kbucksn

I know of one in Minnesota when I lived there. A college student in her mid-20's answered and ad for a nanny on Craigslist. It listed a phone #,etc and when she called she spoke to a woman claiming to be the mother and invited her to the home for an interview and to meet the kids. When the girl arrived she was brutally murdered. It turned out it was by a 19 year old boy and this was the home he lived in with his parents who apparently were not at home. Police found her body in the trunk of her car parked at some park if I recall. The kid claimed to be addicted to video games and "just wanted to see what it felt like to REALLY kill someone" After this I avoided craiglist and told my collegebound daughter to as well. Scary stuff. It just sucks to think these a$$holes are praying on people needing employment, especially in this dire time.

I think alot does depend on what is the better program. Where I live the BSN program has had a 100% first time pass rate on the NCLEX for the last few years and the ADN is in the mid 90's. So I guess you just have to research it.

Well from my understanding the major difference is hiring purposes. Although the RN licensure is still the same, more and more hospitals are trying to acquire "magnet status" and in order to do that their RN's must be Bachelors prepared RN's. One thing I have also been noticing as I look at job postings is that I am seeing more and more that are wanting an RN with atleast 1 year experience UNLESS they are a BSN and then they are willing to hire a new grad. I am not really sure why that is but that is what I have been noticing. I think overall it is what is best for you though, different people are working with different time constraints so i think it is more a matter of what works for you. Good luck! Karla

Wow!!

The only thing about that is what if you are making these accusations that "Mom is strung out on drugs" and you are wrong? What if like nursemarion's pt there is a REAL illness and REAL pain going on, now we have just introduced a whole bunch of stress and crap into someone's life unnecessarily. Maybe Mom has nobody to watch said child? I just don't think assuming Mom is using child to support her drug habit based upon the few minutes one spend with the pt is quite right either. Maybe Mom didn't realize she went out there because she is sick and in real pain???

I totally agree with what your saying. Things should be taken a step further and other visits checked. Your right if this is the 3rd time this week or they come in a few times a week or whatever for the last few months, etc than RED FLAG. But, i still think as another poster had said, at that point instead of writing someone off that is a flag that they have a need not being met. Whether that means they are not taking care of that "dental pain" for example, we need to find out why not?? No insurance,etc?? Offer referrals or a social worker to help them with such. But I DO believe we need to try to address patients a bit more holistically.

I have to agree with the other comments, pain is pain. I am really glad to hear advice about dealing with pts holistically, I think that is something we all should keep in mind. MissRN2012 you made a good point that if they are "frequent flyers" or med seeking we have not done our job be it due to stress, mental illness or something that has not been found yet. My husband dealt with ongoing pain that they could not find a cause to for a couple if years, finally it was discovered that he had a herniated disc. And as far as pain, it is SUBJECTIVE. What worries me when we start deciding that our pts aren't REALLY in pain, the next thing that leaks in is judgment and profiling. A pt present with pain and maybe they "look like druggies" or have certain things that some person may think "bad people" have (tattoos,long hair,etc)and next thing we start making judgement calls based upon personal feelings. For example I live in a very conservative very religious community where although there are many good non-judgmental people, there are just as many that ARE judgmental. They see someone with a tattoo, or a girl with short shorts or even a freaking tank top and instantly treat the person different like they are criminals, prostitutes or drug addicts. It is RIDICULOUS!!! Example my husband and I were in a store and my husband has tattoos the woman working there followed us around like we were casing the place. Mind you my husband TEACHES SUNDAY SCHOOL! We cannot and should not judge a book by its cover. I also agree with the previous comment that says I would rather medicate someone who doesn't need it than cause someone who is in pain to suffer. What if I am wrong?? Something to think about.... Once upon a time doctors pretty much diagnosed anything a woman complained of as "hysterical woman syndrome". One of those things later became known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, women would complain of muscle aches and extreme fatigue and drs wrote it off as "in their head". Correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure that is what we know call Fibromyalgia. As it turns out it is not something that can be definitively diagnosed by a lab test, but by other types of testing in regards to certain points on the body upon physical exam but it took time to figure this out. One other thought, there are times that even people who have suffered or do suffer from addiction have pain too. Do we just write them off? Or there are certain meds used to treat addiction such as Methadone that cause people to actually need higher doses of pain meds to treat their pain and often I have seen that ignored as well, out of sheer judgement. i think we just need to give out pts the benefit of the doubt UNLESS of course they walk in nodding with sub-normal vital signs and are obviously intoxicated asking for Demerol,etc and of course that is for safety reasons. Anyhow just my 2 cents :)

