niikkayx

I just started looking stuff up online.

I am going for my rn at a diploma school starting August. I am just thinking ahead, obviously. I have recently been doing research to be a forensics nurse and I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about this. Do I have to get my bachelors first before I take the course to be a forensics/sane nurse? Or is it suggested? I have been debating on my bachelors for a while now, but it is quite expensive and I dont know if the difference in pay will be worth the loans. Should I just take the forensics certificate? The plan is being a sane nurse prn, and a full time psych nurse. Anyone have some thoughts for me? Thanks in advance (:

I cannot believe that anyone would really find something so minuscule as weed more important to their lives than their career that brings food to their table and a roof over their head. I believe you need to check, then recheck your priorities.

Start taking prereqs to get your GPA up, maybe try different nursing schools in more rural areas. It seemed to be easier for me to get in due to the area I live in from more populated ones.

This thread is extremely helpful! Thanks guys!

I am also heading to school in the fall, and plan on working 16-20 hours a week. My school is in a hospital and offers half off tuition if you work at minimum 160 hours a semester. They also give you a casual position so you can arrange your hours for what you need. From everything I have read, people say it can be done. I also feel it will give me the structure I need. It will keep me responsible for my hours I do have to study. Another thing that you should be reminded of is your mental health. I have read books to help with nursing school survival. They warn very cautiously that you also need to take some amount of time for yourself in order to stay sane and healthy. So make sure to also leave yourself time to spend with your loved ones and significant other. You need to plan that time and stick to it. Just like everything else in life. (:

Wow, thank you so much for that site! I came to this thread because I am feeling the same way. I have the summer free of class and med terms is not required but I want to make sure I have some of the lingo down. Right now I do have to take some time to pick apart the information to answer questions or when I'm reading. I want to be more prepared for the tests and information.

I feel that going to school for your lpn when you're already on track for your rn is a step backwards. Instead of taking out 10k in loans to get your lpn and waste a year. Maybe try taking out a personal loan for 10k and use it for living expenses. Here my mom is able to get a loan out for me for 8k after my loan and grant pay my tuition. Therefore I'd get the 8k in cash. I don't plan on it because I plan on working a small amount (only have car payment). But I wanted to make sure I had a backup plan in case I end up not being able to work like planned.

I also have suffered with anxiety. I take zoloft for it but when I start nursing school and am not just taking my prereqs I expect it to get worse. I tend to get horrible stomach aches before tests or any sort of stressful situation. I am thinking I may need to up my dose to get through school and then go back to what I'm on once I'm back into a routine. I just think of the prize. I take time for myself or a hobby. I always take sundays off for what I want to do. If I have a test Monday I give myself one hour to review before bed Sunday but that is it. Other studying I will do before Sunday so I can ensure a day for me. This will also help with stress. I also plan on an exercise plan, probably in the morning to get my brain going and confidence built. Take deep breaths, tell yourself you can do it! Because you can and will! I found that reading forums and books about nursing school really help, you are not alone! (:

Received my acceptance into nursing school! I love this post. Congrats to everyone!!!

I really appreciate all of the feedback, i am taking all of these things and making decisions based on my reading. Including a nursing school survivors guide I bought. I have a planner and plan to stick to it just like suggested. It has been my bible for two years. As well as I am organized, including my apartment. I shouldn't have any house work except typical maintenance because I have a worsening case of ocd and things are constantly organized. This is all a lot of help, and I am getting completely mentally prepared to start.

Hodgie, I am quite fortunate to have 0 need for a lot of friends. At most my boyfriend and I have another couple over once a week. We hardly care to leave the house or do much. It is just our nature. He lives with me, so factoring in time for him is pretty easy. I however, need about 7-9 hours of sleep or my body suddenly seems shut down. So beings I don't have a social life, I will give that up for study time and sleep. (: I, glad you understand the trials I am about to go through!

Thank you Sox, I felt a little attacked by her comment there. And 20 hours is the most I will be working. I actually have awesome time management skills. (: I'm going to try to save up enough to cover my car payments while in school. Then if I can't handle it I have back up. It seems like it is personal to each person.

Cnmfba, Well, that was a little sassy. Used cars still cost money, which is what I got. I had to get a newer used car due to that is all they will finance me for with little credit, being 20 years old and just starting out. Not sure if you understand how that works, but here it is how it is, On top of I'm working full time until august and am driving 50 ,miles a day. The other car I had broke down at least once a month. Thanks everyone for the help. It looks like I need to test the waters and maybe try to save and get an extra loan for back up in case I can't work. I do plan on doing at least the 8 or so hours a week for the tuition reimbursement program, it'll be experience and a small paycheck.

Miiki, thanks for the advice. I'm already in the health care as a home health aid, but I have to switch to a job at the hospital once I start school. And that will be a great experience.