How does anyone really get through nursing school and live to tell the tale?
396148
LOL...you really brightened my day.  Thank you!\n\nYes, people do make it through nursing school and live to tell the tale!  I can relate to what you are experiencing though.  It is all so overwhelming but it does get better.  The first year is really the worst (for R.N.s).  It gets piled on and I think it is to weed out those that really are not serious about the profession.  Get through the first two semesters and you will see a difference.\n\nWhat really helped me was to read through all my notes every night.  I found that by the time the tests came around, I had read through them so many times that I had memorized all but the last few days worth!  Made studying for tests so much easier as then I could just concentrate on the notes from the days I was weak on. \n\nFeel free to email me anytime you want to vent, talk or just have a shoulder to lean on.  Good luck in your chosen profession!  You can do it!
908982
not sure bout statistics... but im a nursing student... its bloody hard
733358
Of course nursing school is hard; every school program designed to get you into a professional career is hard.  It gets even harder once you are done and are working.  \n\nAt this point in time there seem to be three main drawbacks to nursing: 1) being overworked because of understaffing, 2) the regulations and policies that can interfere with patient care because you have so much else to do, 3) (this goes for every profession) bad managers who don't know what they are doing.\n\nThe above comes second-hand; my wife (and thus many of my friends) are nurses.  The above three things are the main things they gripe about when they talk about nursing (which is all the time).
305249
In september i will be attending William Paterson University in their nursing program for 5years....the programs are the best way to go to become a nurse...look around to see what colleges have these nursing programs\n\nGOOD LUCK!
743955
I think you are out of luck on the nursing front.  I'm not an expert on nursing, but even getting through school requires a lot of needles and no matter what part of a hospital you work in, nurses and needles go together like markers and whiteboards.  \n\nWhat you might want to look into is becoming a doula.  Kind of like a midwife plus if I understand it correctly.  You work with pregnant women preparing them for birth, you stay with them during delivery, and sometimes even beyond.  There is, of course, an association of them and training, certification, etc.  Link below.
1077361
Not so hard from High School as it is on active duty. I can only speak for the AirForce, but there are other types of scholarship programs, besides the standard ROTC scholarship, that send you to directly to college for a commission - some ROTC, some OTS, or direct comission if you're coming out to go to nursing school.
532520
Communicating with doctors, nurses and patients is very important.\n\nYou have to  understand the doctors.  Relate to other nurses.  And figure out what patients want.
235543
Study, it never fails.  If you know the material, ou'll be ok.  If you do not know, why should you be a nurse
457095
My one major piece of advice is to manage your time and plan ahead. Plan your week out in advance and set aside time to study and stick to that schedule. It's best to find a job that is related to nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement if you agree to work for them once you graduate. That can help with your expenses. As for living arrangements, I would find a roommate that is also in your LVN program. Otherwise you might find it difficult to get quiet time to study if your roommate doesn't understand the pressures of nursing school. Don't be afraid to get low interest school loans to help with bills while you're in school. There are also lots of financial aid programs that not only help with tuition, but living expenses as well. Use the financial aid office at your school for more resources. You can also check with your school about jobs on campus. And don't forget to apply for every scholarship that you qualify for!
691744
Go to your local hospital, nursing homes, etc. and tell them that you would like to volunteer to get some experience and references for your nursing school. Some hospitals would love to have volunteers, and some wouldn't. They will let you know.
511145
Skim your nursing textbooks, a little each day.  If there is something that you do not recall or are unclear about... reread it.\n\nHave a fellow nurse quiz you with medical scenarios.  \n\nMOST IMPORTANT:  take practice tests.  Questions are frequently re-used from year to year.  Practice tests frequently use these older questions... so taking practice tests will actually expose you to NCLEX questions you will be facing.\n\nGood Luck!  Try to relax, if you fail the first time... it really is no big deal.  There is no penalty (other than embarrassment) for failing the first time.
811868
How about starting in nursing school.\nwhat a concept.
