MissTrina

Me and my bf are going through problems as well that have definately gotten worse as my course load has increased. We have sat down and talked it out and tried to make changes the best we can. I can't say for sure if its making a difference but we're trying. It's hard to juggle school and a serious relationship. Throw work, friends, kids, pets, and everything else into the mix and it IS really stressful. And I think sometimes there is that tendacy to feel defensive because you are the doing all the work with school and then your need to put more effort into the relationship to make him feel better. My bf told me today that he couldn't wait till I was done with school and would have more time for other things (ie:him). My very unsympathetic response was that I'm the one doing all the work so don't complain to me. But I know that's not going to get me anywhere so I try to bite my tongue. Some men really do tend to get crabby when they feel like they are not getting enough attention. Make the effort to set aside the homewrk now and then to do something special. Watch his favorite tv show w him snuggled up on the couch while you scan the reading for the week. Remember to thank him for the little things that he (hopefully) does around the house, even just taking out garbage or doing dishes. Give him a nice kiss goodnight. Figure out where you can fit in little things. And try to keep the communication lines open.

There's always an instructor or 4 that makes students nervous. I would have just completed what I was doing as you did, I don't know if that's the right thing to do or not but crud happens.

Be prepared to eat, sleep, and breath schoolwork. Get your family and friends on board to support you. I use a regular backpack w good padded straps. The rolling ones are too hard to carry up and down the stairs. I try to buy folders, notebooks, and binders that match somehow for each class so I can't mix them up and accidently bring the wrong item to class. If you can't manage to do all the reading before class at LEAST skim over it. The instructors can tell when you haven't done your reading and your in class learning will be affected. Make friends in class, study together, get phone numbers. Find someone you know you can call at 11 pm to ask a question about the homework assignment due the next morning that you haven't finished yet. Good luck!

Don't ever leave it blank, even if your previous work is irrelevent to the position you are applying for. Put your most recent experience first and go back as far as they ask for. It is not your responsibility to be in touch with your previous employers. Put any volunteer experience you have from the past several years. And be prepared to answer questions about your lack of employment history during an interview. If you can send a resume with a cover letter that mentions why you are trying to break back into the job market that could help. Plenty of CNAs get hired with no health care experience, myself included. Good luck!

Everything they throw at you the first semester is hard and everyone in my second semester is still in shock we made it through. The tests are written in NCLEX style, which can be difficult to get used to so grab some NCLEX study guides and work through them so you get used to the style of questioning. I have always been a straight A student and it was very difficult for me to accept less then perfect grades my first semester of nursing school as well. The first semester is the worst, you just need to not be so hard on yourself, realize you are not alone, and it gets easier!

Just because you feel lost and you don't know the terms doesn't mean you aren't cut out to be a nurse. No one knows these terms until they get into nursing classes, a health care facility, read a book, etc. Like others said, take a medical terminology course. Google abbreviations and terms and print out a list and look at it. Make flash cards if you really want to spend the extra time. Get your CNA and get a job in a hospital or nursing home, that will prepare you like nothing else will. Watch Dr tv shows in your spare time, they get some of the lingo right You aren't expected to know this stuff before you start school, its okay. It will come in time.

Personally I HATED A&P. It was so boring. Patho was better. I am in my 2nd semester of nursing school now and I love it! A&P is just the nuts and bolts but it is mostly memorization. Most nurses and student nurses I know are more hands on people.