Gabby820

Hi All! Like Ineedhelp#, I am in need of some advice. I was arrested almost 10 years ago and charged with "disorderly persons" The charge was ridiculous and I honestly would have walked away from the situation if I had just kept my mouth shut. The case was dismissed because I did not do what the police officer stated I did in the complaint. I was not convicted and my arrest record was expunged. I called the NJBON (which is where I plan to get my license) and they could not advise me on how to reply to the question on whether I had ever been arrested. They recommended I obtain legal advice. So I did. I consulted with a criminal lawyer (which was the lawyer who had my case dismissed and my arrest record expunged) and a nursing lawyer who deals with issues associated with nurses and their license. Both stated that I did not have to report my arrest because 1) i was never convicted of a crime and 2)my arrest record was expunged. I have been reading a lot of conflicting information on reporting arrest records even though it was expunged. I absolutely do not want submit my NJ application with "false" information and then face an issue with the NJBON. However, I truly prefer not to report it if i don't have to because it will delay my application process. If any of you were in my situation, what would you do?? Thank you :)

Congrats to everyone who got in to the nursing program! I'm in Level III now and I'm selling some books from level I. If anyone is interested, please send me a private message. I WILL SELL THEM CHEAP, I PROMISE!! :) Congrats to everyone again!

krissy3: I'm in 2nd level now (going to 3rd level soon ) I work full-time and was able to get through level one. I think it's do-able, just prioritize. Granted, you won't have a social life, the work load is enough to keep you busy when you're not working. just a word of advice: DO NOT TAKE PROFESSOR HAYES. TAKE BAUDO FOR BASICS!!! lol enjoy :)

I have to say I'm a bit scared about finishing nursing school after reading this post and the responses. Can anyone give me an example of what is done on the floor as a nurse that we aren't learning in school? Maybe a few examples can help me, a nursing student, understand what is expected of me after graduation. I'm on this site almost daily reading about new grads and their struggles over finding a job. I work as a Medical Assistant now and I do have medical experience but it's NOT nursing experience. So I'm sure I will be job hunting for awhile after graduation. Thanks guys :)

I'm a nursing student and my clinical group was required to get report from the nurse before starting anything on a patient. But I know some of the other instructors gave report to the students instead. Either way I think the instructors should let the nurses on the floor know "hey my students are here!" lol :)

When a student sits for the NCLEX whether it's a student from a ADN program or BSN program, we take the SAME exam. However, the BSN program has way more theory based classes. In my ADN program, for example, we have one community theory class whereas for a BSN program you have much more . I'm going for my BSN, mainly because a lot of hospitals in my area want BSN, RN's. In addition, a nurse with a BSN might be better fit for a managerial position rather than an ADN RN with the same experience. That's just what I hear but I also know of ADN RN's that do hold managerial positions. Who knows! As far as the accelerated MSN programs--students who hold BS in other fields will probably have to take the same classes as students who have already completed their BSN, just at a much faster pace. To clarify----I know of someone who is going to NYU to complete her MSN but hold a BS in Marketing. She had to take tons of pre-reqs before getting in. If she had a BSN already, she wouldn't have had to take all those pre-reqs. I'm sure that students who hold a BS in another field attending an accelerated MSN program are taking far more classes than those who already have a BSN. Hope I didn't confuse you! :)

I'm currently in a ADN program. What babyRN seems to be true. My professors are encouraging us to continue to get our BSN because there is more community theory classes that our ADN program doesn't offer. We get maybe one community class while those enrolled in a BSN program get more and then some. So it's not that you are fulfilling general education requirements but rather more nursing theory classes etc... Again, this is what my professors tell our class. You may also want to look at the nursing curriculum for your local 4 yr colleges and look into what additional classes are needed. You may find that you only need to complete nursing classes. Good Luck!

I was afraid that may be the reason. Wish someone would have given her insurance before she was diagnosed with her present cancer but since she had breast cancer in the past, every possible secondary insurance refused to cover her. Thank you for you advise. I will look into it.

I understand what you mean. I've thought about how selfish my family could be by keeping her alive while she's suffering. I tears me apart because I want to keep her with me as long as I can but at the same time I can't bear to keep her alive while she suffering. 4 years ago I lost my grandfather to Mesothelioma. I watched him suffer til the end. He didn't go peacefully but he did die at home surrounded by his family as he wished. At first, I was asking God for a miracle so my grandfather could stay with us longer but towards the end I was begging God to take him. It's far more terrible to watch your loved one suffer. But my grandmother is not suffering. She's not well when her hgb is low but once she gets the blood transfusion she's happy and laughing with us. She even jokes with the doctors and nurses. She really isn't suffering; I'd be the first to admit if she were. I'm angry because the doc's aren't looking for an answer they are just assuming it's the cancer. They don't even know if it has metastasized. Besides blood work there has been no other attempt to perform other diagnostic tests. For example, a CT would help to determine if the tumor has grown or if a new one formed. Maybe she isn't even bleeding from the tumor. This morning she had bloody stools (new symptom) and they still want to discharge her. If they suggest an outpatient colonoscopy I would agree to it if she wasn't bleeding from an undetermined source. I'm afraid she's going to bleed out and it will be too late to get her to a hospital P/s I appreciate your feedback.

