Tweege

I now it's been a rough journey, hang in there. I take my test the 16th. It has been a three year journey for me to get through two years of schooling, my father passed away during my second semester unexpectedly, and I failed that semester, had to wait two semesters before I could return. I could not understand why God would not allow me to pass when I had such a difficult event to deal with, but He new what was best. I was a nervous wreck during tests and in clinicals that whole first year, so when I failed, I decided to go to work as a CNA to help overcome that. I didn't want to lose the abilities I had gained and hoped to strengthen some skills. In the midst of all of that I found out that I had Graves disease, which explained the "nervous wreck" feelings I had. The Graves is fixed and I graduated in May. There wasn't a day I didn't pray and trust God, although it was VERY tough at times, but through it all He strengthened me. This is one of my favorite scriptures and stood on this the whole way through. The word says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path." The operative words in the above scripture are TRUST and ACKNOWLEDGE, because He knows what is best for us, His timing is perfect, and He will guide us no matter what the outcome. Rest in Him!!!! I hope this is encouraging to you, that is why I shared. I haven't posted in probably a year,but you caught my attention. I said a prayer for you and I know God hears.

Thanks for the encouragement MJ, it just adds more fuel to my fire!!! Suzan

Hi Erika, Sorry about your situation. I am there too, I failed by 9 miss spelled words, our final test was a 100 question written test, with a 3 hour time limit. We have taken 6 tests this semester,all scantron, the day before the final they were changed the final to a written exam. They gave each person in the class a packet with 5-7 pages, each page contained a scenario, and 4-6 questions, and each packet was different. We were allowed that day to find the answers to the questions in our packet, then they would make copies of each persons packet and we would each get a copy.This took us from 10:30 am till 5:30 pm to complete. We the were told to take the packets home and study them for the next day, they said the test would come from this packet, the questions and scenarios would be similar. I needed to make a 78 on the final to pass. One of our instructors said she would count off any miss spelled words,the other said she wouldn't. Two instructors teaching the same class, each scoring the way they want. I think there needs to be a concensus, across the board. I am not the best when it comes to taking tests,but can spell well, I started taking an anti-anxiety med, to help me calm down before tests. I felt pressured when told about the time limit. I made a 70 on my final. I was crushed! I lost my father Easter Sunday, which which also was difficult. The ironic thing was that the material we were covering in class, was exactly what we were studying, ( heart problems, and neurologic issues) it was right before my eyes... My dad had a mild heart attack April 1st, and never regained conciousness. By the time paramedics got there, he was already gone, but they were able to get a thready pulse. He was flown by chopper to a larger hospital, and he remianed on life support for 1 week. They determined he had only brain stem activity, so we removed him from all life support.After,he lived for exactly one week, with good B/P, good pulse, and even respirations.He died Easter morning. During this ordeal, I planned and put together a funeral and I wrote a 25 page case study, while sitting in the hospice suite in the hospital.I only missed one day out of each class, 4 total. I have not missed any days since going back to school 4 yrs ago (for my first degree) until now. Anyway back to the subject, we have to make a 78 to pass( final grade) I made a 76. I will not let this minor set back hold me from the ultimate goal, "RN," I have decided to put the knowledge I have gained to practice until I can slide back into to the program (hopefully January2007), I went to our local hospital and got a part time job as a CNA ( after our first semester, we are eligible for our CNA certification, not sure if thats the same for all?)on the Med-Surg floor. I also ordered a Saunders NCLEX exam study guide, and I am going to do some work in it daily to keep what I do know fresh, and maybe pick up necessary test taking tips along the way. Truthfully, I was not comfortable with the the amount of knowledge I had, and deep down inside I knew I was not ready to go forward on to another jam-packed semester. I want to make the best of the time I have, from now till January. I am going to audit the Pharmacology class this fall, I feel weakest in this area, and maybe in the spring of 07, when I am taking Adult Health I and Assessment, I will have enough foundational information to buld on. I share my story, not for sympathy, but just to say, everything happens for a reason. The way we choose to deal with these issues, and the attitude we have along the way can help or hurt us. I was devistated when my father died, but only for a moment. I was devistated when I failed my final, but only for a moment. I brushed my knees off, and got back on the horse again, determined all the more, and will live believing that, "that which does not kill you, makes you stronger." I hope you fight for what is right in your situation, and hopefully, whatever happens will be for the right reason. I apologize for this lengthy response, but I felt led to share. Suzan

Hi Scooter, Welcome, I guess it would also depend on where you are located in NC. West, East Piedmont area? I live in the mountains of NC, and am attending a great nsg program at the local community college. It's tough to get into, and there is alot of travel involved the 2nd year. We are in a program that includes 3 schools scatteres in 3 different counties. That will make it a little more difficult for those of us who are futher away(1 1/2 hrs. away) but I know in the end it will be worth it. There are alot more options the closer you get to the piedmont and coastal areas, pretty limited in the mtns., althoug there are 4 yr colleges scattered around here that offer Nsg degrees. Like I said in the beginning, it really depends on where you are located, or where you are willing to travel to! Good luck, hope you find a good one. :)

Hi from the Mountains. Driven through your country alot on our way to Ft. Bragg. Retired(DH) now and enjoying being back home in the mountains, both of us are from this area, Clay Co. NC, and Towns Co. GA. Anyway welcome to the site, it's a great resource.

