harley0511

Is it the hospice work itself wearing you out or is it the working weekend nights while going to school all week while trying to have a home life and family? Nights are hard enough to work when you're NOT in school...whatever you choose, take care of yourself. You can't take care of your kids or your patients if you don't look out for you first. And nursing is such a fantastic career path...if you start something you don't love, you can always try something else. Congrats on going back to school, too!!!

Hi Very Tired... I remember that feeling. I'm nursing now and am still very tired! I found several review books/CD's at a local used book store. I used Saunders, Kaplan, Lippencott, ATI (supplied through my class), Lippencott's NCLEX PrepU (online resource) and the NCLEX style questions in my nursing books. I found each one to be different and helpful. I think it was the mixing up of resources that helped me most. I liked the online and CD versions of the test questions as they were similar to taking the actual test (can't see the answers until you're done, don't know if you got them right until you're finished, etc.) Try not to stress too much. Study, take breaks, be proud of yourself for finishing school...it's almost over! Hope that helps...Good luck!

Written assignments....can you say 'Care Plans?' :) You'll find out about those soon enough...but don't worry. They ease you into them. You critique some articles first year. You have a paper towards the end of second year. Other than that just homework, assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. You may come to hate the word 'paperwork,' but it all has a function. You may not realize it until you're about to graduate, but believe me...they have a reason for everything! Of course...take all of this with a grain of salt. They are constantly reviewing, changing and improving the program. If they find out something doesn't work or some other assignment works better, they'll implement it. However, one phrase you will come to know well is 'evidence based practice.' (EBP...just makes things easier) The instructors don't spring anything on you. All you need to keep up to speed will be in your syllabus. Pay attention, stay organized and try to enjoy the ride! It's so worth it!!!

Congratulations to you on getting accepted! The program is a tough one, but it's because from Day 1 they are prepping you for the NCLEX. All quizzes and test questions are critical thinking-style questions, just like NCLEX. This will probably be unlike any course you've taken before. A&P, Micro, Nutrition...all had direct questions with only one correct answer. Critical thinking questions tend to have multiple correct answers, but only one is the BEST answer. As far as how to study, that depends on you. Many people in my class loved the podcasts. I'm not an auditory learner and never used them. I showed up for class, took notes on my PowerPoints, looked over the text sections they suggested, etc. Whatever style of studying works best for you is the one you should stick with. They give you tons of opportunity to practice in the lab, too. The Resource Room has a wealth of information and study aids (books, computer programs, simulations, etc.) We are so fortunate to have had this fantastic state-of-the-art Health Science Center at our disposal. You'll love it! Each semester builds on the one before it and they each get tougher. But you got accepted which means you can do it! One thing I will suggest...the summer after 2nd semester...when you have FOUR MONTHS off from classes...do not forget to keep the 1st year info fresh in your mind because when 3rd semester starts up, they get that ball rolling fast! The instructors are top-notch! They are there to help you succeed. All of them have open-door policies and if you need any help or guidance, they are more than willing to help. I cannot say enough good stuff about the Chatt State RN Program (can you tell???) And, no...I don't work for them! :) Good luck, study hard and keep your eyes on the prize...it'll be here before you know it! ***I only have 5 days til pinning!!!!*** Take care!

Erlanger Health System 423-778-7969 Good luck!

I'm graduating May 2011 (in 78 days to be exact!). Did you have questions? Congrats on getting accepted...it's a fantastic program!

Our instructors have advised us that Kaplan is hardest, Lippencott is 2nd and everything else is a wash. They suggested we do practice tests from the 'everything else' group and when we're getting at least 80% right on those tests, move up to Lippencott. Once we're getting at least 80% on Lippencott, move up to Kaplan (if we can find them!) Better to be prepared for the hardest and have the NCLEX seem 'easy' (if that's possible!) I would love for the NCLEX to seem like 'practice questions' (from the previous post.) Essentially, if you do at least 5000-6000 NCLEX-style questions-and read the rationales-before your actual boards, you should be prepared. I'm working on mine now!

