RaeF

I currently work intermediate care at a community hospital. I have a potential job offer working M-F at am outpatient endo center. The pay is roughly the same, but the hours at the outpatient facility are perfect. I feel guilty thinking of leaving the hospital because of friendships and I feel obligated to stay because I've only been there 11 months. Cold feet or legitimate reasoning? anyone?

Well, I see your point. However, if someone has to fudge answers on a midterm, that doesn't bode well for them even passing a final, let alone the NCLEX. And yes, IMO the fact that the OP was concerned about shows ethics. She could have blown it off and not thought twice, but she was concerned enough to make a thread. To me that shows concern about the ethical dilemma of cheating.

I'm so sorry you're feeling that way. My school is the exact same way with the lab. They don't do demos or teach anything, you are supposed to figure it out for yourself. That can be hard if you are a visual learner. But I guess they do it to make us independent students. My friend was a solid A student before she started the program, and she has a meltdown when she gets a low B or high C on an exam. I know it's hard and you're frustrated, but just try to remember that it's a whole other level of school now. Don't get freaked out if you end up with a B, just do your best to pass! If your clinical is like mine, it's a pass or fail option, right? For us, that just means that you have to be "progressing." Just make sure you are able to demonstrate the right skills, and don't feel silly for being nervous and sick in the stomach. I bet you everyone else feels the same way. If you need help with skills, youtube is a good place to look. Just make sure that you are still doing your test offs the way that your school expects, as each institution is a little different. If it helps, I always make check lists off what to do for clinical stuff, and I use those to study. If you are testing off on some of the stuff I have on my computer, I'll be glad to email you. Just let me know if you want them. You are not doomed, and you will get through this!!!!

I wouldn't say anything either. While it's really not fair, like someone else said, if she has to cheat to pass the test, she'll fail out eventually. There was a guy in my clinical group in the spring who repeatdly screwed up and was given special treatment. I wanted to so badly to say something, but I kept my mouth shut. Sure enough, he was given the boot over the summer anyway. It will eventually catch up with her because they keep building on the foundation you are supposed to have. It's good that you worry about it though, it shows you aren't unethical. :)

I would definitely say the positive outweight the negatives, but I have to! Seriously, there are times where I look back and wonder why the heck I didn't go to school before I had a child. But that doesn't mean I regret having her. It just makes things harder. I go to a part-time program, so that helps. But it's hard because I can't just go to the lab and practice skills whenever I need to. I have to ask one of my parents to watch her for me. And I can only study when she's in preschool or late at night when everyone is sleeping. It's hard, but doable so far.

I totally get your frustration, mine has been ticking since my daughter was 2. I think it would be do-able to have a baby and attend nursing school, but it is going to make it that much harder. Think of how much more convenient it would be to not have to worry about finding a sitter for clinical days and extra study nights at the lab. There are positive sides to whatever decision you make.

I found that being a CNA was very helpful for the first two semesters, and after that it kind of balanced out. Still, there are some things at school that I'm able to grasp better than my friend who works in an office. I say if you have the time to do it, go ahead. But if you hate it, don't let it discourage you from nursing school. Being a CNA is completely different than being an RN, so don't let it slow you down.

This will sound nasty, and I don't mean it too. If they're not going to be flexible about missing time, go in sick and take the test. I'm guessing you're not allowed to sit close to your classmates to take the test anyway, so just try and be as far away as possible so you don't infect anyone else. I have a little one at home too, so I know what you mean about praying they don't get sick and missing more time at school. I suggest DayQuil! That helps me feel good enough to get through any test. Then go home and rest!