I am currently finishing up my prereqs to apply to a BSN program. Thus far I took Biology 2 years ago now, Anatomy Spring semester, and I am registered for Physiology for Fall, what I am wondering is if I would benefit from any sort of order in these classes. I have to take Micro which I wish I had taken right after Biology but the school i was attending at that time did not require Micro so here I am needing that. I also need to take Pathophysiology which I am wondering if I should take next semester right after Phys. Finally have my Nutrition class that I am taking this semester and I will be needing to finish 2 Chem classes. I guess my worry is forgetting info, I figure pathophys is basically an extension of phys so i should take them consecutively,etc. Does anyone have any insight they would like to share here?? Oh and I am needing Critical Thinking Communications as well. Or am I seriously OVERTHINKING it all?? Thanks in advance!

Well first of all every class is different, so its kind of hard to compare. Teachers make the class in many ways. For me, I took sociology last semester, I had a really laid back teacher, but she taught us so much. it has been one of my favorite classes thus far! We did write a couple of essays, but sociology is not one of those black and white subjects. My teacher's goal was to basically get that across to us, to encourage us to consider other ideas, cultures, beliefs, etc. Depending if that sort of thing interests you will probably make the difference of how you like the class. my favorite part of the class was the discussions...everything turned into a discussion, which was awesome to hear opinions and ideas from other walks of life. Good luck and I hope you get something enjoyable from it!!

First of all you need a ((((((BIG HUG))) :hug: I know your pain , I have actually been going through the same thing. Spring last year I took my anatomy and I am at a smaller school so we do not have many instructors. I had heard about 2 instructors that were good but as i was still a Freshman I had last pick of classes. So when I went to register of course BOTH of those instructors were full and they no longer would let us add in, anyway I was stuck with the only other instructor and she was AWFUL!! For one she was teaching way more than anatomy, expecting us to diagnose and cite treatments,etc on her tests. The tests were so hard, the way she asked questions it was a tests just to figure out wth she was asking? Her testing average was a 56%!!! She would lecture SO fast and not slow down or repeat, ridiculed any questions, expecting us to have the knowledge of 3rd yr med students!! To top it off the materials she used FREQUENTLY were not accurate (diagrams,etc) and those were her words. i could go on and on....anyhow I was studying constantly, I mean literally I would study when I awoke, then after class, then at home until I fell asleep at night. But the material was so wide not just anatomy, that it was just impossible to prepare for her exams. Anyhow I got a C in the class, which as you probably well know may as well be an F when trying to get into nursing schools. So since then I have really been in this depression over it all, I thought "well that's it, my dream for the last 15 years was gone" but this fall I still kept chucgging alone in my prereqs. Currently my school accepts 20 students in the Fall and Spring, this last semester people with a 3.8 GPA didnt get in and this is how its gone for quite awhile I felt hopeless. Well I met with an advisor at another school in my area (the only other for abt 200 miles) and its a uiversity and 60 miles closer to home. well they have a rigorous program its a BSN with no ADN option and has LOTS of prereqs but also a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the last 2 cohorts of RN grads. So I laid it all out to them. They told me to retake the class, and include an explaination of why I did poorly the first time and of course kick butt on everything else! So there is def hope!!! My advice retake the class and investigate the instructors!! Try ratemyprofessor.com and best of all word of mouth from several people. If you have to take more than just that class trying and take easy ones, also there are some great resources online. If your interested in some let me know. But point is all nursing programs tell you that!! Dont let this deter you PLEASE. Redo that class, that is what I ma doing. I am actually transferring to a school that has better educated professors, low class size and highly recommended instructors. I dont know how rural or metro of an area you live in but dont just focus on the 1 program, there are alot out there that factor in many other things than grades. In fact in calif they select a certain amount by grades, etc and a certain amount by lottery. You have to meet a minimum but it just really opens your chances alot. I dont know how far you are willing to go for this but check other school in other areas or states.also study grp for science!! i never used them and that was prob dumb of me because all those that did, also were more succesful. Anyhow sorry for the novel, I just really feel for you. Don give up!!!! Best wishes you you :) btw you will her many deterring things abt all problems but alot is others trying to deter the competition.

