Caitlin023

I also struggle with concentration issues, although I've never been formally diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, but will share a few tips and tricks that have worked for me throughout the years. I'm not sure what your classes are like or if you have lecture, but I take notes, highlight, and put post-its on pages/concepts that are mentioned in class and then transcribe that info on to flashcards. Book reading doesn't work for me at all. I also make myself a schedule and set aside a block of time each day to study, find a quiet place, put in my earplugs, and study. I'm also big on mnemonics- for symptoms and signs of diseases/ drug side effects/ etc, coming up with an interesting mnemonic can make things easier to study and to remember. If your teacher is not telling you what material to study, I would talk to him/her and just explain your situation. Legally, the school is required to provide special accommodations, but you may not want to be labeled as "adhd" in nursing school. I've told some of my teachers that I need a quiet environment for testing and they usually accommodate as best they can. Also, it sounds like you're just starting school- pay attention to the type of material and questions on your first test. From there, it should be easier to hone in on the important material in the future. Hope some of this helps and best of luck to you!!

I hate to say this, but if you are feeling that terrible, you might want to consider taking a leave of absence, cutting back your work hours, or quitting your job altogether. I know this is not always feasible, but may enable you to gain benefits through Medicaid/ Obamacare temprorarily, which would allow you to see the healthcare providers you need to and sort out which meds might work for you. As long as you stay on good terms with your current employer, they may give you your position back. I've seen in happen before. Otherwise, you may run the risk of your condition deteriorating or getting "in trouble" at your current job if you're in a condition where you're not able to provide quality patient care. I know everyone says this, but really, its true that you have to take care of yourself in order to provide good care for your patients! I hope it all works out for you!

Nursing school definitely does get harder!! I'm not sure where you're enrolled, but I can tell you're in your first semester. I also worked as a CNA/ med tech for many years prior to nursing school and for some reason had this idea in my head that nurses had it so easy and just sat on their butts and charted all day- NOT SO! Your school is just trying to be all inclusive for those students without any healthcare experience so that everyone learns what they need to know and are all on level playing field. Take advantage of this "easy material" while you can! In a year, your head will be spinning and you'll be praying for a "boring" day! Furthermore, maybe you can help your fellow classmates who are having trouble or become a tutor if you've got some spare time on your hands. Good luck with your education!!

I'm due to graduate in a few months and I'm a little scared to begin my career as a Registered Nurse. I feel pretty confident in my assessment, med/injection, and critical thinking skills, but I'm still pretty intimidated by some of the more complex skills like central line care, NG insertion, etc. I do have the opportunity to brush up at my school's skills lab and plan to prior to graduation, but I'm wondering what would be a good job to start out with to gain experience? I've heard med/surg from a lot of nurses and I've been lucky to have the chance to do 3 full semester med/surg clinical rotations, but I still don't feel like I'd be up to par being all on my own on that type of unit. I have plenty of experience in LTC as an aide/ med tech, but don't want to work in LTC long-term. Any suggestions for gaining experience while still keeping my license other than med/surg? I've been considering dr offices, clinics, or maybe a step-down/ rehab type unit. Also, in general, how much training will I get as a brand new nurse at a hospital if I do decide to go that route? Thanks!

This made me laugh! I'm a nursing student and just finished a paper on a patient conversation in which I had to analyze my therapeutic communication skills and factors influencing the interaction. I wrote "patient is very candid possibly d/t PCA pump with strong narcotics."

Maybe you're experiencing burnout? I know plenty of nurses that dislike working in homes and LTC in general. You may want to try another setting- acute care, neonatal, drs office, etc. I don't think that your passion for nursing has necessarily disappeared, but you may just need to take a break or change the setting to renew it. Good luck

Will your credits transfer to a different school? Some schools (mine included) allow you to take the LPN test after the first year of technical RN classes and then you continue on to the next year to get your RN. That's the way I'm doing it. Also, maybe some other schools are better at explaining the material. Can you switch instructors? Could you get a tutor? First, think of all the options available to you before you abandon your dream of being an RN

I'm going to be starting my "core technical" RN classes at MATC Milwaukee next semester and just wondering what to expect. When do you start clinicals, how often are clinicals, and who are the best instructors at the downtown campus first semester? Thanks for reading.

I don't know if this will work for you, but I always always make flashcards of the important terms and concepts in pretty much all classes. Then I test myself of both sides, so I know the answer by word or by definition.

When I took Micro, I was very intimidated at the beginning of the semester, but I think that a lot of people feel that way because it is just such a different class from what you've been used to. Once you really start understanding the material and the difference in the way that you need to learn for the class, it won't be so bad, I promise. We did our "unknown" towards the end of the semester and it wasn't bad, it was just very time-consuming. We had to create a big visual chart on a piece of posterboard. So start early with that one, but I think you will be alright - just put in the study time and it will work out for you.

LOL... I get pictures in my head of those old school nursing videos from the 80's with girls in high tops and those elastic-y pants tucked into their shoes! I think I remember them from an ergonomics video or something.

congrats future RN! It's definitely an accomplishment to even get in. They don't make it easy on us! I'm going to my orientation next week- looking forward to it! Good luck to you both!

