championnicole

Hi Canda, I graduated from the inaugural WEA (as we call it--weekend/evening program) this past fall. I can answer any questions that you may have.... Basically from May of the start to August of the following year, you have no break. (Less than a week btw semesters...they're extended for the nursing program).... You get the winter break (3 weeks or so) but you will be working on all the thing you didn't do the prior 8 months of your life and doing a project for a class that has not yet started (lol, i know...they own you). However, I can not speak more highly of the WEA director who will be the mother hen (you will hate her at times but she will be the best thing for your education and she is always right; in hindsight ;-) ) The program is incredibly competitive to get into but I couldn't recommend WEA more highly (because Renee is basically the best there is...and you will not escape her for the entire program!) HEHE. Anyway, I'm rambling but would suggest you go to an info session, have a 4.0 or close to it (I had 1 B)...and be willing to sacrifice a lot to complete the program. However, you won't get a better challenge than it will demand of you and I can say it is absolutely worth it. PM with any questions and I will help in anyway possible.

I graduated in the fall and know this is the next step, so I gotta suck it up now or I I'll procrastinate the years away...... I have reviewed the various programs (and cost ahhhhhhhhhhhh) of the RN to BSN programs in the state and various programs online (both "online schools" and brick and mortar programs online...) While everyone raves about online programs and I understand their upside for many students, I just don't think it is for me. Not having direct contact with my professors, sometimes pointless busy work, is just not going to work for me. This basically leaves me with the programs in the state (I live in Howard County now and will be in this area for the foreseeable future). While I love Stevenson's program format (1 class/time, accelerated, hybrid....) I most definitely do not like their price.....While UM use to accept CLEP exams (of which I already have 2 for pre-req's), they no longer do. With Stevenson, I can CLEP out of my remaining courses (2-3, need to get eval)...which is appealing. I assume that Towson and Notre Dame would be comparable as far as admissions goes. UM, on the other hand, seems a little more competitive. (Is the RN to BSN competitive?.....I goofed off before my nursing program....pretty bad....but only had 1 B in nursing school). I love the courses offered at Maryland compared to the others because they seem more science based and less....health promotions, community health, bla bla....not my thing! I'd rather take pharmacology and statistics all day long....and tests.....not papers (I kno I kno....not going to happen :-( ) There are many options I would consider after my BSN (I like so many things...except management or teaching students lol) so it is important that I do well wherever I end up while still working fulltime.....(no kids) Anyway.....I'd like to open this up to MARYLAND ppl only....and would welcome insight from any current or post-grads from any of the state programs. Online options as well (UMD) because I know others would be interested.... General Info: Why you chose the program, hours you put in a week, how you performed, how much you've learned, professors, admissions....etc. I went on rambling for way too long, sorry! And thank you in advance! Cheers

So after having panic attacks for months, perhaps others will infuse some positive outlook/suggestions so I can confidently approach the endless online applications. Background: So just turned 26 and graduated from an accelerated ADN program in September, passed boards few weeks later and have officially completed just one online application because I feel like such a loser! I felt like I could rely on my achievements in school alone but everywhere requires my employment history, etc. I have no worked since I was 20 when I returned to live with my mom after taking a "leave of absense" from a prestigious 4-year college....I was very depressed at the time and felt like an utter failure for years. I went from community college to community college taking pre-req's for nursing (full load to keep my health insurance) but would drop classes for fear of failing..... When I finally got it together and was admitted into a program, I was at the top of my class, excelled in clinicals and tested in top 1% across the board on ATI tests and the like. I'm a perfectionist. To me it's all or nothing. I dedicated my entire nursing education to school. I had no bills, no friends, nothing. My mom has basically required nothing of me since I returned home, and for the first time in 4-5 years I was finally doing something. I am 2938490238% positive whoever hires me will be thrilled. However, I have no explanation of not working except my mom didn't make me. I honestly could not have worked during the program, but before....I didn't work! On top of that, my prior two employers (restaurant, tanning salon) are both out of business for several years....no contact info (just names). The only other job I had was in high school and under the table (catering company)..... My resume itself only highlights all my school and projects/awards, etc...because again, no work for basically 6 years....I also cannot say I was in school all that time, because I was not. I can provide information on my prior employers, although they are like ancient history....but how do I explain not working or doing anything? I am confident in my qualifications, abilities, all of it. I know with an interview, I'll be hired. It's getting in the door and the standard applications. I firmly believe honesty is the best policy and reject any attempt to falsify jobs/volunteer work/references, etc. I have no idea however to explain not having to work. I lived at home during this time and was privalledged to have time to engage my interests in an unformal education. I read a library of books in this time, and over several years, took all the classes I needed for admission into a program. Once in, it was all I did, and I dedicated 100% to it. I'm not rich, nor is it an option to have my mom support me any longer. I miss patients and practicing the art and science of nursing . I need a job, first an interview, which first means....not fearing "State the nature of your activities during any period of time not worked:" and my prior employers no longer existing! (except one I worked when I was in high school!!!) Hopefully some people can give me some advice, reassurance, tactiful and HONEST ways to approach these portions of the applications...... THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE!!!!

