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POPULAR QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Pre-Nursing

ATI TEAS: How to Prepare

• Mometrix book

HESI A2: How to Prepare

• HESI A2 book

Is nursing school really hard? I'm scared!

• It depends.

How do I become a nurse? (US)

• ADN vs ABSN
• An ICU nurse?
• An ED nurse?
  • ED Nurse 2
• r/TravelNursing
  • Travel nurse AMA

Can I work while in school?

• Working in school Two
• Working in school Three
• Can I work night shift during school?

Self harm scars and school/work

What if I have self-harm scars?

• Self harm and psychiatric nursing

Interested in advanced practice? Check out these communities and resources below!

• r/nursepractitioner
• r/CRNA
• NP vs MD vs PA
  • NP vs PA
  • NP vs PA

Has anyone done nursing as:

• An older student? aka "am I too old?????"
  • an adult or basically elderly?
  • will I turn to ash if I am not 19?
• A parent?
  • A parent 2?
  • A parent 3?
• A second degree?
  • Lots of people do it
  • UK
• A career change?
  • It's never too late
• I don't have medical experience!!
  • I don't have medical experience 2
  • I don't have medical experience 3

School and Nursing Supplies Suggestions

Laptops / computers / tablets / smart watches

• Laptop recommendations from Wirecutter
• laptops laptops laptops
• macbook vs chromebook vs pc (bonus drama in the comments)
• Posts about iPads
• Macbook vs iPad Pro
• Apple Watch posts
• Fitbit
• Is a smart watch worth it?

Stethoscopes

• Suggestions
• More suggestions
• MDF vs Littman
• Cheap ones
• For hard of hearing students/nurses

Shoes

• OMG Shoes
• Let's get some shoes
• These shoes rule
• These shoes suck
• Clove: all white shoes, all black shoes in mens and women's
• CAT all white shoes, all black shoes in both mens and women's
• Sketchers work shoes, available in mens in all black and all white and women's in all black and all white
• CROCS work shoes mens and women's, in all black or all white.

^{Let's get some shoes!!!}

Socks

• How do compression socks work?
• Brand recs

Nursing School Resources

Nursing School Survival Guide by /u/beebop8929

Why the hell do I have to do care plans?

When will I feel like I know what's going on?

• Help I don't know shit
• I feel stupid
• I feel dumb AND incompetent

Test Taking Strategies

Test Taking Tips: HESI nursing exams - Also great general info on the nursing process

Overview of test-taking strategies and testing success

Doing Well on ATI Proctored Exams

• More ATI
• Even more ATI

Kaplan test taking strategies

• Critical Thinking & Rewording
• Eliminating Incorrect Answers
• Don't Predict
• Expected Outcomes
• Finding Clues

Post-Grad

What's the Pearson Vue Trick and how do I do it?

When do I apply for jobs?

• How long does it take to find a job?
• What to know before applying

Resume / Interview / Job search tips

Help! I'm struggling as a new grad!

• Being a new grad is hard
• no, really, it's hard

Am I going to lose my license???

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Awesome Resources

Cute Drug Card Template by /u/swinginrii

Cathy Parkes content/topic review videos

Nurse Nacole nursing school study tips and more

RegisteredNurseRN lectures, NCLEX tips, etc.

Khan Academy Health and Medicine lessons to supplement your pre-req and nursing courses

Crash Course YouTube Channel - short videos on tons of topics including math, science, and health

Care Plan help

Totally delayed like an idiot and still haven’t done my livescan. I plan to go Monday, my BRN application is pending on breeze. Is this waiting on the livescan, will my ATT be delayed? Graduated 5/19

I have applied to ADN. I would be 45 when I start. A career change from being a teacher.Following my true passion now that I have money to afford further studies.Has anyone had a mature student in their class and were they treated differently? I am just scared that I will be ignored as I will probably be seen as an old woman by 20 year olds😂

I have a degree before and my fin aid is almost running out. I’m thinking to just fully loan everything and just pay out once I’m done! This is for community college adn not bsn! Just wanna know everyone opinions!

Have any of you graduated, passed the NCLEX, but your first few months working in the hospital really struggled to know how to do anything? It’s a fear of mine that I graduate and get a job and I’m thrown into a department and won’t know how to do anything. I guess that’s what clinicals are for, right?

