CNA2bRN13

Me: I go through my book and put post it bookmarks in all of the chapters that are going to be on the next test. I fold down my notes and seperate them by what test they will be on. I read through it on my own. Then, I'll read through it again later with my computer on hand and make flashcards online. I make my flashcards online as I read and make a card for things I feel are important. This saves me from having a million index cards that I could lose/forget. Then, when it comes time to study for the test, I just pull up my flashcards online. Bonus: when the comprehensive final or NCLEX comes around, you have all of your flashcards and don't have to re-read everything again. Greatest thing EVER. It's free too and you can share your cards with your classmates or look up other's cards. Personally, I like flashcardexchange.com. If you have a smartphone/Ipad, you can study them on the go and not carry a bunch of cards around too. Also, when I study, my thing to remember is this: If I can't explain it all in layman's terms to someone else to the point where they understand, then I don't understand it myself. I think Einstein said something once along those lines Get someone not in the healthcare field and explain something to them. Let them ask questions. If you don't know, look into it. Or have conversations/sceanarios in your head and pretend a patient is asking a ton of questions (They do, by the way) Finally, get super organized, almost OCD with your Books, binders, schedule, everything. It helps. Look into the "Made Incredibly Easy" books too, they have them for each class and sometimes you can look on them online for free if your school does that. They break things down a step further. Most books also have online resources if you look under the front cover, it should give a site. It may seem tedious, but in reality I don't have to study as much as some other students in my class have said they study, and I made all A's. I usually had my weekends free. Hope it helps! Good luck!

LSCC: No disrespect meant, but my post was from March 23rd, the FAQ section on the LSCC website wasn't revised until April 19th, according to the time stamp on the LSCC page. The nursing email wasn't established until I had already applied elsewhere (I've finished my first semester now lol.) I'm sure it will clear up alot of questions for future students though. I never said anything about the quality of the education, as I never attended NS there to know. At the time there were many confused students about the new application process, and it was very frustrating...but I'm glad for the benefit of other students that there is a help email and FAQ section now. Happy New Year everyone!

Hey N/W people! This time next week we will be getting ready for our first day of class! I enjoyed my break, but I'm ready.

I did mine on the 7th too, and all but the county came back the next day. The whole thing was complete within the week. I don't think it is supposed to take more than 10 days. If it's not completed by noon tomorrow I would call somebody!

That would mean I would have to take 3 more classes to be full time, since I only have 2 nursing credits. EEK. I only have a few classes left that I can take towards the bachelors too. I'm going to see what other options I have tomorrow. Pell does help out if you change it to part time right? Thanks guys

I'm on pell, but the nursing courses this semester only count for two credits. I hope they don't make me take two or three other classes to stay full time. I have to have it! Has anyone else asked someone in the nursing dept how this works? I know nursing credits run different. I can't register now anyways because my last school won't be sending my grades to Jeff state until after August 8th, and they are holding my award until then. I always heard they register us after orientation.

I hate that we have to graduate two semesters later, but I'm going to be so glad I did PT when adult nursing, and Maternal/child nursing are separated instead of being thrown in my face at once. Plus, going through NS and not working just isn't a reality to most anymore. Has anyone else googled Jeff State graduation pics? Lol. Their ceremony is nice! (I'm a dork I guess).

I thought I was the same way and I had to get my teacher to help me with a patient who was very obese. Now, my teacher is 70 years old and she came in there and whipped that lady right up like it was nothing!! And she is teeny tiny too. I was joking that I needed to work out and she told me that wouldn't be necessary...I needed to work on my body mechanics. When moving a patient with a drawsheet, shift the weight from one leg to another, and keep your arms flexed. Try not to use your arm or back muscles too much. Use your weight to get the job done. Also, some patients really do require a partner. You should have seen my pitiful self the first time I tried to put a TED stocking on a mannequin lol. I couldn't even get it over the heel until she showed me the weight thing. Like Mike said as well.

One more week!

How about taking it BEFORE nursing school? I start in August, but the AHA course has a CE credit in ACLS and PALS that says it is for EMT-Bs and Nurses, etc., so I would assume that someone who isn't a nurse could take the actual course if the Continuing education is for EMTs too. Is it possible? I like cardiology, so I could teach myself, if need be, and I helped my hubs through EMT school.

@Paige: Yes, just make sure you sign up for the BLS and NOT heartsaver. It will say BLS for Healthcare Providers: Part One. You print off the certificate and take it up to the Fire Dept, and you show your skills and you will be out of there within 10 minutes. I just had to show compressions and Bag mask. Here's the site: http://www.onlineaha.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.courseCatalog. Didn't know if they gave you the link. @BamaRN: I would call a doc in the box place, like Middle Creek in McCalla and ask. They deal with pt.s of all ages, so they should have it in stock. I got my TB and Hep B's there. Ask about the MMR and Varicella (They should though).

I'm have to get my shots tomorrow, and I'm just going to get the doctor to write down everything that was done, and hopefully they will be okay with it. I'm guessing we will have to scan our CPR cards and such and upload it on the background check page, and that's how they will check everything off before orientation. There's supposed to be a way to check the books on the Jeff state website (different link for nursing books), and the link won't work for me. I keep hearing Calculating with Confidence on the Pharmacology part...the latest I saw was 5th edition. Not 100% sure though.

Also, go to http://www.scrubsandbeyond.com and take a look. They have some nursing student stuff. I bought a nursing kit for about 70 dollars. That's supposedly a good deal. (I guess) The compression stockings are a lifesaver (used them for CNA clinicals), and they aren super cheap on this site. Every where I've looked locally sells them for 40 dollars and up

I still haven't received the package that has all of the info...and I really wish they would hurry. I have to get my Hep B second dose on the 8th or I have to start all over, but I was really wanting the form from the school so they can fill it out for me while I am getting that taken care of. I don't want to pay another $30 copay. Does anyone know if we have to have a physical as well? If it doesn't come in, I wonder if I can just get the doctor to print a piece of paper saying what all was done. There's a 3-4 hour waiting period at this office, and I don't want to have to go back lol. It took them 45 minutes to check my TB results. I don't know if I've had the Varicella. I wonder if I can get my records from the DOH?

I just finished up my CNA, and the next day I got the phone call that I got in the nursing school I wanted! The school took 8 weeks to start calling people...it was torture! My nursing orientation is July 19th, and school starts August 18th...and I am sooo excited!! I'm going to actually spend some good money on a haircut (and not a $8 dollar cut either lol). I'm hoping to get a hospital job with my CNA to help pay for school, because we need it bad; the fees alone are wiping us out. Maybe I'm a nerd, but I'm starting a college scrapbook. I'm going to put my certificates, schedules, and things like that in it, and my uniform patch when I'm through. I'm going to take alot of pics too. I didn't get to go to my own graduation b/c of personal stuff, so this will be my first graduation! Congrats everybody, and good luck! Enjoy these last few weeks of sanity...