Barmherzigkeit

Barmherzigkeit - translated from German means merciful and compassionate. In memory of my sweet mom who I had the honor to care for for 7 years. :)

I'm a 56 year old former Industrial Engineer and Project Manager who was previously accepted into several accelerated 2nd bachelor degree nursing programs in Florida. Having been a full-time caregiver to my mom for 7 years, I wanted to help people with dementia on a professional level. The problem is I've been accepted into (and dropped) 3 programs. All 3 were disorganized messes with confusion about books, remedial dosage calculation problems where the answer keys were wrong, surprise projects not on the syllabus, and confusion about whether or not we would be injecting each other with solutions that may or may not be sterile??? There has GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY TO EDUCATE NURSES. And there needs to be greater focus on nursing students taking care of themselves rather than being stretched like a banjo wire and expected to take care of very ill patients. OMG. This system is in chaos.

Go for it! I'm 57 and started an accelerated BSN program this summer. Before spending $$ on a private school, do look at state universities and community colleges. I'm at a state university and love it.

You can get a great education at a state university or community college for far less money. I think you are wise for questioning the costs of tuition you are currently paying. Before making a change, can you find out if your local community college or state university will allow transfer of your credits? Please make an appointment with an advisor and ask lots of questions.

I had to laugh when I read this because of a story a friend of told me. He was on a cruise with his wife and had too much to drink one night. The next morning, his wife noticed brown stuff shmeared all over the sheets and accused him of pooping himself. Convinced he was not guilty, he first took a sniff, then a taste (too brave in MHO) and discovered it ACTUALLY WAS CHOCOLATE. The housekeeping staff had left chocolates on the pillow which he had drunkenly wallowed in that night and his body heat melted them. I'm laughing as I write this...OMG!

Definartely GO FOR IT! I'm 57 and started a BSN program this summer after being a caregiver for my mom for several years. My cohort has 2 male paramedics making the change to RN. Not only do they brings a wealth of experience to the program, everyone loves them, students and professors. You probably already know how to think critically, so that's a big plus. I wish you the best of luck. God bless. You will be great!!

LOL about seat belting your purse - great idea!

I'm making a life / career change as well in my 50's, and will be starting an accelerated BSN program in May, but if the schools in my area offered a program like the one you are entering, I'd go for it. Good luck to you in the program of your choice.

Back in my days as a banker, I had a client blow up at me because his account was overdrawn. He was incredulous that his account could be overdrawn because, according to him, "I STILL HAVE PLENTY OF CHECKS IN MY CHECK BOOK". I'm almost positive he is in one of these stories, LOL!!!

So, I am super excited about starting an accelerated BSN in two weeks. But my right heel is killing me. Went for a vigorous walk in soft sand on the beach to work my legs today, and now can't walk on the tile floor without cushy flip-flops. My tri-athlete husband says it's plantar fasiciatis. He had the same thing last year. In addition to special insoles and Motrin, any advice? Thank you.

OP, this is so common and there is nothing "wrong" with you. You just need to learn new study and test taking strategies. Luckily there is lots of good advice here. When I was taking microbiology, the tests (in NCLEX style) seemed really difficult at first. I had always been an "A" student like you, but this was different. So I talked with my professor about my concerns and she explained part of the problem was just over-thinking the questions. Okay, so how do you NOT over think? My professor told me to limit my analysis to the information in the question. If a component was not in the question, don't consider it. I eventually learned to focus only on the question and to trust my FIRST instinct about the answer. My anxiety lightened and my scores improved. In addition to all the great advice in this thread, please talk to your professor and let him/her know what is happening sooner rather than later. Many will listen and try to help you. Good luck to you - you can do this!

I appreciate all of your comments. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks for all the great comments, reassurance, and advice. You guys are the best!!!

Hi Roisin, I'm Lori Stanton. We met at the BLS/CPR class at UNF. Finally got MyCE approved. Paperwork glitch. Whew!! See you in May!!

I just saw this thread. I was accepted into the APL summer 2017 cohort. WOOOO! My name is Lori Stanton. When you print the "last 6 pages" of the nursing handbook, it's actually the LAST 7 pages (50-56), unsigned. Also, be sure to bring pages 8 & 9 of the APL welcome letter, filled out, with exam (2 pages) paper clipped. Can't wait to meet all of you at Taking Flight on the 4th and 5th.

