beginning, I am organized really well all the way back to first semester. 7. Wen studying for tests, take the nclex questions related to that in your nclex book so that by the time it comes, you have done 5000 nclex questions and you'll be ready to rock it. You've got this!!!

Class of 2014 as well. We started three weeks ago. I agree that there is a LOT of work. I'm also noticing people in my class seem to have their game faces on! With prerequisites people would always talk about being stressed, overwhelmed, and scared. With my nursing group everyone seems really confident. Anyone else notice heavy duty game faces that show no fear in their class? Everyone has to have some sort of anxiety but it seems the name of the game is not to show it.

I'm excited to start school soon as well. Don't let anyone get you down. We are SUPPOSED to pee rainbows right about now! Lol. I know it will be hard but I also know it won't be worse than my undergraduate degree was. I find there are many negative people and I choose to ignore them. No sense in letting someone else's bad mood bring me down too. :) I have an iPad but typing on it is slow so I planned on bringing my MacBook pro and the iPad just to record with. It didn't occur to me to get a keyboard. I'll have to look into that. Any other apps people recommend? I have audio note to record and sync with notes. I'm going to check out I procrastinate now.

I seem to have been "organizing" for the past month only to have an even messier house. . I'm super excited to start the process of school but definitely a bit sad that time will be so tight for the next two years. I spent all day with my daughter. Tomorrow I'll try to actually read because I have two leisure books that need to be finished! Ready or not, here we all go!

I've been wondering the same thing. I start in two weeks and I have never enjoyed study groups very much. Granted I've only tried it 2 times in my life but both times I found it was a waste of time for me. Maybe with a great focused group it would be different. However, I am a visual learner. I learn by reading and writing. I don't get anything from auditory it seems. My plan of attack is reserved study rooms at the library for times when the kids will be home and I can't focus and a dedicated "study" in my walk in closet which is behind two doors that close. If I click with people maybe I will reconsider. My BSN school is extremely competitive which means the people in the class will be highly motivated and successful students. Maybe the right people could change my mind about studying with others.

Congrats to all of you!! I'm super jealous. I applied last year and was an alternate. This year I didn't apply because we couldn't swing the year off financially. I'm wondering if you all have advice about what may have set you apart to get in this time? Since my alternate status I did finish all prereqs, got my CNA license, and now work as a private caregiver and a CNA in a retirement home. I have applied to three hospitals for volunteer positions. Any advice or insight that you guys may have about what got you into the program would be great. I want to do everything I can to look good for when I can reapply (for Choice or ABSN again). I think Choice is even harder to get into than ABSN which is sad because A) I didn't get into ABSN first try and B) financially Choice might be my only option. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!! I remember being so nervous last year and would have been over the moon with excitement if I had gotten in. You guys are on your way!

I wonder how many alternates took the health care ethics and are still eligible to start in January if called? I'm still hoping against hope to be called. Time is definitely running out though!! :)

I've been looking further into CNA jobs and I am finding it discouraging. It seems that it may be pretty difficult to get a CNA job too. This is frustrating trying to find a foothold to get into the health care industry.

That is scary. It is a tough decision you need to make because it is hard to get into the program but you have to be able to keep yourself and your family covered in the meantime. Can you borrow enough to live off of for a year and a half in case you do need to rely on your money and it takes you 6 months to find a job? If you can, then you are covered and you should go. If you can't, it seems like a very risky decision to me. I'm an alternate for Regis right now and the money situation scares me pretty bad as well. I do have a working husband though so I don't have the pressure that you do. Good luck with your decision. Go with your gut!!

I want to get into Regis but need experience. Would a CNA be very helpful when applying to a nursing school? Also, please tell me it is easy to find CNA jobs in Denver area?

calculate with confidence has great reviews on amazon. I think I will go that route instead of a formal class even though it is only one credit. Thanks so much!