It's beyond agonizing. Her colonoscopy was within 4 years (WNL) but nothing recently. She hasn't had radiation or chemo in the last 4 months. She gets hungry but doesn't eat much. Her abdomen is severely distended from her ascites. She must feel too bloated to eat despite her hunger. And no, no one knows if she's actively bleeding. This is what the doctor's "suspect" She's at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her oncologist is WONDERFUL!!! Unfortunately, she was admitted in the MSKCC in NY when her oncologist is based at an outpatient clinic in NJ. Her oncologist suggested we go the NY hospital since they have access to her medical records. Can I make them keep her?? Is that possible?

I will try and give as many detail as I can. I AM NOT ASKING FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. Only on how to handle this situation. Here goes... One year ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer (Yikes!!) She went through chemo and radiation (surgery was not an option due to her badly diseased liver) This February her CT showed that her tumor shrunk. Since then she hasn't done chemo or radiation. Earlier this month, we rushed her to the ER with severe abdominal pain and extreme fatigue. Turn out her hgb was at a 7 and needed a blood transfusion. An endoscopy was done. Esophogeal varices was discovered but there was "no evidence of an active or prior bleeding" She was discharged with meds for portal hypertension. Well she's back in the hospital (admitted 6/28) with a hgb of 5 . They gave her more blood. They were going to perform an endoscopy and a colonoscopy but cancelled it. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY! Instead we got, "we suspect she's bleeding from her tumor" (btw the tumor is in the pancreatic duct not necessarily in the pancreas) and there is nothing they can do. They SUSPECT. I'm sorry but their hunch/theory is just not good enough!! I don't need them to tell me she's terminal, I'm fully aware of that. But do they just discharge patients from just suspecting that the tumor is where the bleeding is coming from?? I'm angry because they do nothing to definitively find the source of her bleeding. Do we just stop searching because she's eventually going to die? By discharging her they are telling me, "hey, she's gonna die anyway, why look for an answer" It's breaking my heart. I just want to know how I can get these doctors to not give up on my grandmother. The cancer has not metastasized and I assure you she's not ready do go. But sending her home with internal bleeding is going to kill her. Please anyone that could advise me on how to handle this situation. I'm beyond desperate P/S...my grandmother only has medicare which means she's responsible for 20% of her bills. Her chemo,radiation, CT's, blood work etc.. is very expensive and we try paying as much as we can. As you can imagine we owe lots of money. Could that be the reason they cancelled the endoscopy and colonoscopy?? Can they stop treatment when someone isn't able to pay even though she's clearly has internal bleeding? This isn't an broken finger where she can just go follow up with an orthopedist after discharge. SHE'S BLEEDING INTERNALLY FROM SOMEWHERE AND THEY'RE NOT FINDING THE SOURCE!!!

I'm not a masochist!

I work full-time. My work schedule is 7am-4pm, on clinical days til 3pm. Clinicals were from 4:30-9pm twice a week and lecture 5:30-10:30 twice a week. Then I went home, read, did nursing notes, careplans, etc.. Did I go insane, yes! But I maintained a 4.0 GPA and when next semester starts, I intend to keep it there. Unfortunately, not working full time is not an option for me If you can stay part-time--GO FOR IT!!! Your body will thank you :) Good Luck!

The HESI book didn't really prepare me (I haven't taken bio, anatomy, and chemistry in over 5 years) I purchased Mcgraw Hill Nursing Entrance Exams. I found it much more helpful. Good Luck!

RP30---I'm in the evening program. To my understanding, the date to apply to the evening program is in September; at least it was last year (Sept 2010) I applied the first week of class and I didn't hear back til late September that I was eligible to sit for the HESI. I tested in early November. The Monday after Thanksgiving weekend I received an email that I was accepted. STUDY for the HESI. It's not hard but if you want to increase your chance of getting in then you need to get a high score. I have heard that other factors are considered in the admission process (i.e. residence, GPA etc..) but I have no idea what specific factor contribute besides a good HESI score. Good Luck!!

