I can finally start writing again. It has been 2 years since that last post and I am now a licensed RN working on a very busy telemetry floor.
If you are still a student, take comfort in knowing that it will pay off someday. Here is an update:
I started the actual nursing courses in the summer of 2008 while I was living with my husband and working part time at a very popular department store. By January I had moved into my own place and began working full time to pay my bills. I averaged only one day off per month between work, school, and clinical. That day off was usually a national holiday where the store was closed. Most days I went to school and then worked after. I saw my kids in between for a couple hours before starting over again.
My grades hovered around low B's and high C's but I was still in the tops of my class. Which explains how difficult these classes are. Last July I went further and took a position as an extern at a hospital. The pay is the same as patient care associate which is half what a nurse makes, but $3 more an hour than the department store. I was required to work at least 3 days a month, but I impressed the nurse manager with my "go-getter" attitude and she let me work one day a week.
I survived on meager wages and credit cards. The last of my credit ended in the December of 2009 which is when I finally graduated. Hooray! I don't know how, but I graduated with honors. It is only because I had straight A's in my prereq that I was able to make honors. My few C's in nursing were seriously bringing down my GPA. My nurse manager, now, wanted me to work 2 days a week and I happily obliged. What a blessing to be able to work two 12 hour shifts a week for more money, not to mention the experience.
The permission for me to take my NCLEX exam came in February, and I jumped at the first opportunity. 75 questions, and some nausea and vomiting, later I was a licensed RN. YES!!!!! Now my life will be so much better.......
And it is in some ways. I was hired by the same floor and completed orientation at the end of May. I work three day shifts a week. My children are reconnecting with me, and my youngest (14) is with me every single minute that I am not at work or school. He is quite clingy at the moment, but I will allow it since I neglected them for so long. We snorkel the reefs on my days off, and we watch alot of movies. I have started to read for pleasure again, and my interest in writing has returned, not to mention music, art, photography, fitness, and LIFE.
I am attending classes towards my BSN, but do not like having to sit in class for eight hours every Wednesday. Next semester I will be taking my classes online so I can better schedule my days. It was difficult getting into the swing of my classes this semester. There is a research, theory, and writing. When I think of writing, I really would rather focus on fiction but I am discovering that I really could get into research. I'm good at it, who knows where it could lead. If I go full time I could have my BSN by next summer, but I may skip it and head straight into my MSN. It is an option my university offers and I am seriously considering it.
Transitioning into my role as a new nurse is my biggest challenge at the moment. I have good days and I have bad days. I have found that no one wants to hear me complain but I need to get it off my chest. I plan on blogging about it, but anonymously. I do not want to violate any confidentiality, yet I do want others to learn from my mistakes and take comfort in my victories. So, do a search for nursing blogs and you may find me there. Good luck to you and all of your endeavors. You can do it!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Friday, August 8, 2008
The end of process 2
Well, I'm still in the program. Woo Hoo! I did much better on this final exam than I did on the process 1 exam. Many people did not.
My car pool buddy failed, and decided that nursing is not for her. I feel bad for her because she put in alot of time with the pre-requisites. Some classmates dropped the class before the final exam because the grades were too close to call. (If we fail 2x, we have to go to LPN school before we can come back to RN school. I believe you can drop the classes as many times as you need. It is just a waste of time and money.)
At least 10 classmates had to drop in the 2nd week because they failed the math test twice. We have a math exam at the beginning of every new class. If we fail, we have to drop the class. This is good because we really want to be nurses that give the right amount of medications to our patients. It is bad for students who have test anxiety, but they need to get it together.
There was a rumor going around that there were only 50 spots for the GIGU class so the professors were making the exams harder. Our professor advised us that this is not true, but several people chose to believe it anyway. It doesn't really matter.....study, study, study, and then study things they don't tell you to study. That is the only way to pass these exams. I thought the final exam was very fair. It was tough, but fair.
We have 10 days off, but one of those days we need to go to the lab and return demo/practice our skills for GIGU. So therefore, I still have some studying to do. I have started the reading list for the next class. This textbook seems to be written on a higher level, so it should be interesting.
I did not request more hours for work because I believe that I need some down time with the kiddos. Take it when you can get it right? I hope to post more about the actual classes now that we only have one to focus on at a time. I'll keep you updated! Blessing to all!
