Any RN's that can give a nursing school hopeful a little advice??? :-)

I've been an RN for over 20 years and it was the 2nd best decision I ever made next to getting sleeved. I now do marketing for a home health care company after working many years in the hospitals and I know no matter how hard the economy is, I will always have a job. Good luck and stick with it.

Thanks so much! I still have a couple classes to take before I can even apply to the nursing school, and I heard its really competitive to get in. But I'm so excited to get it over with and start working as a nurse!

It's a lot of work, but worth it. I graduate next week with my RN I am as fresh out of nursing school as they come! I love the field!

RN here too! My advise is work in a healthcare setting while going to school! Soak in everything you see and hear. You learn so much that you can apply to your exams and clinicals. I have worked 12 years (2 as a nursing assistant and 8 as a LPN, and now as a RN) in a nursing home part time. 5 years full time at a family practice clinic-- and just took a new exciting job.... Oddly enough in an inpatient eating disorders unit! Best career ever!! Good luck! You will love it

It's a lot of work, but worth it. I graduate next week with my RN I am as fresh out of nursing school as they come! I love the field!

congrats girl- I got that job at Melrose Institue! The inpatient eating disorders unit! Still with Park Nicollet so I keep all my benefits! 16 dollar an hour raise!! Yay!!

congrats girl- I got that job at Melrose Institue! The inpatient eating disorders unit! Still with Park Nicollet so I keep all my benefits! 16 dollar an hour raise!! Yay!!

Thanks! I had no doubts that you would get it! And heck yeah on the raise! We better meet for dinner someday

I'm a pharmacy tech now, I was actually planning become a pharmacist...but, after 2 years I've realized it's not for me! Lol, my ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Anestetist! But I'm really excited to become a RN!!!!

Thanks! I had no doubts that you would get it! And heck yeah on the raise! We better meet for dinner someday

I would love that! Let me know when you pass your boards!

I'm a pharmacy tech now, I was actually planning become a pharmacist...but, after 2 years I've realized it's not for me! Lol, my ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Anestetist! But I'm really excited to become a RN!!!!

awesome goal!! You can do it. Pharmacy work will help!

So, how was nursing school? How can I make the best of it? What do I need to know to make it successful?

I agree with Sleeveofsteel! Really involving yourself in care centered facilities is the best learning experience. I am a nursing assistant at a hospital and have learned SOOO much! It is a lot of studying, but I also did an alternative program. Really focusing on preparing for the final boards seems to be the key. In the end after getting through the classes that is the end goal! I have loved the school experience and really took in the clinicals and skills. I always volunteered to do IV starts, NG tube placement, etc-- for experience alone! Take it all in! I had to go from a .8 to a .6 my last two semesters to make room for all that I had going on, but other than that I managed!

What program are you planning on doing? Keep on keepin' on You got this girl!!

I'm planning to do a two year RN program or "ASN" so that I can start working a better job, then I'll transfer to an RN to BSN program. Is that a good idea???

Prepare yourself. When its all over you will feel like you've been through war, but you will make it. Get ready though. It's harder psychologically and sometimes physically than it is academically. No one cares about your tears, no one cares about your divorces, deaths in the family, or ANYTHING about you. It's cut throat.

Show up every day, do the assigned reading and study and you will make it but you have to SHOW UP.

I've been a registered nurse for 30 years (I used to walk to school in a mile in the snow ....) I still remember my first round in nursing school like yesterday. It was tough, but certainly worth it. I had a diploma in nursing, from an accredited hospital. I also went back a few years ago for RN to BSN, so yes, I do think that's a great choice. It allows you to work, get experience, and work at your degree. It's great for people who need to work. I also completed my Masters in Nursing a couple of years ago. I think nursing is an excellent choice. It allowed me the flexibility to work part time while rasing my family, move all around in many different roles from hospital nursing to homecare and hospice. I've done quality work, education, and supervision. I'm currently an informatics nurse implementing electronic hiealth records, and I love it.

Anyway - once you become a nurse, the options are limitless. Each program I went through was tough, but you can do it with dedication and perseverance. Good luck!

I'm a RN and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I worked as a PCT before and during nursing school which was helpful to see what I was jumping into before getting accepted to RN school and great during because of the flexible hours. I worked full time until my senior year when I started an externship and worked only 2 shifts a week. Nursing school is rough, but you can do it! Just remember - it sucks but it'll be over soon and it is worth it! I love the flexible hours and shifts as a nurse, the mental stimulation, and being able to move around all day and not be confined behind a desk. I work in NICU and its challenging and rewarding - I love it!