not sure why everyone is discouraging this girl.... she asked a question, not for opinions or two cents. while I agree with your suggestions to see what it's like and all that, but it's not what she asked.

There are a few ways to do this....i'll run through them first and then give u my 2cents Either way you will need to take a few classes before applying to any program if you do not have them....mostly science classes. Any local community college will have them and you can take a few in the spring and then do the two biggies over summer terms.... competitive wise....you need to do well in these classes. Your prior coursework GPA isn't as important as these big hitters...getting a 4.0 in these areas or close will get you in many programs.... (many only look at these and a few others) 1. Microbiology--not general bio. Most schools have u take Bio 100 or what not first...but no worries if u don't have that.... I showed my community college an "unofficial transcript" and put bio 101 on it so they waived it.....no problems anywhere I applied for nursing because they only cared about the microbiology.... 2. Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2....they're hard, lots of work...lots. But the harder the better in the long run....learn it, dont take short cuts 3. Englishes i'm sure you have with your bachelors, as are the Gen eds... 4. Sociology 101, Psych 101 (intro to psych), and Human Growth and Development (of lifespan development at some places)---- if u dont have any of these look into CLEP tests over taking them in school. I did awesome on them, maybe 20 hours study each, $100 (test and test book), and 3 credits....done! 5. some places like Statistics for your math, but the above esp. 1 & 2 are required for every every every place....(some will let u take concurrently once ur in nursing school, but u can't with accelerated programs and u'll be lost IMO) 6. Some also require General Chem....of Intro Chem, which i think is a good idea, but look at a few programs when exploring possible schools __________ There are 3 ypes of programs you can enter... 1. Accelerated Associates Program.... done in 12-15 months.... in many cases (in my state) you have more clinical hours and better pass rates then the bachelors programs and in most cases it doesn't matter which you have when applying (as a new grad...difference in pay is usually btw $1-2/hr or 2,000-4,000 a year.....but many places prob pay u bachelors cuz u have one....) 2. Masters of Nursing.... Many schools have programs meant for bachelors of other degrees...don't know much about these but the one I do around here is very competitive and probably 908490238490238 as much money... think it's 3 years... basically the associates courses....(nursing core science) or maybe some leadership focus? don't know about them.... like i said except being competetive and $$$$$ 3. Accelerated Bachelors in Nursing for second degreee....basically an associates core of classes again, 2- 2.5 year, more competive, more money, but i guess u get 2 bachelors.....? (if u chose to go graduate nursing live nurse practictioner, management, etc....u can do any of the above and with ur bachelors in what u have now u'd be fine...) if you can't tell option 1 is my choice.....much cheaper, much faster, much more focused and i think covers the important stuff after the BS gen ed you do in a bachelors in anything hehe, and i my experience, a better education..... many community colleges have partnerships with the sister hospitals and (slowed down some economy...) that will sponsor your entire tuition if you give back the years you were in school or 2x years... (i.e. 18mo prog--work there 3 yrs....) while doing interning there during nursing school (usually 20hrs/montth)....what's sweet if you get one of these deals is you have a JOB already...get extra experience, and free ed! it all depends where you live and what your options are..... to start, find out when registration for AP 1/2 for summer sessions at local community college is cuz they fill up in a day!!!!!!! sign up (drop for full refund if u change mind!) you'll be waiting around for a year likely otherwise (fall/spring) then look up all the local schools-- community colllege, bachelors, etc. (i'd say public thinking of money)...call nursing schools and find out when they info sessions....and goooooo....u'll kno what they each offer and require and benefits/cons in my state i can go to any CC and pay in county tuition because of the "shortage"....i ended up out of county for an accelerated program because my county didn't rank on merit but lottery....i loved it! i know this is a lot to take in, but soooooo many options are available for CC and you'll be done in 1.5-2yrs likely. half my class was students with prior bachelors! 3/4 students in my class were in a scholarship program through a community hospital as i discussed, so they're def out there!!!! SIGN UP FOR A/P, sign up for info sessions at colleges, browse local hospital sites (nursing sites....sometimes they'll talk about scholarship stuff)...., volunteer at a hospital? sorry for being so wordy, i hope this helps..... do not be discouraged by others please! do what your heart tells you!!! if you dont do it now you'll kick yourself later. half my class was in late 30s, early 40s wit kids....finally making the move.....take it by the reins and jump in! if you are dedicated, ready to get a butt kicking school wise, and enter the most rewarding profession that exists, then jump in.... good luck! private message me if u need more advice!

