saseipler528

Nursing school is a beast all of its own. Before I started nursing school, I laughed when people said "kiss your life goodbye" and "it's the hardest few years of your life". And NOW I totally get it. I graduate in May (so I'm at the end of the tunnel)... but it has seriously been two years of roller coaster of some of the most extreme highs and lows. With that being said, I've only cried twice. The life of B's and C's as a previous 4.0 student was absolutely a hard pill to swallow... initially. But now I look at like this: I may not be getting the A's that I got in my pre-reqs, but I am walking out of each and every class knowing that I have given it my best effort and that I have a true understanding for the content. I'd rather KNOW what's going on and have the ability to think it through critically and apply it... that just be book smart and pull the A with very little understanding as to how it relates to 'real world'. It's time consuming and stressful... and although nursing school is hard, it has been the best experience of my life. I've made friends that are totally indispensable. And I've really embraced the experience(even with a young child at home). It really is what you make of it. :) Get involved... and don't be afraid to reach out for help when you start feeling overwhelmed.

That is a hard decision. The Float Pool would give you insight on multiple different floors and definitely more well rounded experience. But if you're looking at ED for a final resting point, the experience in the ED would only help you on future applications. I know that doesn't help you at all. lol. If I were choosing... I would probably do the Float pool (and my intention has always been the ED after graduation). I say this because, personally, I would like to make an informed decision when it comes to what department I settle in to. So because of this, I feel like seeing as much as I can will make that an easier decision down the road :) Good luck in your decisions and congratulations on the offers :)

My graduating class has a 75% test average and then a 75% class average that we need to maintain. The classes following us have a 78% test average and class average to maintain. I can see them moving to an 80% average in the next few years.

It probably doesn't do me any good to give you a list of things to prepare yourself considering I attended a totally different school in a different state. BUT I would imagine you have a contact person within the nursing department that you could email and ask this question. Personally? I spent the summer before nursing school preparing for Dosage Calculation and brushing up on general A&P. The only thing I was picky about supply wise was my stethoscope. And when it comes time to purchase text books.... spend some time looking... you can get much better deals on the required books than at the book store on campus (if you're not already aware of that). Amazon is a great place to start :) Good luck!! && Enjoy your summer!

I was just discussing this with a friend who is looking in to nursing schools. I attend a school with Maryland BON, ACEN and NLN accreditation. It blows my mind how little people research their prospective schools.

We use ATI as a part of our core program. Near the end of each class we take the corresponding ATI exam and must score a Level 2 or better. If we score a level one we must remediate and retake the exam (but can still move on in our course work if we pass the class -- ATI does not hold us back until the very end). At the end of the program we take the ATI Comprehensive Predictor. We have a certain percentage that we must score to be signed off on to take boards. If you fail the Comp. you have to remediate and retake until you pass it before our director will allow us to register to take NCLEX.

Type of program: Associates Degree of Nursing State: Maryland How many months or years are you in nursing classes? (so no pre-reqs or gen eds - nursing classes ONLY): Depends on if you're starting fall or spring. I was a fall start and my program was 5 straight semesters. The spring start extends to a sixth semester. How is the program structured? (semester system with summer and winter breaks, year-round, etc.): We had winter and a partial summer break. List what classes are included, in order: Semester 1: 15 weeks of Fundamentals, lab and clinical Semester 2: 7.5 weeks of Med Surg 1 - lecture, lab and clinical and 7.5 weeks of Pediatrics - lecture, lab and clinical Semester 3: (Summer) 10 weeks of Pharmocology Semester 4: 7.5 weeks of Mother/Baby - lecture, lab and clinical and 7.5 weeks of Psych - lecture lab and clinical Semester 5: 7.5 weeks of Med Surg 2 - lecture, lab and clinical. Concurrently 5 weeks of Leadership lecture and then our final 7.5 weeks of Med Surg 3 -- lecture, lab and our capstone preceptorship. Do you feel like your program could do something better? I absolutely loved my program. It was nice to have ONE class at a time and be able to submerse myself in each individual section before moving on to the next. The staff has been amazing and done everything they can to ensure our success. We have a 100% pass rate for NCLEX which is a pretty comforting feeling.

Honestly, I was unsure about how to go about applying ahead of time as well. I did my research. I focused my time on applying for graduate nurse positions and contacting the individual HR's for how they prefer I go about submitting applications. I've got a few interviews lined up :-) Fingers crossed!! It'd be awesome to graduate with a few offers on the table. ((Most of my classmates are waiting until after they pass boards to apply -- their loss!))

I'm getting ready to graduate from an ADN program.. and we did not have the opportunity to chose our placements at any point, short up rating our interests for our preceptorship at the end. But ultimately that decision was made by faculty and where they thought the individual students would perform best at. I don't think having the ability to chose would have enhanced my program. Honestly, I think it would have created more competition and hardship among my classmates.

I was thinking about this today as I'm preparing for an interview next week. Nursing is the only field I've ever been interested in. I want to care for people and make a difference in their lives. I enjoy the opportunity to educate and love that, as nurses, we have a never ending learning curve.

I spent my time with my preceptor focusing on putting the puzzle pieces together. Talking alot about the 'why'. We did a lot of skills that I had not done previously though out the program. I got to practice giving report and presenting patients in rounds. Remember that this is to help build YOUR confidence and YOUR skills. Take advantage of the opportunity and learn as much as you can!! Good luck!

I totally agree with this entire critique. :) Good luck!

I would definitely use Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity. Impaired skin integrity implies that there is already alteration in skin integrity. However, bed rest and decreased mobility related to age and diagnosis would put her at risk. :)

I know this is an old post, but I am interviewing for the July 2014 residency program in April for the peri-operative unit. Anyone have any tips for me for the interview/shadow day? :)