HolisticRN2016

Yes, a bit unprofessional; however, at my school the dress code is STRICTLY enforced. If a student even shows up for clinical Inappropriately there is no way my instructor would even let them participate. At my school there would never even be a need for this email because we already know the deal and the instructor would have dealt with the "violators" one on one. We don't get kudos for being in uniform. It's expected. Tattoos? Fake nails? Piercings? Ha! No way. Even our socks have to be white. They even tell us that our hair has to be in "naturally occurring shades" only. Maybe you're school isn't enforcing it as strictly as they think they are.

Just turned 41 and am starting my 2nd semester. Yes, this is a career change for me as well. I've been a hairstylist forever. It's gonna be hard work and these classes will bend and stretch you beyond what you could ever imagine. This is the first time in my life that I am working towards something and it feels like it's EXACTLY what I should be doing! Good luck you can do it!

I just turned 41 and am starting my 2nd semester! Shout out to the 40 and over crew! Ha! We got this!

Congrats! I just finished my first semester! Can't WAIT to get to where you are! Yaaaaay! Good luck to you!

Also, I forgot to add that we received a schedule of classes/exams/labs/clinicals over the summer during orientation before school actuallly started. I also started off the beginning of the semester working my full time job (I'm a hairstylist) but once clinicals started I had to cut back to 2 days a week. I honestly cannot afford to work any less than this but I'm not sure what next semester will bring. We got a "glimpse" of the schedule and most people are complaining that they will be unable to work. As a hairstylist I am able to make my own schedule, but trust me,as much as my clients love me, I realize that they need stability as well. And forget if I have an exam to study for. I may take off a few days before just to study. But the bottom line is that nursing school is my focus, so I've already accepted that I may lose a few people. I feel bad though because I've done some of these clients hair for years!

My school offers the online program, but honestly after just completing my 1st semester, I have no idea how or why (other than convenience)anyone would want to do this. Nursing school is grueling(and fun) but the VOLUME of information that you are required to know can be quite challenging (especially if you're like me and don't have a previous history in the medical field). There is no way I could've kept up with the workload if I did this online. I barely kept up in person. lol

As someone stated you will find out all that you need from your school. but please please please get comfortable shoes for clinicals.I am just finishing up my first semester. We had to wear white shoes and I figured it would only be twice a week so I just got some cheap white pumas for 40 bucks. My feet were killing me. Literally. I sucked it up the entire semester because I could not afford to get another pair, but I will definitely be asking Santa for some comfy Nikes. Lol. I've been a good girl!

I am currently finishing up my first semester in an ADN program. Yesssssssss! Lol... My schedule for this semester was: Fundamentals of Nursing-6 credits monday 8-11, Wednesday 8-10 Professional Nursing as a Role-1 credit Mondays only 12-1 Health Assessment & Promotion-2 credits Tuesdays only 9-11, plus a lab that follows which is from 11:30-1 Thursday- lab from 8-11 The semester started around the last week of August and we started clinicals the 3rd week of October. Clinicals were on Thursday AND Friday from 7-3 for 5 weeks. The first 2 weeks we went to long term care (nursing home) and then the next 3 weeks we went to acute care (hospital). Clinicals ended the week before Thanksgiving. When we returned from the thanksgiving break, we resumed our regular lab schedule of Thursday only 8-11. In between alllll of that were papers, exams, quizzes, projects and a whooollllllle lotta studying. Good luck! You can do it!

Hello all! So happy I made it thru my 1st semester of nursing school (well actually I have 2 finals next week and then I'm done). It was grueling but 1 semester down 3 more to go. Anywho, I am completely terrified about the next class. We will be learning more of the "how's" and "why's"of oxygenation, homeostasis,perfusion and metabolism. First of all, I've already "heard" that second semester is the one that most students fail. While I am great at memorization, I realize that this class will require a shift and more than just memorizing things and that scares me. I never liked chemistry and although I got b's in my pre reqs, I never quite grasped the concepts of the detailed workings of the body. Again, I can memorize the pathway of blood to the heart and lungs, but to explain exactly what or why it's happening.... I really Couldn't tell ya!. My school is offering an 8 hour orientation over the Xmas break BEFORE the class starts to get us acclamated (sp?) and they've given us an assignment to do BEFORE the orientation. Some of the questions on the assignment reference PTH, and what is the purpose of t3 and t4... I literally looked at these questions and thought I'm screwed. I know this information is critical to becoming a nurse and just giving bed baths and doing assessments and giving medication isn't gonna cut it. I'm afraid that I will have trouble comprehending and applying this information to nursing care. We were also told that we should review a&p. I don't know what to do. I have no problem memorizing things but I often walk away with little understanding. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I will be finishing my 1st semester on Wednesday. Two words... No sleep.lol

Just started nursing school this semester. I haaaaaaaaate these questions..I've been getting them right though so far, but I'm only in fundamentals. I imagine that there only gonna get harder