The physical exam I had was not very extensive at all. Basically, I just had a doctor take my vitals and sign the paper, although I'm not sure how extensive yours will be. I would suggest just to look at the form that needs to be signed, read it, and go from there. Ask your doctor about it maybe. If you don't like what doctor #1 puts on the form, go and see a different doctor.

Hello, I am required to give this survey to 10 or more people and I only need a couple more to participate, so I would really appreciate anyone who has a couple of minutes. You do not have to be a nurse, or even in the medical field. The only requirement is that you are a working adult. You are supposed to list how important each of these factors are to you on the job, on a scale of 1 - 5. 1= not important, 5=very important, and so on with the other numbers in between. 1) An interesting job that you enjoy 2) A boss who treats everyone the same, regardless of circumstance 3) Getting praise and other recognition for the work that you do 4) A job that is routine without much change from day to day 5) The opportunity for advancement 6) A nice title regardless of pay 7) Job responsibility that gives you freedom to do things your own way 8) Good working conditions (i.e. safe environment, cafeteria) 9) The opportunity to learn new things 10) Emphasis on following the rules, regulations, and procedures 11) A job that you can do well and succeed at 12) Job security: a career with only one company Thanks for reading and completing the survey!

Hi, So I just got accepted into the "core technical" classes of the RN program and am going to be starting my clinicals soon. This is all contingent upon a background check and I am worried because I had a couple misdemeanor offenses when I was 18, which was 11 years ago. The specific charges were prohibited alcohol concentration and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. I am so worried about this. I was young and dumb and had an abusive ex-boyfriend that contributed to all of this. Do you think I will be okay?

Glad to hear you like it! I'm already stressed about it and I haven't even started, but I'm excited!

Thank you all. Congrats to you too aaakers27! How is it going so far?

I just recieved my letter of acceptance into the registered nursing program at Milwaukee Area Technical College. They use a strict petition process and many students have to petition two or three times, so I was really nervous about petitioning my first time. I completed my general education classes a while back and had to take a few years off due to financial aid issues. I am so happy to have my financial aid back and to get into the nursing program after all this time! I'm so excited!! Looking forward to starting next semester and finally getting my degree!

I know how you feel! I also struggle with anxiety and depression. I finished my pre-req's a few years ago and had some financial aid issues so I had to take a break from school. Today was my first day back. I am feeling extremely overwhelmed like what did I get myself into? I'm working part time as a nursing assistant and taking 4 classes. I know that if I apply myself that I have the academic potential to do this, but I just feel like I don't belong at school, like I'm too old or too poor or I just don't fit in with the whole academic crowd and I fear that I will lose all motivation and just quit, which would be a shame after getting this far. I don't know if you are religious or spiritual or anything, but if you are go to services and ask God or whomever for the strength, courage, and motivation to go on. You are smart, that's why you are in the nursing program. I'm not even in yet, I'm waiting on my acceptance letter (hopefully) and taking management classes in the meantime. As for your worry about becoming a nurse - think of it this way: "I will complete the nursing program and graduate and if I don't feel confident in my abilities at that time no one will force me to work as a nurse, but at least I will have completed it." And chances are, that by the time you graduate, you WILL feel confident in those abilities. Maybe you should try working in the medical field over summer break as a CNA or something and that will boost your confidence in your abilities. When I first passed meds, I was so scared I would screw up, but now it's just an everyday task. And you will get to that point too!

Thank you! I studied the Barlett & Jones NLN study guide ALOT, as well as expanding on some of the physics and science subjects, reviewed flashcards from my a & p and biochemistry classes, and used "word dynamo" gre wordlists and the toefl wordlist to study vocabulary. I also made some flashcards on word dynamo (on dictionary.com) under username caitlin23. I would also suggest that you not only know the gas laws and charles' law, but understand what they mean and the real world applications as well as the constants (temp, pressure). I noticed a lot of those types of questions. And practice reading comprehension (main topics, etc) because you need to find this info in a very limited time. I finished each section with only about a minute to spare. Also, be familiar with taxonomic classifications and basic biology. It seemed like there were a lot of questions about frogs for some weird reason. Good Luck!

I am so happy that I passed the PAX-RN. It was a long, grueling test, but I did it! I passed with a 154.

Hi, I am a Nursing Student and am working on a project for school. This project requires us to breifly interview someone working in the career that we are pursuing (which would be an RN in my case) about their job duties and what a typical day is like. And then, I must write an essay including the information from the interview plus other info I have researched. I've tried to call many nursing homes and no one wants to give me the time of day. My assignment is due on Wednesday. So, if somebody could help me I would be very grateful. If anyone is interested, you can either reply to this message, pm me, or email [email protected] with the following info: If there is any info that you don't feel comfortable giving me, just skip over that one! Name: Shift that you work: Full Time or Part Time: Company Name: Best Aspect of Your Job: Worst Aspect of Your Job: Is your facility For-Profit or Not-for-Profit: What kind of facility You Work In: Best Thing about your Facility/ Company: Describe the Chain of Command: Breif Description of Your Daily Routine: Anything else you would like to add: Thank You! I really appreciate any help I can get and would like to hear from as many nurses as possible! If there is anything at all that you would like to share, even if it's not on here, please do. Thanks again! -Caitlin