For those of you who went back to school to get a nursing degree, what's the one piece of advice you would have given yourself or wish you would have had, prior to enrollment? I'm 41...a guy, worked most of my life actually on the policy and regulatory end of nursing but taking the plunge now that my state has an accelerated BSN program.

I just was given the eligibility after applying for an accelerated nursing program to start this summer, to go in for an interview in two weeks. I have been pretty much waiting for 4 years since I was waitlisted from my first attempt at nursing school my freshman year of college, for this exact opportunity and I just want to be 100% confident and preapred and can leave the interview feeling confident, and am seeking what I should know they want to hear in an interview. I have a life story that heavily applies to why I wanted this career path since the start, so I don't know fi I should plan to lean into that when I go into the interview or not . Both my brothers are nurses, and are now CRNAs and give me great advice, but they also have always said everything came easily for them and its easy, but I have to try really hard to get opportunities like this. So... Are there any exact questions/answers that you all were/wish you were prepared for that you needed for the interview?

I would really appreciate anyone who's gone through the interview process successfully with nursing and give me any info you wish you prepared yourself with if you could go back in time, I would seriously really appreciate anything!!

Feeling lost and depressed at the moment. I have always been an overachiever and on my first nursing fundamental exam I scored a 72%. I will be changing my study habits along with my study methods but I feel like a failure.

I don’t ever want to let my parents down and I carry so much respect for them and myself. This is why failing an exam seems like the end of the world for me. Has anyone else felt like me before in nursing school ?

I've just started back after taking a year out (my dad passed away) and I feel super low and I feel so silly. I'm in 2nd year and I had my first day back at placement on Monday which was fine. I was supposed to be in today but I called in sick. I'm supposed to be in tomorrow and I'm trying to convince myself to go in but I'm not sure if I will. I genuinely felt awful this morning, and I'm not sure if I was actually ill or if it's been due to stress.

The last few weeks I've been anxious about returning to uni, and now that I'm back I feel mentally drained already. I was trying to study lots before going back because I was worried I was going to be so behind my peers. I feel really disconnected? I still want to do this, but I just feel like it's unattainable. I'm my own worst enemy and feel I'm simply not clever enough. I also feel weird knowing I could have graduated this year but now I'm a year behind, but I don't regret taking a year out because I was really not in a good place.

So much doubt, sadness, anxiety and whatever else is swelling inside me and I've only just started back and I feel so stupid. I realise I'm probably overthinking and I'm trying to calm myself down but I've felt like I've been on the verge of tears all week.

I don't really know what the point of this is. If anyone else took a year out and went back, did you feel the same way? How did you cope? How long did you feel like this?

Hi everyone. My Kaplan test is next Friday. I’ve taken practice tests from the purple Kaplan book, the red Test Prep Books book and Smart Edition. I took A&P about 1.5-2 years ago. I’m trying to brush up on my A&P. I’m doing okay on the Math, Reading and Writing sections, but am struggling with A&P a bit. Any advice about anything with the Kaplan test would be appreciated. Thank you!

What made you choose what you chose?

Hey fam,

2nd semester student here, we finally (already?!) get into the hospital on Saturday. I was putting my wedding rings on this morning and thought hmmm I bet I'm going to get some questions from patients on my age. How do you prefer to answer that? I'm usually round about with my answer in my current career, but I work with criminals, some potentially dangerous, and I am careful to keep information private. I recognize this setting is not quite the same.

For reference I'm actually turning 36 next week, I might look slightly young for my age but not dramatically so thanks to the crows feet rocking around my eyes...

Anyway, thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

-apart from that we were told we will each have one patient and will be getting vitals and a head to to assessment on our own, between 7 and 10 am. Like what?! Where is my babysitter?! 🫠 Feeling mostly ready but still nervous of course.

And honestly it sucks.

It’s the end of my first official week of nursing school and I am overwhelmed. I haven’t cried yet.

But holy shit. It’s so much reading. And I feel like my study group has a huge understanding of stuff better than I do. I also work full time (in an icu but still) I just feel really shitty. And I’m trying my hardest to keep my head above water and get my routine down.

My first exam in in feb 3 and I am terrified. With no medical background it feels nearly impossible to get efficient at all this stuff for the exam in such a short amount of time. I am studying daily, taking the EAQ’s as much as possible. I need some prayer guys!

... its not like all the other material. It's definitions or common sense.

