MeganB1983

I wanted to let you know that I graduated from Breckinridge at ITT in Merrillville, Indiana. I graduated December 2013 and sat for my boards February 3rd for the first time and passed with 75 questions. I got a job at a nursing home as an RN and applied to the local hospitals in the meantime. I got hired on the med surg floor and darted March 10. I was in the same boat as you. I knew that I was smart, but all these community colleges needed 4.0 and high entrance exam scores and I was a B student. I wanted to be a nurse so bad and put it off for so many years that I went for it at Breckinridge. I had a positive experience because I was driven. I did what needed to be done and I studied my ass off. It can be done Good luck!!

Was she using her incentive spirometer?

Thank you!!!!! Lol

We use epic and can chart an hour early. I'm on the med surg floor so charting early is hardly an option, I'm always so busy. We do Q4 assessments and if I did my assessment at 2300 instead of 0000 I wouldn't think anything of it to chart ahead (on a stable patient). You are talking about ICU. That's a completely different ball game. They don't have you do Q2's to give you more charting to do. I wouldn't mess with ICU patients' assessments.

I graduated from Breckinridge @ ITT Tech in 2013 from the Merrillville, Indiana campus. I had my likes and dislikes. I liked the fact that it is very small. I don't like the huge university setting so this was a PRO for me. Teachers, administrators, janitors, etc all knew students by name. It's a nice feeling. I do not like the cost. I had to pay out of pocket and it ended up being approximately 35,000 only because I had credits transferred over. Thank god! Also, it seems to be very unorganized. I don't know how your campus will be, but teachers were leaving, curriculum was misunderstood by students and faculty, contracts weren't enforced, etc. Overall, I am happy with my education. I am an RN on a med surg unit at a hospital. I feel like my education there was enough for me to pass boards and start a new job. BUT... I took my education very seriously. I studied everyday. Good luck!

Keep busy! I noticed that when I sit down to start charting is when I start to hit the wall.

I was slacking big time because of the holidays. I was so busy! I started the Hurst review on January 6th and haven't gone a day without studying somehow. Even if it's reciting lab values in the shower haha.

Congratulations! I take my exam Feb 3rd and I am just a wreck! I feel like no matter what I study, it won't be effective and I'll get a bunch of questions that I don't know. I did the Hurst review this week and have been studying like crazy. I can't wait until this is over. My nerves can't take anymore haha!

As far as trying to keep up with the instructor while she lectures, invest in a voice recorder. iPhones have that option built in but that seriously saved me many times!!

You don't have info written down from your patient? I would talk to your instructor because it will be next to impossible to put together a concept map when you don't have any meds written down.

When we started nursing school, our instructor asked us all to introduce ourselves and say a little something about what made us want to become a nurse. One girl who is OBSESSED with animals says "I really wanted to become a veterinarian but I can't handle seeing animals hurt, but humans I can" *****?

It also depends on how much each exam is worth. Our exams equal out to 50% of our grade, quizzes are 5%, assignments are 10% and final is 35%

There are times during the semester where it won't be a problem but then there will be times where your grades will suffer.

I'm sorry I don't have reference. This was just told to me by my nursing chair.

You are incorrect. You are grandfathered in and it applies to graduates as well

What was she accusing you of doing? She could just be a mom who isn't dealing very well with her kids illness. If you are confident in your skills then I would not take this from her. File a report for harassment.

I also have no healthcare experience. I am doing better than most of the girls WITH experience. The reason being is because for exams I answer how the book and instructor taught me how to answer. The girls that have experience will answer how they have done it or have seen it bring done in the hospital. Most of the time it is wrong and not the correct way to go things. Example, a question asked something about what a CNA can't do. I answered "take initial vital signs and assessment". I was correct but a bunch of girls argued and said "I do that all the time!!!". Doesn't matter, they were wrong. Hope this helps.

The only advice that I can give is to take this seriously. Listen to your lectures. Everything your instructors go over in lecture will be on the exams. Also, it will help you to do nclex questions constantly. It will benefit you for exams.

I am currently at the end of my 4th quarter at the merrillville, Indiana campus. I love it!

Has anybody heard of the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Plan? It's through the Government. You have to apply for it and there are selective on who they choose, but it's worth a shot after you graduate. I think this is a lot better than paying for everybody's college education.

Good luck everyone!!

I did not have to take the A&P. For the math you need to know your basics. Addition, subtraction, fractions. Also, study ratios and proportions (lots of ?'s on those), measurements, etc. There are a quite a few improper fractions questions. Reading was fairly easy. You can't really study for that section. Vocab SUCKED! I thought I knew the meanings of words, WRONG! That was the worst part of the test. The words were very hard. GOOD LUCK!!

These people sound horrible! I would not associate with them anymore. You do not need their approval. It's a shame that your classmates are like that because in programs like these, it's nice to have a support system. Leave them alone and let them find someone else to pick on. What a bully! P.S. If someone made a pedophile comment about me, you better believe I would report her for harassment!

I am applying to ITT Tech September 2011 and I just took the Hesi entrance exam. I scored an 85% cumulative. Who else has taken the Hesi, and if so, what were your scores that got you into the program?