NothingsImpossible4U

Could anyone describe what your schedule has been this first year? Friends who went through the program said you tend to leave around 12 or 1, and I'm sure it varies, but just curious how it's been for you all this year?? Thanks in advance for any details you could give!:)

Janet it seems I'll also have between 41-46 points, so you're not alone:). Has anyone else put in their application yet?? June used to feel so far away, but in about 2 months we will know the answer!

I'm done with all my prereqs, but still need to take the Kaplan exam. Have you taken it yet?

I would love to become a CNA. I have a full time job so the daytime CNA class at Santa Fe just wouldn't be feasible. I know there's another place in town you can get the CNA on nights/weekends but I don't think Santa Fe accepts that program for the points system.

Thank you for starting this thread! I will also be applying for Fall this year, and was really surprised to see they changed the points system. I was counting on having around 60, but now that it's changed I'm not sure.

Ive been taking prereqs for a nursing program, but cannot apply/start until next year. I would like to get a job in a hospital setting in the meantime, and Im wondering...if I apply to Unit/Monitor clerk position, should I tell them on the resume that Im taking classes towards a nursing program? I feel like theyll think I wouldnt be "permanent" and that theyll have to replace me soon, and not even consider me because of it. What do I say/not say? Help!

Oh if I could rewind to when I was 19...we'd sound JUST alike. Im 27 now, earned a B.A. in Spanish 4 years ago, and am a wife and mother of 3 kids. In my first years of college, I really grappled with what I would major in. I wanted to be a teacher to help kids, but wanted to study English, then Spanish...I really wanted to do nursing, even in high school I wanted to be a nurse, but I had taken the ASVAB which told me anything medical wouldnt be for me. HA! Well turns out those diagnostic tests carry a lot of weight in a teenagers mind Even though I loved the idea of nursing, TOTALLY admired my friends who did nursing, I never thought I could do it. Science was always hard for me to understand, and although I did ok in it, I was scared to try and fail. WELL 8 years later, Im trying to juggle doing these prereqs for nursing and taking care of my husband and little ones. Its no easy task! I have to spend a lot of time, where I should be enjoying my family, doing all this HW and studying that I shouldve done when I was your age!! I love Spanish and am so glad that I majored in it-it was my true passion and led me to meeting my husband and where I am today. BUT through all the difficult times Ive had in my adult life, I learned you REALLY can do anything you put your mind to. Yeah, you might have to ask "what?" a bunch, but SO WHAT? Be the student on the front row, drag your butt to class when youd rather sleep (ohhh I was so guilty of this), and know that your life will be OOOBER easier after college with a set career. Nursing requires a deep-down calling, I think, and unless youre in it for the money, you probably have the desire to do it for a reason. Dont let your insecurities dictate what you can and cant do. If you work hard enough, you will build all these skills you worry about. You will grow into the person you want to be! By the way, youre maturity shows in the fact that youre AWARE of the laziness/confusion, and know you should change. Youre still very young, just keep plugging and doing the hard thing (i.e.the schoolwork you dont want to do). Then you can enjoy your life-after school and your family, or traveling, or whatever you want to do. If you dont do it now, you might regret it and go back later when your situation is difficult. If you still really have your doubts and struggling, just switch to studying the subject that makes you happy and figure it out later:)

Hey all! Just wondering if anyone else is applying to Santa Fe's RN program? Im completing the prereqs right now, and will be applying next semester.

Im a pre-nursing student, but Ive had enough experiences being a patient to chime in :) Ill put this in an edifying format, since Ive had more good experiences than bad (you can assume the opposite of these is bothersome). Thank you for: 1. allowing me to cry and share my fears when Im at the point of a breakdown from hormones or pain...or both. (L&D) 2. not being quiet and dry, but instead making meaningless chit chat in the exam room/OR, and helping me feel more comfortable. 3. not making rude or sarcastic comments about weight gain (OB) ex) 10 lbs gained in 1 month and you say "woah, that was a big jump!"...yeah, I know. Add salt to my wounds. 4. allowing me to share every detail of my childs symptoms or medical history, without cutting me off or rushing me (ER/Peds). 5. not treating your patients differently (better or worse) based on type of insurance they have.

