Evening_Primrose

Edited: Sorry, wrong post.

I have to admit this made me laugh. I had no idea that ANY kind of nursing (outside of movies and TV) is glamorous.

By CSCC, do you mean Columbus State Community College? If you do, please be sure to check with Health & Human Services advising because I believe if you don't pass it the 2nd time with at least a 75, you cannot apply to the nursing program at all, even after a year. I double checked the nursing page on the school website, and they are still saying that is true. See here: http://www.cscc.edu/academics/departments/nursing/PDF/Admission%20Assessment%20Info.pdf Most exam books are going to give you an idea of the kinds of topics you'll find, but none are going to tell you everything that will be on the test. Which sections gave you the most trouble? I'd look at those and watch some youtube videos on those topics and do some online practice questions with those in mind. Good luck.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

So I saw this previous post about shoes to wear for overweight nurses & students. I'm going to look into some of the suggestions, but after so long some of the links are dead and there could be new styles from new people. I hope y'all don't mind a new thread. I've lost quite a bit of weight, but still have quite a bit to go (WLS coming up over the summer). In the meantime, I'm hauling a lot of pounds during nursing school. I have a pair of Grasshoppers for this semester (1st semester nursing school, so only 4 hour clinicals), but I want to get some suggestions for when my clinical time doubles next semester. So, any ladies (overweight or not) want to throw out some new suggestions for things that have or haven't worked for you? Thanks a bunch.

You can do this!

I'm starting an ADN program in 3 weeks so I'll be reading every word posted in this thread. Thanks to everyone who participates.

Honestly, I've read a lot of threads here and many of them have to do with things that are overheard by nurses. Things they've heard doctors say, families of patients say, etc and I can't recall anyone being castigated about eavesdropping before quite like this. Honestly, I can practically see some people clutching their pearls and shrieking "Well, I nevah!"

I think this sounds like a great idea. Also, I'm not a nurse yet but a few of my best friends are nurses. One of them went straight from nursing school to working at an insurance company doing case management. She makes as much money as the other nurses I know who work bedside. One of other nurses I know quit bedside nursing to be on an Ask-a-Nurse line and makes as much as she did bedside minus the shift differential. Now, of course, there's no guaranteeing these "non-bodily-fluid" jobs, but some people don't work directly with patients as nurses. Good luck no matter what you choose.

I saw this today and thought of this thread... 29 Very Successful People Who Didn’t Make It Big Until Later in Life - Mic

I *so* love this and may steal it :)

I have to admit, that made me laugh out loud when I read it. I'm easily amused but a good old emphatic "YOUR DUMB" is one of the internet's little gifts.

I've been accepted to my program and will start in August. I won't consider myself a nursing student until the first day of class. Right now I'm pre-nursing in my mind but I don't have any issue with someone who is in my same boat considering themselves a nursing student.

When I took mine we were not allowed to bring a calculator, but there was a basic calculator built into the testing program that you were able to utilize. Good luck!

My program required that we take a CNA class and become state tested, but we don't have to actually BE a CNA. I don't have any professional experience (I took care of both of my grandparents - one w/Alzheimer's and bedbound) and at orientation my nursing advisor told me that was fine. She said that sometimes their best students were full of experience and sometimes they had none. She said that some people with experience have already developed "bad habits" they need broken so in that way I'm fine. Two of my good friends graduated 2 years ago from different nursing programs. Neither had previous experience and (like you) they stayed with their non-medical job all through nursing school because it worked with their schedule. Neither one of them have had trouble finding work. I don't start my program until August so take that for what it's worth - anecdotal data. Others may come with anecdotal data saying the opposite. I'm not sure there's a "right" answer.

My program starts in August and they told us in our orientation that we actually won't have textbooks at all. We're getting software only to the tune of $1300 for the first semester and then $800 for the 2nd semester. Supposedly after that, no more charges for books/programs. Either way you decide, I feel for you. It's expensive!

Congrats to you! I'm starting my program in the fall as well so I know how excited you must be. Have you had an orientation yet? You might want to hold off until you do before you starting buying too much. Each program is different, and I think the best indicator of what you'll need will be what your instructors from your program tell you. That's not to say that people won't come in with some great tips! I would just file those away as things you're open to purchasing once you've had your orientation. Congrats again!

One of the most important books I've ever read. I think it should be mandatory reading for every high school student in America.

Math isn't my favorite, but I thought the math part was pretty easy. It's pretty basic math: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percents, and ratios. There are practice tests: Free HESI A2 Test Prep - HESI A2 Practice Test HESI A2 Practice Test - Free HESI Exam Practice Questions Good luck!

I agree with both commenters before me. The moment you decide you want to be a nurse you have to take all classes seriously. You're applying to get into a competitive program no matter where you apply. THEY won't care why you didn't do well, only that you didn't succeed. YOU, on the other hand, do need to know why you didn't do well. Is it the subject matter itself? If it is, that could be problematic since science courses are a large part of nursing. Was it the circumstances? Working too much? Outside obligations? Didn't study? Boyfriend/girlfriend taking up too much time? You need to sit down and be HONEST with yourself about why you didn't do as well as you could have in these courses. You need to figure out exactly where it broke down so you can figure out your next move.

Wow, he does sound like kind of a jackass oaf. While the first example shows signs of him being completely tone deaf to cultures other than his own (most likely because of the privilege has has and doesn't consider), I'm not sure it would rise to discrimination. Part of me even wonders if he thinks he's being inclusive by acknowledging their culture in the learning? The second comment I find more repulsive because (it seems to me) he should know exactly how that comes across and simply doesn't care that it makes him sound like a creeper weirdo. I think my reaction would have been a loud "Woooooow" with a shake of my head and my mouth hanging open while looking at him. Maybe on the wrong day I might have even said "I hope for your sake she doesn't think that's as offensive at it sounded to the rest of us because she might be on her way to report you." I doubt he'd care, but maybe he'd think twice for the future. Maybe an email to the department chair might be an idea if it's still bothering you.

Edited: Never mind, not worth arguing about.

I've not heard of any schools making you take the part over that you failed, but you might want to check with your school to be sure. The information I've seen from most schools is that you have to pass with a cumulative score of 75. So, in that case, if you failed one part and did well enough on the rest to get an overall 75, you pass. You might search youtube for HESI anatomy prep and watch those. If you're pretty strong with the other 6 parts, I would imagine you'll do okay overall.

Chemistry, anatomy/physiology, reading, math, vocabulary, grammar, and biology. There are practice guides and tests here: HESI A2 Practice Test - Free HESI Exam Practice Questions and here Free HESI A2 Test Prep - HESI A2 Practice Test I also looked at some youtube prep videos to help me. Some others will most likely come along with some book advice to turn to, but I didn't use any study guide books. When I took mine it had been years since I'd had a biology or anatomy class so I worried most about those parts. Still, with not much studying (I was taking a full course load that semester) I passed with an 89 cumulative score. Take the practice exams and see where you are and what parts you need to study the most. Good luck!

Congrats! Good luck.