rob4546

Well, let me add a comment. I read what you are saying, but I am not completely sure I understand what you are meaning. I will try to give some advice. This comes from a nurse with a few years of experience, a former nursing instructor/simulation/clinical instructor, and someone who is pursuing an FNP. I feel I understand you. The academics were sometimes easy, as it was black and white. Clinical practice is similar but varies with the individual patient. First, understand your expectations of what you might find or understand in clinical practice. This is where your critical thinking skills come into play. When you meet a patient and interview them before your assessment, think of where that person is in their life. Look for risk factors like genetic, environmental, and practical (their own personal behaviors, including work, play, and rest). You learned this during your academic preparation. This will direct your assessment. For example, if you ask them a question and they state they live in an area that is considered "low income," then you will likely place a greater value on the lung assessment even though they are there for new onset back pain. Why? Well, we learned in academics that living in a low-income area will likely subject persons to more varied environmental exposures. There are statistically fewer green spaces, more concrete, more carbon dioxide from vehicle travel, and possibly manufacturing toxins. In your studies, you know that this could increase the chances of lung involvement and absorption of toxins through the skin. These toxins increase the risk of lung cancer, which could cause pain in the torso and be exhibited through the posterior wall. Maybe this example is reaching a little, but it is the best I can do to give you an understanding of how to use diadiatic information in clinical experiences. With that assessment, you will use your education to document precisely and create a needs list for that patient (I no longer believe in care plans). With that needs list, you have the knowledge of medication administration, treatment plans, and necessary communication with other healthcare team members. Then you care for the patient. Think of the knowledge you gained in the classroom as your personal set of reference material. The reason there sometimes feels like a disconnect between the classroom and clinical is that not every situation will follow the textbook definitions. Remember that even though we have EBP, we modify our practice to the patient's needs and wishes. I believe that being a nurse is just a bunch of decisions I make all day. In every situation, I use my knowledge base and assessments to make the best possible decision for each individual case. Example: Patient comes in with SOB and a HgB of less than 6. EBP states that we need to give blood first to maintain life, then assess for reasons why the HgB is so low. But, this patient is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses all blood products. Now what? What will you do? Think of what you can give this person to possibly protect life. Can't give them PRBC, so should you watch for circulatory concerns and give fluids or volume expanders? Would giving them O2 benefit them even if their Spo2 is currently 91%? What other things can you do? How about bed rest and limiting ALD's because anything except bed rest will increase oxygen demands on the body and this patient has horrible circulating oxygen capabilities right now. In the previous example, the best practice is to give blood products, but you cannot do that. So, rely on your education to guide you in what the body needs and what you can do to support the patient. It isn't really an algorithm; it is critical thinking. I hope this helps and relax. You will not always get it correct, but as time goes on, you will be better. The stress you feel in clinical is usually based on your expectations rather than on what is happening in reality. Use your experiences to expand on your knowledge base and always make the best decisions that you can.

Good afternoon!! Sure, apply for more positions as it might be benificial to you in the long run. Have you thought about ADN programs? If there are highly rated ADN programs in the area it might be an option. If you have been told that you must be a BSN to be hired you were told wrong. People like me went the ADN route and graduated in a little over 2 years. I started working and went to an online school for my BSN and received it within 11 months. I graduated with my ADN and earned nearly 75 thousand in the same time as others earned their BSN. Of course you need to be smart about it but it is very doable. If you already have your prereqs completed then you could likely graduate in 2 years or less. Just a thought. Graduating from an ADN program has not hampered my upward progress as I have my MSN and just started earning my FNP online. Good luck.

I feel like I need to chime in here. I am a full-time nurse educator, and I receive 65K a year. I provide didactic and clinical instruction for a first-year cohort in a rural ADN college with a BSN option. I am returning to the bedside this semester because the location I am teaching at is fairly toxic, and my new position will pay me 51/hr. This equates to just under 100K working 3 days a week. Yes, education is a calling, but I also have bills to pay. No, I do not get summers off, but I also will not be working 6 to 7 days a week teaching, grading, and preparing. I love my education, but bedside is going to fit my life better right now.

Hello there!! I wanted to tell you that I started nursing education at 41 years old. I felt that I had a leg up because I had had a tremendous amount of life experiences. You could start as a CNA if you are unsure or if you want to "try out" the profession before you spend the necessary time. I did not choose that route because I felt confident in starting. Start with a couple of classes and see how you like it. Just for context, I have been a nurse now for a little over 14 years, have tried out so many roles, received my master's degree 5 years ago, been an instructor, and am going to return to bedside nursing soon. A person can definitely complete this career change later in life. Good luck and keep moving.

