princessmogan

I know in school we had a very long discussion on this very topic (refusing/comfort levels) and we were told it was not ok to refuse, however never to do anything you weren't comfortable with (ie:above) - tell a shift manager, boss, anyone your reasons and that should be good enough. Thats too bad!

Thank you!

Hi! I, too, need to go in and take it a second time (waiting on my 46 days to be up). Any helpful advice? And, what exactly is your study guide called? Megan

Hi Laura...congrats on your upcoming graduation! Let me tell you what we did and then offer my two cents: For our LPN graduation we did an incredibly cheap and simple ceremony: dress was casual, everyone brought a salad, side dish or dessert and meat for a BBQ was donated by a local company (there where only probably about 60 in attendance in all). This was all done in a local park (free). Everyone bought their own pins - everything from fancy to $1 pins bought online or found in a used store. Everything lasted about an hour and a half. Everyone ate while the instuctors called out the names of graduates, they came to the front of the gazebo, were pinned, and that was that! Now, we did a total 360 for our RN graduation: Dress was semi formal (or as one person put it "professional"). The class (of about 45) donated $20 each and a local auditorium was rented for the ceremony. There were two simple flower arrangements on stage. The class sat in chairs on stage while the audience watched. The ceremony began with a slide show from the previous two years (disposable cameras were purchased early on with some of the money for people to use when that kodak moment arose), progressed on to an opening speech by the nursing director, welcome from the top student, pinning of students (we each wrote our own ambitions to be read at this time by an instructor), the nursing prayer was read by a chosen student, invitation to cake and punch in the basement was given to audience and we all walked out to "Time of Your Life" - Green Day. We then all proceeded downstairs for cake and punch. Punch was simple and cake came from Cosco. One student was in charge of each thing. Unfortunately we had a committee of about four close friends that took it upon themselves to give this huge production, but looking back, it doesn't matter - it's only about an hour and a half of your life and you soon get over it. It wasn't the hilight of my career, but a good end to the program. If it were me I would have kept it more simple. The park & BBQ idea is my preference, but it all depends on what the class wants. I say keep it as simple or as elegant as your budget allows. Consider snacks, cake & punch, a dinner, etc. Make the pinning special! Good luck!

I believe this may be what you heard of: http://www.nclex-test.com/ I have been to this site again and again and debate every time on whether to make the purchase, but at tight times like now, can't bring myself to spend the $40. If you do purchase or make another purchase related to it, please let me know what you think. I need to retake my NCLEX-RN and am scared to death! Good luck!

I agree, there are definitely some people who have no place in nursing school. However, I beg to differ on the subject of tutoring. I had a tutor in my first term of A&P. She was a nursing student who had been straight A's throughout pre-req's and so far in nursing school and she taught the material in such a different aspect. It was great to have that second insight. Everyone learns differently. For me, it was extremely helpful. I can see how butt kissing and cheating may ultimately upset another (believe me - been there, done that): our class was full of kiss-ups and cheaters!

I really wish our school had required us to complete a CNA course before ever thinking of applying to nursing school. We spent our entire first term making beds, feeding one another, assisting w/ambulation, and other nonsense. Was it helpful? Yes. Was it necessary? No. We could have taken that 11 week span to learn PN anf RN tasks, knowledge, etc. They keep threatening the new classes coming in to have their CNA, but never make it a requirement.

Well said! I'm sorry you had to leave your ADN program, but it sounds like you found your niche in the BSN program - way to go!

During our first year of classes in the nursing program, it was made clear to us that some of us "weren't cut out to be nurses" and that they did have techniques to 'weed out' students. Their method was by observing, ERI testing & clinical performance. Basically the rule was, one strike in any area and you're out. It's not exactly fair, but definitely happens! I barely made it through my first year, fought my way back into the program during the summer and absolutely soared the second year. Granted, in that time period we had a change of staff, change in cirriculum and lots of visits from the state board of nursing. The best advice I can offer anyone feeling picked on, not up to par, or being the target of getting ousted from the program is this: KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH, DO YOUR BEST, STUDY & PROVE TO YOUR INSTRUCTORS THAT YOU DESERVE TO AND WANT TO BE THE BEST STUDENT AND NURSE EVER!!! (I proved it by visiting the head of the program weekly and asking for feedback, emailing my instructors and asking for feedback and help constantly, and checking my overall grades weekly to make sure I was still at a great passing level - I also had a study partner for each test, and made sure I knew exactly what was expected of me and voiced my concerns if I did not agree.