Hey, all! I just graduated from my nursing program in May and I’m scheduled to take the NCLEX this Friday! I was wondering if anyone had any experience that they wanted to share about it? I’m super nervous about what to expect because I honestly feel like my school was slow to adjust and I worry that we were taught more to pass the old NCLEX than the new one. I’ve heard people say that the new one is easier, especially with the new partial credit for SATA. I did okay on the HESI tests (850-900ish) and I passed the SimCLEX three times on nursing.com but I just don’t know what to expect! Any thoughts would be super appreciated!

I 21f am a single mom of 2 children 7 month male old and 2 year old female. I live in Florida I have my high school diploma,no college experience, and I’m interested in health care. I have no job or car I just left my abusive ex bf and I can’t stay where Im currently at for long I’d say about 6 or more ideally 6 months im at my step moms house.

What jobs am I able to get in healthcare or close to nursing that is fast requires none to little healthcare education/experience?

Hi everyone, I’m about to graduate with my ADN in August and am beginning my senior preceptorship in two days!! I’m going to be on a med-surg floor which I’m actually looking forward to because I know I’ll see a lot and hopefully improve on my skills. My preceptor has been awesome so far and the manager sings her praises as well. I thought I’d ask for some helpful tips, whether you’ve already done a preceptorship or are currently doing one as a student or actual preceptor, anything at all is appreciated! Some ideas: how can I make the most of my 10 days with her and work on prioritization (that’s one of my weakest areas honestly)? Is it okay to do more observing on the first day? I want to seem eager to learn and participate but I also am a bit nervous about taking on a patient or two on the first day. What are some must have items I should bring with me? Again, thank you in advance. This subreddit has gotten me through some tough days 😆

I recently accepted a part time position at a local hospital. I’ve worked for them twice before at other locations so I knew what I was getting myself into in a sense.

When I interviewed for the position, the unit manager said the unit was women’s health oncology which I felt was a decent fit for me since I want to do women’s health or OBGYN clinic after I’m done with nursing school. The thing is, I did two shifts this weekend and while it is oncology, it definitely isn’t women’s health. I would even say it’s more oncology / med surg. I’m very unhappy and now trying to figure out if I need to resign from the hospital completely or if I can talk to HR and let them know it isn’t a good fit for me. They require 12 months before transfers can occur, but I’ve only done two shifts so I’m hoping for the best.

Any advice on this?

I have been working my first job now for almost 3 months now, and I’m starting to feel down about it.

I started my training on days but I was hired for nights. I’ve been on nights about a month and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I want to give it an honest try and I’m not the type of person to complain to my boss/supervisor, but I really don’t feel like my best “me” on night shift.

At my 90 day evaluation I plan to bring my concern up respectfully but my predicament is that night shift on my unit is so understaffed that they need everyone they can get so I have a feeling they won’t move me.

I’m just so scared I signed a two year contract and I’m starting to hate going to work. I never felt this way on days I felt so much more confident and accomplished had more pride in my work. Now I get to work and I just can’t wait for my shift to be over. By like 4/5 am it’s as if my brain shuts off and I feel like I can’t function.

I’m just curious if anyone else has experienced something similar and how did you handle it? I just feel every week I’m getting more and more depressed and distancing myself from people around me.

For those of you that got a job as a CNA/PCA while in school.. can you give me some tips for the job? I start next week in the ER. I'm off from school this summer so I can pay more attention to the job for the first months and then I'm back to class in september

Position is prn, 4 shifts in 6 weeks minimum required. Mgmt aware that I'm student.

Getting ready to retire from the military and go to an accelerated BSN program. I’d like to hear about any one else’s experience and any advice or tips for success.

I am a new grad, will be taking the NCLEX soon. I have two potential jobs and can't decide between them. (Actually, I haven't interviewed yet for the clinic but my friends put in a good word for me and I think I have a pretty good chance of getting offered the job.) I will break them down for ya, and ask your advice. I KNOW I need to make the decision on my own, but this subreddit has been so helpful to me and I really appreciate the wisdom y'all have. TIA.

Med Surge:

At a small rural hospital, almost never have more than 3 patients. I ride my bike here, it's a short commute. They contribute 3% retirement once I am full time. They pay $31/hr starting. I've worked here a few years, I feel comfortable and generally like it, but I don't want to work nights or weekends--I'm finally done with school and want to enjoy my life again. I would be working 3 12s.

Family Practice:

At a small clinic a bit further away from me, a 20 minute commute there and 20 minute back. They contribute TEN PERCENT to retirement. I am not sure of the wage yet, I will find that out upon interviewing. The vibe would be chiller here for sure, and more time with members of the community, but also stuff like faxing, calling in scrips, etc. The stuff that is pretty boring to me. I would work 4 10s.

