jtboog2003

Your very welcome! Good luck with everything!

I see a lot of posts like this on here, and the consensus seems to be that what works for some may or may not work for others. I am a firm believer that tools will work for you if you actually use them as you should. You can have all the materials at your disposable, but if you aren't really taking the time to use them correctly they aren't going to work for you. I say that just to say, sometimes people actually start to use too many materials to study, and are only taking a little bit from all of them, when they really should just focus on 2 or 3. Your preparedness has all to do with you, your ability to learn the content, and the practice you put into answering NCLEX style questions. Of course the other side of it, is the tool you are using isn't just a good tool for you based on how you learn. There are two areas, content and answering NCLEX style questions that you should focus in on. Do you have any weaknesses in either area you need to focus on? You already have a content resource, Saunders which is good. For me Saunders is WAY too detailed, but a lot of people like it. I believe Uworld is really good for questions personally, and I didn't like Kaplan, while others love Kaplan. If you feel like the ATI question bank isn't enough for you purchase another question bank, or look for free banks online. It all has to do with what works for you. I would definitely recommend getting the LaCharity Prioritization and Delegation book if you can try renting it or buying it used. Also, don't think just because you can't buy a bunch of resources or pay for review classes that you will lack what you need or not be prepared for the exam.

BSN 25 3.7

I don't see why you wouldn't be ale to do it, unless you don't have the determination and dedication. I took Chem along with 3 other courses while working full time and got all A's. But that's me. I honestly feel like it's up to the individual. Some people can't take a science and another course together when not doing anything else but take classes, and fail. Others can have way more on their plate and do well in school. If you truly don't feel like you can't do it then don't. Going in with the attitude that you won't be able to do it doesn't do you any good. It's like setting yourself up to fail. On the other hand, if you think it's something you can do then go for it. No one on here knows what you are really capable of, you do. What's good for one isn't always good for others, so you have to decide for yourself. Will you be able to take a science class while working?

Hey, sorry didn't know you had asked me about it. If memory serves me right, it was the 1099 Misc. form that I did. When I received all my tax things in the mail from HRSA, the monthly stipend money was a W-2, and the scholarship was a 1099 form.

That's interesting. I didn't owe much at all for the scholarship in taxes, and got back a pretty high refund return. I was expecting a lot to owe because that's what everyone talked about last year, but I found for me that isn't true.

It's funny that you mentioned this because I said the same thing a few days to my professor. it's so interesting to me how some people become so disease and bacteria conscious in a hospital setting, in yet we come in contact with sick people, bacteria, and other things, all the time in our daily lives and don't think of it much at all. Surfaces, and people are contaminated EVERYWHERE not just in a hospital setting.

Thanks. No, I wasn't looking for specific questions they ask, just more of a general sense of the interview. Some school interviews are heavily clinical based, and others hardly ask any clinical questions at all and are more focused on why are you here, want to do this, etc. (or so i have read and been told)

This wasn't directed at me I know, but I was wondering, what kinds of questions were asked at the interviews for the schools? Were they more clinical based or general questions about you? I will be applying to all three schools very soon, and wish to know what I am up against.

For nursing you do 4 years undergrad, then do ICU work 1-2 years (or longer) then start school and attend for about 2-2.5 years or so. You are looking at 7-10 years or so let's say, depending on time spent in ICU, and whether core courses are taken before hand. The bare minimum would take 7 years. For MD, you would be in undergrad for 4 years, and take all the required sciences for medical school (which are not what the nursing curriculum is, so you should make a decision fast because doing nursing classes and a bunch of sciences would be extremely hard.) Most people choose and easier undergrad major because you need a great GPA. Then you have to take the MCAT, apply and hopefully be accepted to medical school, do 4 years there, and then to become an Anesthesiologist 4 years residency. So it can be anywhere between about 2-5 years difference in length between the two. For the CRNA bare minimum it's 7-8 years to complete. For anesthesiologist, it will be 12 years regardless , unless you were in an accelerated medical program, which combines undergrad and medical school into about 6 or 7 years. If you want that title of "I'm a doctor" then go to medical school and be a doctor. Being a doctor and being a nurse no matter if they are in the same field are two different things. I like the nursing side more than the medical side of healthcare which is why I chose nursing. I didn't settle for nursing, I wanted to do this. I prefer the field of nursing over the medical after what I saw personally and what I learned about each. It's not just the length of time someone goees to school that is different about nurses and doctors. You should try and shadow both a doctor and a nurse and see what interests you. Most usually are drawn to either one, not both, when they really learn what each is about. It would be a shame to go through a bunch of schooling to find that you don't like what you do. (which I have seen in doctor friends and nurses as well) Are you interested in anesthesia specifically or just thinking about CRNA (highest paid nursing specialty) or doctor because of the pay? If that's it then you must weigh the pros and cons of the cost of tuition, loans, and salary. Med school isn't cheap and it's loans. You do not make a whole lot when you are doing your residency for those 4 years. People think they will come out after med school or even after residency making big bucks, but that isn't always the case. You are paying back a lot, and for a lot. It's cheaper to become a CRNA, (generally, but of course there may be some exceptions) and you may not always make as a much as an anesthesiologist, but you may not have to pay for things they do either. But keep in mind that CRNAS can make as much and sometimes more than some doctors depending on their specialty. I say all that, but money should never be the main motivation for any job. If you hate it, you hate it, no matter what your salary is. Also, it's not always as simple as it's two years more so I might as well become a doctor. There is a lot more to it.