It seems easy... but it scares me that I think I'm going to be fine.

This is my second week of nursing school and I knew going in was going to be challenging. Man it is definitely not for the weak! However I am surviving. I had my first exam this past Monday, quiz on Wednesday, and today we just had check offs. I'm thankful to say that I scored above an 85 on all three grades. I still catch myself doubting myself even after receiving my grade.. For example in check offs the instructor went over my one mistake. She also mentioned that I need to relax because I did really well but can till from my body language that I'm anxious.I went on my way after receiving my grade which was a 24/25. Later today I caught myself thinking what if she just felt bad for me and gave me a passing grade ? All these negative thoughts start circling in my head. As I mentioned before I am getting good grades due to putting in the work everyday. Do any of you that are or were in nursing school have gone through the same issue that I am currently going through ? Any advice is appreciated 🙏🏻

Hello everyone! I’m a senior in highschool, currently in a CNA program, and pursing a BSN after highschool. I was just wondering if it’s normal to fear being unqualified to be a nurse. Did any of you also struggle with self-doubt when you started? I’m worried I may struggle to remember things when it actually comes time to work in a hospital. I know I’m far from that, but I like to think far ahead lol. Anyone have any tips of managing self-doubt?

Other than cost and "school prestige" I'm having trouble understanding the distinctions between the two pathways.

My state's ADN program has about 40-45 hours of prereqs to apply for Nursing school. That almost makes you a junior by hours. Once accepted into the ADN program, it takes another 2 years. So 3.5 years total, assuming you get in the first round. (Which many people do not, so add some extra time to the average)

But a BSN is designed to be 4 years. So far at best, it's a semester difference.

ADN is branded as a faster track..but at best, it's a semester difference. As I'm going to finish up my prereqs this year I am trying to understand my options. Why would I not just apply to both?

Edit: I already have a bachelors and don't give a crap out "prestige" but that doesn't stop BSN programs from trying to market it that way.

I am a fringe supporter for a 14-year-old girl who has shown interest in nursing and particularly in infant or neonatal care.

Is this sub too advanced and too heavy for her? Are there other age appropriate subs for a high schooler interested in nursing?

Hi, I am a 4th year student and I plan to study in advance for the board exam. Not totally na focus study but just to grasp some infos that I forgot in the long-run kasi I study to pass my exams not to learn kasi ang ganap ko in the past and I want to change it now. What subject should I start po?

We have meetings with the head of the nursing program and give suggestions for how to make our program better. I’m having a hard time thinking of anything as I’m only in my second semester - is there something you really liked about yours and thought helped during your nursing school experience? Or anything that felt like a waste/solutions for replacing those things? Things you wished (as a senior or new grad) were focused on more?

Thank you!!

I took my NCLEX on Tuesday and it shut off at 85 questions. When I left the testing center I felt like I definitely failed. I tried thinking back to my rationales and my mind was just blank. Spent the past 2 days extremely irritated, assuming I failed and would have to retake it in 45 days. I got my quick results from pearson vue and I PASSED!!!

I used Kaplan to study bc this is what my school provided us with in addition to their live reviews. I also listened to Mark K lectures (on spotify). I listened to 1, 4, 10, and 12 bc I felt weak in those areas. If you run out of time or something AT LEAST LISTEN TO LECTURE 12!!!! I did over 1000 questions from the q bank (irregularly, just whenever i felt like it) and did the CAT 3 a week before I took NCLEX. I reviewed every rationale that I felt weak on. I also reviewed some stuff in the content library.

I felt like my school did a good job at preparing me to take the NCLEX, that’s why I didn’t go so hard with studying on a consistent basis after I graduated. I pretty much just brushed up on things that I haven’t thought about in a few semester (like I havent taken OB since january of 2024 so i was a lil rusty on that).

