Watermaster

The NCLEX is the hurdle we all feared as we progressed through nursing school. I have empirical knowledge about the 'absolute fact' regarding the Pearson Vue Trick... 1) Purchase Hurst Review (Live) 2) Take the Hurst Review 3) Study your Hurst Review workbook (provided) 4) Sit for the NCLEX 5) Screen shuts off (goes blue) after you answer question 75. 6) Congratulations you passed, NO Pearson Vue trick necessary 7) That's a fact! 8-∞) YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES, YOU CAN DO THIS Worry and fear of failure were my greatest enemy throughout RN school, including my preparation for the NCLEX. It was unfounded

Always a horse race, ADN v BSN... I have a very impressive academic pedigree; however, I was called to care sometime after earning my BS and MS in the 'hard sciences'. Certainly the hierarchy in nursing positions and salaries follow higher academic accomplishments; that is inarguable and perhaps appropriate in many situations. My (insignificant) opinion is that only the insecure argue about which individual academic accomplishment is superior to others. Every one of us can learn something from the person next to us regardless of their academic pedigree. I too have a lot to learn in this profession and appreciate the sharing of knowledge when appropriate. Timing being an issue for me the ADN path was the best choice to enter the profession of caring for those who are unable to care for themselves. I am quite content, but will likely pursue still higher academic accomplishments as I would in any profession while on life's path.

Nursing school can at times be amazingly difficult and will take the wind out of your (nursing) sail. Regardless of your motivations I'm not putting forth an effort to encourage you to remain in nursing. If its for the money, the money is nice, but that's the wrong reason to attach yourself to a career. Regarding the choices on which you appear to have settled only you know which choice will make you happier. Still regarding your choices, its very likely that there's no work in the psychology field with a bachelors degree. Look back in your introductory psychology course text; it is pretty clear that employment in the psychology field occurs at the masters level of education. Additionally, there appears to be no shortage of job seekers with psychology and sociology degrees. Whichever path you choose remember there are always opportunities to make changes in your life. Good luck!

Apparently one of us doesn't understand how the world works. It might be me, or it could be you. You will be 22? when you finish/get into the nursing program. I, to you, am ancient. I earned a degree in the hard sciences, worked in a career position for twenty years, retired then applied and was accepted to nursing school. This should be both encouraging and heartening to you. I will be 60 years old when I graduate in December. Yes that's pretty frappin old, but now I am at a place in life where I can afford to pursue my passion of helping people get well and feel better. My choice of professions for that pursuit is nursing. Getting old is not the most fun I've ever had, but I prefer it to the alternative. You can do anything - I guarantee it! Remember life is not a race!

Hi Zibi: Two successive deep breaths with 20 second exhales to begin. Have a quick look at the periodic table, understand the electronegativity trend - its a vector from bottom left up to the top right. Another good place to invest your time is on mitosis and meiosis, Punnett square etc. A very good online site is the Khan Academy. You can find quick tutorials on most any science subject there. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/heredity-and-genetics/v/introduction-to-heredity English/Grammar? Try Grammarbook.com, it has 60 second videos on a wide range of grammar topics. Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do well.

Hi Ladybug: Do not despair, the Adkins Academy helped me to score in the 99th percentile on the TEAS science section - you can too! I am impressed with the Adkins Academy, and I highly recommend to everyone that they prepare for their TEAS exam with the Dr. Adkins. It is not inexpensive, but Dr. Adkins guarantees a minimum TEAS score of 78% (= 85 percentile), see link below. TEAS® Test Prep Course Online | The Adkins Academy, LLC At the least you should call and talk to Dr. Adkins at the Adkins Academy before you decide on your best route to success. Whether you choose to invest with Adkins or not you will be better informed.

Please, Let me rephrase the question. Do you wear a watch while working? I recently read a watch review that suggested watches by profession. The watch recommended for nursing looked as if it requires a scribe that was versed in technology just so the wearer could tell what time it was. I'm looking to purchase a new watch, and while I like you have preferences I realize it's also important to learn from others. Do you prefer a simple timepiece or something more sophisticated? I would really appreciate some input on the subject from any of the nurses out there. Thanks,

Greetings: I need your help. Looking for timepieces- particularly wristwatches and would value your opinion. I like you have on often needed to note the time. There are a myriad of reasons for this and an equally large number of ways to meet the need to mark time. I am looking for advice on the more important features of a wearable timepiece; size, strap type, buttons, visibility, durability, comfort, start/stop, glows, backlit, ability to snag everything imaginable etc. What do we need in a watch? Favorite product/brand names, if allowed, would be helpful. Do you use more than one wristwatch? One for use while at work, and a different one when off? Surely you have a helpful opinion for all of us. Please tell us about your opinions/observations regarding wristwatches and why they're important to you. Thanks you for all of your help.

A very key point in answer to your question is wording in the following phrase on the job announcement: [h=3]POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Excepted Service Permanent[/h] From what I can tell Excepted Service means they (the VA) can have exceptions in the hiring process. Essentially describing that they can hire for the position without having to grant consideration of the Ten-Point veteran if a competing applicant is more attractive. Consider doing a Google search on "Excepted Service for more info.

Tempis Repit

So this is where time goes...

