Midwest Mark

I've noticed an odd trend in my class. The top students with As usually tend to do the worst in check-offs and in the clinical setting. For example, 3 individuals who all have over 90% have failed every check-off the first time through and barely pass on the retake, stating that "the instructors don't know what they're talking about". During clinical, they tend to need hand holding and freeze up when they need to actually interact with anyone or perform a procedure. I myself studied my butt off, practiced check-offs regularly, and still completed the last semester with a C but still earned the top rank in both check-offs and in clinical. I was followed closely by two others, one with a C and the other with a very low B. What I find humorous though is that the A students tend to think they are better than anyone else, refuse to help fellow lower score classmates because "they wouldn't get it anyway", and continuously brag that "I'll have an easy time finding a job because I'm not one of the C students". Another thing I find strange is that while they know a correct answer, they can't explain an in depth rationale on why its the right answer. Now, I'm NOT saying all A students are like this, Its just my personal experience and I'm sure everyone's experience will differ. So in short, I'm OK with being a C student. Just because you may not be the best test taker does not mean that you are dumb or can't grasp the material.

I drive about an hour each way as well. I've actually gotten to the point where I enjoy my drive. It gives me a chance to relax on the way to and from. Also, on exam days I occasionally put in an mp3 of recordings of my test notes (Q&A style) and have a last second study session on the way.

Yes, you read that right. I found the door half way open when I got there and closed it back only half way like I found it after I entered. Also, at that particular LTC building, its standard practice to close the door while doing any form of patient care, rather it be for a full assessment or as something as small as an accu-chek.

This happened a while ago and I've already gotten over it. When I was reflecting on it though, it brought up an interesting question about how people deal with situations that pertain to questioning there role in "do no harm". Trivial as this story is in comparison to many others, I included the story just for a bit of context.

Do no harm. This is the core of a nurse's belief. But what happens when this belief is shaken, when one is convinced that they may have indeed done harm, even in reality they did not? Throughout the years, I've heard stories told by nurses old and young. Stories that were just that, stories. You sit and you listen, but in the end you feel a disconnection from the situation. After all, it didn't happen to you, so how can you fully understand what these nurses were feeling? I felt this same disconnection, until it was my turn to experience this feeling. During my last clinical, I was visiting with a client that is total care and who has no ability to communicate. I've never seen any family visit and other than staff giving care, I never noticed anyone actually talk with him. He seemed like he would be a bit lonely. So after passing meds, I had some down time. I decided to spend a bit of time with him and talk, even though I didn't expect a response. I went in his room and closed the door halfway behind me, as I found it upon entering. I sat down beside him and began to talk. I asked a few of the basic assessment questions and then sat down and began talking about the current news. He turned his head toward me and started to watch me. Was he glad I was there talking or did he wish me to leave? I couldn't tell. I decided to continue talking and put my hand on his wrist. Half counting pulse beats and half offering some comfort and human interaction. About 10 minutes into being in the room and talking about multiple topics, the door swung open. A woman hastily stepped into the room and demanded to know just what it was I was doing! Not knowing this person, I told her that I was just sitting here talking with the client. She immediately walked towards me and wedged herself between myself and the man in bed. I took a step back and watched a bit in shock. She leaned over him and asked, "Are you ok dad"? It was then that I realized that thas is the daughter. I started edging away from the two and said the only thing that came to mind, "how has he been doing lately?",thinking that she would know better than anyone else. No words were spoken, however she turned her head and gave me one of the most hostile looks I've seen. I could tell that she wanted to yell at me, to tell me what was on her mind. Instead, she just ignored the question and turned back to her dad. I told her that I would give them some privacy and proceeded to leave the room. Did she think I hurt him? Did I hurt him? I realize that she is probably just scared that he is there under those circumstances and it just came out as anger. But you know how the mind works at times like this, that nagging little feeling that says, "maybe I did do something wrong, maybe I did do harm"....even though in reality I did not. I realize that this is just the first of perhaps many moments like this that may occur over the next several years. What have you done to cope with and move on from a situation when you question an action you've taken or feel bad about something that you shouldn't?

Yeah, I may have been a bit nervous on the inside during the whole thing but wanted to make sure that my outward appearance remained confident and calm. As for the hotdogs, this is the first year the college has tried them in the lab. They used oranges in the past.

Throughout the weeks, we have been practicing every little detail of every scenario that we could encounter during our first semester in the clinical setting. Everything from injections, to catheters, to med administration; we made sure that we would be prepared for whatever came our way. When the time came to hit the floor, we were the most cheerful and self-confident group that ever walked through the door in all of the history of nursing. After a short group meeting, we headed out on our own...under the care and watchful eye of our instructor and the nursing staff of course. The day went on like one would expect on the first day. Taking vitals here, feeding there, and running to lend a hand wherever else I was needed. Then, something unexpected happened. While standing at the nurse's station and listening in on a new employee's orientation, the head nurse turned to me and asked, "would you like to administer her TB test?" My mind began to race and I thought back to my class lab. I've performed at least two-dozen of these things on hotdogs, how much different could it be?! I dove at the chance. I confidently walked around the station where the new employee was sitting and prepared for the injection. The employee caught a glimpse of the huge red badge hanging under my ID. It reads: "STUDENT NURSE". She seemed to get a little uneasy and finally admitted that she is somewhat paranoid of needles. As I was putting on my gloves, you could see her comfort level dropping rapidly. The two nurses reassured her that it wouldn't be painful and to just look away. I lowered the needle to her arm and said, "Now you'll feel just a little pinch". I began to insert the syringe, however, something was different, something...unexpected. There was resistance! It felt like the needle wouldn't go in without a bit of force. My mind raced back to the lab again. My hotdog wasn't this resistant! I pushed the needle in just a little further and began pushing on the plunger. Was I too deep? I think I'm too deep! It never felt this deep on my hotdog! I see the bubble begin to appear under the skin. It seemed like it was taking an eternity. I continued thinking, It didn't take this long on my hotdog! After the syringe was empty, i withdrew it, applied a bit of gauze, and cleaned everything up. I kept thinking to myself, too deep, too long. I must have scarred this poor person for life! I turned to her and asked, "So how was it"? I prepared myself for the worst. "It wasn't too bad", she replied. At that moment I mentally breathed a sigh of relief and I realized that nursing, is nothing like a hotdog.