NRSG student 12 is RIGHT ON!!!!! Doenges!!! It's the best (I have 3 and have taken everyone from the library out)....just finished my final semester and it'll be the only one I keep ;-) I have the .pdf file i'd be happy to send, but not sure how to PM..... Tho nothing else at all compares to Doenges, I occasionally used Gulanick/Myers "nursing care plans" but really only in the beginning of my program until it really advanced don't know how long/intense your ped's course is or your knowledge of development (i have no kids so I couldnt tell you all the development things but had to memorize them), but I bought "wong's clinical manual of pediatric nursing" by wilson and hockenberry (different from textbook!) and while it has some careplans in it too, it's like the ultimate resource for careplanning for kids (my program director was a peds nurse, and we had to turn in 8-part careplans...more than any class I took) It has 1. assessment findings (for each age, abnormalities, normals) 2. health promotion 3. evidence based practice interventions ("play activities" saved me...ooo u have to do breathing exercises....we'll blow bubbles) 4. nursing care plans 5. p/t and family education 6. reference data!!!!!! i bought it used on amazon (it's like spiral) for maybe $30

ooooooo and GOOD LUCK:)

What semester are you in? What book do you use? How have you been performing on other exams and what difficulties have you had? Does your school use ATI or any other type of study program that may have additional resources? I'm a little confused about your standing and the many students in jeporady of failing..... Now I CANNOT speak for your program or school, but having just finished my last semester, roughly half my class was in jeporady of failing by the last exam and maybe 4-5 out of 20 had to do better on the final than all exams they had taken for the semester.....I don't believe it was coincidence that the final was probably the easiest exam in the entire program because they couldn't fail that many students. With extensive content I say always do maaaaaaaaaaany maaaaaaaaany questions. I don't know what your book is (I've read prob all the med-surg books) or what type of test format you generally have, but I've found Mary Ann Hogan's "review and rationales" a great summary tool when studying for comprehensive exams (it's an outline of different topics, and really keys into the most important areas.....library?) i can offer some more resource suggestions if you respond, and check back tonight....in the meantime do any and all questions associated with your text (from the text website, cd, end of chapter, etc)....

Okay so I'm still waiting for my ATT from my school, but all my paperwork is in and I plan to test the end of September....but I NEED TO KNOW.....what's the font size on the NCLEX and can you increase/decrease? My school uses ATI which prevents you from enlarging the font at all during exams. I dealt with it for most of the program, but taking the predictor exam....180 items........was rough!!!! I think my head/eyeballs would explode if I had to read itsy bitsy font for a 265-item exam if that ends up being the situation. If anyone can let me know, I'd be super appreciative as I'm hoping to avoid having to get some sorta accomodations through my BON........... THANKS

I wrote a speech for my first eval... (we did "skill evals", and had to basically go over the "checklists"....of pretty much every skill) It organized my thoughts in a "perfect" scenario...then I recorded my speech and would play it a lot while practicing the "motions"...it worked out great...for subsequent skills (we'd add more on and on, and we could have anything...) I'd just record the checklists, and perform them as I listened to it.... When it came time, things just flowed naturally (DONT GET CAUGHT UP IN MEMORIZING LINES...IT'S TOTALLY NOT THE POINT!!!) Def use #'s to help you recall things (ex. there are 10 things to access for before administering an IV...), then I'd just count them off until I hit them....practicing is your best route, and understanding the WHYS because then u see the purpose it's a lot of work, but don't let that overwhelm you or let u procrastinate...get started now, and u'll feel so relieved you did. It's not memory that will get u there, it's understanding why. The memory aids can help you recall when you're stressed too...Be confident, breathe, and practice ;-) you can do it!!!

