katiebear

I searched everywhere for this, but I can't seem to find it. Any input is appreciated! I've been using Kaplan for studying for the NCLEX-RN. I've done the first 3 question trainers, a diagnostic, and a ton of Qbank quizzes. I've been doing some of the content review and supplementing with the huge library of textbooks I've collected during nursing school. My main question is what are the target grades for QTrainers, Diagnostics and QBanks? I can't find it anywhere! I know what percentages I've been making, but I have absolutely no clue what my grades mean. I'm not sure what's considered "doing good" vs "really should improve." My next question is what is the difference between the NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide and The RN Course Book? We received both books, but I can't quite tell which one I should focus on. I've mostly been taking notes in the content review guide purely because it's purple, and that's my favorite color. I'm sure there's a difference between them, but I can't figure it out! Anyone know? Thanks everybody! Good luck studying.

Actually, all someone knows at any age above 20 is what THEY PERSONALLY dealt with as a 20 year old. Also fact. You can explain it away and pretend that other contingencies are important, but the sheer physical fact here is YOU are not ME, and no current 30/40/50/60/whatever year old is currently anyone else, either. Hate to put it this way, but judging by age is similar to judging by skin color, hair color, gender or anything else you can attribute to someone. It's absolutely impossible for anyone to know someone else's story by knowing attributes. Nursing school is tough, no matter how old you are. It's extremely stressful for everyone involved. Everyone's stress level and effort is just as valid as everyone else's. And as future nurses, one would HOPE that everyone can feel an appreciation for other individuals' struggles, and not judge them based on something like this. Door swings both ways.

I have been in several situations throughout my nursing program where I was informed my stress and effort was not equal to the stress and effort of others due to my age. I find it to be ridiculous to judge anyone's situation based on their age. Nobody can tell what your unique home life is like by knowing the number of years you've lived. So, basically, just sweetly inform anyone who says it TO you (not someone you HEARD had said it) that they truly do not know your life, and leave it at that. It's honest, simple, diffuses the situation and will make you feel better than if you retaliated! And to the posts more recently stating its impossible for a 20 year old to know what it's like to be 50, I have to comment... I'm 22, and regardless of the fact that you may have been 22 at some point in time, you have absolutely NO concept of what my life is like simply because you know my age. You have no concept of what another younger students life is like, either. Just the same as I cannot judge your personal struggles, you cannot judge mine. Assuming you know someone's stress level, hard work and life simply because you know how many years they lived is very similar to assuming you know someone based on any physical attribute. Judge people by their actions, not by how it looks. Remember this: Don't judge a book by its cover. Allow your peers the same non-judgmental, open compassion that you allow your patients. Soapbox, peace out.

If you ever find a specialty you think could be your niche, I highly recommend subscribing. I get so excited when I get mine, and it really recharges my drive to do well. I like Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, too. It simplifies a lot of complex concepts and I've always found things related to what we are doing in class. It's not like the BEST way to study, it's more like an adjunct to studying. I suggest that one for while you're in school!

I used to wear Cherokee with the flare/slit leg when I did home health and did a WHOLE lot of squatting/bending. Whatever you do, don't buy anything unisex. Scrubs built for a curve are going to FIT the curve.

Never regret things, it's not healthy. Simply move forward because you can't change what's already happened. ADNs can get jobs over a BSN if you make yourself a name. In my area, a lot of ADNs get jobs relatively easily because we work our hind ends off in clinical. A lot of our program is making it what you can, at least when it comes to clinical sites. For most of us, it's two years of a job interview. So if you do well, you've either got a job there OR you've got great references. Class is also mega hard, harder than the BSN program nearby, and we're known for a high NCLEX pass rate and making stronger new grads than the 4-year program does. So it just depends on your program, and what you make of the opportunities you're presented. I wouldn't say getting an ADN is a waste at all.

Buy a pair of Danskos, seriously. Like as soon as I pass the NCLEX.

Phlebotomy, hands down. I honestly don't think the suggestion to take a semester of Spanish will do you much good. One semester won't have you to any sort of comprehension level when dealing with Spanish speaking patients.

I have a small bookshelf totally loaded with nursing books, but the ones that are on the top shelf and I use the most are: Tabers. Don't ever go anywhere without your Tabers. Davis Drug Guide Hogan NCLEX Review book A nursing prayer book from the 40s that my grandmother gave me (who was a new nurse in the 40s) A nursing prayer book from last year (my dad bought it for me when I started nursing school) I use the main med-surg textbook a ton, as well, but that's not really a reference book since it's required reading. I also use my pharmacology book a fair amount, but it's usually in my car.

For a while, I had two part time jobs while in my ADN program. I dropped down to one recently, but I may go back to do in a little while. I also personally know three people who have worked full time jobs while in nursing school. It's difficult, you have to really buckle down and your life will basically be work, school and one other thing (most likely family). But it's totally do-able. You best bet is to get a job that has flexible hours. A set schedule is much more difficult to work, unless it's a set schedule with small bursts of hours every day, instead of 8-hr shifts. For example, one of my two jobs has a weekly schedule that is the same every week, and I work max 5 hours at a time. My other job changed weekly, but usually involved 4-5 hour shifts at a time. Some days, I had class and BOTH jobs to do, but it usually only happened one or two days a week. The key is flexibility! Your class schedule is a set schedule. If you can find one or two jobs that are willing to work around that availability, then go for it.

