RusticSandy

I wrote a unique cover letter that highlighted my passion for L&D and how my experience would benefit me while changing roles. I emailed that and my resume directly to the manager of the unit. Often recruiters will go over resumes and do much from their side - but if the manager likes your email (phone call, etc.) she can request the recruiter contact you for an interview. Might get you noticed quicker in a "stack" of applicants. I'm not positive this is what got me the job, but it seems like it must have helped!! Always apply the experience you have to the new job. I love LDRP and am so glad I hustled for it. Good luck. :-)

It really depends on the program and how easily you are able to hide it. My program can be pretty strict about things like that. My advice is to see if you can get a copy of the handbook; it should cover that kind of thing in there.

Waitressing sucks, but you make good money!! Treat everyone as nice as you would treat your best friend and keep a positive attitude. Don't begrudge people if they don't tip you; it's not worth it. If it isn't your main job, I highly recommend it. It doesn't give you the "right" experience, but it pays well. Good luck!

Bookbyte.com >> they always have the cheapest prices and I have rented and purchased many times and have never had a problem. Sometimes the shipping is slower, but not crazy. Bigwords.com is good to compare prices.

I honestly don't think it's really a big deal. My school also provides calculators for our math tests and they are really cheap ones - I have never had a problem with it registering what I'm typing. I always just look at the screen to make sure the number is what I meant to type. Just double check yourself and take a few deep breaths. There are bigger issues to get worked up about. Also, the school can and will do whatever it wants as far as rules and what you're allowed to use. Fair or not, they could have made you take the test without a calculator, so a crappy one is better than none. The calculator I use actually slows me down a little because I'm not used to using it. I think this ultimately helps me because I'm more likely to double check I'm doing things right.

Neither did I, but it's the spirit of the thing. Usually the first exam in a new class is the hardest for me because I don't know what to expect.

I have always felt this way about handwriting things. I use an iPad for pretty much everything for school, but I take handwritten notes on it. I also tend to make out my own flash cards rather than using an app because something about writing the words on paper help me remember so much more. I'm slower than some people, but taking my own notes has always been part of my learning process!

One big thing that is true for all of the nursing tests I've ever seen is that you have to really READ the questions. If you are allowed to write on your tests, underline things, highlight them, whatever. Know EXACTLY what the question is asking before attempting to answer. Once you think you've got an answer - double check it. Does the answer fit according to things you've learned in your prerequisites? What about with common sense? The best, and my most favorite thing about nursing, is that unlike English class, the common sense answer is almost always right. I really have to think each question through. And once you've taken a test, always review what you've missed if you can. Last year I was extremely worried about the 90 Q comprehensive final. I studied hard and I reviewed my old tests to see what and why I had missed things. You know what? I only missed 2 questions on that test and one of them I had gotten right on a previous test - it was just a factoid and I blanked. Anything and everything that could be figured out with a good thought process, I got right. It gave me a huge headache, but figuring out the answers is tons better than trying to memorize blind facts. If your system doesn't work, change it. Change it until it works. Ask advice from others who've been in your class before or from people on here. There are tons of advice threads. Beating yourself up will only make you feel bad, but finding a system that works for you could improve your grades and your outlook. Here's to being nurses one day!

Today we had our first clinical day! I haven't got the chance to tell anyone about it so I'll tell everyone on here. The floor I was on was pretty chill - no one was running around crazy or anything. My first patient was very nice. We students were paired up to reduce nerves on our first day. It was ok, but I'm actually looking forward to being by myself: I like to take the initiative and I felt like I had to stand back and let the other student do some things. She was kind of nervous/reluctant so it was really hard for me to say "why don't you try this," instead of just doing it all. I'm excited for next week when I have my own patient. There wasn't a lot for us to do because my patient was very independent so I kept walking around asking the nurses and aids if they wanted anything. This ended up getting me two tasks that I wouldn't have otherwise had and I was glad. One of the tasks was rotating and changing the linens for an immobile patient. I hadn't done anything like that before, so I grabbed another student who is a CNA to help. I'm so glad I did. I don't want to invade the patient's privacy, so I will just say he had a lot going on and I wouldn't have been able to handle it. Our instructor came in to help too, which was great because she explained a lot of what was going on for us. My instructor said we all did very well with the computer charting and she kept saying what a great first day we had. I think she really liked us, and we all really liked her too. I think we've got a crack group. I'd say my biggest reflection was this: I've always been told wiping old people's butts is gross and that there are a lot of things in nursing you don't want to do. I know I haven't seen anything really bad, but what I have seen was a very bad, painful looking "diaper rash" as well as incontinence of stool. I didn't feel grossed out by it or anything. I wasn't shocked by seeing an old person. I was just sad that it looked painful and I wanted to help. I'm not one of those people who chose nursing because I'm compassionate; I was a little surprised to find myself having this reaction. I like people, but I mostly love the science and I wasn't really sure how I was going to *feel* about my patients. I expected detachment, but all I felt was gladness that we were there to give this person the care he needed. Even during the poo wiping bits :). I hope to keep this attitude in the future. I work hard to try to feel positively about things because perspective changes how you actually feel about life. Bring on the butt wiping! Over all, if I didn't have so many tests coming up, I would be super excited for next week! Ok so I'm excited anyway, just not about Pharm. Oh, where's my positive attitude: Bring it on Pharm, we got this!