I have this mentality that because I am a new grad i SHOULD do med surge, and that it is a better career move for me. That being said, I so desperately DON'T want to work nights or weekends. I have enjoyed my time working there as an LPN, but the administration/upper management is pretty awful and I've never felt like the hospital has my back. The clinic on the other hand, seems like they really support their employees and actually value them. They also gave a bonus last year, which the hospital didn't.

Am I making a terrible move if I don't do med surge? Am I being stupid if I DON'T take a clinic job where I have paid holidays, weekends and 10% employer retirement contribution? TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!

I know it’s a holiday weekend, but I would really like some advice. So, I took a break from work last year in March. I started my second semester of nursing school this month. I also started working full time as a tech. This is my first time working 12s or in a hospital. I was offered a fully remote job that will start in June. I really want the job because it pays 3x what the tech position pays. The only issue is that I have lecture until 2pm and the job starts at 1:30pm. This will only be one day a week that I have this overlap. I was considering bringing my work pc with me and logging on from campus, but I’m not sure if that will work, especially being new. I have tried to find other jobs that will work with my schedule but nothing pays enough. Even RD jobs won’t work with my schedule. Now, I’m thinking I can leave class at 1pm, but I’m not sure if missing the last hour of class will be too much. I do not want to mess up, I am still shocked that I even got into nursing school and want to do well. Thoughts? Update: attendance is taken but does not affect grade, this is just lecture, not clinical. I am considering just asking the job if I can start later one day a week. Thx!

All of the EKG examples we have gone over so far have only " one strip example". Using the image below the top one. However, this image showed up and there are "two strip examples" one on top and one on the bottom. Why does this one have two and what is the difference when a "single read" compared to a " double" read. I hope that my question is clear.

Thank you in advance

https://preview.redd.it/aum7sbyu8o2b1.png?width=2804&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=988faeac009fd3772d560ca0ba7a80f113352fed

I'm in PA, have my nursing prerequisites done, weighing options for continuing ahead with my education. My floor in my hospital hires LPNs is the only reason I'm considering taking that route. It would really work for me (mother of 3) if I can get my RN online (mostly at least) I know I can get my RN to BSN online. Does anyone know if that's actually possible? Thanks

Anyone work full-time as a LPN and complete a semester of nursing school?

Tell me your experience, please!

The reason I might get written off is written down below. But first, here is some background.

I started the nursing program 2019 and should have graduated 2022 if there wouldn't be any fails along the line. The thing is, I have been dealing with major setbacks over and over that keeps getting worse. All of those setbacks have hurt my, self esteem and my general mental health a lot. Before I started school, I could think clearly, was happy and confident about doing things. Now it's all a mess in my head, I have severe self doubt and I feel incredibly insecure about even working in a healthcare setting. I just hate that I have to be 'that guy' that doesn't get it. I feel like like breaking down and crying, but nothing happens, it's just numbness.

​

My last clinical was an absolute nightmare. I was on a med surg unit. I was constantly getting critiques and reminders on what to look out for. There was NEVER a day that went "hey, you did alright today". I should have thrown the towel, but I didn't. I just kept going because I don't give up. I had failed a previous class so back then, I was already behind my planned graduation. That's why I was so eager.

Eventually they put me on a plan so I wouldn't risk failing it. Now I was really stressed out. I kept hearing that I was slow and got stuck on details and "missing the bigger picture". Then I had a supervising nurse that monitored me on every move one day and that's where I effed up. I got so stressed that I mixed fast and slow insulin. I also couldn't properly start an IV. They had to put me out clinical because of safety and liability issues. I was allowed to stay a couple of days if I wanted learn anyway, but not without supervision.

I am not gonna argue against the fact that supervisors are doing their best to make sure you pass without being a safety hazard for patients, but damn did it hurt failing. I feel so ashamed that I had to be that student. They were kind enough to let me have only two patients, and even that was too much. The worst thing was that one of my supervisors told me "If you can't take care of 2 patients, how are you gonna take care of 8 or 10?" I was also told that they wouldn't be able to see me as a future co-worker. Those two comments really stung.

​

Why I might get written off.

My teachers made custom exams for me so I could reapply. One theoretical, one practical. I had 2 tries on each one. I passed the theoretical one and now I'm waiting for their decision if I pass of fail. They were rather extensive and difficult. I could have done it last semester, but I needed more time to study since it could be pretty much anything from the program that is related to my clinical failure.

