RainbowDash

Our classroom IS our lab, IE: line of microscopes on a back L shaped table that covers two walls (the end comes up right behind my chair so i am smashed like a sardine, LOL) and we have some of those enormous posters of the skeletal and muscular systems, we have a skeleton that they used to put a wig on, a box full of miscellaneous bones in a corner, and another dummy that has organs you can remove. I haven't touched them yet - this week day 1 we just did an overview of what AP is, homeostasis/neg feedback, the hierarchy of complexity and each part, intro to how med terms work, and then your general Atlas A which is your "general" orientation to human anatomy. Basics, directional terms, planes, regions, quadrants, cavities. Day 2 was the scariest day for me, with a ton of biochem and orgochem. Day 3 we did cell form and function which isn't so bad since I can remember Bio review from studying for TEASV, and somehow I retained the 4th day's Genetics content from 10th grade, so that was 13 years ago. Amazing how things stick. Yesterday was Histology and I don't recall much at all, but I was really sick during class, so I will just have to review this weekend. So none of the apps etc are helpful in those *particular* areas. BUT we get to start the integumentary system on Monday so yay! P.S. Speed Anatomy is AWESOME!

My current private school is going to cost me in the realm of 45k .. for an ASN. Bridge will be paid for by my health system, but that's a LOT of money. They're the preferred choice for new nursing grads in my area though, and that is the only reason I chose them... but yeah, you can say it's a bit... scary. I can buy half a house with this. Or two cars. Or a stable full of ponies. But I want this the most. :)

Thanks for all your suggestions! And yes, it IS crazy doing this in one month - and it's not some watered down, hackneyed version, but the real deal, terribly difficult and absolutely saturated with information. On the one hand, I'm happy that I don't have to worry about any other classes while trying to do these, but on the other hand, twenty hours a week of lecture alone is... just a tiny bit stressful. But I have to get used to it, after all, it's only going to get much harder I will check those sites, I will buy some flash cards. I sit at my desk and no matter what I'm doing I'm also reviewing my book/notes. And I find that I learn and retain something new each time that I missed on prior run throughs. My goal is to memorize this book

Can be, depending on the program you are applying to, as each one has its own minimum requirements, and then you are usually competing with a ton of other people, so it will depend on how your score stacks up to theirs. My program required a minimum of certain scores in each of the four sections, not a certain composite score. I see you find the book was useless, I am not certain which book you used, but if you ever feel you wish to retake to shoot for a higher score I cannot stress to you enough that the ATI TEAS V manual really is highly useful. I remembered literally nothing of any of the subjects minus the english sections, so I had to reteach myself all math and science from the ground up from that manual. I threw myself into it and had only six days, spent 8 hours a day, took the practice tests. I came out with an 84 composite. The biggest piece of advice I can offer anyone is DO NOT SECOND GUESS YOUR ANSWERS. You will do better than you think on the test, and overthinking can and does hurt. Best wishes to all!

Hi there! I'm currently taking AP1, we just started Monday. Mine is a private uni in which we take our pre-requisites one at a time, in a one month format. This means, for AP, I am in school Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1 pm, with study group directly following and varying in length depending on our needs. AP2 will directly follow, and be the same format and times. Now, I had to gain acceptance into the RN program *before* I took any of my pre-reqs, and I did. However, in order to advance to core in May, I have to have at least a 3.0 GPA. So far, so good, but I am very frightened about AP. I can't believe all the information I have already been saturated with in the first three days. I realize the actual core will be much harder and more demanding, and I'm looking forward to it oddly enough.. but here is my question. For those of you who have already done your AP classes. What, besides study group, do you recommend as extra work to really help retention and understanding of the material? Are there any extraneous websites for me to check out that will complement the class and enhance my understanding? Any tips, suggestions, comments? I'm normally an A student, and I truly wish to continue this trend. I dearly wish we had been required a Chem prerequisite, by the way... yesterday's lecture was crazy!

I hate to say it, but I don't think you really have any reason to file a grievance. The fact that your test was over two WEEKS late because you were "stacking copies" for your grievance is especially worrisome. You may want to reevaluate your priorities. I wish you luck. To add: tardiness and nail polish colors are not insignificant things that you are being picked on for. You are expected to be mature and responsible and do as you're told. We are not even permitted nail polish as it's unhygienic...period. If you can't handle these rules, what's going to happen to you when you're on your own?