I do not get why a certain person on this board sees anything about entitlement?? I am so glad you have a wonderous "protestant work ethic" but not everyone was raised that way. you want to talk judgmental?? i think you should look in the mirror. a question was asked i answered, that is it... why you have turned this into you being so righteous because you made education and financial security your priority i have no idea. i am glad that you made those choices, i encourage my kids to do the same, but not everyone was given that ethic. in fact you want to know what i was raised by?? My mother was a prostitute. how is that for teaching your kids ethics.So before you go getting on your all mighty high horse maybe think that others walk down different roads. Just because I raised my kids before having a career does not mean i should never fulfill my own educational goals. Also I never said that I was entitled to anything, all I said was yes it is maddening, didnt say a word about I should get in before ANYONE, only that it is frustrating when you see someone not even wanting to be in that field. anyway enough said. btw leenak that is my personal goal as well, to become an RN but eventually become an adv pract nurse/NP. But the point is that is still a route for the field of nursing. We were referring to people that plan to never have anything to do with that field. BTW I commend you in your goals, best of luck to you.

Hey there, welcome to allnurses...I am now in my 3rd semester, i am done with all my nursing program prereqs accept for physiology which i take in the fall, chemistry which i cannot take until i get through a math 1010 class in the fall,and statistics which comes after the mth 1010 class. I am currently finishing up my english and some general ed stuff...i am looking to apply in the spring for fall 2012 nursing program, which mean i will have to take my entrance test, (they changed it to the kaplan test)by march of 2012. so i will be in the middle of statistics and chem when i take the test.i have heard many many people say the kaplan science part is mainly anatomy and physio. but i am glad i ahve gone back, just sooooo afraid i wont get in, the programs are so competitive. i did not do as well as i hoped in anatomy, i got a C...so i dont know i may have to retake that. its just so different being out of high school this long, and never having had much of the basics in the first place. my advice is if you can take just a couple c;lasses at a time especially with math and sciencess, then do it. i am in a catch 22 because i need to keep 12 units for my financial aid and loans. best of luck to you and email is [email protected] if you ever wanna chat :) karla

I also would like to reiterate that it is one thing to go into a program with the intent of becoming a nurse, probably what those ladies that Streamline2010 was referring to.I can understand having the intent and then working or having a family or whatever and doing something else but when you have NO INTENT of ever practicing that is crappy...like the PP who had someone on her cohort that was just trying to find herself a doctor to marry...that could have gone to someone who worked their butt off to get their. Streamline I an sorry that you evidentally think nursing school is boring, etc...but some of us do not and are really driven to get our licenses. Nobody was trying to start "drama" as you also stated but the OP asked our opinions so we gave them, not sure why you felt like jumping down my throat....not sure why you rudely put "no moral issues here folks. move along"...

Streamline 2010....wow I did not mean to trigger someone to be so nasty!! I am so glad that your life was able to go that way to go to college than have kids...well I have been on my own since I was 15 years old, my guardian died... I had my oldest daughter at 16 (and no i do not regret that)....and so no I did not have that opportunity...maybe some people want to raise their kids and be home with them first before beginning a career??I am not saying that people do not have a right to their degrees, but when you have someone go into the field expecting some glamorous job and when they realize its not what they thought never working in it again, its a little frustrating! I am just saying I think nursing programs should do like paramedic programs do....they have to get their EMT Basic first and then they have to work as such for 1 year before applying tot he medic program. I think that nursing should be the same, you should not only have to take a CNA class but work as one for a year. You know how many times I have heard people so shocked and bothered when they find out they have to "wipes butts"?? Too many! All I was saying is that it is frustrating when the programs have such few spots and people who have no intention of being a nurse take the spot. I did not mean to have you bite my head off about I should have done that before having kids....not all of us are perfect...sorry..

I am sorry to be the bummer but I would be very upset. Maybe it is because of where I live, a very rural area with exactly 2 nursing programs, one of which is over an hour away. The first one accepts 20 students per year the other accepts 30. We do have alot of students that live on campus from out of state as well so it ups the college population immensely. The next nearest program is almost 3 hours away, in another state actually, and there are people so desperate that they actually do that commute (they only accept 20 as well). None of them do wait lists nor lottery system, it is 100% based upon GPA, entrance test (TEAS,Kaplan,etc),and essay. I have wanted to become an RN since I was 17 years old (I am now 32), I have raised 4 children which I had very young, and my youngest is 12 and oldest 17, when they were younger I didn't want to take away from them for my dreams. Well now that most of them are doing there own thing much of the time, I have the ability to take on school. I worked in the medical field as a tech for 10 years, so i know what nursing is truly about including the not so pretty parts. I am just 1 of many with similar stories. So yes I think it is not cool to take a spot in a highly competitive program for a profession you have no intention of going into. Now if when she went in she DID intend to be a nurse but things changed halfway through or whatever, than OK I get that things change....but if she did it knowing full well she would never practice, that isn't cool. But that is just my opinion. Karla