Honestly if I were to look at your GPA alone I would say not that good. A 3.1 just isn't really that competitive for most schools in general, and I see you applied to some highly competitive ones. The minimum is usually around a 3.0 but you may go up against people with 3.5's -4.0's. How does your pre-req GPA look itself? Do those schools look at pre-req GPA and overall GPA separately? (I know a lot of ASBN programs do.) If so this may help you if you did really well in your pre-reqs needed for nursing. Your other stuff, as far as experience sounds good. Did you put any of that in your essay to kind of explain your GPA? If so they may take this into consideration. With some schools it's strictly about GPA, with others they look at everything, including experience and circumstances. All you can do now is hope for the best. I'm a firm believer in at least trying, the worse that can happen is they say no. No one can definitively say what your chances are for being accepted because you never know what the application pool looks like for the year you apply. One year you may get a pool where many applicants have GPA's higher than a 3.8, so the bar is set higher. Another year the GPA's could all be around a 3.4. Sometimes someone doesn't measure up as far as GPA to everyone else but they are let in because of other strong areas they had. It can vary year to year. To answer your question there is always a chance in getting in somewhere. I have seen the "impossible" happen when it comes to getting into school. GOOD LUCK

I'm curious, for all the people that say Pharmacology was the hardest class, what was it about the class that made it so hard?

It's interesting that your brought this up, because on here I see many posts about how they were the top of their class, or have extremely high grades, in yet can't find a job. Like the one person says it really depends on why you want to get A's. If it's for grad school ok, you will need a good GPA, but if you think having straight A's will get you a job, that may not always be necessarily true. It can be true as far as trying to get into a new grad residency program.

I think the topic has gone somewhere over to the left. The original issue is about GENDER discrimination related to acceptable attire for females and males, Specifically having to wear a cap because the majority voted and whether that is right or wrong. For me I wouldn't want to wear it because I think it looks ridiculous, not because of any feminist issues I have. If it were me, I don't know what I would actually do because I'm not in that position, and I don't feel that's strongly as you and some others do. They gave you a choice, wear the cap or don't go. If you feel that strongly that you feel you can't put it aside to participate in your own ceremony then don't. I know if I felt that strongly about the whole thing as you do, I just wouldn't go. To bring anything else, like whether they should receive funding, calling a state rep over it, and some of the other things being brought up, seem to be a bit extra to me. By the time anything would get worked out, the ceremony will be long over and you will be long gone.

Yes. There is down time to enjoy yourself and do whatever you want. In your case it's playing video games. For me it's watching movies. I don't think it's a good idea to just study, study, work, with no time for enjoyment. I studied this past semester yes, but I also did things I enjoyed as well. As long as you can find the balance for you, you should be fine.

GET IT IN WRITING. People say different things, and someone else may say something different later. If you don't have written proof it's your verbal word against theirs. It can never hurt to get something in writing, but it can sure do harm sometimes if you don't.

I am a bit confused. You say it's so hard to study, but later said you have over a 100 in all your classes. So it can't be that much of a problem for you. I agree with the others that said you are being a bit unreasonable and that your roommate is trying to accommodate you (no offense but I would have told you to go to he** by asking me to wear headphones while watching my tv in OUR room) I'm not making a bunch of noise I am by myself watching tv. for all you know she has complaints about YOU and feels like you are the annoying unreasonable roommate. Watching tv, snoring, and opening and closing drawers doesn't make someone a bad roommate. Where did you used to study that it was total silence before besides a library? even if you have your own room, dorm buildings in general aren't completely silent. You hear people coming in and out, laughing, doors opening, shutting, etc. It doesn't really sound as if she is doing anything major where you should be THAT irritated,(no loud music or friends over; and the snoring she can't help that so why do you say it as if she does it on purpose?) If you are that irritated why not just leave and go to the library. You're the one who wants to study so why do you feel she has to work around you? You should go to a quiet area, not be somewhere and expect everyone to get quiet around you. Like others have said, That's her room also, and she has the right to relax and be in her room. Also you said one of the problems with the library besides a 10 minute walk is that it closes at midnight? How late do you study? And how often? Are you a bit obsessed with studying or something? (and no I'm not asking to be smart I just never heard someone say the library closes at midnight as if that was early and not enough study time)

Thanks for the advice both of you.Yea I was leaning more towards taking it during it now (can study over my winter break for it) and that way I can focus on everything else later. I thought it would be hard when I am juggling the new job, and learning so many new things. Ryan, I do have a good memory, and I am great at standarized tests so I am not worried about that aspect of it, but still thanks for your thoughts.