I frequently see that it is a good idea for us to get a leg up on future RN employment prospects by trying to secure a tech job at our facility of choice while still in school. I would like to do this. My question is, when do I qualify? I do not have my CNA. Do I have to sit the CNA exam just the same after so much time in NS? Also, techs here get to do IV and phlebotomy, CNAs do not. So when are you able to do each, at what point in your studies, or do you have to do separate coursework? I know the CNA exam can be challenged without taking a class, but I'm just a bit confused. Thanks for helping.

I would like to say Erase Paste is good, but Benefit Eye Bright is a true miracle worker. It normally comes in a pencil form, but when I go to Ulta I buy the combo pot of Eye Bright/Boi-i-ng. Even though the Boi-i-ng is the wrong shade for me, it's pretty cheap and worth it for the pot version of Eye Bright - AMAZING stuff.

Now that I think on it, I don't know which is worse, the ads with the terrible pictures, or the ones that loudly proclaim that the US nursing situation is in dire straits and that, if you go to nursing school, facilities country wide will be throwing themselves at your feet....

At one of my health system's hospitals it seems that every single RN in the whole place is in plain black scrubs! IMO there is nothing even remotely morbid about a black background with cute characters on it. If you're allowed to wear it go for it, I am sure the children will enjoy. I'm a "grown up" and even I would enjoy :) I remember when I had my hysterectomy earlier this year, I was so comforted when I woke up to see a smiling nurse with a Hello Kitty badge holder... it's the little things

Can anyone recommend a good shoe for someone like me with amazingly large feet? I'm a women's twelve wide, and I'm not sure which shoe to choose. My dean informed me my pumas with the pink and lime green accents are not white enough today, so I need to find something better (and ideally more supportive). Price is not an issue. Thanks!

AIS of 84% with no pre-requisite completion and a grand total of six days study time, combined with the stress of an accident that totalled my van (gotta love those folks who confuse the gas for the brakes!). It can be done! Best wishes to you :)

I'm a long way from graduation, so I cannot give you pointers on job applications. However, I can tell you that confidence is EVERYTHING no matter what you do. If you keep telling yourself you CAN, you will find that you WILL. Fake it till you make it honey. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours, and I agree - do NOT give up hope! Have faith in yourself!!!

I do believe she might be. The come-hither stare isn't helping matters. Good Lord. Real nurses look so much different than this that I can't do much but laugh. "Time for your bed bath..." Get out of here with that picture TCN. What a monstrous joke.

As a big girl myself I can totally empathize with you! I was very upfront with my nursing dean about the possibility of having to strip down to my skivvies for the purpose of learning. Thank God she looked at me and said "why on earth do you think we have such expensive SIMs? no offense, but we don't really want to see any of you in your Fruit of the Looms! just as you wouldn't want to see ME in a string bikini I am sure!" This cracked me up and I felt much better. I have worked on my confidence for years. Just because I appear (well, AM) heavy doesn't mean I am not capable. People are often shocked at my level of strength and fitness. I can keep up with the very best of them. I've learned that I am intelligent, caring, trustworthy, dependable... and I carry myself with comportment and pride. But I do not feel that having to let my peers write down my thousands (that may be a bit of an over-estimate) of big girl/pregnancy stretch marks is necessary for learning. Should a student endure some discomfort to better relate to their patients? In my opinion, absolutely. Does the price need to be your modesty in front of your peers and potential future colleagues? Not in my book. I'm terribly sorry for you. I know I would have been mortified had it been me. I wish I had advice but all I can do is say I'm sorry you felt the way you did, and that I completely understand. As for uniforms, by the grace of God ours is actually one of the best looking RN program scrub sets I've seen - a white scrub top with blue embroidery, and navy cargo pants. They come in a vast array of sizes, I was actually really surprised by how large you can get them. They do fit like crap though... my pants like to shimmy south over the course of the day, but if I go a size smaller they grip my thighs like a vice. Can't win them all. At least I'm not stuck in the dweeby polo shirts and VESTS that the local community college has to wear.. yikes! ETA: I would invest in a large size sphygmomanometer to carry with you. When I used to do MA school I had my own, and it was invaluable. We had one large one floating around the ENTIRE SCHOOL and there are many programs, so I hated to have to say "Alright, which one of you knows where the fat girl cuff is?!" Chin up and I hope it gets easier for you. If nothing else, remember that the end result will be worth the struggles and discomfort and sacrifices :)