Rekindling Nursing School Process

[Wake88, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone.

I was in nursing school about five years ago. Back then I succeeded in all of my prerequisites and was doing well in my nursing classes during the economic collapse. Life happened; my family was torn apart, and I was no longer able to finish my nursing classes.

Having left the state back then, my school loans grew over the years, and left me about $12,500 in debt. Yesterday I paid it off, having fought and clawed my way up and out of the pit, and systematically shutting down all of the things that had been been destroyed in the past and turned into impediments in my life.

Now I'm working as a certified nursing assistant at Lakeview NeuroRehabilitation Center in Waterford, WI. It's a moderately-sized facility. Been working very hard. 12-hour shifts on the floor day in and day out, sometimes doing 5-8 day stretches with no time for life in-between them. So, I'm dealing. Made a promise to myself that the moment I paid off all my debts it'd be the moment I get the ball rolling on nursing school again.

So yesterday I made an appointment with an adviser at Gateway Technical College in Burlington, WI, and am working through their admission process as time allows.

I've retained all of my nursing books that I purchased back then, as well as the ATI books, but they're outdated, and the nursing credits expire after two years, so I cannot simply transfer back into the nursing program. You can go part-time in their program, though, and it costs about $12,000, which isn't bad since it's for the Associate's degree (it could be more expensive elsewhere).

All said and done, I've come to this website to look for help and advice, as well as suggestions and words of wisdom. Though I passed the placement and TEAS test back then with ease, it turns out I have to re-take both tests because it's been so long, and it's been advised that even if I'm really that good at mathematics, I should take at least one math class.

I need an orificenal, guys (pardon the cheesy wording, please). Study techniques would help. I remember best through repetition, and have created a system to maximize that:

1) Select one coursebook (the sooner the better)

2) Extract all of the multiple choice/etc questions from it (have them on-hand)

3) Additionally, make as many tailor-made questions as you can, that are difficult to answer without a tight grip on the understanding of said course topic

4) Randomize and type up (in a word document) all of those questions, and number them as you wish.

5) Keep a separate answer key and place a blank page over and under it

6) Take a simple black (whatever color) plastic binder, and insert all of those pages. You can double-side them if you want.

7) Put tape over the top of each page so no escaping pages.

8) Make a numbered list with 4+ circles on each line (like the test strips they give you during exams that you fill in with pencil). And make copies of it.

9) Take your own exam tests as often as you want.

10) You can hold onto your earlier exam results to compare your current level of understanding/retainment.

Anyways, that's what I've been doing. Had bought an Epractize software to do all this electronically, but the stupid thing bugged and crashed, so I resorted to paper.

Does this sound good to you? Anything you guys can help me on, please?

[direw0lf, BSN]

Well first congratulations at pulling yourself out of debt, staying passionate about continuing education, and working hard!

So..as for your systematic way thing.

You need a lot of classes. Take it one step at a time imo. Some classes you may not even be using the "required textbooks" anymore like some of the sciences. You won't be starting the core nursing classes yet this year?

My study method is outlining chapters then making index cards, homework helper forums, and youtube if necessary. Also since repetition works for you, you can get a small whiteboard or chalk board and draw/erase over and over like the electrical pathways of the heart for A&P for example.

Also an NCLEX practice book and studying along with that over the course of your nursing years is going to help. There are a lot of good ones out there. I've always liked MOSBY but there's many others.

Not sure I answered your questions, but hope this helps any.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Hi.... bumping thread up as I'm sure there are other students that can provide you with advice.