Good morning. I went to their website, and it looks like their minimum requirements are pretty low. Entry GPA is a 2.5, but they do say that those admitted are usually above 3.0. For ***/ADN degrees you will find that this is pretty common. The question would be how many people apply for enrollment and how many spots are available. Those with more starting requirements completed and a GPA will receive entry. Is there something that you need to work on for entry? If so, boost your GPA and complete the prerequisites that you can. But what would it hurt to apply? Hopefully, if they do not enroll you, they will also advise yo u on how to improve your chances. Good luck. If you don't start, you will not get anywhere.

Good morning. I am sorry for your frustration. If I were in this situation, I would maybe look for a 16-week A&P course. Things go a little slower and might fit better. Maybe an in-person course would be better, as you can ask questions and maybe find a study buddy. Do not get discouraged. Keep moving forward.

Hello, Mav. I can understand how the pass rates can be concerning, but I think that you are not putting it into perspective. I am a nursing program instructor and see mostly entry-level students. On average, 50% of the students I see at the start do not make it through the first semester. But, would you be surprised that, on average, only 2-3 students fail due to grades? Most of the students who do not make it through the first semester are really not ready for nursing school. Being ready for nursing school has more to do with preparing for the time requirements and study skills rather than the difficulty of the courses. Yes, they are challenging but not beyond reach. May students realize this early on or something in their life changes that make barriers towards passing. I have had students quit because they need to be the sole breadwinner for their family, get pregnant and have issues, realize what nursing is and don't want part of it, or even get relocated due to their spouse's job. The reasons are seemingly endless but valid in their life. In the position you mention, having a 100% entry would better describe the reason for the pass rate. Most anyone off the street who one day said, "I would like to be a nurse," is not usually ready for the demands of nursing school. You may counter that many have taken prerequisites for nursing school, but taking a class here or there does not prepare the average student for nursing programs. Nursing school is a little different. Yes, look at the information from your state board of nursing. Make sure they are at least regionally accredited, if not nationally. The 100% NCLEX pass rate is a plus, but make sure you get that number from the State Board of Nursing Reports, not for the schools provided information. Ask about the number of students who eventually make it through the program after failing the first time. Of the 50% that do not make it the first time, nearly 67% pass within 5 years at our program. Understand what numbers you are reading and what the numbers really mean. If you decide to do it, then get yourself ready. Develop excellent time management and study skills. Find a way to attend nursing school and work very little, if possible. Participate in everything including labs, study sessions, lectures, and skills practice. Those who participate usually pass the first time through. I hope some of this helps.

It is interesting to think of working as a nurse and being worried about negatively impacting a patient's health. I have made mistakes; all nurses have because we are human. But the best way to think about it is to know what you don't know. I learned in nursing school that there is always someone who is there and is willing to help you. Even now, I ask others if I am unsure how to proceed in any patient care situation. Maybe I was worried more as a student, but now, with more than 10 years of experience, it never crosses my mind now. Assuming that you are going to attend a reputable school, there will be guidance and someone to ensure you will not hurt anyone until you have gained the necessary knowledge to care for patients. So, no, that is not a worry of mine, but I could see how it can give others pause. If I did it over again, I would be more concerned about fellow students and some of the drama that can ensue in a stressful educational experience. I am a full-time instructor now, and many of the "problems" encountered in nursing education are usually due to "high school" drama tropes. Sometimes, it can be instructor-induced, but mostly, I find it is student issues. Like I said earlier, do your best. Don't always assume you are correct. And be okay with being wrong. Being wrong is powerful, as this is when learning takes place. Once you get your license, you should have the ability to recognize when you need assistance. I hate to take over this thread. Maybe someone else can chime in with a bit of first-hand information. My experiences are just that, my experiences. Nursing education and the field of nursing may vary in different areas. Hope this helps.

Hello Cesar, it is great to hear that you are looking into nursing as a career change. Nursing has been difficult but rewarding for me and I believe it can be wonderful for you also. I was a mechanic for over 20 years before I made the move, so it can be done, even from fields that are different or unique. There are many things that I had to learn entering the medical field. One of the most difficult for me was time management in my education. Plan on spending more time studying than you would initially expect. I did not work during nursing school, so it was nearly a full-time job. It was common for me to study 40 hours a week, if not more. Be able to be wrong. Not everything is black and white; it is more grey. Be open to learning and less interested in proving you were right. It seems harsh, but what may be 100% correct in one situation might not be appropriate in others. On the same note, do not make yourself crazy trying to be perfect. Getting straight "A's" is not the goal, understanding nursing is. Your grade is not the perfect identifier of a good or bad nurse. You have to pass to move forward. Trust me on this, you can make yourself crazy trying to be perfect. There are so many hints you can gather from forums like this but what are some of the concerns you have that we could help with?