Anyway!!! If you’re reading this, no matter what point in your journey you are at, YOU CAN DO THIS! I am a first generation college student, had a lot of adverse childhood experiences, grew up in poverty and overall just didn’t have a lot of support. I was a crappy student in high school and always thought “I’m too dumb to be a nurse / I’m not good enough for that profession”… but here I am!! Nursing school is tough but it feels SO GOOD to say “I did it”

Hey yall it’s my first week and while I’m having the time of my life, I’m extremely overwhelmed. The material isn’t hard, it’s time management. I know it’s common but I’m actually struggling bc I have to take micro this semester. This micro professor expects 18 hours of work outside of her class, shit like watching documentaries and writing an APA fucking essay every WEEK. She’s such a hard ass and I GENUINELY don’t have time for her work. But I HAVE to take this class, THIS semester, for my program requirements. I don’t know what to do!!!! I literally cannot manage this. I am constantly doing work, there’s actually not enough time to do what both my program and micro are asking of me. I NEED time to rest. Like I literally cannot function if I don’t have a few hours of down time BUT I DONT FUCKING HAVE IT! I fucking hate micro and I hate my professor. I just want to focus on my program. I’m so fucking tired and it’s only day 3 :( I genuinely don’t think I’m going to make it through micro. And, it’s taking SO much away from my nursing experience. :( any advice?? Ugh

I’m in a community health clinical this semester, and my clinical hours are being done at a local primary care office, two days a week for 6 weeks. I am basically shadowing medical assistants as they check in patients.

For my clinical I have to create a student contract, with 3 goals (with objectives for each goal) for my clinical experience. We haven’t been given much guidance as to what the school expects for our goals and I have not worked in this type of setting before.

I have had the opportunity to give a few flu shots, run some urinalyses, and watch one small procedure. I know I want to make a goal around practicing my hands on skills as opportunities arise, but I don’t know how to quantify it (to make a SMART goal) when I have no idea how many chances I will have.

And I have no clue what my other goals should be. Learn the process for checking in patients? Gain an understanding of the scope of practice of nurses in community settings? But that doesn’t apply really because I’m not actually shadowing nurses.

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas? TIA!!

background- i have a bachelor of arts in history, theology and was originally planning on getting a masters in spiritual care but am looking to go a more "clinical" route and more practical. I graduated in May 2024 and am taking a gap year to figure out more of what I want to do. i already have about $35k in private loans from undergrad. I am looking for opinions from people working in those fields :)

i want to do social work because I'm passionate about it. i want to make a difference in people's lives. i have relevant work and volunteer experiences that have prepared me for a social work career. i have a liberal arts education that has also prepared me for this field. i also have personal experience that fuels my passion. i have always been told i would make a good therapist/counselor. i know I would be good at it and i know I would like it. the reasons i am nervous about being a social worker are because of financial reasons. i would probably have to take out quite a bit more loans. it would take me 2 years after my degree to become fully certified- i would be 28/29 and by then i might want a family. i am also anxious about pay, work/life balance, and finding a job i like that i could have with a family. if I went the nursing route, i would have job security and financial security. i could pay off my loans relatively quickly, but I don't know if loan reimbursement would count for my already existing plans as they are not in a nursing field. i could build my own work schedule. it would be very family friendly. i would be good at it, and it would be moderately rewarding.

I'm deciding between different careers but also different lives. its about the same amount of school. if i do social work i will make decent money but i don't know if i will ever be able to pay off my loans. if I do nursing i will have financial and job security and a good enough job but i won't be passionate.

education wise its about the same amount of school (two ish years), nursing i think i could do with very little plans. i would enjoy social work school a lot more but it would ultimately cost more money and i don't know if I'd ever pay of my loans- cheapest program is 36k. i have always wanted a masters degree and going back for a bachelor's is humbling and feels like a step back. should i stay in my field that i love or switch fields to a more practical one?

Hello all.

I just finished up an A&P exam on neurology. I had my professors google slides document open for the last week to study. The exam was following our lecture for the online course. I never clicked away from the test, but the tab was open. I’m worried he’s going to think I cheated for an exam I studied for and I know I missed a few questions on.

Since I didn’t click off the exam, will that prove I did not cheat? Can he see that I had google slides open, but was not scrolling or viewing it? There is no screen sharing. Just our cameras on in Zoom and exam was live for 80 minutes.

I can’t believe I didn’t not shut down all my other tabs. I know better. I was taking tons of notes from lecture and then we rolled into exam and it didn’t even occur to me, as I had at least ten tabs open and didn’t see google slides was one of them.

I’m a 3rd year student completing my bachelors degree this year. I am on track to complete a 2nd bachelors next year (I am not spending any money due to my job/financial aid). I applied to the ABSN and BSN at my current college this year but unfortunately did not get accepted.

I am conflicted on whether to stay at this college and apply to the nursing programs here again next year (with a higher GPA) or try to apply to other programs this year. If choosing the 2nd option I’m not sure if I should do LPN, ABSN, ADN, or BSN. I want to save money and begin a nursing career sooner rather than later, but at the same time I enjoy being in school.

