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I agree with Kdids520. I know this isn't universal, but in my state you can only legally work as a CNA for 30 days after you pass NCLEX. I can't speak for how it is everywhere else, but I just wanted to throw it out there.

I agree that the best thing to do is to know how to answer the questions. I feel like ATI questions have specific characteristics as opposed to questions from other sources. Definitely do all the practice tests, take your time and do not rush through them. Trying to study specific diagnoses and stuff like that probably won't help too much. The questions are so random that honestly, trying to nail down specific facts will just waste time. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I hope I'm putting this in the correct spot. I am still a nursing student, and I am doing some very basic research/exploration on different paths to take with my degree. I don't have a set path in mind, so I'm just asking out of curiosity for the sake of brainstorming. I know the basics of what CRNAs do and what perfusionists do, but does anyone have any opinion or additional info about these two specialties? I guess I'm just curious about the schooling (length of it, difficulty, pre-reqs, etc.), the responsibility, the salary (not that important to me but just thought I'd ask), workload, satisfaction....does anyone have any experience with being a perfusionist? They seem more elusive than CRNAs. ? I'd love to hear anyone's take. Sorry this is sort of vague. Thank you in advance for your time.

In my experience, if a school requires the TEAS test for entrance to their nursing program, they usually offer it at their campus and can help you set up a date and time to take it. I woiuld try contacting a counselor or advisor. Good luck!

I am not super familiar with them, but I would say do your research. The money alone is enough to make me wary of it. I would investigate the stats on it and maybe even ask HR reps at hospitals if they routinely hire graduates from there. If I had to be honest, I would say stay away. Although I don't know the specifics on Brown Mackie, I am saying that as a person who went to a for-profit college (not for nursing though) and completely regret it. It almost ruined my life. I was lucky - I have several friends who have hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and will probably default on their loans. Don't go somewhere you're not sure about just for the sake of getting your RN.

Mine killed the first time I wore them, but it got better pretty quickly. I can't tolerate the backless Danskos, though. For some reason those never broke in, they just consistently hurt.

YES!! I have never doubted my decision for a second. I love the faculty, staff, and students. And my student loans will be very manageable.

I live in the Midwest and have no idea about the SF area (sorry!) but I had to respond. I am getting my ADN at a large community college here. I took all my pre-reqs at the same school. I'm trying to be diplomatic here, but I'm not sure there is a way to do it... I had the same experiences as you in many of my pre-reqs. I'll just stop it there. However, their nursing program is well-known to be one of the best in the state. I would strongly advise you to not base your decision solely on your experiences in pre-reqs. Nursing schools are competitive, and if you don't know your stuff, it's going to be really hard to get in. Those people will be weeded out REALLY quickly. If the school has a good NCLEX pass rate, they must be doing something right. If you haven't already, it would be a really good idea to make an appointment with someone from the nursing department. They might even be able to set you up with a current nursing student to talk to. Do your research, see what their reputation is in the community. Tour the facilities. Don't judge just on one attribute - you need to look at the whole picture. You WILL be challenged in nursing school...I've never met anyone who said it was easy! I know how hard it is to make such an important decision. Best of luck to you...just my two cents!

I work as a nurse tech in peds, and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to hear a nurse sound as compassionate, caring, and concerned as you do! So often I see nurses displaying anything but urgency in getting their patients pain meds, or allowing a baby to cry until the aide is available. It sounds like you need some good CNAs/NTs/whatever! Keep your chin up...you are doing a great job and we all appreciate hard-working nurses like you!

I am a nursing student who just finished my first year. I was accepted into BSN and ADN programs, and I ended up going with the ADN. The BSN programs I was accepted to would have required me to take out almost $50,000 worth of loans, which really scared me. I know that I may have a steady career when I graduate (hopefully, at least!) but nurses are by no means millionaires, and I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to repay those loans. I have never regretted my decision - I am in a great program with great faculty and I feel like I am learning to be a great RN. My advice for you as far as securing a job when you graduate would be to get a job in a hospital (or LTC, wherever you want to work) preferably before you start nursing school and definitely while you are in school. Not only will you learn a ton (I sometimes feel like I learn more observing at work than I do during slinicals) but you will have your foot in the door at a facility that can employ you when you are an RN. I have been at my hospital for two years. I was told by a nurse manager this past weekend that when they looked at new hires for this spring, they looked almost exclusively at people that were already employed in the hospital. Our hospital is magnet designated, and was the first in our area to receive it. They definitely still hire ADNs, I see them all the time on the floors and even in the ICUs. They have a great tuition assistance program, and I am planning on going straight into my BSN completion when I graduate. Good luck with school! Both ways lead to an RN, which will be a wonderful and fulfilling career path for you. Applying to and getting accepted into nursing school is a horrible process! You are in!!! Enjoy the ride.

I can't speak for what your schedule will be, as I'm sure it changes every semester and I know that the study significantly affects it as well. But... Here was the general schedule for my first semester: The first 3-4 weeks of the semester we had class 3-4 days a week for about 8 hours. It usually started at 8am. Once clinicals started, we went to Monday classes, which were Monday afternoons, from 12-5 or 1-5. Classes will be very heavy at first - long days and tons of info! However, it will slow down A LOT once clinicals start. You will have about 3-4 weeks of only class content before you start clinicals. My clinicals first semester began at 6:30am, and we often had to be there slightly earlier than that to get all the info on our patients. As far as I remember, all the first semester clinicals started at 6:30 or 6:45am and most went until 3:30. This might change every semester - we did not have any evening or weekend clinicals our first semester, but that may change. I had clinical two days per week. Lab days were varied - some Fridays, but I can't really remember! To the person who asked about 1 free day per week for working - that really depends. Theoretically, you should eventually have one day a week with no school obligations - however there is ALWAYS clinical paperwork, lab time, or a ton of studying to be done! I do know people who work every weekend. I know that for my job, I have to request my days several months in advance. Because of that, I tend to work mostly weekends, simply because I can't predict what I will need to do during the week early enough to be sure about scheduling a day of work. Many people work, some people don't. I do not know anyone that works full time during the program. Most people that I know are PRN and work weekends. Also, we only had simulation twice during our first semester. I have no idea what your sim schedule will be like next semester, so I won't even try to give you an idea! Don't panic about the schedule. No exaggeration, at least 75% of the people in my class have children! The school will give you the schedule early and will give you a better idea of what to expect, but everyone is able to figure it out. There will obviously be some changes that need to be made and adjustments to get used to...but you can do it!

Hi everyone, Congratulations to those who were accepted to JCCC! I am finishing my first year in the JCCC ADN program right now. It is a great program - you will love the faculty and will learn to be a great RN! In response to the question about typical hours, JCCC requires that you keep Monday - Friday from 8am-5pm open, HOWEVER, you are not in class or clinical for 8 hours a day Monday thru Friday!! Once you start and get into the groove you will have lecture for 4-5 hours every Monday and will have clinical usually 2 days per week. Tests are always on Friday and you always have the Thursday prior to a test off. Sometimes you have labs or simulation on other days. You will have lots of 8 hour class days initially, and then it will slow down. I would be happy to answer any more questions you have. Don't worry - enjoy your summer! You will figure it all out - doing the applications and waiting for acceptance letters is the worst part - it is all uphill from here! :) And I also want to say to those who haven't been accepted or are having a hard time - PLEASE HANG IN THERE! Applying to nursing school is the most frustrating, demoralizing process you will ever go through!!! I had a long road there myself, trust me! There is a spot for you somewhere, keep your heads up and power through! There is only so much that you can control. Don't get down on yourselves. I have been in your shoes and I promise that it gets better!!!!