[1mg.epi]

Nursing school is a blank to me. I think I blocked out that traumatic experiance. I do remember on my second day of nursing boards (Nursing BC, before computers) I vomited when I walked out of the testing area. I lost most of my hair in nursing school. But, most of the times I do remember, I loved it!!

[nursinghumor]

Hello Kristy,

We're pretty good about answering questions, ask away.

I remember Nursing school well (it was back in 1996-7 for me) and the kind of hell it was.

Expect it to be tough and unpleasant at times, expect to come home in tears on more than one occasion. The instructors and nurses on the floors in clinical tend to be rough on students.

If you're flexible, confident and do your homework, you'll get through just fine.

I talk frequently to people that want to go first to LPN school because it's quicker/cheaper, then want to go back for an RN. My feeling is if you're going to go through the "pain in the butt" experience of a Nursing program, why would you want to have to do it twice????

Back to your situation, if you can volunteer or work at a hospital before you start clinicals, you'll be much better prepared once you start.

Wish you good luck.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinghumor.com

[kristycarberry]

Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I actually did work in a hospital about 6 years ago. I worked in an ER of a small facility (75 beds) as a patient rep. Basically, I was an admissions clerk that helped clean and submit lab requests, but I guess they wanted to make us sound important and call us "ER Patient Representatives". In my off days, I rode on the ambulance as an observer to see what life was like for them. I learned so much from both of these experiences. I hope and pray that some of the nurses that I come in contact with are like the ones that I worked with then. The majority of the nurses always respected me and were always willing to answer any questions that I had. I also calculated the charges for patients being admitted, which gave me a little drug knowledge (and also the knowledge that they cost too much!)

I considered going the LPN-RN route because the wait to get into the RN program is so long here (I've been on the list since April 2003 and just got accepted!) but, like you, I did not want to do it twice. LPN's are extremely underpaid for the job that they do and I noticed that SOME (not all) RN's tend to be rude to the LPN's. I just got out of the Navy and have had enough of the officers being rude to enlisted than I don't want to have to deal with that all over again. Of course, I will have to deal with some rude doctors, but at least it won't be everyday.

The only area that I lack in is confidence. I'm always so worried that I will do poorly on exams, and my husband is convinced that I am crazy. In the last two years of school, I have come home proclaiming that I "just failed that test" more times than I can count, yet I have been on the Dean's list every semester. I stress out about it so much, so that is what I am trying to work on before starting clinicals. I have no doubt that I will make it through them, because I AM going to graduate in May 2006, but I do worry if I will be able to be a GOOD nurse. I don't want to just pass the classes and the NCLEX, I really want to be a good nurse. So hopefully, before August, I will be able to convince myself that I am capable of doing just that if I correctly apply myself.

Thanks again Andrew and 1mg.epi for the replies!
Kristy

[1mg.epi]

Kristy
Test anxiety is very real! I think you are probably an achiever with the fear of failure. Just do your best. I have seen people on the honor roll become the worlds worst nurses, and people who just did OK become excellent nurses.
Things I feel that make a NEW nurse a good nurse:

1. Never will say, "I KNOW". Although you may have heard something before, There may be info there you never did hear before.

2. Asks a lot of questions AFTER attempting to look things up. Many of us that been nurses along time will still look in the drug books or reference books for information. I think what is important is to know where to find information, medical or policy.

3. Always seeks opportunities and never say, "I've done one of those before." Want to make a preceptor angry, just repeat those words.

4. And as with TESTS, just do your best. If a call light goes off. get in the patients room before the secretary can answer it.

5. Ask your patients, "Where is the best place to start your IV." Some times the nicest looking veins is not the best and the patient knows.

If you listen to you patients and preceptor, learn your references and always give your patients good service, you will become a good nurse.

With the tests, If you study and putforth an honest effort, that is the best you can do. (OMG I feel like Dr. Phill)

[oh hd rn]

[ QUOTE ]
kristycarberry said:
Of course, I will have to deal with some rude doctors, but at least it won't be everyday.
Kristy

[/ QUOTE ]
wanna bet???