Why Nursing Is Not For You

Every so often, I run into nurses who admit that they're in the wrong profession and if they had known...

Being a nurse comes with perks, but has its own challenges.

Before you become that professional, you have to go to school for it, right?

While you don't have to like the classes that comes with nursing, i.e pre-reqs that are typically not used in REAL LIFE, you definitely have to endure (Statistics was my least favorite). And then there are the classes that you indeed will need in real life (Pathophysiology wasn't my fave. I loved pharmacology though).

So you have to be studious if you want good grades. Or you can settle with C's and not get a passing GPA that'll admit you while furthering your education (some schools require you to have graduated with at least a 3.0 to pursue their Nurse Practitioner program, for example). I very much remember the calendar book I took with me everywhere to school. In that book, for each day, I wrote down chapters and the class to study for; when assignments were due and when tests had to be reviewed. I was very firm with study sessions which took place mainly in my room. I barely saw my roommates, and when it was time to hang out, I had to have (almost) completed my set study goal. Back then, being an avid reality TV show watcher (it was Jersey Shore then), I'd tell myself, "if you don't finish these chapters, you won't watch that show", and while it was very tempting *The Walking Dead*, I stuck to it.

Don't get me wrong, I had my share of fun. Oh yes! St. Louis nights, frequent trips to Chicago...I knew what worked for me.

Anyway. A lot of people have the belief that nurses make the most money. "Ahh you're a nurse, you're now making all the money." "You're now a big girl."

I'll say this to you now, If you're thinking of getting into nursing because it's hassle-free (NOT), or because you'll make quick money...don't. I can assure you, you may not like one bit of it. You can probably scope the profession by being a CNA/tech first to see what it's like.

I'll tell you some reasons why I love my job, and why you may not.

• Flexibility- being able to make your own schedule is such a great thing. I'm able to schedule myself to work 4 days in a row and be off for 7 days straight, but I typically don't do that (most nurses work 12-hour shifts/ 3 days a week). We also work every other weekend and rotating holidays. You may be able to switch work days with your coworkers. I'll attach my sample work schedule so you'd have an idea. If you're the type that loves to have your weekends and holidays to yourself, you may need to reconsider your career choice because you can't escape working those weekends/holidays.

• Stability- Financial stability. I am comfortable with what I earn, even though I can't always splurge as much as I want to (because I have to save, duh). I don't know why people constantly say nurses make one hell of an earning. Sure, when you've been a nurse for a very long time, making about $55/hr; or when you ain't got no bills to pay. I know pharmacists, project managers, etc that make more than nurses do, yet, people want to be a nurse "to make money". Sorry to burst your bubble, but there really isn't much in it. But I can assure you that you'll never be without a job (if you're competent) because there are always hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's office, travel agencies, home health agencies, etc looking to employ a nurse.

• Compassion/Teamwork. Being able to take care of an ill person is something that comes naturally to me. If you know me, you'd know that nursing is the only profession I've ever pursued. I love the feeling of resolving patient problem and needs while delivering high quality of care. Also I get to utilize multidisciplinary team strategies to produce great outcomes- from respiratory therapists, to physicians, to CNAs, to radiologists...all for the betterment & continuity of care. If you're not compassionate, or if you think you'll hate taking orders from people (MDs in this case) or working with nursing teams, I think you'll be miserable going in to work. Don't be that nurse that ends up on the news: maltreating a patient. 

Sample work schedule

While I know this may happen with other professions- people regretting their decision to become that professional, I can only speak for the career that I'm familiar with. I'm sure some of you can identify with this.

Go on and be great!

xxxo

C.U.

New Beginnings

This month of July has been more than a blessing to me; in fact, this year has!

You recall that I took my boards on July 3rd. My official result was sent a week after that. 

I've been at my parent's for a week now and I've spent my days here chillaxin.

Two days ago, I got desperate as I thought I should resume my job hunt as my post-nclex-break came to a halt. I reached out to a nurse friend of mine who told me to apply at a facility. I immediately got on Google, called the healthcare center, and thereafter, was told to come in the following day-- yesterday.

So yesterday, I walked in with my resume, filled out an application, and took a short readiness nursing test, after which I had an interview with the nursing supervisor/hiring personnel. I thought it went well as she eagerly congratulated me for passing NCLEX.

 Today, I got a call that I got the job and I'm to begin next week! Say whaaa? 

Now I'm left with no choice but to speed up my moving process. Because I've already made plans to look for an apartment and celebrate my birthday this weekend (my birthday was yesterday..yes, I was out job hunting on my birthday), I'll go the following weekend and will only have TWO DAYS to move!

This has got to be one of my favorite birthdays ever!

I got my first nursing job in my city, and downtown Chicago at that! 

Time to start my "big girl" job.

Can't lie, I'm super nervous...as I should be; but I'm very excited for this new chapter of my life!

I'll definitely share how my first week goes. 

Can't wait to sign off as: CUmesegha, RN ;)

xxxo

I Passed NCLEX!!!