:idea:Health Promotion. I typically dread papers, but believe I can providee some much needed education to my peers and advisor about the promotion of mental health, and what that looks like as a nurse would impliment it. While it seems everyone is doing a paper on health promotion nurses have conducted r/t obesity/nutrition/excercise, I'm venturing to where I feel a tug at my heart (knowing too I'm completely unable to write when I'm not interested). But oh the research..... i've spent hours and hours with our crap databases, and have found one article that's brillant "emotion locomotion", but while I can find snippets of other articles as potential, I'm unable to access them. I've spent an inordinate amount of time just looking for 3 current (since 2005/2006) article related to mental health promotion made by nurses (article written by nurse too). I'm not familiar at all with the databases that are typical to the nursing field, and have never had problems researching before (economics major). I've utilized that minimal resources I could (our library and research/communication center), but they all seem to be very unclear about what health PROMOTION is (NOT DISEASE SPECIFIC), and my faculty advisor, well...not so helpful. I know there are some things out there, which is just fruuuuuuuuuustrating, because trying to find it has been just a maze, so if anyone has anyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy research suggestions of how to find 2 other articles about the topic, or where to search, I'd sooooooooooooo appreciate it!!!! -stressed out and sleep deprived!

Thank you all for suggestions(:yeah:happy2learn)! I'm going to look into it, and hopefully get to the craft store sometime this week! I know the fleece knotting blankets, and have thought about that too! Keep coming with the information if anyone has any! Thank you, and I know my resident would too!

Hi, so I wasn't sure were to put this yet as I am still a nursing student, but anyone whose crafty really could prob answer this! I'm doing clinicals in residential living right now, and I love love love love one of my clients. I'm finished there this week, and really sad to go because this population is very special to me. My very first client really touched my heart, and I'd really like to help her optimize some of the limitations. Her cognitive functioning is AMAZING, but she has hearing loss, and very very bad vision lost (MD)... She was one of 2 residents at the facility that was still self-medicating, but lost this last week because of the vision lost. It's really really hard on her, and her mind seems completely unstimulated (lots of reasons facility wise, but i'm hear trying to optimize her life). okay okay, get to the point, so when i first met her she talked and talked about crochet blankets she made. Over the years since moving to residential living, she has made dozens of blankets given to children at a local hospital. She was incredibly proud of it, but she was asking for help with this circle loom thing that someone had given her. It was to make crochet hats, and it's all she can do now. I read the directions, and tried to help, but it was useless (I have no idea how it work)! I do jewlry and there are like regular looms, though I'm not sure how they work, but this one was like a circle, with not middle (like a wheel) and have like bumps on both side--i dunno? I think it's actually just for hat making, and she said she was cool with that, but if a regular loom (and some help with directions) or some other device, could make blankets...that would be awesome!!! There is very little stimulating she can find to do in this facility, and I would love love love to assist her because she has assisted me! Even if it's some sorta craft similar, that would be cool. THANKS:redbeathe:nurse:

Supply is less than demand in psych. In Maryland a good deal of the doc's don't accept insurance--so even with insurance, it's difficult to find a doctor. It's not uncommon to wait 3 months to get one, and then...well they're the ones that are mass dosing. Caring for a patient with mental health needs, without demanding $180/half hour (no insurance accepted), is a challenge aptly suited for the skills of a nurse. I think it's great, but until they realize the reason for allowing it should be because of the comprehensive and compassionate care of CNS and not due to unmet need, there will remain barriers to accessing the best care for clients....sad but true, get active! :-)

o man, i only have like 2 posts, so i can't PM you yet! i'm going to post a bunch of messages i guess over the next few days, and try to get back to you!!!! also you can gmail me najohnson124!!! you'll totally be my hero!