My car pool buddy failed, and decided that nursing is not for her. I feel bad for her because she put in alot of time with the pre-requisites. Some classmates dropped the class before the final exam because the grades were too close to call. (If we fail 2x, we have to go to LPN school before we can come back to RN school. I believe you can drop the classes as many times as you need. It is just a waste of time and money.)
At least 10 classmates had to drop in the 2nd week because they failed the math test twice. We have a math exam at the beginning of every new class. If we fail, we have to drop the class. This is good because we really want to be nurses that give the right amount of medications to our patients. It is bad for students who have test anxiety, but they need to get it together.
There was a rumor going around that there were only 50 spots for the GIGU class so the professors were making the exams harder. Our professor advised us that this is not true, but several people chose to believe it anyway. It doesn't really matter.....study, study, study, and then study things they don't tell you to study. That is the only way to pass these exams. I thought the final exam was very fair. It was tough, but fair.
We have 10 days off, but one of those days we need to go to the lab and return demo/practice our skills for GIGU. So therefore, I still have some studying to do. I have started the reading list for the next class. This textbook seems to be written on a higher level, so it should be interesting.
I did not request more hours for work because I believe that I need some down time with the kiddos. Take it when you can get it right? I hope to post more about the actual classes now that we only have one to focus on at a time. I'll keep you updated! Blessing to all!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Backpack woes...
I like to be prepared. I also like to read during breaks or whenever I get the chance. This calls for a lot of books. A lot of books call for bookbags. I also need to tote whatever I may need from my normal purse. And lunch. I like to eat, and I like to do it every couple of hours if I can't eat continuously. During 12 hour days this calls for a larger lunch bag than the one I purchased. Clinical supplies also need to be brought to class. Not to mention office supplies, notebooks, tape recorder, phone, headphones, and on and on and on......
Anyway, most days I bring 2 rolling cases, a lunch bag, purse, and tote. I leave one case in the trunk to switch out during lunch, but carry my lunch because it will boil in the trunk and as I said......I like to eat continuously. This is seriously too much to carry. I added my bandage bag for clinical and now it is just a disorganized mess. This started my search for the perfect rolling bag solution.
One of my classmates uses a rolling "milk crate" (for lack of a better term). It folds flat, and holds a ton of stuff (lunch cooler on top). Unfortunately he already broke it. So that was not going to be an option for me. I started searching for tackle boxes, tool boxes, coolers, anything with compartments that will also hold food. I told everyone that when I designed the perfect bag I would make a billion dollars selling it to students and then would probably quit nursing school to run the business. No need to be so hasty because I think I found the perfect bag.
It is from zuca.com. It is pretty much a rolling softsided locker. You can sit on the top because it has a super cool metal seat that will hold 300 lbs. "Ah ha," I thought, "I can put a pretty big lunch cooler on that baby!" As I was searching through the accessories I found that zuca already made a lunch bag that will attach to the handles, or will fit inside. YES!!!! But wait, there's more....
There is a backpack/organizer thing that will attach to the handles also. So I can fit supplies in there and because it attaches I still don't have to carry anything. There is a ton of pockets so I can throw my phone and wallet inside. But wait, there's more...
There are 2 rows of wheels so you can pull this baby upstairs instead of taking the elevator. There are all kinds of neat colors and combinations, I love it. My only problem is that I would like the pro version because of the packing inserts. (I can organize my clinical supplies inside.) But the pro version does not come with the same wheels and little pockets like the sport version. I emailed the company to see if I could order the inserts separately, and am eagerly awaiting their reply. The next down fall is the price. It is super pricey, especially if I order the cooler, backpack, and inserts.
Thinking ahead I can always use a zuca for travelling, presentations, sporting events, beach trips, visiting nursing supplies and a whole bunch of other stuff. When I do well on this exam I may just treat myself!
Anyway, most days I bring 2 rolling cases, a lunch bag, purse, and tote. I leave one case in the trunk to switch out during lunch, but carry my lunch because it will boil in the trunk and as I said......I like to eat continuously. This is seriously too much to carry. I added my bandage bag for clinical and now it is just a disorganized mess. This started my search for the perfect rolling bag solution.
One of my classmates uses a rolling "milk crate" (for lack of a better term). It folds flat, and holds a ton of stuff (lunch cooler on top). Unfortunately he already broke it. So that was not going to be an option for me. I started searching for tackle boxes, tool boxes, coolers, anything with compartments that will also hold food. I told everyone that when I designed the perfect bag I would make a billion dollars selling it to students and then would probably quit nursing school to run the business. No need to be so hasty because I think I found the perfect bag.