My little boy had to go under anesthesia at 9 months old for a very lengthy surgery-needless to say, very scary for us! The pre-OP nurse was so important that day, as every nurse has been in his treatment, which is why I want to be a nurse so bad!! In their mind, you are the face of that surgery and how things will turn out, to your patients. If you are calm and warm, chatty and considerate, you have just made that persons day and no doubt have put them at ease during a period of time that can be VERY nerve wracking and scary. If you were to take the opposite approach (grumpy, withdrawn, just going through the motions), you would also affect that patient/family in a big, negative way. For my third csection, I had a pre-op nurse who was kind of stiff and seemed cold, and that surgery felt so scary and I shook and cried half the time (although it was my third csec and my husband was there! I just couldnt get calm, but I dont blame her for it or anything, just saying they play a part...), I was cool as a cucumber for my 2nd csec-that pre-op nurse was so nice and made me feel at home-I had no worries whatsoever about surgery! Although these are my personal experiences, there are many who could say the same. You are so important-don't forget it!! p.s. sorry if my ideas are random or confusing-im operating (ha, no pun intended lol) under little sleep and am exhausted right now, my eyes are watering... But I just wanted to you to feel encouraged :)

Ok, nursing school hopeful here...but I had to add my two cents... In the hospital for my third csection, it was the middle of the night and I didnt want to send the baby back to the nursery. My husband was convinced we needed sleep though (he gets a nasty attitude with lack of sleep). Long story short, had an argument and I sent him out Not exactly how I expected it to be the first night of the babys arrival! It was time for the baby to eat, so I called for the nurse to please hand me the baby (fresh out of surgery, I was afraid to pick up the baby and try to get back in bed w/him in my arms by myself). The nurse came in and I started bawling. She really just listened mostly, let me cry, nodded her head in understanding as she reassured me I was doing a good job and emotions running high were normal. It was like 2 minutes time, maybe, but that helped me regain my composure and get my emotions together and get back to caring for me and my baby. Its these kinds of nurses that have made such a HUGE impact on me when I or my children have been treated. Understanding and compassion is what patients HOPE to receive from nurses, because doctors are often the ones on the run or possibly too intimidating, and its this understanding and compassion that is apart of helping the patient, mind and body. You are an awesome nurse, and I plan to be just this kind of nurse for my patients! Kudos!

this is all very good to know-thank you everyone who replied!! :)

Hi all! Any textbooks from prereqs you would recommend keeping for reference or use in nursing school or the future (anatomy and physiology text for example)?? Thanks in advance! :)

Im a mom of 3 little ones (all under 4 yrs old), and any advice from other mom RNs about which program and work situation would be VERY much appreciated. Heres some background... I am currently finishing prerequisities for nursing program (I am either between an accelerated BSN from UF or ASN from Santa Fe College-both here in Gainesville, FL). Both are similar in length, but I believe UF's program is limited to the teaching hospital (but not sure). Either program is comparable in length, though the ASN gives you more hands on, while the ABSN is obviously fast track and more book knowledge than hands on. Also, we have 3 major hospitals here in this somewhat small city: a teaching hospital, a VA hospital, and a privately owned hospital (still very popular). Normally, clinicals from the ASN program take place at one of these 3 hospitals. But I am beginning volunteer work in NICU at teaching hospital this month. My first question is, do you think I should go for the ABSN (advanced degree, my first B.A. is in Spanish) or the ASN (more hands on learning, possibly better prepared)? I just want to make sure I have a job in 3 yrs (when I would finish either program), but if I do well in school, will the degree really matter here since theres so many hospitals/doctors offices? My next question is, what do you think is the ideal work situation for having little ones? I REALLY want to be home for them the most I can, so I am willing to work nights, or days they might be in school, but I know schedules can fluctuate A LOT and I dont think this would be good for my current situation with little ones. Would a PRN position would be better? I know this thread might sound a little silly and contain a lot of questions, but I am really new to all this and the few nurses I know think Im crazy for going to school with little ones, and wont give me much information or advice except NOT to do it I have a passion for it, am working hard and getting A's, and my husband supports me 100% in all this. Please help! Thank you for your comments :) BTW, forgot to mention Im currently a stay at home mom.

I forgot to mention im currently a stay at home mom, former HS teacher :)