I just finished my 4th week/1st semester (ADN). I love it but It is soooooooooo hard. I have to be extremely organized. And reading? It's impossible. I record the lectures and re-listen to them while I take notes on my power point and then I study the power point and notes. I only goto the book for clarification/understanding. Got a 95 on my first dosage test (can only get one wrong. 2wrong is considered failing the test) and received an 88 on my 1st fundamentals exam. While I was happy with the 88, I was kinda hoping for higher since I studied ad nauseum. I love school.but Money is definitely tight. My boyfriend works full time, I work part time and we are still struggling. I currently work Thursday and Friday but soon clinicals will start and guess what days they will be on?you guessed it. Thursday and Friday. Not sure what I will do then. I'm pretty much willing to let my life fall apart (within reason) while I'm in school. I know people work full time while going to school but I'm not that disciplined. The schedule is very erratic at school. Our classes are obviously the same every week but between supplemental instruction classes, exam prep, open lab, travel time, etc..... My schedule is all over the place. I feel like I'm settling into my "groove". I enjoyed pre reqs, but NOW I'm officially feeling like a real nursing student.

Me toooooooooo cracklingKaren! Had a fun summer though! Lol

Nursing school starts in 12 days and I've started reading some of my fundamentals book. I realize that I remember verrrry little of my pre reqs. ESPECIALLY chemistry. I'm reading about acid/base, electrolytes and I'm like huh? What? I barely understood these things when I actually took the class. Will they go over some of these things when school starts or should I already know this? I don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

What is crne or cprne?

Thank you for your response. What is JC?

Does anyone know if there is a need for nurses that know sign language? I started taking ASL classes a couple of years ago before I decided to do nursing(just because I love it). I thought that I wanted to be an interpreter, but decided not to go that route. I eventually decided that I wanted to become a nurse and will be starting an ADN program in a few weeks. Anywho, my love and passion for sign language still exists and I'd really like to return to it once I finish with this degree. I'd like to know if there is some way that I can combine the 2. What happens when patients are deaf? Do they write things down? Is there an interpreter on staff?

I just checked mine.still under review. Grrrrrrrrrrr...

I did not even know that I had to take the teas test until about a week or less before I had to take it. I used the ati testing book and found that it pretty much covered the same type of material on the test. I found though it had a lot of life science and earth science questions on it. There was a&p but Not a lot of a&p which is what I was expecting. I passed with a 71.3, (only needed a 70 to pass). Not the greatest score, but not bad to have only studied 3 days before the test. If you use that ati testing book you should be fine.

My mom just retired from nursing. I will be starting an ADN program in the fall. I started a page on FB to support nursing students. I'd sure love to have some of you seasoned nurses on there to help us through the journey. facebook.com/nursingstudentssupportgroup

I am thoroughly enjoying this thread. I am starting a program in the fall and just turned 40. I have learned from reading this thread that one should do WHATEeEEEEEver one wants to do in this life. You only get one. I'm even more excited about becoming a nurse.

I'm 40 and just figuring out what I wanna be when I grow up! Lol. I Will be starting an ADN program in the fall. You should give it another try if that's where your heart is. I have a son your age. He also knows already what he wants to do as well. I wish I was this focused at this age. Good luck to you!

I am beginning an ADN program in the fall and after attending orientation last month they make you feel like it's impossible to work. I am a hairstylist and I can pretty much make my own schedule (I work for myself) but the reality is, most of my clients want to come between 3-7 wed-fri and on Saturday. Because school is pretty much mon-fri 8-3, I don't see how I can maintain my work schedule. I will probably work Saturdays and Sundays only but during the week will be the only time i have to study. I've made arrangements so that bills are not a "huge" problem, but I will definitely need to work at least 2 days a week. I feel embarrassed seeing so many success stories of people working full time and school full time. I'll admit, as I have in another thread, I have poor study habits and am not as organized as I'd like to be and am completed addicted to Netflix. But because I know this about myself, I am working very diligently this summer to prepare for school. I purchased a planner and plan on filling it up with school time/studying/family time (boyfriend and a 4 year old stepdaughter. My son is away in college)and again, working 2 days a week for me will probably be plenty. In spite of these challenges, my passion to become a nurse far outweighs my poor study habits and love for Netflix . Hats off to you full time working students! I'm very impressed at how you balance It all! SALUTE! This has been an inspiring thread.

I'm inspired by your desire to start a second career. I too am starting a second career (just turned 40) and have similar fears! We only live this life ONE time. Goooooo for it!! I was wondering though, if you resign from your job will you be losing retirement benefits? And while I'm excited about my career change, the reality I keep hearing about there not being a nursing shortage is quite discouraging but I know that I will find someplace to work. I'm proud of you! And I'm sure your grandmother would be too.

Yes! I know it seems like I've given up before the fight has started:),but not just yet! The other thing that I didn't mention is that I am 40 years old.... And ummmmmm, I don't have a plan B so I know I need to be SUPER focused and organized. I always start off strong then fall into old habits (ie, studying in the bed while my boyfriend watches netflix:no:, checking facebook every hour and blah blah blah). Anyway as you said, I realize what my issue is which is why I'm really trying to get it together. I watched one of the videos that pmabraham posted (LBCC-how to remember for tests) it was extremely helpful! I'm gonna check out some more tomorrow! I also purchased a daily planner (separate from my personal one) just for school so that I can map out study time/family time etc..anywho, ok I'm rambling. Good luck to you too! We got this! I ordered my uniform 2 weeks ago and it's in! Woooohoo! It's feeling more official.