It is from zuca.com. It is pretty much a rolling softsided locker. You can sit on the top because it has a super cool metal seat that will hold 300 lbs. "Ah ha," I thought, "I can put a pretty big lunch cooler on that baby!" As I was searching through the accessories I found that zuca already made a lunch bag that will attach to the handles, or will fit inside. YES!!!! But wait, there's more....
There is a backpack/organizer thing that will attach to the handles also. So I can fit supplies in there and because it attaches I still don't have to carry anything. There is a ton of pockets so I can throw my phone and wallet inside. But wait, there's more...
There are 2 rows of wheels so you can pull this baby upstairs instead of taking the elevator. There are all kinds of neat colors and combinations, I love it. My only problem is that I would like the pro version because of the packing inserts. (I can organize my clinical supplies inside.) But the pro version does not come with the same wheels and little pockets like the sport version. I emailed the company to see if I could order the inserts separately, and am eagerly awaiting their reply. The next down fall is the price. It is super pricey, especially if I order the cooler, backpack, and inserts.
Thinking ahead I can always use a zuca for travelling, presentations, sporting events, beach trips, visiting nursing supplies and a whole bunch of other stuff. When I do well on this exam I may just treat myself!
***Update to this post...the inserts are not sold separately, but they may make some for the sport case in the future. I passed process 2, but I still have not bought the bag yet. It seems to be an awful lot of money and I am just a poor student, lol. It is something to think about; conveniece vs price.***
Return Demo Days
I wonder if the instructors go out to Quarterdeck after return demo's and laugh at all of us while they have a few cold ones! I would if I were them.
I will say that I was slightly nervous, but no more than regular stage fright. I knew my stuff ( or thought I did). When it came time to draw up meds from a vial my hands were shaking so bad I am surprised that everything didn't fly off the table. Where did that come from? I just laughed it off and said, "I hope I don't do this in front of a patient!" Luckily the professor said we will be doing this in the med room. Whew! lol.
One of my questions had to do with getting mcg's to mL. Ok, I thought I missed something. I could not find that conversion factor anywhere. So when I got home I looked it up on our conversion sheet....it wasn't there. I don't know if it was mentioned in class and I missed it, or if I missed it in my reading or what. One more thing to pack into my overstuffed brain. What else am I missing?
I will say that I was slightly nervous, but no more than regular stage fright. I knew my stuff ( or thought I did). When it came time to draw up meds from a vial my hands were shaking so bad I am surprised that everything didn't fly off the table. Where did that come from? I just laughed it off and said, "I hope I don't do this in front of a patient!" Luckily the professor said we will be doing this in the med room. Whew! lol.
One of my questions had to do with getting mcg's to mL. Ok, I thought I missed something. I could not find that conversion factor anywhere. So when I got home I looked it up on our conversion sheet....it wasn't there. I don't know if it was mentioned in class and I missed it, or if I missed it in my reading or what. One more thing to pack into my overstuffed brain. What else am I missing?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Update....1 month later
I can't believe it has been an entire month since I have posted. Process 1 is over, and it was an adventure. I did not do as well on the exams as I had hoped, but I am still in the program....alot of people didn't make it. Process 2 started this week and I already feel behind because there is just a ton of reading. Some LPN's have joined us, and some students that are off track. The class is full again with about 85 people.
My advice is to read and study. Apparently the cd's that come with the books are a big help, but I wasn't using them. I was only using the reading and my notes. Taping the lectures help for review also. I did take the tutorial that is offered in the lab on nursing critical thinking. What can I say? These exams are different than any others I have ever had. I feel that I need to get better organized again to add the study guide and cd's to my study schedule.
I am still working, but leave early whenever I can. I am not getting paid enough for my time, but am not ready to go completely without a paycheck. I am considering getting a patient tech job on the weekends/overnight. More money for the same amount of hours. I just feel overwhelmed most of the time because Thursday is my only day off. This should let up next semester when we no longer have pharmacology. I miss the kids, they miss me, but this is a necessary thing that I hope will also let up next semester. I can study with them in the room which is a good thing because they just want to be next to me.
This week we started learning about wounds and bandages...pretty cooool!
Here is an interesting change in my personality...a girlfriend asked me to help her do something the other day and I said NO. That is a big deal for me. I didn't even hesitate. Honestly, when do I have the time?
Have a great day everyone!