I have a 3.44 GPA (my pre-nursing science prereqs are mainly Bs and Cs) and not much healthcare experience other than volunteering and minor internships focused on healthcare. I am involved in other non-healthcare extracurriculars. I am located in NY. Any advice for me?

Today was our first check offs and I passed the vitals, but failed my head to toe. I feel upset and sad because I know the steps but our teacher asks side questions as we complete the assessment to see if we can explain why. As I was assessing the eyes I completed PERRLA , Pupils, Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation. I was able to say what it stood for but was not able to complete the accommodation step. PERRLA is a required step for the eyes so it was an automatic fail. I’m just extremely sad. I get to retry on Monday. What are some resources I can use to help me explain the why part of what we do? Any books? Videos? Tips?

I just took my pediatric dosage exam and missed 1 question. We have to get 100% on our dosage exam. I think I know which question I got wrong, but I need clarification on the wording of the question because that’ll determine if the question I’m think of was either correct or incorrect.

The question gave the desired medication (mg/mL) equally divided into twice a day, but the question was asking for the TOTAL amount to be given (did not specify if it was per dose or per day).

• is the question asking for the total mL to be given PER DOSE or PER DAY???

Much help would be appreciated 🙏🏼

This past week I took my first exam for fundamentals and I walked in feeling confident and I ended up failing by a couple questions. Below 75 is failing. I’m feeling defeated. I felt prepared. The whole week leading up to my test I was studying everyday. For reference my current study routine is read/ and take notes on assigned chapters, do the modules we are assigned, go over the slides before class, and watch YouTube videos that relayed to the topic/ keep going over notes. A couple of days leading up the test, I did use chat gpt as a study tool. Now I am feeling anxious because the instructor said this test was one of the easiest ones we may take through school. I had nothing going on the past two weeks, I was off of work. I go back to work next week and I’m feeling nervous that I won’t be able to pass this class. Like I had more time to study and I used it and I still failed. Any advice on study tips or how to pass fundamentals.

Hello,

Is Quizlet worth paying the $35 for 1 year (the price isn't an issue)?

I am taking A&P 1, and I find using the quizzes it has on there to be helpful. However, I haven't used it much since it will only let me do so much before saying I have to pay or start a 7-day free trial to see the rest of the answers. I was curious about using it more often on a weekly basis and possibly using some of its features. I want to get a good grade. I'm going to do the 7-day free trial first anyway.

Or is Brainly a better option?

I also utilize ChatGPT and other AI to help make quizzes, but I know AI is still developing and can be incorrect. I use Purpose Games as well which helps a TON, but I wanted to know if it's worth the subscription. Purpose games are helpful for Lab but I have my first lecture exam coming up and I'm getting anxious. I read the book, watch the videos, and re-listen to the lectures and I feel like I know a lot and nothing at the same time, lol (is that normal? Or am I just dumb?). So after today's Lab exam, I'm going to focus more on the quiz side of things since the lecture exam is next Thursday or 1 week from today. I have been studying really hard using purpose games, watching videos to better understand, taking notes, and re-listening to the lab lectures, so I have definitely put in the work. If I get a bad grade, this just tells me I need to find a new study method. I do the Pomodoro technique which I find to be part of one of my study methods for sure.

I’m on the fence….

I need to take microbiology. There are two classes offered, one is introductory, the other more advanced.

Quite a few nursing schools accept both classes as a prerequisite, yet there are also some that only accept the advanced class.

The advanced class seems interesting however I’ve heard that it’s extremely difficult and the tests are obscenely hard.

So, I can take the introductory class that will more likely earn me a good grade, but not be qualified for certain programs.

Or I can take the advanced class which will fulfill the prerequisite for all programs, but risk getting a bad grade because of how hard the class is.

Which would you choose?

what pre reqs do you think is the most applicable in nursing school? such as anatomy, chem, and microbiology?

Hello! I was curious if anyone has used chat gpt to generate NCLEX style practice questions? And if so, did you find them to be helpful

Hey all, I am slowly plugging away at my prereqs and want to fit in an elective / gpa booster for the mini-b session this semester. Child Development is the only one available for that session that seems remotely relevant to pre-nursing. Shall I take it or will it be a waste of time? Thanks for readin'!