I started recording lectures this semester and I think I'll continue from here on out. It takes absolutely no effort on my part to record... And the way I do it, it takes no effort to listen, either. I've been listening to lectures when I'm doing something time consuming that doesn't use much brain power. I listen to lectures when I exercise and when I cook. I've listened to it driving once before, but I often times forget to do that. I've been doing better on tests since listening during my exercise routine, though! It's really very helpful, and it doesn't require any more time than I put in before. I'm just shooting two birds with one stone.

Thanks for your input!! I really appreciate it.

Nobody remembers all of A&P, I agree. But you'd be surprised how much of it really does stay somewhere in your brain. My best suggestion for you is to connect everything new to something you already remember. Say, 'This disease acts in the same way as this.' Or something along those lines. The only way I can study pharm is by linking medications together by similarities.

It's my specialty of choice. I'm keeping an open mind about other areas, but I really "clicked" with one in particular. Everything fell into place, I could problem solve easier, I understood everything better, it just felt right. It's the best way I can explain it. It was almost like falling in love - like when you're with the one you love and you just know. Does that make any sense? Anyway. Yes, I believe you can technically be a member of NSNA without a chapter in the area, but there is a lot less going on with it. Like, a lot of the benefits of NSNA are related to the group. If there's no group, it's less involved. Mostly, I'm just trying to find out if anyone has ever used a student membership in a professional organization, and if they thought it was good for educational purposes/networking/maybe it looks good/that sort of thing.

Med Surg days start at 5:30! We're morning people.

I've never heard of an ADN program where you have a semester that does not involve clinicals! How interesting. I highly suggest switching up your studying. If you feel like you just aren't getting it, chances are you aren't. And if you aren't getting it, then you need to assess how you're processing the information and come up with a new plan. What are your current study habits, if you don't mind my asking?

Just some words of encouragement - I'm in my third semester of nursing school and I have two part time jobs. (A full time job is too hard to work out a schedule.) Two part times gives me more flexibility. One of them has a fixed schedule and one of them has a changing schedule. I've always been extremely up front about nursing school, tests, clinicals, etc. At the beginning of the semester, when I get my clinical schedule, I make copies and give the days that I will be in clinical to my bosses so that there are no mistakes. I always make sure my availability leaves me study time. And most of all, I take advantage of EVERY free moment I have. I am always working on some sort of goal. I keep a lot of to-do lists, and my planner is my best friend. You can do it, it's just a bit hard. But my motto lately is, where's the fun in easy?

I actually don't mean SNA. I mean organizations that are geared towards a specific specialty. Most of them have student membership options. (My area does not offer an SNA chapter, so there are no meetings/community service/cords at graduation/anything at all.)

I've been considering joining the organization tied to my specialty of choice lately. They have student nurse rates, as I'm pretty sure all of the specialty organizations do, and I've been thinking lately that not only will it look good to a future employer that I went beyond school with my education... but it'll also be a wealth of knowledge to prepare me for the area of nursing I want to end up in some day. Has anyone here joined an association or organization? Did you think it was helpful? Did you think it was just a waste of money? Really, I want honest opinions! Thanks guys. :)

Wow, I really must be in a small program! I honestly had no idea it was THAT small. There are only 8 of us left (from 25). Our program always loses at least half by graduation.

This is all really interesting information! :) I'm just in my first semester, but you know it's on all of our minds what we want to do somewhere down the road. OR sounds like it could fit me pretty well, except I'll have to get over getting yelled at. If I really try, I don't take things personally, but I have my days where the world is totally out to get me and I'll fight back. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a personality test that fit you to a specialty, like the ones you can take in the military to see where you'd fit best?

I am in my first semester of nursing school and I needed to keep my job. I'm an A&P/math/bio tutor about 15 hours a week, plus I kept my home health aide job so if they're ever in a bind on the weekends they can call me in and I can get in a little extra income. I would say maybe 50% of the students in my program are employeed somewhere, a few of them in medical type jobs. I think it's beneficial to work so if something happens, you have the funds to cover it (need new supplies, new book, things like that).

I applied to the local university and got in, but when I made the decision to do nursing I applied to the CC program and got in. So... I think the answer is I just applied to ONE nursing program.

I just recently purchased a Littmann Lightweight and I adore it, but I have noticed it is shorter than my previous stethoscope and the ear pieces are smaller. In my case, that was what I wanted, but in some people's cases it may be a bad thing. I have very little ears and a normal stethoscope size hurts them after a full day. What specifically did you want to do with it? Another point is I was just looking for something for physical assessment and the basics. The Lightweight is a good choice for that, in my opinion.

I'm enrolled in an ADN program and plan to do my BSN right after. Where I am, the university has a horrible nursing program and the CC has an excellent one. Local places hire the CC nurses without much trouble at all, but they'll turn away the uni kids.