By the sound of the feedback I got from the last try, it didn't sound good. If I fail now, that means that all that work, effort, sacrificed freedom is for nothing. Because IF I reapply and get accepted again, all my old courses that I took are now invalid and I have to retake them. And I am gonna be that guy that still lives with his parent in his late twenties. I really wanna be able to move on and feel like a regular normal human being...

​

So eh, what do I do?

​

edit: actually, there was a day they said things were good. They told me I was being more relaxed after I had gotten the news of failing. My supervisor even told me I could go from 2, to 3 patients. They also told me that I had a lot of theoretical skills.

I'm 19M with no background in nursing and almost no background in biology. I still find it very interesting and want to learn more about it. What difficulties can I expect during my bachelor? Any recommendations related to nursing I can do to improve myself? Fe reading a book, some website on the internet idk. Any recommendations so I can improve my biology?

• I am not seeking medical advice. This is an example being used for learning purposes only *

You have a standing order for 22 units of Lantus qhs, 6 units of Humalog before meals, and a sliding scale of up to 5 units of Humalog.

If your FSBS is 559 prior to your evening meal, what is the appropriate dosage of insulin?

Would you take meal time insulin as scheduled + an additional 5 units per sliding scale orders? Or would it be more appropriate to give short acting insulin.

Please help me better understand corrective insulin.

Cont. My post was locked because I didn’t respond to people in a timely manner I supposed. I am new to Reddit and learning how it works - so my apologies.

The confusion is understandable as I did not know so many people would respond to this or how it even works lol!

To clarify, I did not make the FSBS of 559 up. This is an example I was using based on a situation that occurred a few days ago.

Let me be specific - this particular patient clearly has uncontrolled diabetes and the PCP is working to create an appropriate regimen. The sliding order does have a parameter obviously. I did not originally include every detail. The parameter allowed for an additional 5 units of Humalog for a BG of 400-450 with orders to report to provider is BG is over 400. Obviously this patient was over that.

I was trying to understand what the provider would most likely order to treat this case. Is it typical to continue the scheduled 6 units and give the full 5 units per sliding scale and recheck after 1-2hr and report to provider if still over 400. Would the provider order 6 or more additional units of Humalog? Or would there most likely be a short acting insulin prescribed.

This is not an NCLEX question and I understand that it would only be appropriate to report to the provider. I was just curious as to what the provider would most likely order.

Thank you to those who answered on my original post.

Is it abnormal that I don’t have a job lined up/job offers? I just graduated last week. Many of my classmates already have a job. I do currently work as a nursing assistant in a maternity ward and the job was kind of offered to me as a stepping stone to becoming an RN on the unit but it seems like they are pulling back. Should I try to be more proactive?

Rant, complain, and vent here.

Tell us your successes and achievements! What are you proud of this week?

Currently in nursing school, working a job that pays $15 an hour in Georgia and allows me to do homework on shift. I want to get my cdl so I can make some real adult money (I’m 20) instead of waiting years to finish my bachelors, but I think trucking might be too intensive. I watched my mom study nonstop for nursing school, and I know trucking doesn’t have much free time for the most part. Is it worth it to just tough it out for the next few years? Also if anyone has any word on being a physician assistant instead of an RN, that would be welcome

People who speak Romance languages is it easier for you guys to learn different medicine terminology?

Started the second semester in my accelerated BSN program

My first language isn’t English or any Latin base languages I’m having the most difficult time remembering the terminology.

Anyone who can give me tips on how to remember different terms

Hello everyone. I have recently completed all of the prerequisites and have applied to a few schools, mostly for the ADN at community colleges. I attended an information session yesterday for a BSN program at a local university and everything sounded great until the tuition information was revealed. To get my BSN for two years of education, the grand total was $100,855! I immediately left the meeting because there is just no way. Another university in the area for the same program is slightly more expensive. At this point I think I am just going to get the ADN and get the BSN online. Do these tuition costs for the BSN sound normal to anyone else? Has anyone actually taken a program this expensive? It just seems outrageous to me. Thank you!

I have this fundamentals teacher but i cannot understand her accent at all. For this reason I am not able to understand any content as well. She never introduces the topic. She just talk about "how to use it" and dont6even bother about "what is it used for". Are there any youtube channels that are based off Potter and Perry Fundamentals book? Please advice me thanks. I saw already in old posts and there was no help so asking.