amelia_sn

Salut- it didn't work at all and now another student failed.

Candy- your last day is tomorrow!!!! I've had the worst week. I was the only one in my class to pass the pharm 201 Kaplan. 4 of my classmates (1/2 of the class) have technically failed the entire class. Today during clinical, one of the girls who has failed didn't show up to clinical, but instead went to the school and complained and threatened to "call the va beach campus" blah blah blah. So now, the entire class has to take a cumulative final on everything we've done to this point, written by our DON tomorrow at 2. I feel completely defeated. I busted my butt this term and earned my grade because of it- yet the four who failed just expect to be allowed to take another exam (which they will most likely fail again- not to be cruel, just being honest) and because of that those of us who have passed also must take this exam. If the four who are failing do not pass the exam with a 95-100%, they will still be failing. This could make two of the girls who are passing end up failing as well. What is the purpose of all of this studying and working so hard if when I fail I can just go cry my way into another test so I have a 5th chance. Sorry for the vent ladies. I hope everyone else's term has been good.

Definitely agree with Candy- you NEED a mental break. I make a point each term to take at least one weekend completely to myself. Even though I just stay home and read non nursing books, eat and watch Netflix- it's nice to unwind! I know it seems like forever. I'm in acute care 2 and have two terms left...these last 11 weeks are KILLING me. I can't wait to be where Candy is!!!

13 days Candy!!!! You're almost there girl!

That's awesome Candy!!! I definitely understand the sad feeling- I'm just ready to retake it and move on! Thank you for the tip about pharm- I'll definitely use that to help study! April 2nd will be here before you know it- I'm so excited for you!!!

Hi ladies! How has everyone been these last 5 weeks? Candyred- down to your last term! I'm so excited for you!! OB was great until Kaplan came this week- I failed it by 0.3%- the first thing I've failed in the last 11 months [emoji30] so naturally I feel like a complete failure, but I have an A in the class and am retaking the Kaplan Monday, so what's done is done and I have 15 weeks left! Candy, how is the Pharm 201 & 301 kaplans? My DON came in today and told us that we should go and purchase the box of 300 pharm cards from Barnes and Noble to prepare ourselves! [emoji33] Mizzy & FutureRN how are you ladies doing??

You know, flutist- come to think of it when I took mine to the kiosk site of things remembered; they wouldn't do it either- and for the same reason. I took my steth to one of the actual stores that was located outside of a mall and they had it engraved and back in my hands in less than 30 minutes. Maybe the kiosks just aren't prepared or have different engraving machines available.

Things remembered will do it- but I agree with amoLucia, if you need to leave your steth be sure you have and keep your receipt!

PN Mastery- it's an NCLEX app and it's incredible. Get the paid version- it's definitely worth it! Skyscape is great- I use that in lieu of toting my drug book around all of the time.

Congrats on beginning your journey! I'm a senior PN student with a little under 4 months to go- and I must second everything that NotAllThoseWhoWander mentioned- it's great advice. There is drama. Tons of it. Especially if your cohort is mostly women. Stay as far away from it as you can- no one needs extra stress. Please start doing NCLEX questions now. At this point, it isn't about knowing the material- it's understanding the question style. If you can determine what the question is asking, you can chose the correct answer and you will have mastered the art of nursing school exams. This is the reason I have passed every Kaplan with ease, and some in my cohort who refuse to believe me (and every instructor we've had) have not done so well. Use your life experience to help you, but be careful when it comes to testing. Remember, tests are always from the book- real life is a completely different story. Utilize every opportunity for experience. When you get to clinical, hopefully you'll be at a site that allows you to exercise your newly learned skills. Don't shy away from anything! Everyone has had to have a 'first time' so no matter if it's something as 'simple' as emptying a colostomy bag or getting wrist deep in wound cleaning- do it! Your experience is priceless. Along with the bit about avoiding drama, hopefully you'll have some sort of support from within your cohort. Lean on this people. They'll become your family. Lastly, I'll hop off my soap box. Enjoy yourself. It's a long journey, but it's definitely worth it.