I have several tattoos and used to have several piercings as well. When I worked int he hospitals they were VERY strict about covering up, I worked registry and EVERY hospital was that way. Fortunately my tats weren'y visible but I did have an eyebrow piercing so they made me cover with a bandaid...I eventually just took it out, it wasnt worth it. As far as the tattoos honestly I would make sure the next one you get can be covered, after all of your hard work it's just not worth it. You will get sick of wearing a shirt under real quick especially once you are running around a full shift. I would think the sports tape would be just fine for the one on your wrist even in the hospital/work setting, all they care is that it isnt visible. But again, especially in this economy and the trouble new grads are having finding work I would not take that chance for a tattoo. Maybe you can make it smaller??? Just make it coverable....best of luck to you and congrats for making it into the program!!! Karla

It is definately possible. I live in Utah and that is an option here after your 2nd semester of the ADN program. Actually you take a bridge class which prepares you for the LVN/LPN boards. Now I dont know your state specifics but it is done. I would contact your nursing program advisor or BON. Good luck to you :)

I am hoping for some advice here. I have signed up for physiology for fall, now i have had a few people tell me that since i have never had a chemistry class, i shouldnt take it yet. I have taken biology and anatomy thus far. I am not quite to college algebra yet, i chose to start all over since i hadnt been to school in a long time. now i am worried that i will not do well in physio at this time. i have to take another algebra class before i can take chemistry it is the prereq, now physio only had bio as a prereq....what should i do?? if i have never had a chem class will i totally be lost? the only chem i have had is the bit from biology,ions and cations, and solvents, etc etc. any feedback would be greatly appreciated :) karla

First of all I must say this was beautifully written, so much dignity in your words. As PP have said, you DID NOT fail your Pt. As a medical professional you have only so much control, you take control of what you can and handle the rest with as much professional, empathetic ethics as you can muster. You definately achieved all of that. i honestly believe this woman felt your warmth and caring as well as your empathy in her final days, and that is what a great nurse, a great human being does. Now please excuse my ignorance as I am a pre nursing student, but what I don't understand, which Im hoping you can help me to, is having a Living Will in the chart, why were these interventions continued by the doc? I understand when EMS arrived and the daughter lied, but when they reached the hospital as well as the codes that occured after that time, why were heroic measures performed and the Living Will ignored? Working in hospital envirnoment in the past I have seen occasions where the doc has had to basically apologetically inform a family memeber that they are following the Pt's wishes. Is it because heroic measures had been taken from the beginning so they must continue? i don't quite understand the protocol or legalities behind that. I would have thought that once the Living Will was discovered they would have to follow it regardless of the wishes of the daughter. Did they bring in a social worker or anything to discuss the ramifications, etc with the daughter? How does that all work? Its awful that docs should have to take a "I dont want to get in the middle" stance on such things, when they know full well the Pts wishes are not being respected. But I can understand out of fear of the every looming possibility of a medical malpractice suit, they really have no other choice. Thank you so much for sharing this with is, i am finishing up a human develop psych class and we are studying death and dying as well as DNRs and Living Wills , etc so it was interesting to read this and gain this additional perspective. In fact, would it be alright if I put a link to this post on the discussion board for my class (its online)? I think that my cohorts would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your time and sorry for the novel I hope I'm not being to nosy with all my questions, ust trying to undertsand . Karla

