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10 miles & 15 minutes away, pop is between 300,000- 400,000. I would be appalled if my commute was over 30 minutes, and would rethink the school. Yech. Never want to live in a big city.

This is an interesting thread. Current events, history, you name it. Most importantly, it's Cardiac Dork's thread and terrible experience; he doesn't have to mention the whole world. Very few of us are going through this disaster, and Cardiac may well be quite rested and not emotionally wound up. Cardiac, I hope all is going as smoothly and safely as it can, despite the rain storm still coming down. & I hope you keep updating us!!

I misread the question and voted no. I meant yes, tell the patient. But I'm still in nursing school, too... woops!

I skipped to the end without reading through everything -- but I bought most of my nursing books off Craigslist from nursing students that just had graduated. It was like robbery, these ladies were happy to be paid 20, 30 bucks per book. All books ended up being the editions I needed, luckily. AbeBooks was a good website, too, since I was buying instead of renting. One more thought: you might consider buying a large, cheap(!) plastic storage box for your trunk. Mine has been great for hauling books around during the semester...

Sorry to divert your question, but did you get your school's approval yet? My nursing school doesn't allow controlled substance in students' systems during clincals. Maybe you'd be OK if you get a doctors note saying that your medication won't effect your performance. I'm just curious of you've looked into that? When Googling this topic, I saw that controlled substances can be taken by some nurses in specific cases in Alabama (& only as long as the employer says it's OK)... so, it seems likely that some other states would have similar laws. Wouldn't it be nice to find another remedy before school starts (ha, ha, right)? I'm sure you've tried things, and Tylenol 3 may be best for you. Ugh. Chronic pain interferes with so much! Hope you find a way to manage it all. Good luck.

Hey, that looks pretty great to me! Good job!

Well, Saturday is here so I wonder if this is worth much for you. & I only have anecdotal information, making it of even less value. However, in my area, all the colleges that have BSN programs require the TEAS, whereas the ADN programs in quiet farm-like towns nearby(ish) require the HESI. Based on this discovery, my personal assumption is that the TEAS is the "real deal," as far as toughness goes. Again, this is just my assumption. I never did end up taking the HESI so I can't be certain. If you're scoring that well on your practice exams, that's awesome! How'd the HESI go for you? I hope you did well!

Everyone has been really helpful! Thank you! I'm staying put in the program until the end of the semester and I definitely won't switch to the ADN program. I talked to every one of my teachers and each one understands, though two were puzzled and told me I was doing great (can you guess which classes? Haha). I am still debating on taking an extra semester out of sequence so I can slow down the pace. I might just be in shock. I don't have any intention of being lazy or going for "easy," just slower. Thank goodness for spring break so I can review past content & work ahead without the same tensions.

Sure. Of course. I want to learn the content in my classes, not just be smacked with information that I need more time work with. I've heard the analogy that learning in nursing school is like trying to drink water out of a fire hydrant. Maybe I'll take an extra semester to do pharmacology & a research class on their own. I can extend my program by 2 extra semesters, so that option looks promising to me. I haven't made my mind up. All the same, I appreciate the input.

One more teenie-weenie bit of loser whining -- the patho & pharma classes that are in my program are both higher level classes now than they would be back at the good old community college. This 4 year college that I'm at is accredited, has a fantastic NCLEX pass rate, isn't easy to get into, and has stellar reputation. However, they DO make all students take take 6 credits of garbage classes (not related to nursing what-so-ever) in the summer time. Doubt anyone will cut me any slack though. Nursing school bites! (Not that I expect a whole lot of sympathy, as most of you seem to have made it out alive).

Poop. Thanks guys. I needed a reality check, I guess.

OK, so right now I have an 86% in foundations and an 87% in assessment, but my clinical class and patho are kicking my rear. I can't imagine two years of this. I miss my husband, my cat, my sleep, and I don't want to ruin my marriage (my LIFE) over two years of this. I'm getting 4-5 hours of sleep at night and no longer retaining information. Has anyone jumped out of a BSN program to go ADN successfully? The particular ADN program I want accepted me last fall, but I turned them down to go for the BSN program because all of my prereqs for the BSN program were done & I had my associates degree. My plan, if I do this, would be to bridge to BSN later on. It've done all the incidental classes for the ADN program, so my work load with be significantly reduced each semester. (Ex: 9 credit hours ADN vs 16 BSN, pretty much all 4 semesters through). I'm sure many might think that I'm "being a baby." That's fine. I'm a slow learner and I'm no ashamed. I realize, too, that many ADN programs are soul crushingly tough, also. Any thoughts? Encouragement? Tough advice?

I. Love. This. Site. Thank you both.

Thanks! Iwill do what you say and use it as a learning experience. Prior to this, I felt that I knew enough about depression (and, therefor, somehow, all mental health issues) from my own past experiences & education. Boy. This really makes me hurt for others - & want to learn more. I'm trying to stay cognizant of any mood swings, but (I think) I'm slowly improving. Instead of fearing my workload, I'm really digging the education (and the purpose)! Good sleep makes a hell of a difference.

Argh. I can't edit for typos. Dang. Sorry guys.