Hi all, I purchased a Tungsten T5, and got mine for 249.00 after a fifty dollar rebate. Downloaded the rebate form from palmOne. Check out pricewatch.com for PDA's and accessories, they compare prices from all over, so you can choose the cheapest or what gives you the most bang for the buck. I also recommend skyscape.com for medical software, I got a great package deal with rn notes, Davis' drug guide, a med. calculator, Nurses manual of lab and diagnotic test, and tons of other great features. I can update it daily to get all the newest info. as well as med alert updates, search for journal articels, just tons of stuff. The package I got was called the Nurse's Constellation and was around $89, or $111, with a 64MB expansion card.

Hi, When my hubby retired from the military in 1999, I began looking at going back to school, and what I wanted to do to assist with our income. I had originally intended to attend our local CC and then to transfer to a 4yr college to get my teaching degree. While in school, for my first degree, I was simultaneously working in our local school system. My children were all in school and pre K-12 were all on the same campus so I would see them all throughout the day. It seemed like the perfect situation. But after a few years aggravation with the "Higher Ups" I resigned my postion and went to school full time. I graduated with a 2yr Associate in Arts Degree(college transfer) in May 2004, and will be beginning NS in just a few weeks. Last year I took A&p I and II and Chemistry to fulfill some of the points requirements for NS, I was accepted into the program in March and can't wait to get started. As far as the German goes, my mother is from Germany, but has lost her heavy German accent, but people do often wonder if she is from up north, especially since we live in the deep south. Needless to say I grew up speaking it, although the only time we really used it at home was when my grandmother came to visit. She passed away in 1984, and until 1995 I really hadn't used it at all. My husband requested a tour in Germany, so the military moved us then and I was forced to recapture the language. It wasn't too hard and it sure was helpful. My husband was gone 3/4ths of the time we spent there, so the kids and I would venture out into the city and explore. My parents came and spent time with us as well for 3 months, and we were able to travel all over Germany. We also went to France, Spain, Italy and Austria, it was quite and experience. Thankfully though that time is over with(militarily speaking), and we've begun a new chapter in our lives. Now what was your question???? :rotfl: Sorry I rambled so much. Best wishes in all you endeavour!!! :)

Bingo and Amen. Me TOO!!!!!! 42 and maintaining a 3.75, and only because I was slack in a few "easy" courses, (one being Spanish :chuckle I speak fluent German, what was I thinking), made B's instead of A's. Anyway, I will do my best during the next 5 semsters and hopefully I'll be able to maintain. Kids are grown and independent, as well as my DH, finally :chuckle , he and my 13 yr old should be able to take care of themselves, my older two are out of the house and on there own. You're right about wishing you could have figured it out earlier, I quit college after one semester and married my "Army Man", we've been married 23 yrs., he worked very hard while I stayed home and raised our sons. I would not have done it any other way under our circumstances, he was gone alot, now it's time I had a career. I'm older, more mature, and have experienced alot in life, I too am driven!! Hang in there we will make it! :)

I would recommend the mountains of NC, which are beautiful. My husband and I are both from here but lived in Fayetteville, NC for years while my husband was in the military. My children went to elementary school there, but when it came time for middle school we moved over seas, intentionally. I didn't want my oldest son going to a middle school where cops had to surround it one day, not my opinion of a healthy, safe environment. Not all are like that I'm sure. We currently live in a small town with one of the top rated schools in North Carolina. The campus has preschool-12th, all in seperate buildings but all contained on one campus. Approximately 120 students +/- per grade. We are about 1 1/2 hrs from Atlanta, Asheville, and Chattanooga, Tn., a little town called Hayesville. Some people commute to the bigger cities to work, but there are hospitals around here, just smaller and slower paced. Don't know what the pay scale is here, so can't tell you that. As far as crime and gang stuff goes, we don't have much of that. Although we all are very aware of how fast things change. I don't know if you can ever find that "land of perfect" like the Walgreens commercial talks about, but good luck, I hope you find what you are looking for.

