rescue14

Once you take a test or two, you kind of realize the stuff people are asking. If you have CDs that come w/ books, I find those help. Flash cards are useful for me as well. I get my wife to quiz me sometimes and we put aside anything I missed, so I know that I have to focus on that. Many schools have peer tutoring and some people in my class have got together a study group (although I'm not sure how much studying gets done). Ask your teacher if you're unsure. I'm a bit older, and I feel at a disadvantage sometimes, because when I was younger, I'd remember everything whether I wanted to or not.

It sounds like you're pretty well prepared as is, since you have some medical experience. That will help, especially during the 1st semester or so. If you're so inclined, casually go over A&P or medical terminology, or even look at articles or posts on this site. But, you don't really need to go all out to prepare, maybe just refresh yourself. Remember, you're going to be in class w/ people w/o any medical experience, so you've got a leg up. Also, it's true. You won't have much life once nursing school kicks off. Good luck!

I know about paintball and not much else. With my other student nurses and even the male nurses in clinical, sports hasn't come up once that I can think of. There are many different types on men w/ different interests. Talk about what you're into. If someone can't find appreciate a different set of interests, they may not be worth talking to. EDIT: one time somehow I got talking to a career Navy guy, much more "manly" than myself. We somehow got talking about the 80s movie "The Breakfast Club" and ended up impersonating characters from the movie and singing the songs. Judd Nelson brought us together. :) I think we are far more alike than different, but sometimes outward appearances may not make it seem as such.

I also got a study guide. It's really not that big of a deal. We tend to be our own greatest enemies on tests like this. You really want to get in, so there's a lot of stress involved and that makes the test seem exponentially harder. If you can somehow not worry about the ramifications of the test, you'll do very well. Good luck!

As far as encouragement: You've made it this far when you probably thought it impossible, and found that you could handle stuff that you never imagined dealing with, so just keep it up a little longer. You've come too far and been through too much to fail! Good luck!

Thank you for your reply, I guess that's where I need some ideas, since measurable teaching interventions are difficult since the client can't communicate orally.

It's hard not to get discouraged in a situation like that, but all is not lost. Generally, my first test of the semester is one of the worst. The first test is difficult because you don't know the test maker's technique. If there's a review, I'd concentrate on what I got wrong and why, and improve from there. Sometimes I find I read the question too quickly or something like that. Anyway, all is not lost and there are probably a bunch of people in similar situations, so hang in there! Good luck!

Hello, I have a careplan due that must have 2 diagnoses. 1 goal and 3 outcomes per diagnosis with 3 interventions w/ rationale and references per outcome. My client is bedfast, w/ right side hemiplegia, decreased function in legs bilaterally, 4 fingers amputated off one hand, has tremors, cannot speak (can nod yes or no) He has a stage I pressure ulcer on saccral area and also has dementia Diagnosis 1: Impaired skin integrity R/T pressure on sacral area and immobility AEB stage I pressure ulcer on sacral area GOAL: client's skin will remain intact OUTCOMES: Client will have oral fluid intake of at least 500ml by end of shift Client will indicate any altered sensation or pain in sacral area by end of shift Client will participate in measures that will help maintain skin integrity by end of shift Diagnosis 2: Impaired bed mobility related to body weakness and deterioration AEB limited ROM in all limbs and hemiplegia GOALS: client will increase exercise and activity in bed OUTCOMES: Client will complete one ADL by end of shift w/o assistance Client will participate in exercises by end of shift No real clue I haven't done any interventions yet, because I feel like I'm painting myself into a corner. I think a big problem is that the client is non-verbal, and that limits my teaching options, since the patient won't be able to acknowledge demonstrate much of what is taught. Any help or feedback would be appreciated. I've tried looking everywhere, and am just stuck. Thanks in advance!

Make sure to check into all grants, financial aid, and scholarships you can. It's smart to get the non-nursing courses out of the way, it will ease things when you become a nursing student. I (personally) would avoid the LPN first route, just because it could take much longer than you intend and you can get sidetracked. Currently, I'm in school FT and working FT, but likely towards the fall I'll have to look at working PT. If you happen to go to Bon Secours for nursing, they offer different jobs based on your nursing level (years under your belt). Ex: 1st level students can work certain jobs, 2nd and 3rd level students are qualified for more. Where there's a will, there's a way! Good luck!

I haven't experienced any real discrimination thus far. In fact, I think that my instructors tend to like me because I don't complain as much. (not that the women always do) The biggest trouble I see is that I have yet to have been assigned a female patient. This is obviously a double standard, and I feel it's a disservice to me as a student, as it's inevitable that once an RN, I'll have female patients. I could understand if the patient requests a nurse of a certain gender, but in this case, my instructors are going out of their way.

I think the biggest one for me so far is all men are vastly physically superior. This leads to my male classmates and I being asked to lift people we have no business lifting quite frequently. I have no problem helping, but it's just the constant, "he's got a member, therefore he's got superhuman strength" gets tired.