That's great Bagola congratulations!! I have talked to many CRNA's and have found that not all of them have a 3.8 GPA, and some even bombed the GRE. They were persistent and able to sell themselves. A stellar academic record doesn't mean you are or will be a great nurse on the floor. Your capabilities can be reflected in another way. Not sure where the idea that if you got accepted with a less than stellar academic record then the school must not be any good comes from. The people I spoke to personally got accepted to the number one and two CRNA schools in my state, and we have quite a few. Out of the nine, some had the "3.8 GPA" and others didn't.

Wow this thread is so informative! This is great! So my question is, how soon should I take the GRE? I know the scores are good for five years- so let's say I am in my final semester of my BSN, and plan on applying for CRNA school within two years. can I take the GRE before I even graduate with my BSN? Or do I wait until after I take the NCLEX and I am working? Does it matter when you take it if the score is good for five years?

That's great! From reading what you originally posted and reading what you went in there and actually said, it's sounds like you heeded some of the good advice that was posted on here.

Yes I have experienced this sort of jealousy from co-workers. Like you I ddn't tell anyone really in yet word got around that I am in school. There is a ton of jealousy I have found when people feel that you are doing better than them. As far as family while mine are supportive, they still don't understand exactly what my schooling entails. I don't think anyone but people who went or are in nursing school does.Hang in there, don't let any of it get you down. ( I do get the how long, and aren't you done yet? Questions) I know it's extremely frustrating and can even be hurtful at times, but just keep your eyes on the prize. Good luck and just know you have support from us here.

Based on what you wrote, I would infer that the instructor felt that based on how you handled the situation during and after (how scattered your words and thoughts were about it and how much anxiety you had) she may have felt that you were in no way ready to graduate in three weeks. This sounds like something that would occur to a first semester student, not one in their last semester expected to graduate in a few weeks. There were so many other things that you said you did wrong: no watch- you should have asked to borrow one from someone when you saw there was no clock in the room. We are never told to use cell phone timers to take vitals. While you may have felt you would have got in trouble by asking to borrow, by asking to borrow a watch you would have been showing you realized you made an error in not bringing it, but were taking the initiative to get one so you could take correct vitals. You then said you couldn't even feel the pulse all to well? That sounds like you're saying you DID in fact make up a vital. How were you able to accurately count when you said you couldn't even feel it? Did you tell the instructor that as well? Also, the fact that when you and the other person took the same vital and yours was way off kind of gives the impression you don't even know how to take a pulse. Which you should, you should know how to accurately take vitals by now Either way, it comes down to you made errors in judgements, actions, and then when confronted about it, you weren't even able to explain yourself clearly. Based on how you say you responded to the instructor I would think you were lying too even if you weren't. Based on your really anxious actions and behavior, and then inability to even effectively communicate what happened, I wouldn't think you were being truthful about what happened. You admitted yourself you said some false things when asked because you were so nervous. You then trying to correct yourself could be seen as changing your story. (lying by the instructor) From what you're telling me, and how you handled it sounds like the instructor had her reasons for saying you falsified the records, and were lying to her. Even though it was a mistake, and it was due to your nervousness and inability to explain to her correctly, you kind of did. I would just try my best to EFFECTIVELY explain what happened throughout the entire ordeal. You telling them exactly what you wrote here doesn't sound really good, so I'm not sure if I would say all of that. It makes you look and sound incompetent and not ready to graduate. I hope you don't think I'm just being mean. I'm just telling you what it sounds like to someone looking in on the situation based on the things you said that happened. GOOD LUCK, I REALLY HOPE THINGS WORK OUT FOR YOU.

All the schools I see say that you just have to be employed at an ICU when you apply. Since you apply 1.5-2 years in advance, they say the required experience (1-2 years) will be completed by the time you actually start CRNA school. Some schools do take ER experience from a Level 1 Trauma center, but you have to check the schools in your area to see what they say. I mean if you can't get that ICU job right now, why not take an ER job? Would you rather not work at all if you can't do ICU right now? CRNA is my goal as well, but I will be damned if I turn down a job when so many can't even find one right now. I will reach my goal, maybe just not RIGHT after I graduate.

Got my scholarship deposit money today. just updating everyone