DragonflyShell

Silly question perhaps. I am in the need to buy a new stethoscope. I have been working now for a year as a floor nurse and notice the stethoscope I have doesn't work as well as it should. Of course, it doesn't help I have poor hearing. My question is what kind of stethoscope would you recommend. I know everyone's opinions are different but would like to know some top brands or type. Thanks. Michelle

I have shadowed an LPN as a nusring student and have also shadowed a nurse's aide in the past. When you shadow, you don't do anything but "shadow" them. Follow where ever they go and observe. It is a good opportunity to observe what their day is like and a great opportunity to ask questions. Good luck and have fun. Shell :)

I just studied from the Mosby's NCLEX-PN review book. Not sure of the version but it came out just this year so has the new format-type of questions in it. I took my test Aug 8 and, I had passed. Most of the questions I studied weren't the type of the questions that were on the test since they were more critical thinking based. Good luck! Shell :)

I took the NCLEX last Monday and I had 85 questions. I had about 3 check all that apply and 2-3 fill in the blank, which basically was calculations. So didn't get that many. Just keep up the studying and try not to worry. Shell :)

congrats!! i does feel great when seeing the passing grade. it's a big relief. now for the next battle....rn. i start my rn rotation a week from this monday. shell

I just took the NCLEX-PN last Monday. I had a lot of the same questions as you did. I was getting quite panicky in the middle of the test. I left feeling quite depressed and told everyone I believed I failed it. It was very hard. Today I found out I had passed it. I couldn't believe it. I was in shock! A friend of mine took hers today and I called to see how she felt. She felt the same. I had only 85 questions when it shut off on me. Keep you head up. I know it is hard since I, too, just went through it. Good luck, hugs, Shell :)

I have both and I recommend Davis's.

I am in the nursing program at a CC in Illinois. I know when I applied there were at least 250 applying for only 44 seats and this year there was just as many but this time there is only 33 seats for the first year. I learned the reason for taking so few was the lack of teachers. The CC aren't just able to pay a decent salary to encourage anyone to apply. Why would one want to leave a working nursing position and decrease their pay just to teach students?? The CC once talked about raising the salary but the other instructors threw a fit and demanded that they too get the same type of raise. So it didn't happen. If they hire another instructor, maybe not this year but the following year they'll increase the number of incoming students. Shell

I am just finishing up my first year of nursing and, I work full-time. It is difficult and my program, too, discourages anyone working full-time. I make mine even more complicated with two little children. It's hard to do but if you have the ambition and if your job is flexiable, then you should do fine. I find myself with a little more stress but I've been managing it. I'm about to take the PN summer course and I am actually cutting my 40 hours to 24 but only for the 6 week course and I'm back to full-time and will be throughtout my second year of nursing. I work because I have to. Sometimes you don't have a choice. Good luck to you, hugs, Shell

Hi, I don't take Adderall but I do take Concerta for my ADD. I've been taking it over a year now. There is a big difference when I do and don't take it. When I'm taking it, my focus and attention is so much more in tune with what is going on around me. I still have some issues due to ADD but it helps. I also have OCD and because of these two conditions makes me worried how I'm going to do in this nursing program. I try to think positive thoughts and hope for the best. :) Michelle

i've been working full-time during my pre-reqs. i start this nursing program this fall and plan on working full-time, at least this semester. the program recommends that you not work full-time but when you are the insurance carrier and have two small kids its next to impossible not to work. fortunately the job i work is very flexible and will work around my school hours. michelle

I saw your post and, I, too, have a BA in Advertising and am returning to get my nursing degree. I'm going for my ADN but plan on going for the BSN to perhaps the MSN.

Spoon River College, Macomb, Illinois

Yes. When I went to school and got a BA. I had gotten both a pell grant as well as a student loan. This time around going for my ADN I'm not elgible either. Fortunately through my work place I've found alternative methods for myself. :) Shell

Hey there, I took A&P over the summer and was a breeze. That is only because the TEACHER was a lazy butt and didn't want to teach us. I was excused from the final because I was getting 100% in the class. This was taking at the community college. Had I taken it at the local state university it would have been a lot harder. Now I'm worried when I have to take A&P II at the state university. I don't think we are prepared. The idiot teacher told us that it might take two rounds of A&P II to pass it. Moron! Oh well, glad it is over and looks like I'll be having to do some extra studying before I take A&P II this Spring semester. Shell

For this Fall sememster I have to buy 13 (2 are only recommended). Got all 13 and spent just over $500 online. Not sure how much it would have been at the college since they claim they won't know prices until mid-august. Yea, right. Shell