WorkingStudent2011

You are right, dcsolpn. Experience is priceless. A big part of my gripe is the accelerated manner in which nursing schools churn RNs who, after landing their first job, don't know what the he** they're doing when they're on the floor, to say nothing of the errors they make. KeithRN talks about this on YouTube. Much respect to the hardworking LVNs and CNAs, who often do have better nursing skills than RN new grads.

Too many sheep here: the bigger problem.

That's California for you. Shameful.

You are absolutely right, TC3200! Obsolete. Nursing education needs an overhaul, as the demographics have changed and the traditional "way we've always done it" approach no longer applies to today's students. The problem with students failing has much more to do with the system failing us than anything else. There is a severe lack of creativity, lack of critical thinking, and lack of pragmatism on the part of educators that is preventing qualified students from entering the field. Maybe it's intentional? Maybe the preference for foreign nurses, the majority of whom would never make it past first semester here in the states. Sad.

Kudos, Pixie.RN. The fact that you can't get licensed here in the Golden State with all your expertise tells you something about the disarray here. Trust me, you do not want to live here anyway. There are many things desperately wrong with California and nursing education/licensing (education in general) are a big part of the problem. I should go the EC route to force myself out of here. I've so had it with this place.

Late reply but I totally agree that nursing education needs to change. The amount of reading, assignments and skills that need to be mastered within the allotted time frame is excessive. I have no doubt that many talented, (academically honest) nursing students are denied the opportunity to become great nurses because of the crazy curricula. They talk (and test) a lot on critical thinking, but do they teach it? Do they spend time analyzing case studies or waste it teaching theory straight from the textbook that we can learn ourselves? Geniuses do not necessarily make good nurses and that seems to be the only kind of students they want. Furthermore, there is cheating and unhealthy competition. There are too many unscrupulous people pursuing nursing like vultures only for the money. It's a shame...

Hi @mbragasin! Today is 8/20 and I just got your message. Sorry. I just downloaded the schedules from Blackboard. I believe we do start next week, the 27th. Maybe the other class is starting on the 23rd? I haven't ordered the recommended books yet and need to do so now. Please keep us posted with any news. Thanks! :)

Does anyone know if we're allowed to use electronic versions of the textbooks?

Hi mbragasin, I'm in your group. :) Very glad to have been assigned to Holy Cross 'cause it's very close to home.

It was indeed a pain gathering the information, especially since I couldn't find my immunization record from school. I also had a harrowing experience upon finding out just last week that Kaiser did not perform the 10-panel drug test that they assured me they would last month, when I submitted the specimen. Luckily, I still had time to do it through U.S. Healthworks. Thank God! :thankya:

-------- did say that we will be in school five days a week during our first semester. I don't remember if it was she who said that the first semester is the hardest.

MayeLVN, thank you very much for your advice.

Since we're unclear about how many clinical days we will have during our first semester, I don't know how many sets of uniforms I should order. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

I've signed up for it and want to take it but it will depend on my work situation. It seems like a good class to take.

Usually, the reason why CNAs, RNs, etc. can't get hired is because they lack experience. Many hospitals will welcome you with open arms if you come in as a volunteer. You can gain valuable experience by watching and helping wherever you can. If you do it wholeheartedly, you will get noticed and as soon as an opening becomes available, chances are you will be considered before anyone else. You will have gained knowledge and honed your skills. You will be more confident and able to list it all on your resume. Always, keep an eye out everywhere for paid positions, however. Best of luck in your job search.