I will casually read a chapter ahead in all my classes so I'm a bit familiar with the material. Then during lecture, I will NOT take notes. I will sit there and give the instructor my full attention. After that, I will complete any assignments that are handed out or assigned in the book. I will then take notes based on my homework and any PowerPoint slides that my instructors post online. These PowerPoints are the same ones used during lecture. If there is an exam coming up, I will re-read the chapter a second time and watch some YouTube videos that cover the same topic. By doing it this way, I find that I cover my material multiple times in many different ways. This helps the material "stick" in my mind more since I can draw my knowledge from multiple sources. It may sound like its a lot of work, but in reality, it doesn't take as long as one would think. In all, I would estimate a few hours of study per class spread across the entire week. This includes watching any videos I find. I currently have 8 classes this semester and am a straight A student.

We have to become a CNA as a prereq as well. My school is also pretty strict when it comes to the CNA program. 100 hours of class time and 40 hrs of clinicals. If you miss more than 3 days of class or more than 2 day of clinical, you're automatically removed from the program. We also have an exam at every class meeting (3 times a week). From the people I've talked to, we're one of the hardest schools in Illinois for healthcare, which is why I chose to attend there.

Thank you Nursing_Mamacita, I'll take a look into any shadowing programs in my area.

Good evening everyone. I've just started taking my CNA course, which is a pre-req for our RN program. I'm wanting to get a job in a hospital setting during this semester to gain experience, to reinforce what I learn, and to have a better opportunity of landing a position upon receiving my RN license in the future. I'm hoping that if I can start off working in a hospital, it will give me a better opportunity to get a position as a CNA, then a LPN, then a RN as I complete each stage of my college program. We all know that there are many benefits from going this route. However, my question to you is, how do you start? Do I find a hospital to volunteer at first or should I apply for an externship? Do I write a letter or just walk in and ask to speak with someone? I'm sure there are many others here that can benefit from any suggestions given as well. Thank you for the help.

Hi TrinidadStudent. I have quite a few hobbies I try to juggle, but the two I always make time for are photography and astronomy (speaking of, there's a meteor shower Saturday night if you're interested). I find it's a great way to relax, no matter how stressful the day can get.

Congrats and good luck to everyone this semester! I just finished my Composition 1 intersession class yesterday (got an A) and have my orientation for CNA tomorrow. My first day of the "actual" semester starts on Monday. Here's what I'm taking for the fall semester: Composition and Analysis: Wednesdays Basic Nurse Assistant Training: Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays Biology: Monday and Wednesdays Psychology: Thursdays Will be applying for the RN program in February and if accepted, will start the nursing program next fall.

I would like to do bedside in med/surg for the first couple years for the experience and to hone my skills. After that, I would love to go to ICU or OR

I'm a 31 and came from the IT sector doing Network Administration. Seems to be quite a few of us tech guys around here hu? Before I left my job to go back to school, I checked out the job market in nursing around my area. Through looking at online job postings and speaking with others in the field close to me, I found that most places around here will gladly hire a new ADN grad...although they may advertise that they are seeking BSN. The reason? It's the same as in the IT field. Its all about perception. Most employers know that new grads have about the same amount of knowledge coming out of school. However, they will typically hire more people with great personalities that may know a bit less than someone that may be more knowledgeable but with less of a outgoing personality. Make sense? If they know you'll be easy to get along with and have great patient interaction then any knowledge you lack can always be taught. Its more difficult to teach someone how to have a personality! I know 2 people that got hired with a ADN when the hospitals were seeking BSN applicants because of reasons just like that. Disclaimer: I'm not an RN. I start my Pre/Co reqs in two days. I obtained the above information from close friends that are RNs and hospital management when I would have to set up networks in newly built or remodeled hospitals. My best advise for you: If being an RN is something that you know you will love, then don't let anyone or anything discourage you. Good luck!!!

My ADN Program is 80.5 credit/hrs. I've chosen to take ALL my pre/co requirements first.Then starting next fall, I will only have to take Nursing I - IV. This way, I can dedicate all my attention to nursing and not have to spread myself across any other classes not related. Will it take me a bit longer to complete? Yes. Do I feel that I will be better prepared to be a nurse? Absolutely. For me, it's not about how fast I can become an RN, it's about how much I can learn while becoming one. Here are the major milestones for my schedule. Our school also has job placement after reaching each level so we can gain experience working while continuing on. Classes begin August 1st. of this fall. After 1st Semester: CNA After 4th Semester: LPN After 6th Semester: RN Total time: 3yrs.

I'm 31 and will start prereqs Aug 1st. Taking 20.5 credit hours this semester and will start the RN program next fall. Had a few credits that transferred from the last time I was in college in 2006. My plan is to have my CNA at the end of this semester and gain experience while continuing through the RN program. Total time should be 3 years start to finish if all goes well.