I am beyond ecstatic and grateful to God for seeing me through boards.

I received my Authorization to Test (ATT) on the 11th of June and I didn't know what day I wanted to schedule to take the exam. I knew I wanted to be very prepared and so I stalked the Pearson website and changed my test dates 3X! I studied intensively for 3weeks and tested on July 3rd.

As requested, here are the resources that I used to study.
Note that I did not study every material in and out. I certainly did not have the time to do so.

1. Kaplan. I registered for Kaplan the following week after graduation. I took the 4-day review class (which wasn't all that beneficial, in my opinion) and did all practice questions; 1000+ q-banks and 7 question trainers. I reviewed most wrong answers, and rationales. I also watched some of their LOC videos. Watch all of them if you can! I bought Kaplan for $500...you may be lucky to get a discount of some sort.

2. Hurst. My good friend Vanessa gave me her Hurst review book. That book deals with a lot of content but I mainly focused on Peds and Orthopedics. My weaker areas.

3. Kaplan Content Review, Kindle App. This is the review book, but in kindle version and free! I downloaded the app on my iPad from Amazon, skimmed through, and found very helpful information. You can bookmark, make notes and highlight important points. If you want the book itself, it sells for about $40.

4. Saunder's Comprehensive Review, 5th Edition. This has a lot of info, from OB to Peds, to Med-Surg. I didn't get to read the book at all; the sight of it scared me! However, I did some of the practice questions on the CD, though they seemed a bit too easy! Not very helpful in setting standards, but I highly recommend the CD for practicing SATAs(select all that applies). Again, I only did a couple questions.

5. Lippincott's Prep-U. I initially bought this back in March in preparation for my exit HESI exam for about $90. It has lots of practice questions and recommends you reach a mastery level of 8 in all areas to be ready for boards. This was actually the most helpful of them all. [And to think I once took it for granted!]

6. Apps and Google. In the beginning stage of studying, I searched for free apps on my tablet and did some questions and read everything therein. Also, you'd be surprised what you will find on Google, especially allnurses site.

I also practiced the SATA questions found on Kaplan review. I made sure to use every bit of information on Kaplan, only because I spent a good amount on it. Meh!

I had roughly 3 weeks to study, and I did so intensively!..OK, kinda. But the last week, I gave it my all. Went MIA on my social life and I'm glad I made that decision.
You've got to minimize distractions, people!!!

I can't say all of these helped me. Some people have used other resources, or only Prep-U or Hurst and have passed. And on the other hand, unfortunately, many have had to retake the test. I'd say use what works for you. For me, it was Kaplan and Prep-U.
Personally, I think Kaplan questions are a lot harder than NCLEX, and that is why they recommend you reach 60% on the trainers and cumulative q-banks.

Don't forget to pray. I very much believe in the power of prayer!
If you're not religious, do what works for you--yoga, retail, exercise, beer?

And no, I did not take the day before the test off. Studied all night, as per my norm...

Well I hope this helps some of you.
Best of luck. You will do fine!

xxxo

Senior Poster Presentation

For many of us, the poster presentation is usually done during senior/final year. 

For me, there were two parts to the project: a literature review which is a 12 page research paper on a topic of your choice (has to relate to your nursing experience) and then the poster presentation in which you either interview & obverse, or teach whatever your project is about).

It was rough doing the paper; I'm not really a fan of research papers especially one that long! But you have to start working on it ASAP and not leave it till the last minute, which is what I did. I wrote the paper in two days. 

For the presentation, I dressed business-casual. You are supposed to look "professional" but you don't have to dress in a business attire--suit and tie.

The whole presentation took about 1.5 hours. We each had two interviewers come up to ask questions concerning our project and graded our work according to the rubric.

**I got 53 points out of 55 (2 pts were taken out probably for poster attraction. lol)

If you have any question like putting a poster together or working on your paper, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

What's happening?

Let me start by saying: I'M ALMOST THROUGH!

Through with nursing school, that is.

I'm in my final stages of being a nursing undergrad. And every moment since Monday (the beginning of Spring semester) has been exciting but a bit challenging because I'm currently enrolled in Critical Care class and our first quiz was yesterday and the first exam is next week! This course is going to run for 8 weeks, so it's very fast paced! But it only means graduation will be coming around soon. Right? Right.

Clinical officially starts next week...it's going to be a whole new experience for me, so I'm anxious. I'll be on a high risk telemetry unit with lots of cardiac and renal patients; it'll be lots of labs, meds, skills, and overall care, but I'll be proficient with time.

Anyway, let me not bore you any further. 

I'll most likely not blog till spring break because I have a lot going on with class work, hospital assignments and work!

I've also created this "Career" segment for my nursing students who want to know all that nursing school entails. I'll make posts when necessary. It'll be a beautiful experience! And to those of you waiting to get your acceptance letter(s), I wish you all the best! Throw a party, OK? You deserve it :)

See you on my next post.

xxxo