I'm still only a NIT (Nurse in Training), but have experienced a similar scenario in the world of academic administrative offices. A young MBA in my office was just like the person you are describing, only she wasn't at risk of killing anyone, just irritating them to the "N"th degree. Even though I had 16 years of operations management experience, she thought she was God's gift to our department. She would always "strike" when the department manager was out and berate me for doing "horrible" things like reading procedure manuals or visiting another department to learn how to do a new process. The third time she pulled this stunt, I looked her in the eye, calmly told her she was out of line, and made it clear her behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated. Next I reported her to management for workplace intimidation. She got in trouble and soon found out her $**t actually did stink. Two months later, I was approached about an internal promotion to get me out of that department. I took the promotion and pay raise! I think the key is to 1) document incidents (dates, times, what happened, any witnesses); 2) document when and if the incident was reported to senior management; 3) if the problem person pounces on you, you have a well documented trail of a "trend" rather than a single incidence of a problem. Good luck to you. I hope to have a preceptor like you when I get to clinicals! :) Hugs.

LOL! Snarky, but funny. 😜

Does anyone have advice for what to do after clinical? Lysol shoes, wash uniform, shower and shampoo hair...anything else? I heard not to bring shoes in the house to protect pets, family, etc. What is a recommended routine? Thank you!!!

POI? Negative!

I'm 57 and entering an accelerated 2nd Bac program in May, 2017. You can do it, too. The pre-reqs were tough, but I took mine at a community college. Small classes, great profs, and I loved it. The life experience you have can't be taught in a classroom, so I think you have an advantage in terms of patient interaction. And make friends with your younger classmates. They are smart and amazing with technology. Study together. They will learn from you, too. Synergy is better than going solo. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Thank you, Double-Helix, for the link. Rose_Queen, thank you for the good news about the computerized order entry in your facility. I hope it's like that when I get to clinicals.

I've been studying for the dosage calculation math we will be doing in nursing school and read about what is considered "unacceptable abbreviations". For example, it says doctors should write out "discontinue" or "discharge" rather than "D/C" because it eliminates confusion and improves patient safety. I like this idea because I think abbreviations can be confusing. From what you have seen, is this being done?

OP, I understand how you feel, but try not to take the instructor's criticism personally. They are not directing it at you, but rather at a behavior. Still, respect needs to come from both sides and neither a student or an instructor should be rude. With regard to going to the dean, I've worked for three college deans and have seen many unhappy students. If you plan to take your concern to the dean, they will expect you to have tried to work it out with the instructor first. You'd be surprised how many instructors will listen to you if you just make an appointment and talk to them about how you feel in a professional and respectful manner. Don't get emotional, and take notes with you so you can provide one or two specific examples: you don't want the instructor to feel you are beating them up, but rather are just bringing something to their attention. Start out with something nice to say about them: I'm enjoying your class and really liked it when you taught us about (blank), and then say "but I need to talk with you about a concern" (refer to the specific example in your notes) because it made me feel (embarrassed). I know correction is important, but I'd appreciate having it addressed privately next time." Maybe she will agree with you and will appreciate you bringing it to her rather than going over her head. If that doesn't work, consult the Ombudsman's office at your university. They have trained people who will objectively help you arbitrate this problem. If you have documentation (notes or email with specific behaviors or actions on specific dates/times/locations) of trying to work this out with the instructor, the Ombudsman's office can arrange for you, the instructor, and an Ombudsman's representative to sit down together and discuss both sides of the issue: yours and your instructors, and help each person see the others point of view as well as offer advice on how to resolve the problem. If that doesn't work, and you've carefully documented everything, then it is time to ask for an appointment with the department chair, and if that still doesn't resolve the issue, ask for an appointment with dean and bring all your careful documentation of everything. Good luck to you.

Thanks for understanding, CaliSarah, it helps to know someone else can relate. I'm starting to feel better about this now and am going to continue with the program. Good luck to you as you finish your program and also with your pursuit of an online business. I don't know how to start an online business, but can recommend a good book for successful business practices called "Thou Shalt Prosper" by Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

Thanks, but I wasn't asking for help making a decision, just stating how I feel and asking if anyone could relate.