melc0305

Don't get me wrong - I expected weekend and holiday work when I became a nurse. At my current job, I work every other weekend, Fri/Sat/Sun. The 3 shifts in a row are hard enough, let alone them being my entire weekend every other one. I'm usually ...

Edited because I meant to post this as a reply to the comment asking why 3 in a row was so hard if I got the rest of the week off... The Fri and Sat count as one pay period, the Sunday goes on the next. So I work the F/S/S and then get 2 days off, b...

I am a new grad (as of next week) and I have an interview next week at a residential treatment facility for women. The facility treats anorexia, bulemia, addictions, ptsd, etc. for women age 12 +. I'm excited for my interview but a little leery be...

Just an update - I got offered the job! The group interview was weird. There were 5 applicants and 2 interviewers. Both interviewers were nurses, not HR. I felt like with that format, I didn't have enough time to really "sell myself" but apparent...

I know that no one can make employment decisions for me but I value everyone's advice here. I am graduating next month and was offered a position in the south side of Chicago at a small hospital. This is not a good area and honestly not the most pr...

Thank you for the input! Major life decisions freak me out... I'm going to find out more info about the ER orientation.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I graduate in May. From what I am finding out, new grads are getting hired between 26-27 per hour in the hospitals. I'm not sure about LTC facility pay. Chicago also has a high cost of living and is miserably col...

I can only speak for myself, but I chose an accelerated program for the following reasons. First, I am a non-traditional student being older and going into nursing as a second career. I don't have the luxury of the same amount of time that students...

It sounds like you've done well so far so keep doing what you've been doing. I'm about to start my last semester too, graduating in May. I have Critical Care with clinical and Professional Development 3, then Role Transition clinicals. My motto is...

I am also in an ABSN program. I skim the chapters, but I will read in detail any concepts from the powerpoints that are difficult to grasp. I also do the online quizzes that are associated with each chapter. It's helpful if you can find someone in...

This morning I took my Kaplan Admission Test, which the is the admission test required at the school I am applying to. It is such a relief that it is over! This school only gives you one attempt to pass (no pressure or anything!) We could see our s...

Not sure how every school is organized, but in our program our cohort has the theory portion of the class together, then is split up into several groups with different clinical instructors. It is all considered the same class with one syllabus and o...

Thanks for the input. Most things I do just suck up. I'm an adult. I know life's not fair (although I always say it should be!). This one just really ticked me off because this semester is really difficult and this seemed to me a pretty big discr...

Sent you a pm love.live.laugh

Sorry this is a bit late, but hopefully it can still help you. I attend Lewis U's accelerated nursing program. The Kaplan test is 4 sections - math, reading, science, and reading/writing comprehension. Lewis only takes your math and reading sectio...

I am a student but I thought this would be the best forum for my question. Recently I was able to have my first surgical observation experience. I loved it! I found the experience fascinating and a great learning experience. The procedure itself ...

I need help figuring out if nursing as a second career will be worth it. I have a BA in Communications and before leaving the corporate world 6 years ago, I was making 53k/year. I have been accepted into an ABSN program that will cost 50K and last...

I left a full time corporate job to enter an ABSN program. It can be done, but you need to plan. First, since you are not positive this is the career for you, see if any local hospitals offer a shadowing program where you can shadow a nurse for a f...

I know there are a lot of threads on allnurses regarding age and "it's never too late" etc. I think that is why I assumed it would be no big deal going back to school at age 40, into an ABSN program where everyone is at least old enough to have one ...

Good point Chicagoboy...I'm sure in a few weeks, I'll have much bigger things to stress about! Thanks for the replies - this site always helps!

My school uses it too. I start the class that uses it on Thursday. Doesn't sound too encouraging!

Sorry...I hate that! I am just starting my program and class starts next week. We were given a list of things we needed (scrubs, bp cuff). When I got my syllabus for one of the classes, I found out a laptop was required! Ugh. Sounds like you've ...

When I took it, they only looked at the math and reading section scores. So unless they've changed that in the past year, you should be good! Trust me, I got a 25% on the science section as I had not taken any pre-reqs at the time. And I'm in the ...

I'm in a BSN program and it is not required.

I have my Chemistry final tonight and my AP 2 lecture and lab finals on Saturday. Then I'm DONE with pre-reqs! I start my program this summer.