MagnoliaJDRN: Thanks for your information. I have spoken to others and they feel I should consult a lawyer as well. I've read on other threads about convictions as a minor and it still came up during the licensing process even though the judge assured this person it would be sealed and it would never have to be reported. This person was fined and had to wait 90 days for the license (or something like that). I'm in NJ. I was going to contact my lawyer who helped expunge my record but I feel contacting one who is familiar with the BON in NJ would be more helpful. Do you know how I can go about that? Is it just a simple Google search? LOL

Hey all! I've been reading your posts and I was wondering how I would obtain "certified" court records. I was arrested >10 years ago. I was never convicted of ANY crime; it was dismissed. I later went on to expunge the arrest record. When I apply for my license I know I will be mandated to give the BON these documents. How do I go about doing that? Do I contact my lawyer or the court? I have copies of the arrest records, expungement forms etc.. but how do they get "certified"? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks everyone :)

Thank you for posting your results. I was never convicted of any crime; it was dismissed and I had my arrest record expunged. However, I know this will still come up and it makes me nervous. This is arrest was >10years ago when I was young and extremely irresponsible. I've changed and I can't imagine any career other than being a nurse (I'm an MA now). I will do as you did and submit all my paperwork early. I only hope it turns out as good as your story. THANKS AGAIN :)

hey guys!! yes we can talk. sorry for the late response! I will in box you both my email; i answer that immediately :)

Hey all!!! I'm selling some books for level 1. Any one interested can message me :) cheap prices, i promise! I just wanna get rid of these things! Lol

Hey all, just finished level 1 and what an rough ride that was. Just a heads up for the new nursing students for the fall..... Don't get nervous, scared or discouraged about everything you read on this thread. What I'm referring to is when you hear that "50% of the class failed" I've certainly heard it! Maybe it's true but 100% of the students in my section (601) successfully passed and are on their way to level 2!! :) YAY!!!!!!!! Is this program hard, yes! There is no question that you will be overwhelmed but if you really want this and are truly interested then you ALL can do this. Not to mention that you meet amazing people along that way that not only understand what you're going through but help you when you need it. You have to prepare yourselves to put school first.Time management is a MUST. Waiting the night before the due date for a care plan to complete it simply won't do. If you truly want to prepare yourselves this summer for the fall review anatomical sites (i.e. liver, ulna, radius, iliac crest etc..., medical terminology (i.e. hypertrophy, ataxia etc.. I can't tell you how many times I had to stop reading to look up a medical term. lol I wouldn't go crazy with anything else but if you want to start reading the books go right ahead, it won't hurt. :) Feel free to ask questions..I have all the time in the world now :) GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!

i got crocs but the kind without holes and that have a back (no clogs allowed). they were $40 bucks and super comfortable!! i purchased a stethoscope at "scubs and beyond" at the jersey garden's mall. it was pretty cheap (for financial reasons i couldn't get the nice expensive ones). however, i didn't use it much since most of my patients were on isolation...as a matter of fact, all of them were on isolation. when patients are on isolation, nothing goes in. the steth, thermometer, b/p cuff is already in there and is only used for that patient. :)

The pharm math test is simple. It's simple conversions and knowing the formula. You will have 3 classes before the math test which gives you plenty of time to learn the formula and conversions. If you got a 96 on the HESI then you will have no problem :) I had Professor Salort for Assessment. I don't know how the other assessment professor was. Profesor Baudo, Salort, and Bowersox were all for section 601. However, rumor has it that Bowersox is teaching GI/GU for Level 2. Who knows!! lol take advantage of the fact that you're not working. i guess an extra class won't hurt. but i agree with daddy-o, you should get a feel for the classes and its demands before taking on too much. Remember, once clinicals start in addition to whatever material you have to study for, there are nurse's notes, care plans, objective check list, abnormal lab interpretations etc... And they're all due the next clinical day. This program is demanding but doable!

THANK YOU DADDY-O!!! :)

Congrats to all of you who got in!!!! I am finishing up Level 1 now. Jschroder-I would recommend taking the least amount of non-nursing classes while take the nursing classes. I'm going part time and I work full time and it is EXTREMELY difficult. There are a lot of stressful nights. For the first few weeks I went home after class and just cried thinking "***!" But please don't be scared. I love what I'm doing and I wouldn't change it for anything. You just have to have the mindset that this is what you want and have to work hard for.. Thankfully, I am doing extremely well and I hope to continue this way. If you or anyone else on this thread have questions, please feel free to ask. I will try and answer as quick as possible but I've got exams like crazy. Took 3 this week and I have 4 more to go. YIKES!!!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!!!! :)