I have not read your previous submissions to determine your temperament, but I will give you my opinion as an instructor. I am the first instructor the student sees in our program. I do not much care about the prerequisite grades except for placing you into study and lecture groups. If you enter our program, I know you meet the minimum grade point average, and I do not live in the past. About handling stress, figure this out now. If you have problems with stress in the prerequisites, you may struggle in whatever program you enter. Determine what is giving you stress and mediate it. No, do not stress about a single class; just do your best. I know everyone is stuck on grades, and yes, you have to pass to continue, but you can only do your best. How can you do better? Students who do not continue in our program get an interview where they learn what to do next, and I like to tell them that "maybe it is not your time; just keep learning." Look where you want to be in the future, and always move in that direction. Do not let frustration make you quit. There are times you may need to withdraw, but do not quit. Good luck, and take it one step at a time.

Medical math and nursing math is not difficult. Using this math in differing situations is difficult. Medical math is just addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We highly suggest all our student take our 1 credit medical math class. We also expect each student to pass a math exam 3 times, with a 100%, during their education. Our students take the math exam at the end of their first semester, and every year, there is at least one who does not heed the warning and does not move on. Take it seriously and move forward.

If you have taken Pharmacology, then you should be okay. In Fundamentals, we cover the administration of medications. Of course, this is our program.

Nursing school is just as hard as you make it. It is challenging, but being hard is a relative term. In our program, Pharmacology is a course to be taken with Fundamentals. Beginning Pharmacology can be difficult if you cannot grasp the concepts. If you want to jumpstart your knowledge, get an old pharmacology book from Amazon (or elsewhere) that is used and start reading from the beginning. I suggest this (https://a.co/d/7IwM9Ej) as it is the one we used, and it is a basic book for pharmacology. The used version is about 7.00 and worth it. We use a more up-to-date version, but this older version has good concepts, and the price is right. I suggest getting some relaxation and recharging your batteries before the start. Ensure you have all your support resources together, as this is one of the biggest determinants of success. Oh, and get Grammarly or the like. I am amazed at some of the papers and care plans that students submit. Good grammar, word usage, and spelling are a must.

Hello Izzy, congratulations on entering nursing school. I am an instructor who teaches this course for a nursing school in my area. Because I may not teach at the school you are entering, this information may not be 100% correct. It will be somewhat close because the Fundamentals of Nursing courses are similar based on the HLC, ACEN, CCNE, and state Board of Nursing guidelines. Prelearning disease processes is not what I would concentrate on at this time, but if you want to, you can review the majors. I am talking about heart disease, diabetes, diseases with mobility problems (fractures, MS), and incontinence in general. In fundamentals, you will learn the basics of skills and providing care. I do not cover specific diseases except those that constitute a change in care routines. If you were required to complete A&P one and two before entry, I would review them. Understanding how the body is structured, functions, and behaves under normal conditions will help you understand the concepts surrounding assessing malfunctions. If you can, and you have not, take a medical terminology course. I am surprised at how many new students cannot understand basic terminology, which puts them at a severe disadvantage. If you don't know what the words mean, you will not understand what you are learning. I hope this helps. Always remember that you do not have to be perfect on your scores, and put things in perspective. All you have to do is understand the material and pass. I know many nurses who passed with a 'C' who are incredible nurses. Be open to being directed; you will not always be correct in every test question or situation. Good luck!

First of all, congratulations on your achievement. It takes work and dedication to obtain higher education. I don't know all areas or situations, but I believe that securing a teaching position is possible, even without experience. I was in your position nearly six years ago, but I was courting a position at my alma mater and was pretty sure I would be employed when I graduated. In my region, there is a lack of nurses who have an interest in education. At my educational institution, we have had two open positions for some time. One position was filled last November by a person who had not started their master's education yet, and the other is still unfilled. My institution has 2 locations, and the other campus has two open positions, with a third opening very soon. I was part of the interview panel last week, and we had one applicant. This applicant has just started their master's program and was an adjunct in our program for a couple of years. He will be offered the position. The applicant was well-spoken, open to direction, and committed. So, what I am trying to explain is to be energetic, think about the interview before you are in it, and apply to as many open positions as you can. If you cannot find a full-time position, immediately try being an adjunct for a few semesters to learn student instruction and direction. Be open to direction from those who have been before you, and watch for toxic situations. I know of two other educational instruction facilities where the old guard is mean, unhelpful, and does not want to foster effective students or new nursing instructors. We have all seen this in hospitals; it also happens in the educational arena. I say, good luck and I am glad you have chosen to help new students become safe and effective nurses. The world needs more people like us.