My advice is to read and study. Apparently the cd's that come with the books are a big help, but I wasn't using them. I was only using the reading and my notes. Taping the lectures help for review also. I did take the tutorial that is offered in the lab on nursing critical thinking. What can I say? These exams are different than any others I have ever had. I feel that I need to get better organized again to add the study guide and cd's to my study schedule.
I am still working, but leave early whenever I can. I am not getting paid enough for my time, but am not ready to go completely without a paycheck. I am considering getting a patient tech job on the weekends/overnight. More money for the same amount of hours. I just feel overwhelmed most of the time because Thursday is my only day off. This should let up next semester when we no longer have pharmacology. I miss the kids, they miss me, but this is a necessary thing that I hope will also let up next semester. I can study with them in the room which is a good thing because they just want to be next to me.
This week we started learning about wounds and bandages...pretty cooool!
Here is an interesting change in my personality...a girlfriend asked me to help her do something the other day and I said NO. That is a big deal for me. I didn't even hesitate. Honestly, when do I have the time?
Have a great day everyone!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Rumors
There are a ton of rumors floating around. Here are a few:
1. Rampant cheating for the final exam last semester. (And the cheaters are all failing in class this semester)
2. GIGU (2nd semester) is down to 11 students from 130.
3. Out of every class only 10 people graduate.
We really need a rumor control hotline. Maybe the staff wants us all on edge and encourages these rumors. Who knows? (Lets not start another one here.) It depends on who you are whether or not you believe these things. Lets keep our heads people, we have enough other topics with which to fill our brains. Have a great week everyone!
1. Rampant cheating for the final exam last semester. (And the cheaters are all failing in class this semester)
2. GIGU (2nd semester) is down to 11 students from 130.
3. Out of every class only 10 people graduate.
We really need a rumor control hotline. Maybe the staff wants us all on edge and encourages these rumors. Who knows? (Lets not start another one here.) It depends on who you are whether or not you believe these things. Lets keep our heads people, we have enough other topics with which to fill our brains. Have a great week everyone!
First Exams
Apparently I do not have to quit my job yet. The exams went good, and I feel better about my organization and schedule.
MATH
The math exam is 10 questions. Passing is getting 9 out of 10 or better. Anything less is failing. I took my time and did all of the questions. Then I had enough time to go back and to them all again. I did take almost the entire hour to finish, but I did not want to have to come back on week 4. I could use that time to study something else. Woo Hoo, I scored 10/10!
I plan on practicing some problems every few days because we will be using these conversion factors for the rest of our lives.
LECTURE
There are 50 questions on the exam. If you score below a 37 you are "encouraged" to go to the lab and take the tutorial on test taking for nurses. I was going to go anyway, but just literally ran out of time. Math on Thursdays cut into my lab time, but now I plan to go this week. I did buy and read much of Test Success for Nursing Process which is recommended reading. It helped immensely.
I scored in the 40's and am quite interested in seeing where I went wrong with my thinking. I don't believe my errors were in knowledge, but in the process of answering these critical thinking questions. My next exam should be better.
Pretty much on top of studying, we need to study how to study. A few students have already talked about dropping the summer courses and picking them up again in the fall. I see their point. We have 4 weeks less to do the same amount of work, and our clinical days are both 2 hours longer than a normal semester's hours. It really cuts into the study time.
MATH
The math exam is 10 questions. Passing is getting 9 out of 10 or better. Anything less is failing. I took my time and did all of the questions. Then I had enough time to go back and to them all again. I did take almost the entire hour to finish, but I did not want to have to come back on week 4. I could use that time to study something else. Woo Hoo, I scored 10/10!
I plan on practicing some problems every few days because we will be using these conversion factors for the rest of our lives.
LECTURE
There are 50 questions on the exam. If you score below a 37 you are "encouraged" to go to the lab and take the tutorial on test taking for nurses. I was going to go anyway, but just literally ran out of time. Math on Thursdays cut into my lab time, but now I plan to go this week. I did buy and read much of Test Success for Nursing Process which is recommended reading. It helped immensely.
I scored in the 40's and am quite interested in seeing where I went wrong with my thinking. I don't believe my errors were in knowledge, but in the process of answering these critical thinking questions. My next exam should be better.
Pretty much on top of studying, we need to study how to study. A few students have already talked about dropping the summer courses and picking them up again in the fall. I see their point. We have 4 weeks less to do the same amount of work, and our clinical days are both 2 hours longer than a normal semester's hours. It really cuts into the study time.
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