1117887
A lot of good answers here. I'll add my opinion anyway. \nThere have been ups and downs in the nursing field for years. There will be a shortage and then there will be so many that there are no jobs for them without relocating. \n\nThe first problem that comes to mind is that there are waiting lists to get into nursing school. That is a key problem. Nurses are needed but people can't get into school to become one. RN,LPN,MA,CNA or whatever...there is a lack of opportunity.\n\nSecond thing is the cost of the education. I think this is a problem for many people who wish to attend school in any field. There are some places that will put you through nursing school and help with the cost,but then you are obligated to work for them for X amount of years as a condition for their help. \nYes,there is financing available,but I agree with another person here that it is geared toward the younger people and nothing is readily available for the 30 something people who have decided to change careers or continue their education.\n\nThird thing...If you are fortunate enough to finally get through school and get your degree and get a job...then there is that little thing called MONEY!  The incentive! The goal! The reason that we went through all of this to get to the point of having an interview and getting hired. \nThen...they offer you a starting range of ,oh let's just say,17-20.00/hr. Yeah right ! Like that is going to help you pay back all those student loans and financial aid!\n\nThere is no consistency in the amount of pay in nursing facilities. Depends on where you live,how needed nurses are in that area,what the usual going rate is among a lot of other factors. \nNurses with experience that try to get jobs in a higher paying area are turned down because they are expecting to get paid more than the facility is willing to pay them. They would rather save themselves the money and hire someone fresh out of school. \n\nIn some areas ICU nurses are really needed. Hospitals that aren't willing to pay these nurses more money,aren't able to keep them for an extended period of time,if they're lucky enough to get them to take the job at all. When a nurse can travel 20 miles in any direction and be offered $5-10.00 more an hour performing the same job duties,they are going to take the one that they are getting paid more.\n\nInsurance and benefits are another factor. Nurses are putting their lives at risk every day. They take care of patients from all walks of life,no matter what department they specialize in. Better insurance and better benefits should be offered to them. Some facilities offer great benefits,but some don't. This is another determining factor as to what job these nurses take.\n\nWell,I think I'll stop now,although I could continue writing about the problems in the entire health care system. But I think you understand some of the main problems associated with the nursing field.\n\nI think it has to be a nationwide effort to get more good nurses and keep them happy and working for a facility that cares about them. The first step though is  being able to attend college and then determining if you want or need to get your bachelors or masters. That goes back to the affordability factor. How long do you want to be paying for your education?
639718
I am not exactly sure what you are asking, as that isn't a full sentence--but I will try to give some input.  \n\nJust the other day on the news they were discussing the current crisis in the medical field because of the drastic shortage of Nurses.  One hospital personnel director said she could easily hire 100 nurses for their hospital alone, because they were so short.  Nurses are feeling the strain of this by having to cover more patients then what they should.  This passes a danger on to the patients that they are not getting the full attention that they should.\n\nFurther complicating this situation is that there aren't enough Professors of Nursing available, because the colleges cannot pay comparable wages to what the hospitals supposedly can--to be able to teach the number of students wanting to go to Nursing School. It is a terrible situation and with the impending threat of Bird Flu, I fear that the medical world is going to be knocked on it's bottom.  I only wish I could have finished my BSN.  Hope that helps with what you were asking.  GL
658423
don't go there ---as a nurse you see  to their needs while they are in your care --- when they leave your care - that's it --- if they try to get a relationship going just say - I have really enjoyed our time here but in this profession I have countless people wanting to stay in touch ---I find that it is impossible for me to do that since I have this career and many family obligations.\n\nWhen I was in the nursing field loads of patients wanted to keep in contact ---I found it overwhelming trying to be friends with them, take care of home and family, work, spend time with my personal friends and collegues ---and find personal time for myself... many of my former patients wanted me to run their errands - call me at all hours of the night when they were stressed --- just becareful--
238557
Can't let Ophelia just win!\n\nAs an RN you may appreciate this TRUE story that happened to me 5 years ago.  I'll try to keep it short.\n\nFell off a ladder, and was knocked cold. Ambulance takes me to the hospital.  Wife takes for ever finding me when she arrives (I gave them only part of my name). She hears me screaming out as they are checking my bleeding head wound and catches up to me.\n\nShe says 'how are you?', and I say, "Fine, wanna give me a BJ?'  Of course, she declines. ;(\n\nAs they wheel me down the hall I ask the aide his name and when he tells me, I ask for the same favor. He declined.  ;)\n\nAs they are scanning my head, I ask the tech the same questions, name and bj?  Again, declined.  \n\nFinally, I get to my room, and my nurse comes in.  Older woman fairly heavy set.  I am NOT to be deterred.  "What is your name?", I ask.  She responds Sr. Mary Margaret!\n\n"God Bless You, Sister".  (Whew)
417489
You know what you do. If you dont figure it out by the end of high school, just apply to any college you like and make your major undeclaired. Then they're gonna make you take all these classes which may help you find out. If you dont figure it out by then, its fine, b/c you'll at least have an associates degree. But if your desperate after you get your associates, then pick a major that you won't be suicidal over if you had to work a job in that field and get a degree it that. \nFact is alot of pple dont have jobs in what they went to school for, and the fact is alot of companys dont care. If you have a degree in anything period they want you and they'll pay you more. Plus, in florida they'll hire you to be a teacher if you have a degree in something, you just need to get a teaching certificate after that(so thats a back up plan). \nKnow this, don't do it just b/c it pays well or everyone says its a good idea (i.e. nursing), also know that even if you think you know what you want to do...dont declair a major untill your a junior(your not required to befor then anyways) you might change your mind and it sucks when you paid for and took classes you dont need for your new major.