PSUAlum2103

Wow it's hard to believe I wrote that post 4 yeArs ago!!! To make a long story short- I ended up failing another class by an instructor who didn't like me, She told me I would be better in social work than nursing. It was at that time the issue was reAlly the school, not me. I took a year off and went to a school that let me start where I left off at the old one, within. That year before graduation I .add dean's list, started working as. Nurse assistant and eventually took my boards and passed my first try!!!! I was tearing up reading that old post because I remember how helpless I felt, but in my case, it was the horrible teachers I needed to get away from to truly learn and believe I could do it. Now, I work on a cardiothoracic surgical floor and love it. It's nothing like the horrible experience I had to go through in school. I guess what I'm trying to say is never ever give up, I love being a nurse an hope my story can help some of you during your schooling days!!

I just took my NCLEX-RN yesterday (3/25/14) and found out today I passed!!!!!!! Beyond excited!! If I can give any advice for studying it's know your lab values!!! that's what really helped me! Just wanted to give everyone out there happy encourangement!! :)

Hello- I went to UPMC St Margaret, just recently graduated. It's a great school with high expectations. Any questions you have I would be happy to help!

Hi, I am currently a Basic 2 student at St. Margaret nursing school...Since your an alum, I would like to know what you thoought about the program and also what I should be expecting for Basic 2 & Adult 1...I'm starting to get scared over adult 1 because people say its the 'make or break it' course. What was so difficult about it? Clinicals?> the tests?? THank you for your help!!! :)

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions!! I don't start school again until June 21st (Basic 1) and I am trying to prepare myself for the next 2 years of test taking. I purchased the Saunders NCLEX Review. So far I think it's helping, but then again, I'm just at the beginning of my studies, and some of the questions on there are really advanced. Does anyone have any suggestions on books that I can buy to help me with the first year of "basic nursing"? A couple of you mentioned NCLEX questions really help with eventually mastering Critical Thinking, but is there any material in particular that helped you? I really appreciate all the support! This is what I've wanted for so long, and I'm trying to set aside the past 4 months and start fresh in June. Unfortunately, since I didn't pass, I have to pay 1700 dollars to the school before I even start classes. That's money I don't have, and I've been babysitting and working at the mall to try and come up with the money. Sometimes, I get really down on myself because I see people who are succeeding in school, but none of them have the passion and the work ethic that I have, it just comes easier for them. It's beyond frustrating, but I can only hope that Nursing really is for me and this will all pay off!!

You just made my day :) thank you!! I KNOW i can do it, because I've wanted this for so long, and I love what I'm learning, but as you said, the critical thinking I just don't get. I have a month and a half before school starts again, and I'm trying to better my "thinking like a nurse" test taking style. I already bought the Saunders Guide and do it a little bit each day. Another big complaint about my school was that noone has Patho until the 2nd half of the program, which doesn't make sense. Even my tutor looked at the questions we were expected to answer and she's like "this is very advanced for a beginner level student, especially without patho." Did you buy and books/ go to any websites that helped you with critical thinking? I'm up for any advice/suggestions. Thank You!! -Meagan :0)

Hello all, I just joined this site and find it extremely helpful but have never posted a thread yet. So I thought I would give it a try. I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice/encouragement right now because my self confidence is at an all time low. To make a long story short, I'm 25, and graduated from college with a communications degree at 22. Between that time, and lots of odd jobs later, I knew my passion was for nursing. I worked full time, and would take all the pre reqs necessary so I could get accepted earlier. Luckily, I still live with my parents, who are very supportive so when I got accepted to a diploma program this February, I was ecstatic!!! My dreams were coming true!!! Or so I thought.... During the first 8 weeks of nursing school (Basic 1) I thought I was a smart enough individual to pass the class, because I put the studying in. (Every day for at least 3 hours) We have 2 grades; a clinical grade which is pass/fail, and a theory grade which is all tests. Now, I'm not a good test taker, but I can do good on them if I really apply myself. And I really applied myself. For 8 weeks, I spent my days at the library, worked out to my teachers lectures on voice recorder, and stayed in on weekends with a study group from school. THe first 3 tests I BOMBED. I put my heart, soul, dedication and everything I had into it. When I asked my other classmates, some of them said they looked at it the night before and told me they passed the test. This happened throughout the whole 8 weeks. I came to class everyday, front row, and there would be ppl who would never come to class until test day, and get a good grade. I would look around at everyone else, and felt like a complete idiot because I'm doing everything possible, and I know all the material during test review, but the tests are ridiculous. From day 1, they said their preparing us to "think like nurses" which means they are giving us the hardest my teachers what I should do differently they just said it all comes down to "critical thinking" and some people are getting it, and some people aren't. I don't think it's fair that they stress "critical thinking" on these tests, when they don't even teach it, they let us do poorly on tests and encourage us to do better next time. So basically, I got a 74% in the class and they did not pass me. They said clinically I'm a star, but I have to retake Basic 1 come June. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Now i'm starting to doubt myself and think "Can I really do this>? Am I ever going to critically think because I really don't know how much more I can study" Plus they keep scaring us and saying how much harder its going to get. I'm sad that I have been so excited about nursing school starting, and no matter how hard I tried, I just could not pass the tests. I feel like I'm at a breaking point, and am just praying to the Nursing Gods things will get better when I retake it in June. So my question is...... IS NURSING SCHOOL REALLY THIS BAD/STRESSFUL?? DO YOU FEEL LIKE QUITTING? OR HELPLESS??

Also- Does anyone know where I can get my CPR certification before the pre-admission day in January? Any websites you can provide me with? Thanks a million!!

Hi all- Just joined allnurses.com and found this thread. I'm starting St. Margaret in Feb 2011 and am so excited!!! Congrats to all of you as well! :)

I just got my acceptance letter for St. Margaret Feb 2011 start!! I actually heard the news pretty quickly after I applied. I would say I heard within 2 weeks. I thought I was going to have an interview first, but they sent me my acceptance letter. Best of luck!