MAKimsey

Dear Future Nurse, Like you, I follow a tradition of wearing a head-covering with similar rules of modesty. You will find that things are not as difficult as you imagine. Make an appointment with the Director of the Nursing Program to discuss the uniform requirements and come up with an acceptable solution. There are floor-length nursing skirts available, and even scrub tops that are 3/4 sleeve (or as previously mentioned, you can wear long sleeve underneath the regular scrub top). When clinical rotations in the OR came around, special arrangements were made to permit my wearing a skirt. (I brought a clean one wrapped in plastic along with a pair of clean pantyhose and changed there at the hospital.) By starting early and working with your Director and instructors, all attire issues can be resolved. These days, there are many traditional nurses from diverse backgrounds. What matters more than your attire is your professionalism and skill as a nurse. Best wishes to you in your future endeavors.

"Of course racism is an issue but so is religious prejudice. I had a patient deliberately lie on me because he was willing to put my reputation in harm rather than be honest about his issues with me being a Muslim woman. He said I was rude to him for no reason. I got out of my way to make my patients and family members feel at ease. I love what I do. Most of us health care workers get in this profession because we generally care about the wellbeing of our fellow man so my message to current and future patients is see through the veil and acknowledge I am here for you, to help care for you and get you well. If you can't I have no problem stepping aside and letting someone else do the job for you. Your loss! " I agree 100% with you Yasmin. We nurses did make a choice to be in a caring profession. Like you, I wear a head cover for religious reasons (snood, not a veil), and it is amazing how many people, patients and co-workers, have difficulty looking past the head covering. I have been fortunate. So far, only one patient has out-right been rude about not wanting me to care for her, but wouldn't admit that prejudice was the problem. After observing her with a different caregiver, I went to one of my co-workers and we switched assignments. It was the right resolution for both the patient and me. Peace be with you. Miryam

Hi, I am applying for CSN RN Spring/Fall 2015 depending on when pre-requisites done. From what I have learned, the Spring 2014 RN programs took students with 27 of 34 points and began Alternate/Wait-List at 26 points. This varies from year to year depending on applicant pool. Based on that logic, the closer to 35 points you are, the better. The biggest factor will be Math 120 since that is now a 10 point advantage to applicants. Prior to the Math 120 addition, students could take a Medical Math course, unfortunately many of the nursing candidates who did not have higher math skills did not perform well in pharmacology and the change was made. Prior advice to meet with an Academic Advisor and get your transcripts reviewed is excellent. I have BS degree and am facing issues of not receiving credit for everything. My degree is from 1991, so I am having to take Science and Math courses, in addition to the NV Constitution course that is required. I am in process of challenging some of the non-transferred courses just because I don't think I should have to retake Humanities, Communications (Speech), Constitutional Law (have multiple undergrad constitution and political science courses), and Sociology (received credit for Psy 101 but not Soc 101). Just finished Spring 2014 pre-registration for Biol 223, so RN application for Spring or Fall 2015 depends on course availabilities, as well as outcome of credit challenge and math placement. Wishing you success! :)

My sympathies regarding the attack you survived. With regard to nursing - follow your heart. As a child I wanted to be a nurse. Many years and a doctoral degree later, I am finally pursuing a nursing career. Trust me, at your age is easier than at my age (almost 50). My reasons were two-fold. First and foremost, I wanted to be able to help care for my Dad who had Alzheimer's. [He died last November] Dad was at my LPN graduation. Secondly, I wanted to feel as though I had done something good for someone else at the end of my work-day. No matter how challenging a nursing day is, you will know that you made a positive impact on the life of another human being. No monetary value can be placed on the satisfaction this will bring you. At the moment, I am taking pre-ADN nursing requirements at Community College and will eventually obtain more advanced nursing degrees. The value return on investment for my current program is excellent - the price is right and the program has an strong reputation in our community. Regardless of the BSN trend, as an ADN - RN there are many options and opportunities available to you. Time is on your side. Focus on your courses, take a half-load if necessary to ensure maximum grade advantage. Getting into a program is usually GPA and point-based using pre-requisite courses as the benchmark. Congratulations on deciding to make the change. Wishing you success!

Propet is worth trying. They have arch support and are comfortable, also sell a white leather that is machine washable. It may cost you $70-80, but well worth it. Really, the shoe is individual to you and your feet. Nursemates that I originally purchased for first semester were put on the shelf quickly. Sketchers are my back-up shoes, but the absolute best for me are the Propet that came recommended from several other nursing friends. Good luck - may you have "happy feet" soon :)

Hi, I am also Spring 2015 RN hopeful. Earned my college degree in 1991 and many of my credits were not given equivalent credit for required courses. There is a Course Substitution-Waiver Form that you can use to apply to get your credits recognized. I am in the process now. Hopefully when done, I will only need to finish 223, 224, 251 and possibly 120. The forms are located near Registrar's Office. Your Adviser should be able to assist. Hope this helps :)

Congratulations on your decision to return to school! The first time I went back to school, it was after an 8 year break between high school and college. Like you, I was scared out of my mind. On thing that helped me was a program called "Where there is a will, there is an 'A'." Essentially, I learned to treat college like a job, take charge of my learning, and utilize all of the student success tools available (ie: free tutoring / learning clinics / instructor meeting times). The school wants you to succeed and has personnel in place to assist you. See if you can tape record the lectures to assist you in reviewing and supplementing your notes. If you have a lap-top, use it to take notes because the act of typing may assist you in remembering the material. Utilize Math, Science, and English labs to help you. The Library usually gives a tour of resources and how to use them. Experiment with study groups to see if that is a method that works for you, it may be you only need one study partner, and in some cases studying alone is best. Homework and exam preparation may take longer, be ready to carve out the extra time. Make sure your family knows you love them - set time aside to be with them. Make and keep appointments with yourself - you need time to nurture yourself. If you are going to work, it is challenging, but possible and may require a reduced course load. At the age of 43, I retired from the practice of law and entered a practical nursing program to be able to help care for my Dad. In 2010, I decided to pursue an RN, and am now completing the pre-requisites for the nursing program, including retaking or newly taking math and science course because of the time between now and when I last took the courses. There is no singular way to learn material - find what works for you. If you find that life is giving you a curve-ball or you need to give more attention to a specific subject and the study assistance is not enough, don't be afraid to reduce your course load. Wishing you success in your studies!

Thank you for sharing your story and for your years of service. As a child, I told everyone I was going to be a nurse, and now, after detours of life, I am finally on my own journey of nursing education. Thank you also for the reminder that no one is shooting bullets at me and success is a matter of determined effort. May you continue in your life and career with much success. God Bless You.