Candyred: YES!!!! Can you see the light yet?! I can't imagine stuffing all of this material from OB into 2.5 weeks [emoji54] my instructor warned us that this is the "turning point of the program" so cheers to an exciting term!

Hi ladies!! How is everyone doing? Candyred- you're almost there!!! I have 3 more terms after this one that starts Tuesday and it's OVER. I'm so ready to graduate! Starting OB this week, and I'm really excited- I've been pretty bored so far, so I'm definitely looking forward to this last stretch of classes!

My first day was last April, and we had a quick PN meeting in the morning and went straight into class. We didn't get our books until the next day and didn't have our scrubs until 4 weeks into the program.

Svmarshall- how did your entrance exam go? At my campus (NoVA) we only had to take the teas math and reading portions- you could do the science if you wanted to be considered for either the PN or RN program.

Mizzyfrufru YES!!!! Congrats girl!!!!

Hi ladies, I hope everyone had a fantastic thanksgiving! I'm finishing up my last two clinical days of med-surg 2- took the nutrition Kaplan today and got a 94% so I most certainly can't complain. I'm just ready for this term (and year) to be over! Next term is acute care- how is everyone doing in their program???

I think there's actually 3 total- which is horrific if you ask me. My first (and only so far) Kaplan was 75 questions and I managed to score a 92.3% which converted to a 99% for our grading system. See if you can find out exactly what is supposed to be on the Kaplan, and study that- but don't read too far into any of the questions. If you google 'guide to answering Kaplan questions for nurses' you'll find tons of info on how Kaplan wants you to view and answer each of the questions- when are you taking it??

The second pharm Kaplan or the one you take in pharm 2? I haven't taken the second pharm Kaplan yet- but I know in the class ahead of me everyone failed it the first time- and then passed the second time. The pharm Kaplan I took during pharm 2 was easy- just medication administration.

That's my next class :'( lol

Candyred- oh I hear you! This term is kicking my butt! All was great until they decided (mid-term) to change our tests from moodle to paper and to add additional chapters to our final. More info that has nothing to do with this terms Kaplan (good ole nutrition!) I have 27 weeks left and I am READY! Which class are you in right now?

Cnastriving- CONGRATS GIRL!!!! That's so exciting!

Definitely two sets of scrubs! I always keep an extra set in my car in case of...well in case I need to change on the fly! I second the idea about the unique color. I have the Classic III and love it, mine is breast cancer awareness pink- but also engraved on both the bell and tubing. Like mindofmidwifery, I also have a Baby G, I found mine at Ross for $29.99 and it's fantastic. I have it preset to military time with quick access to seconds for counting RR. Stock up on index cards, highlighters and the usual school supplies- but my biggest suggestion? Don't skimp ok good shoes. 12 hour clinical days can be brutal if you have bad shoes! Good luck!!!

I have the Classic III and I LOVE it. I've had the lightweight, select and Classic II and the classic III is far superior. My only complaint? It's heavy- about the same as the cards III I tested in store. I'm think about getting the master classic after graduation, as one of my classmates has it and raves about it constantly! To help prevent your scope from growing legs and running away, have the bell and tubing personalized. It's extra $ but worth it if you're putting the money into a good scope!

Cnastriving- always a good idea to make sure you have everything besides school under control! It'll make it easier for you when you come back!!

Candy- YES GIRL! Graduation is almost here!!! Is cardiac acute care 1 for you? I know they changed our course numbers a few months ago so now cardiac is 204, which I'll start in 6 weeks! You're right about the Kaplan- I thought it was easy, but three girls in my cohort failed, and we've lost two so we're back down to a 6 person group. My next class (203) is nutrition, so hopefully that'll be entertaining. There is two classes ahead of mine now, as the third finished today. All I can think is its just 6 1/2 more months and I am DONE!