hdawnRN

So... turns out this is no rumor. The per diem spots in major hospitals here are being eliminated. The per diem nurses are getting their employment change offers in May. It's not as bad as it seems, as they are technically only eliminating the tier 3 per diem spots, those nurses can take a tier 2 spot. However, apparently that only allows 20 hours of work per week, and many per diem nurses are taking two jobs because of that. Hmmm...

I am not a per diem nurse, however, the large hospital organization that work for is ending per diem nursing, presumably at the beginning of the next year. We have been told that all hospitals are straying away from per diem, so those nurses would not be able to find those types of jobs in other hospitals either. This is some stipulation resulting from an Obama Care view... But many nurses are skeptical. Have any of you been urged to transition from the per diem position before you're forced to?

Your first several months of nursing school will be Foundations... which is really just the boring stuff... but the most important to starting your journey. Just relax until you get there! Work on organizing yourself and getting a plan together for your hectic years! I don't know how your program will be set up, but as soon as you get your calendar for the semester you'll know more about what you should do. When you can get your books, stay ahead in the reading and note taking. One of the most helpful things you can do right now, however, is relax and enjoy your time, because once the program starts you won't have much! Read around the threads a little.... you'll find some information you might like.

Chemistry requires much more knowledge of simple algebra operations than memorization. The other classes you will excel at if you can memorize processes and put them together (only slightly like nursing school). You'll need a GOOD SOLID knowledge base in these areas for nursing school, but if this interests you, you should do just fine! One thing I'd like to point out... if you are really interested in become a CRNA, you'll need a great GPA to even apply to those schools in the future. You'll hear a lot of "C's get degrees" in nursing school, but they definitely don't get you the higher education opportunities that you may be seeking. So take interest, take part, and take control of those classes! Good luck!

If you're going into nursing, I can promise you that once you get accepted into nursing school, the course load is much greater than that of your pre-reqs. If you're needing motivation for the pre-reqs you'll need it 10 fold for nursing school. I hope you find it if that's what you're really wanting to do! Just remember that every step you take is inching you one bit closer to the end goal, so those steps have to be grand and purposeful. Otherwise, you might definitely fall short.

It doesn't matter what you're doing, or why you're doing it... just that you ARE doing it. One thing I know for sure is that stressing out over this test WILL make you fail it again. I am one of the lucky people that has no test anxiety, and I do well on tests.... when I have a good knowledge base to start from. When you sit for the test, take a few deep breaths... tell yourself that you can do it... and just take the test. One question at a time, one section at a time. Studying is great, so learn as much as you can, but don't freak out about it! When it's time to take the test... you know what you know and there's no changing that. Just being calm and thinking rationally will help so much! Apply what you know to elminate answers. BREATHE. And let us know how you do on Friday :)

We learned them first semester... most of our practice didn't come until 3rd semester.

So semester 2 of my 4 semester nursing program starts tomorrow. Break wasn't even close to long enough to catch up on cleaning my house, organizing my portfolio and other school things, and everything else I had on my list to do over Christmas break! I have to say, I was so nervous going into the first semester. I had no idea what to expect! I've heard all of the typical nursing school advice... "Time will fly!," "If it can happen, it will happen in nursing school!," "Read your chapters!" Soooo much advice to take in, and ALL of it was true! It was a whirlwind first semester! It didn't help that instructors and policy changed abruptly before my semester started. That fact alone made the entire program seem like a tangled mess of.... well, nothing that I could make out! Apparently, that's par for the course, however. I survived! I actually did really well considering I have two young children at home and a husband that I was also managing. Our course tests in all areas as well as clinical grades are combined into one grade for the semester. 92% is an A, and I pulled out a 91. Aiming for an A this semester! I know it only gets harder the deeper we get into school... and I'm never disappointed with a B! Congrats to those who are still trucking along. Hope I have more time this semester to.... breathe :)

Hello all! So I have to admit that I've been a lurker for quite some time now. I've read all kinds of threads about almost every topic imaginable here, and have found some very useful information. I've realized that many of the topics I've read about have caued a little anxiety on my part; however, I've also found that the anxiety has kept me on my toes and prepared me a little better for what was ahead of me. I was accepted into an RN program that started earlier this month. I knew from reading prior threads that nursing school was no joke. I think no matter how much I prepared myself for the task at hand, I never could have been completely ready for what I was about to face! There was no easing into the work load. We were expected to have the chapters read before the first day of class, which I did. If we hadn't looked over every available resource given to us, there would surely be a pop-quiz over the information! I love the challenge. Between school and nursing club and my two children and their activities, I'm on the go most of the time. I'm just wishing the rest of my fellow nursing students the best of luck! I hope this year is awesome for you all!

How about for a blackberry? I just got the bold... recommend the same apps? anything else blackberry specific?

Nursing schools are so competitive! For me, this wouldn't be an issue at all, I would definitely call in to work and go to the interview! You've made such a huge leap just getting this interview, and even though phone interviews are allowed, I wouldn't recommend them. Face to face leaves so much more of an impression, and you NEED to leave an impression! So, congrats for getting this far into the process! And GO TO THE INTERVIEW... no matter what you have to do. Nursing school will change the course of your life in the end... one day of missed work shouldn't kill anyone. GOOD LUCK!!

Let me tell you about the reading comprehension on the entrance exam. There are 5-6 different articles to read, each of which are 2-4 small paragraphs long. Not much to read right?? For each article, there are about 6-8 questions involving everything from literal meaning of certain words to implied overall subject of the article. It's NOTHING to stress about! The test isn't super difficult in any way, you just need a few good test taking skills and some confidence. A little piece of advice about this section of the test that you can also carry on to other parts of the test: since it's multiple choice use your skills of deduction! There will almost always be one answer that you KNOW isn't correct. Don't pick that answer and you have a better chance of getting the correct one. There will almost always be two answers that are similar and you'll think either one could be correct. Trust your gut. Changing answers from your first instinct will cause many missed answers. Most of all.... stop stressing :) The more you stress the less you'll be able to focus. I realize how important this test is, but I think you'll be surprised at how easy it actually is. So RELAX! And good luck!!