It is really funny to me as to people not wanting to have their nurse on MMT...i can think of many other meds that have a big ole label on the bottle that says may cause impairment blah blah blah....what about a diabetic, maybe their BS gets to high, their not quite stable on t heir meds....my hubby is a diabetic and when that has happened to him he could be mistaken for intoxicated...so should we not let diabetics practice nursing? In fact strong antibiotics make me quite sleepy and Tylenol makes me much sleepier than methadone ever has. What people dont seem to get is that most people on MMT (as long as they arent abusing it as with ANY other drug, even OTC)are not "high" or impaired,maybe the first few days of taking it as your body adapts,j ust like many other meds. As some of the other poster have mentioned many of us take it for more than just drug treatment, like ongoing pain issues. So should they get off of it to be prescribed pain meds? That is how many of us got there in the first place! In my case it works for pain as well as mental health. I am bipolar (which is a big part of where the drug prob originated)and when I was younger tried several different med combos, some would help for awhile, some not at all. When I was prescribed methadone the physician had informed me that he was attending a conference in Europe regarding methadone for tx for mental health issues, he explained to me that there is alot of research that has shown that methadone stabilized people that nothing else would. Well over the last few years I have found that to be true. I have not had an issue with depression, mania, etc since being on MMT. So part of me wants to detox for few of what society thinks but part of me does not because it has allowed me to feel normal everyday of my life. Or maybe I shouldnt be allowed to practice nursing because of being bipolar?? Nurses are not immune to life or health related issues!! i can understand if someone is obviously impaired, but just to assume that is wrong! In fact I have seen many nursing students on here that are on MMT and maintained very high GPA's , honors, or dean' s list. How in the hec does an "impaired" person accomplish that?? i can think of many many OTC cold meds that impair a person more than MMT. I do not debate the fact that we have made mistakes in our past but should that be held against us forever because we sought treatment?? Maybe the next time I am treated in a hospital, I should refuse care from a nurse if they mention having taken cold medicine. Afterall they might be "impaired". I would hope to God that a person that as worked the butt of to get to nursing school and then get THROUGH nursing school would have enough judgement as well as ethics and professionalism to not work if they felt impaired in anyway... As fpr myself I am in a real catch - 22.. I receive monthly takehomes, I live hundreds of miles away from my clinic.In order to taper I would have to come in daily or be considered "unstable" by the clinic...well that is not realistic for me to drive hundreds of miles 1 way everyday....so I remain on MMT I just want to say kudos to my fellow mmt patients. we have worked very hard and overcome alot of various obstacles to be where we are whether it be licensed in nursing school or working towards NS. I really wish that people would see us for who we are not mistakes we have made...I doubt they would want to be defined by THEIR mistakes...but thats what we deal with,not to mention many clinics, mine included treat you like a criminal not a patient or client. I pray that one day these stigmas will no longer exist esp those that define you as a drug addict because you take a medication. To the poster that mentioned that, I applaud you for not being on any kind of medication but it doesnt make someone who is "unclean" as you have said. With all due respect but I think that is ignorant thinking. If we sat here and listed every med and reason people may take these meds we could get very petty and judgemental.I am thankful to live in a day in age where we have treatments for so many various illnesses, drug dependency included, that have allowed people to live normal, productive lives. I apologize for a rather scattered post but this is a subject that I feel passionate about. Kudos to everyone and their success and have a wondefrul day!

Personally I think your advisor is on crack for telling you this!! What awful advice. I am in anatomy currently along w math and psych and it is intense!! You really need the anatomy to understand the physio. do not take them together...its suicide!! anatomy takes up every bit of my time outside school, i cannot imagined working on top of it!! good luck whatevr u decide but that is my advice to u...it is more importanr u get as high of grade as possible, and be less concerned with the speed. seems your advisor has little regard for what is best for you and your chances of getting in your nursing program. karla

For the most part you cannot challenge the test, in califrnia you used to be able to ONLY if you have been working as a CNA for 5 yrs consistently that is verifiable. as far as the 13 credits in summer, that is suicide, especially if they are math or sciences. our nursing advisor says do not trade speed for grades, it just not worth it, if u dont do well you cannot change that. even if u retake a class that grade will always be on your records. i know its tempting to fly through it all to get to your goal but some things are worth the wait. i just went to a seminar last night and basically 13 credits in summer is like taking 26 credits in a normal semester, good luck whatver u decide :) karla

I totally feel your pain, just took my first exams in anatomy lecture and lab... i got a 90 in lab but a freAKING 77 in lecture!! im sick I am going through the same emotions, people tell me oh many people have to retake the class, but that wont get me into NS!! karla

Congrats on the A!!! I just took my first lecture test, awaiting the results probably Monday Be proud of yourself and all of your hardwork!!

Thank you SOOO much!! I will try to put these into play. Another thing I am wondering is when you say read chapters..of what? What we have is the Atlas, Clinical Anatomy book and a note/study guide that basically has pictures, crappy ones at that and she has us just go through and label as she goes along. But there is nothing to read, there might be like a 2 paragraph bit of info every few diagrams. Is there something i should be finding?? so confused, but i am so thankful for the tips from everyone. one other thing, how do you go about forming a study group? i am an older student, don't know anyone at all , how have you gone about seeking out a study group?? thanks again