I do not, no.

I feel like I didn't learn anything in Micro. So far I haven't felt at any disadvantage. The funny thing is I got an A in the class, but the teacher was very boring and nothing he said seemed very important. I decided that if at some point it seemed crucial that I know more about micro than I do now, I'm going to have to study it by myself.

Everyone has given you awesome advice. I would like to add that you should seriously look into waitressing (at a GOOD place). Even at Perkins (where I started) I made way more than I would have at an hourly job. Waitressing can have a very flexible schedule and you leave with cash in hand every night. Sometimes it's really hard and sometimes it sucks, but I think it has given me a great base of skill for working with people (which is what nursing is). Even if you want a different job, you could always work as a waitress on the weekends only and bring home an extra $150-200 to help. Oh - I work about 5-6 hours a shift, 5 days a week. I have been living on my own for 3 years and all of it paid for with tips. I also pay my utilities, cell phone and a car payment for a nice car. So don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. It may take you a while to become "comfortable," but you can definitely "get by." I also recommend looking for someone nice (normal) who is just renting a room out or a roommate (also someone normal). It's definitely easier to be roommates with someone you are already friends with. Best wishes to you. You're young, but your post says "I got this." And you do.

KSU!!! I do not go to main. I go to one of the branches. If main won't take you, you could always apply to another branch! I like going to the branch because it is close to my home and it is WAYYYYYYYY cheaper than going to main. Not to mention I HATE driving to Kent. I really like the program so far except for the uniforms - Who wants to wear all white? Ick. In the long run though, if that's all I've got to complain about then I'm not going to be that upset. I am in the second semester of my sophomore year. I feel like time is already flying. I am hoping to graduate in Dec '15 (the branches have kind of a separate accelerated program), but even May '16 will not be bad. Glad to see another possible Kent Stater on here!! GOOD LUCK

How many prereqs does your college have? We only had one year of a four year degree in prereqs (Even then, I think it was only four classes total). It IS hard because a lot of it is not something you can memorize. It is critical thinking and common sense. You have to be able to apply the things you know. Think of it this way - when I was in A&P, I wouldn't memorize every little detail about things. I would look at the big picture and understand how it worked. That way I was able to "figure out" the answers to the questions, rather than just spitting them out in blind memorization. My friend is a hardcore memorizer and she is struggling a little more with nursing because you have to be able to use good judgement and make decisions. It also is a lot of work. I am sure it depends on the school, but I know for my school we have med sheets due, tests every other week, sometimes with no breaks because of the different class schedules, papers due, homework due. I probably do 8 things once a week just to turn in for my Lab (one portion of my main nursing class). I still have things to do for lecture and clinical! I think my school likes busy work, and I lot of it that we have to turn in at the end of the semester, but they want us to do it now so we don't put it off. /sigh. It's definitely a lot of work. I do work and go to school, but it involves a lot of scheduling. I even schedule my homework: What day I am going to do a certain assignment on. It's sad because it's like I am finally relieved on Sunday to have everything done and then I turn around and do it all over again. There is a lot of studying, but if you study smart, it's really not that bad. It's all up to you - Is this what you want? Are you willing to put in the time and energy (there are a lot of both being invested!)? Are you getting Bs and Cs because you aren't working hard enough or because you are trying and can't? If you aren't working hard enough, well you'd better start because you can't slack off in nursing school. If you can't pass the prereqs with As even with studying, nursing may be too hard for you. I don't like to say that, but it is a hard field. I can't tell you how driven you are or what you can do. Only you can do that. Best wishes!