I am nearing a place in life where I will transition to become a registered nurse. My academic background, and (nearly completed) career is in the earth sciences, specifically hydrology. Its been fascinating and technical but is entirely lacking for an able and caring person. I am applying for accelerated nursing programs with a goal of becoming a registered nurse and helping our injured military veterans transition successfully back to their families and the civilian world. I am curious though about the experiences of others along a similar (ABSN) path. My curiosity for every accelerated BSN (second degree BSN) student and graduate; did you migrate from a position/background where your original degree supported the work you performed? I have thrived on the prerequisite coursework finding it both interesting and amazing. The people I have studied with have been excited about their future and motivating for the most part. For you, what was your motivation to enter nursing? Was the transition to the medical field all you anticipated? What were the thrills and or the hurdles you personally encountered? Are you close to your goals - I wish everyone of you the best! Thanks

I've heard different opinions on the ability of some RN's to get along with other nursing professionals. Stress is a part of everyday life, no doubt there's plenty in medicine. Every one of us has a preference (or bias) about who we would prefer to work with. Has anyone experienced advantages or disadvantages in working with nurses of either gender? What do you like most about working with others? What are the challenges? Has anyone found success in difficult personnel situations that would help the rest of us? Thanks

Unsure of the type of housing that most interests you. Proximity is more important to some and security moreso for others. Many (a majority) of the properties in San Antonio, including UTHSCSA, are gated and I can take a hint. Traffic in and around San Antonio is impressive and will encourage most to live close to campus. Almost all rental properties accept pets. Have a look at Trulia and Zillow they have pretty good listings and Trulia has a tool that provides info for areas that includes detailed crime data around areas of interest. I was also attracted to some apt./condos ~ 1.5 miles from campus (UTHSCSA) called Roanoke Run. Its worth a look; not really walking distance like Vintage but it has some good attributes. I'm approaching my TEAS exam with caution and will probably sit for them in June. Hope you scored well on yours! Good luck

Sitting in the airport (SAT). Had registered for Mar. 1 info session, received my meeting canceled notice the day after buying plane tkt. Non-refundable of course, so off to SA anyway to learn about neighborhoods and travel times. Have a look at Vintage on Louis Pasteur for convenience and security. Good luck

Hey brother, First and foremost THANK YOU for your service! Life can be difficult and learning to navigate the difficult portions can take experience(s), some of which are uncomfortable. I can understand the point in your original complaint. Regarding the waste of time for some gen-ed/prereq coursework what I've learned is that those academic requirements are more than purposeful. My original degree (B.S. Hydrology,minor Env. Toxicology U.C. Davis) required more of me academically than was ever needed to be successful in my original work. I did not need to know the vibrational energy of the bonds between hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms in a water molecule. Another thing that I now know is that because I was required to know/learn that information (or how to find it) I acquired a skill used to find the answers to arguably irrelevant questions encountered in everyday life both professional and private. The skill I learned, and you will too, by the apparently irrelevant course work is called problem solving. As an example, Math is much more than learning how to find a numerical solution to a (math) question; math is very specifically a methodology used to teach people how to solve problems. I could go on but I think you get the point. The constructs of an education may never become fully obvious to you; however, I will insist that following a prescribed series of academic coursework will make you a more rounded individual better able to address professional problems and also interactions between people the same as, and different than, either you or I. If you are considering becoming a registered nurse know that you will be required to follow an academic path that may not always provide the obvious answer to your immediate questions, but the options available to you on this rewarding career path are few and strict follow them or don't. It is your choice. Thank you brother for your service!

That is a terrific goal (Straight A's) which is entirely do-able. There will be sacrifice involved however. Not in a bad way, but in giving up some of the things you may now enjoy daily. I earned straight A's through all pre-requisites - you can too! You must understand the material - study for knowledge not for grades. Find a technique to boost your confidence and employ it always, everywhere you go. Most importantly start a study group with your fellow students. YOU must be the leader (don't smother anyone) and in being the leader you will need to learn the material well enough to help your colleagues better understand the subject. Try it, you will see quick improvement in your knowledge base. As you help your friends understand the subject you will be reinforcing that same material in your mind. Talk about the concepts regularly with your study group, listen to their viewpoint on the subject it may help you to understand a concept a little more clearly. In A & P study the color plates in your text know what each part shown does - describe it in your own words to your fellow study partners. Have them describe it back to you in their own words. For your exams get that color image from the text in your head and describe it on the exam as needed. I find it much easier to conjure a color image in my head and then describe it in words (in answer to specific exam questions) than to regurgitate memorized text. With these few bits of advice you are on your way. It worked well for me and I truly believe it will work well for you. YOU can do it!

A question for the ages... Sorry, I am very interested in the subject of the average age of Nursing students. I will be the outlier in the average age of nursing students. Looking at age 56 on entry to nursing school. I earned a degree in Hydrology (math/chemistry/physics) with a minor in environmental toxicology eons ago, will likely retire in Dec 2013. I am now working on my encore career - a second degree (BSN) in Nursing. So far 40+ hrs work per week and a 4.0 in pre-requisite coursework. My current job is very good but as I near retirement I am becoming more and more dedicated to achieving my dream of earning a nursing degree. Career-wise, work as a civilian nurse in the US Army or VA is first and foremost for employment. As a disabled veteran myself I know well the distress, both physical and emotional, these brave young Americans are dealing with. Helping our injured young military veterans transition back into civilian life with a healthy attitude is my personal "giving back". I have been extremely fortunate and I will leave no one behind.