:balloons: CONGRATULATIONS :biggringi You Deserve It

I have not begun the journey of a nursing student, but will begin in the fall. Thank you Deana for sharing such a personal time. I was moved by your experience. I understand and can relate to some of the people who have posted to this thread, who consider it an honor and privelege to be with someone during their last moments in this mortal body. That is one of the reasons I want to become a nurse, to help those I can to live and those I can't to make the transition to eternal life, hopefully with God. I have had a several freinds who have passed away in the last few yrs, young (35+-) and often don't understand why. I feel in my heart that nothing happens in life without being sifted through the hands of God first, and I know His plans are perfect, even though they may not make sense to me now. We are all born to die, some young and some old, but it is part of life. Because of my faith I believe we transition from this fleshly body we reside in to a spiritual body that can handle being in the presence of an Almighty God, a place where there is no more pain, no more tears, no more heavy burdens, no more death or dying, just pure love for eternity. Because I have not been at the bedside at the time of death, I'm not sure how I will react when the time comes, I hope that I will be able to share Gods unconditional love even if no word is spoken, through my actions and just being there. I also realize that not everyone believes the way I do, and understand that that is there choice, but still hope that I can bring comfort to them as well. I will not push my belief on someone, but am willing to share if that is what they desire. Anyway, God bless you Deana, I too think your compassion and caring attitude will provide you with the skills to be an awsome nurse, keep up the great work you are doing.

AMEN I'm right behind you at 42. The only other long term career I've had is motherhood and homemaker to a spuse and three boys, who are grown and out of the house, with one exception my 13 yr old. I have been searching for the past 7 yrs for a new career, going back to school and working at several different types of jobs. One was an assistant school teacher, another in an accounting job, and the last was sales, none of which struck my fancy. But when I was finishing up my two yr AAD last year, my biology teacher mentioned that he thought I would make a great nurse and encouraged me to check in on it. Well here I am a year later and finally feeling like I fit in and starting NS in August. I have always loved the medical side of things, always wanting to see procedures, curious about whats going on behind the door, that kind of thing. My DH always thought I was crazy, thought that I enjoyed watching people suffer. I look at it as people trying to help people who are suffering. He does support me very much for pursuing this path and reassures me not to worry about things at home, after all I took care or our home while he was out saving the world(ret. army). Anyway, I don't believe you're ever to old to pursue your dreams, as long as there is breath in your body, live!!!! Other wise you crawl in a corner and wither, and none of us wants to go there.

I live in the western side of the state, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I will be starting this fall at our CC and it took one year for me to get in. The selection process begins in January of each yr. Before then you have to check with an advisor on what classes you lack and exactly what is needed. For myself I was advised to take Anatomy and Phisiology, and chemistry which I lacked, each of these classes gives you points and the selection process is based on a points system. I already had most of my prereqs out of the way with my first degree, but some peolpe get in having to take all the englishes and maths, etc along side the program. I would hate to try to do it that way. Anyway, you are scored so many points for being a resident, for the types of classes you have taken and passed, for being a CNA, EMT, Paramedic, etc. You also have to take a Health Occupations Exam which can give you up to 25 points. Once all of these requirments have been compiled, the board selects that people with the top points for an interview which also is weighted by points. All the points are then compiled and the people with the highest points are chosen for the program. In our school its a total of 36(?) people, 16 for the day program and 10 for the night, with the remainder as alternates on a waiting list, jsut in case anyone drops out. I'm not sure what the rest of the state does, I believe that this may be standard, although larger schools may have more classes that begin twice a yr. My school is small, but from what I hear from former students, its one of the best, tough but you definetly stand out among other students from other schools. We have to travel to Asheville to do clinicals, which about a 2hr drive. Our CC is in whats know as Region A Consortium, which consists of three CC in three different counties that combine during the second yr of the Nursing program. It's kind of crazy, the way it works, and I have heard that the traveling is the hardest part. Good luck, I hope you find a great school.

I guess my biggest fear is that I have no experience at anything!!! No bathing ,injections, procedures at all, although I'm pretty confident I can do anything if someone will just show me how. I don't like to think about the bathing thing, I hope I can handle that. Cleaning up puke is not my favorite thing either, I did enough of that with my boys. I have a pretty strong stomach, at least with my on children, I'm not so keen about everyones elses. As far as blood goes, that doesn't phase me in the least, I've watched staples being placed on my sons scalp, stitches, in lips on eyebrows, on and on. And I guess the last thing would be failure! I think I have a helathy fear of this though, one that will inspire me not to let up, even when things get tuff.

:balloons: congratulations aneroo :balloons: i can only imagine how great you must feel. can't wait till i can say the same, 2007 hopeful!!! i know we can do all things through christ who gives us strength! again congratulations and god bless you in all you do:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: