Wildcats.Cabral

I would have to say that OB rotation was the worst. First of all, I am a non-traditional student. I would say that most of the bias came from my clinical instructor. Nurses and mothers were mostly fine and accepting. Clinical instructor had to go with me into any rooms that I entered. If she was not available, I was not allowed to proceed. Probably why I liked working in Nursery so much, I could do that by myself. For example, the way she phrased questions to moms-to-be; "You don't want a male nursing student in here with you, do you?" I am a CNA at a very large hospital and do not endure the same bias on my job. This is my last semester for BSN, will be glad to be done!

I would like to congratulate all of my younger cohorts! To TxGirl1982, it is never too late. I will start my last two semesters this August in a BSN program at the age of 59 and will graduate in May, 2014 at the age of 60. I also have a previous degree and considered the MSN option, but since my wife had retired from a large college I could qualify for a substantial discount on a Bachelor's program, so went for that. I am an EMT and was actually considering a Paramedic program and switched after acceptance to Nursing. I have worked part time as a Flex NA for a large hospital in Northeastern PA and will be doing an Externship there this summer. Best of luck to all!

Cincinnati, man I miss that city and the chili, but I digress. I am a non-traditional student in a BSN program. Not accelerated, but I had a hard time keeping up with working 20-24 hours a week. I now average about 10 hours a week and do okay, but I am also well into the program. I would agree, that it depends on the person and to be wary in the beginning until you get a good grasp on what is needed time wise to excel.

I will second the thought of using NCLEX study books, I also have Sunders and use Davis' Success series a lot also. Do you make or like note cards? Bring them with you wherever you go, look at them while waiting in line for coffee or lunch or in the bathroom. Start prepping for a test at least a week ahead of time, do not try to cram, it really does not work in Nursing school. Be thankful your grades go as low as they do. Our lowest acceptable grade is a C which is 75-83. Below 74.99 is failure. Do you have two tier grading? Try to stay positive and Good luck!

Our school requires the two head model, so I have the Classic II SE, it is a very good 'scope. Also, a minor point, but most instructors will tell you that you should not have the edge of the stethoscope under the BP cuff anyway. I am also an EMT and I use an Ultrascope on the trucks. People that I know that work in medical helicopters swear by Ultrascopes because of how well they can hear in that noisy environment. It is also easier to hear through clothing. Ultrascope will never beat Littmans for popularity, but when or if you upgrade give one a listen. I am sure you will find one or more wherever you work, that someone will let you borrow. You may be amazed.

Find a quiet place to study! Personally, I cannot study at home, too many distractions. What I do quite often is go to a library at another school nearby. There is no one there that I know, so very unlikely that I will be disturbed. Shut off your phone, put some music on and dig in...works for me.

I had the same conflict in an exam last week. As previous poster stated, we have to pass professor's exam right now, so go with their answer, which was O2, reposition, Pitocin, etc. Other study guides were similar to other information stated, IV, reposition, O2.

I suppose my first question is why? Why take both in the summer unless it is mandatory. Pharmacology is a lot of memorization as has been stated. Group your drugs into classifications, then remember all of the key points for the classification. Most of the information for the drugs within the classification will be the same or similar enough. So, rather than learning the key points for 10 drugs in a classification, just learn it once and move on to the next classification. The Davis' Success Series was a big help for me in Pharmacology, as well as other classes (Med/Surg & Maternity) Basically NCLEX study questions. Popular text for exam questions.

I struggle with that as well and the further along that I get in the program, the more independent reading that I have to do as opposed to what is actually covered in one lecture a week. This may be teacher specific, but I have found the first and last sentences in a paragraph are key points for exam questions. I also spend a lot of time going though NCLEX books answering questions that cover the same material as the current readings. If is is important enough to be in an NCLEX prep book, it IS important.

I would agree with most of what has been said already. I have been an EMT for 5 years and while it is helpful for basics; vitals, knowing how to address patients, etc,. it is a WHOLE lot different, especially in how you approach the analytics of the situation. I often have found my test answers were wrong when I thought like an EMT vs thinking like a Nursing Student. I am a non-traditional student, which may have helped in my approach and "calmness" during clinical prep also. My nursing school director has a very low opinion of EMT's and Paramedics; as far as succeeding in nursing school because they come in "thinking they know everything". I had to overcome that negative stereotype just to get accepted into the BSN program. 4.0 on pre-requisites didn't hurt.

I am a sixth semester, non-traditional, BSN student who is also a male. Perhaps it's just me, but I really dislike the whole "male nurse" thing. I am studying to be a nurse, not a male nurse. My female classmates are not studying to be "female nurses". I will not be introducing myself as ...your male nurse. Having said that, the only clinical rotation that I have run into any issue is also OB, but for some reason the instructors are seemingly more paranoid than the patients. I also work as a nurses aide on a med/surg floor and the only "issue" I have had is with young female patients (teenagers), and then I just let the female aide and my nurse know that they prefer a female, no problem. I have been introduced to patients as a med student also, most often by residents. They are probably used to male students being with them