G019

Wow I remember this thread from a while back. It’s beneficial to just focus on yourself. Do whatever you need to succeed through your nursing program so that you can graduate, take your boards, and then move on with your life. Nursing school curriculum in some cases feels like a fantasy land compared to the real world. Just like one poster said, an exam score doesn’t determine a good nurse. Although, exam score can determine if you make it out of your nursing program. People cheat all the time in life. Nothing we can do to stop that. As long as you take care of yourself, and do the right thing. All the best!

The school is what you make of it. The best advice I could give anyone planning to attend WCU Dallas is to have a solid support system outside of the classroom. If you work, consider making adjustments fast because the class scheduling isn't designed for a working student once you start Nursing Core. It's just not folks. The scheduling is too intense to work a Mon-Fri 9-5 / 3 day 12hr shift schedule. The ones who managed struggled. ATI Proctor Exams can be a BEAST if you are not prepared. Failing one can knock your grade down by a whole letter. Don't underestimate the BEAST when it comes to the nursing core classes especially at WCU. At the end, of the day WCU Dallas is only concerned about their NCLEX pass rates. Graduation rates are also important too because it shows how many people were able to complete their program on time.

At the end of the day a BSN from a CCNE institution is a BSN from a CCNE institution. I know a number of WCU grads that work in the peds hospital I work at. I was hired by a WCU grad. A schools name doesn't carry as much weight as your actual RN experience will. You'll still have to get into a hospital residency program after you graduate and will receive more education on how that facility wants you to preform. As for cost it's not the cheapest and they know that. Baylor, SMU, TWU, and TCU are quite expensive as well. College tuition has gone up tremendously over the past few years everywhere! UTAs tuition has doubled within the past several years. Prices will continue to go up because it's a business and there's more demand for higher education. There was once upon a time when you wouldn't need to rely on any type of FinAid to attend a CC but now that's changed. I do think it's easier to get into WCU but harder to stay in. Anything below an 80% on a nursing exam is considered failing and requires mandatory remediation. You need a 76% overall in your nursing core classes to pass. The ATI books you'll be given when you start nursing core are essential. Review the ATIs for each course. I have a close friend that survived on just utilizing the ATIs alone and passed NCLEX with 75 questions. Read your books, ask questions, and take advantage of workshops and tutoring sessions. It's not gonna be a cakewalk. Nursing school is a "different kind of hard." Lol. Just know that there's no utopia nursing school out there just like there's no utopia hospital out there. Just do whatever it takes to get it done.

It's a stable career. I knew a nurse who used her earnings to support her passion of owning her own business not related to healthcare. Once she earned enough in her business to support her family, she left her job. If her business was to ever go belly up, she will always have her nursing career to fall back on. Whenever I get discouraged I remind myself that It's truly a privilege to even be in a nursing program now that they are more competitive (and expensive in some cases) than ever. It's one seat that could have gone to someone who really wanted it. It's a temporary stage in your life. Try to hang in there. If you're absolutely miserable to the point you're considering the unthinkable then it may be necessary to reassess what you want to do with your life career wise.

You may never have to see that woman again. At least for two years. It's irritating I know. You'll encounter people questioning your intelligence ALL the time. Stay gracious. Let your good work speak for itself.

The NCLEX is a practically a bank of 5k test questions. I'm sure it would be quite difficult to remember them all. As one poster said just focus on yourself. As long as it doesn't affect your grades directly just focus on being successful. Good luck!

Exactly because they talk amongst themselves lol. Wouldn't want to be a target.

I can understand that your first day of clinicals may have not been what you would have expected. It is also okay to vent your frustration on a public forum. Try not to take feedback you received here to heart. Consider it constructive advice. im sure many can agree it's far more cut throat in the real world. Having a thick skin is essential. For now humble yourself and try to appreciate the accomplishments you've made so far. You got to crawl before you can walk.

Ultimately I think it's where you work. I've had some nurses although they were kind, run me ragged. I have a hard time saying no. Unfortunately I was use to not having a lunch/bathroom break despite time being deducted from my pay. I gave 100% every shift which leaving me physically exhausted to the point that the heavy workload affected my school. When I started my nursing program, I took an opportunity to work on another unit and I'm happy so far. A handful of the nurses on my unit were former techs on the same unit. That says a lot to me. I know my role as a tech. I chose to be in this role to learn things the textbooks cant teach. Until the day I pass NCLEX, I know I'm not liable for a patients life. I'm here to help them out making sure they have what they need to do their job because they have to deal with the angry Pt/families, laboratory, providers, and other policies that are out in place all the time. I also know if it's been a crazy shift and I haven't had a chance to go to lunch/bathroom, I can inform my charge nurse and with certainty they have no problem with that.

Do what you need to do to get your RN license. It's important that the school you choose is regionally/nationality accredited and in good standing with your state nursing board. In my area there were a few public schools who've had to shut down their nursing program due to low NCLEX scores. Higher education is far more expensive now than a decade ago period. Evaluate your finances to know what debt you may be facing upon finishing. I paid for my prerequisites out of pocket and then took out student loans (federal) for my program due to the demanding class schedule. Cut corners wherever you can financially like renting books etc.

I remember watching a video of an OR nurse who was celebrating her 90th birthday. I believe she still practices to this day. That lady was moving around faster than her colleagues half her age!

I agree with the poster above. Crash Course, Khan Academy, Quizlet, and Easy Notecards are all great resources. It will feel like a lot in the beginning but it's mostly memorization.

If you don't have to work just focus on doing your best in your classes. Maybe closer to graduation you could consider applying for a healthcare position just to get your foot in the door. Best of luck!

Talk to your school. They will know a definite answer for that. This will ensure that if in cases you cannot sit for the boards, you wouldn't have wasted time and money finishing your program.

Like one poster said, if you feel physically capable of doing the work go for it. You've earned your CNA recently correct? Why not seek an opinion from your instructor or other nurses in your area. They can give you a better idea on the employment outlook for older adults in your area. Good luck!