Oh, and to those of you who had not-so-great nursing school experiences, I feel so bad for you. I have been fortunate enough to go to a school with a dedicated and involved staff. All of our tests were NCLEX-style questions to get us ready for boards and our success was their main goal. I hate to hear that you didn't enjoy it (besides the massive amounts of clinical pre & post work and stressful exams, of course!) Hopefully, you'll enjoy your new career much more. :)

I'm going to my pinning, but not graduation. Our RN class is about 120 people, but the college graduation is closer to 1000 usually. I went to school to become an RN so the pinning is much more important to me. I did not enroll in school to get a 'degree'...I want my license. They can mail me my diploma and I'll cherish it, but I agree with some of the previous posts...I don't care to sit there for 3-4 hours with people I've never met just to have my name called, walk across a stage and wear a cap/gown. I did that in high school. Besides, pinning is on Friday night and graduation is the next morning. Kinda takes the excitement away from the pinning (I think.) The pinning is specific for nurses. And those 120 people have gone through tests, clinicals, labs, blood, sweat and tears together. But to each his own. If you don't want to go, that is up to you. Our pinning is required attendance, but I haven't heard of anyone in my class that doesn't want to go. Regardless, congrats on graduation!

I can only speak for Chatt State, but it might help. 1st semester: Mon lecture 9a-3p, Wed lecture 8a-4p, Thurs or Fri clinical 7a-2p 2nd semester: Mon lecture 7:30-12p, Clinical Tues or Wed 7a-2p, Thurs lecture 7:30-12p 3rd semester: same as 2nd 4th (and final!) semester: Mon lecture 10a-3p, Tues or Wed clinical 7a-2p, Thurs lecture 8-12:30p Most of our classes are held during typical school day hours. The only problem people with kids in my class seem to have are the early mornings for clinical or when kids have snow days/holidays/sick days. We also have a night program as a second option. You should be able to check your school's website re: the nursing program and get some idea of their hours. I'm sure they are used to those kinds of questions... just call and ask! Good luck to you both! Only 82 days til pinning!!!!

Hey Shoe Girl! Sorry I don't have any advice for you, just wanted to wish you a great big GOOD LUCK! I hope your assignment goes smoothly. I also hope to be in your first-assignment-shoes within the next two years (I graduate in May). I've seen lots of great advice from these nurses on the forums so I hope you get some soon. Take care and keep us posted!!!

I currently work at Erlanger (as a tech...in nursing school) and think it's a fantastic place to work! Being a teaching hospital, they seem to be very good about working with school schedules. Several of my RN's are currently in school for their BSN's or MSN's and several of us (PCT's) are in nursing or medical school. They are also good about hiring new grads. Erlanger is a Level 1 Trauma Center so you would get tons of good experience no matter which department you choose. Sorry I don't have info about Memorial or Parkridge for you. Good luck! Chattanooga is a great place to live!!! :)

Hi NJ2TNrn, Just some info that might help. TN has NO state income tax. That may make up for a little bit of the pay difference. Also, there isn't a lot of 'unionizing' in the south. TN is gorgeous (esp. the further east you go!) and the cost of living can be significantly less than many areas north of us. That pay rate seems to be pretty common across the state, esp for grads/newer nurses. Good luck with your decision & potential move!

The orientations are varied. Some people do a 'group' orientation for several days in a row. When I was hired, I was in school and did an online orientation during my off days. So knowing when the 'next' one is doesn't really have much bearing...I wouldn't think. Hope you hear something soon...didn't you also apply at Memorial? As for scrubs....'whatever' pretty much goes. Solids (lots of ceil blue, but also every other color), prints, t's w/scrub pants, etc. No need to dye your scrubs, but I have seen some cute tie-dye ones at work! :)

I'm in school, so PRN is perfect for me. I'm in the ER and patient load varies from 6-12 pts, depending on overall pt load and staffing. It took about a month after I applied to hear back from them, but then only 1-2 weeks after I interviewed to get an offer. We have PCT's who used to work Memorial on the floors and their pt load could be 15-20 at times. Some days are tougher than others, but always rewarding. Thanks for the FB invite, but I don't use it anymore. Also, you could always call HR and ask them about the status of your application. See if they are doing YOUR background check for the position! :)