(this is a vent) I have to admit, the first two years of it wasn't bad, I'm just not good with all the remembering. But this third year? Oh boy. I'm back to the lecture for two weeks with an exam every two days only to get hit by a bus that's called clinical. The schedule is super tight, I have 180 hrs as a student in this month alone and 190 waiting for me in the next, and half of those hours I'm on afternoon or night shift. I've barely slept more than 2 hrs with all the damn reports I have to do. I went back home last Friday with my legs completely giving out with my mother (a nurse) thinking that I might actually have a stroke if this kept going on. But I can't take a day off because I'm not alloweddd, I can't even get checked with the doctors because I can't miss my hours on duty. And everyone is thinking about themselves. I've gotten into an argument with my case study partner because she keeps trying to make me do 80% of the work, when I bring it up to the professor they told me 'to figure it out' or lose a point. Puck my life. I've regret going into nursing now more than ever, but I can't drop out because my family is putting the pressure on me. Oof.

17 high school senior who wants to be a nurse looking for advice. Thank you!

Hi! I’m planning to enroll in nursing school next enrollment. Late na ba ang 31 years old para mag-start ng nursing? May mga naka-experience ba na ma-bully or ma-judge because of their age?
Please be kind. Thank you!

we were studying about crash cart and emergency medicines that need to be kept in a crash trolley. and one of the medicines we were told was magnesium sulphate. however i have seen mgso4 being used in CCU patients to prevent edema especially for prolonged bedridden pts. my question is if it is used to prevent edema, why do i need it in case of an emergency?

Hello!! Just got accepted into the JHU Masters of nursing entry into nursing program for spring 27! Has anyone else gotten accepted? Or looking for roommates?

Also what are other students experience with asking for more aid? & any good fb groups I should join to look for housing/ roommates & to connect w other peers?

i take the ATI proctors next week, any resources yall can recommend?

I’m a first semester senior and last summer took on an externship at my local hospital because I’d never been a tech but had loved my time in clinicals in my first year.

I’ve only been there for four months. First of all, the facility I’m at falsely advertised an externship as a PCT position. I’ve come to terms with it, despite annoyance at not getting more experience and decided I’m just happy to be working in a hospital.

But how do I deal with difficult patients? It’s making me feel like a bad person, worse tech, and that I’ll be a horrible nurse.

Here’s what happened yesterday: I had a patient who was incontinent of both bladder and bowels but refused a pure wick. When I went to check on her, I asked if she was wet. She said no, and I asked if I could check just in case and she agreed. I did and her brief was full, but long story short, she said it hurt too much to roll and she wouldn’t do it. I was trying to be as kind as possible as she started to escalate (thank you for trying, thank you for being patient (she wasn’t being), you’ll feel better when you’re clean, etc.). I got her clean, and she said she had to go to the bathroom again. She could get up, btw, but was refusing to. I said okay, do you want to go to the bathroom? She said no, she would fall, and wanted to use the bedpan but yelled at me for poking her with it when she was refusing to roll. Finally, I convinced her to get up to the BSC, but the IV got caught on the bed as she was pivoting so I said hold tight please sit for a sec and got it untangled, and got back to her. During this time, she’d soiled her brief again, and the chux pads. I really needed her up if she wouldn’t roll so she would be clean. She refused to get up for a second time, and I said are you sure I think it would be really good for your muscles and she yelled at me and said “I said no!!”. I tried to clean her again, bc I refused to leave her soiled, and she flat out wouldn’t roll side to side but she was on one side already. So I got her cleaned, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t get another brief on her. She also started yelling at me saying everything I was doing was hurting her. She was super red, so I applied a thick layer of cream, and she screamed it hurt and smacked my hand away. I told her I’m sorry, I’m really not trying to hurt you, and she scoffed at me and ordered me to get her nurse so she could get some oxy. (She’d JUST gotten some.) At that point, I just had her lay on top of the open brief, and tucked two chux pads under her bc I’d been in there for over an hour, with 3 soiled briefs and a screaming patient on the verge of tears. I apologized profusely to the nightshift tech when she arrived bc of the haphazard state I had to leave her in, because at least she was clean and cream was on.

I probably could’ve done something better, but I didn’t know what. How do I deal with patients like that? How often do you get yelled at by patients? How do I let it roll off my back?

Ok so I’ve never written a post before so sorry if I mess up the formatting! This is really long too.
I (17F) am currently a high school senior (class of 2027) in the Midwest and would like to become a nurse (thinking NICU or CRNA). I’ve been thinking about moving to Philadelphia, PA to go to the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), but I have a few questions about the degree and certifications available for healthcare. My parents (and me a little too) have saved almost 19K in my college investment account, but will only be able to give me “beer money” for college. I am on my own besides scholarships and whatever I get from the FAFSA. Here is my general career plan:
0.5. I turn 18 in Nov, and plan on opening a savings account and credit card (use for gas and pay off each month to build credit) and take my parents off my checking account.
1. Move to an apartment in Philly (having my own space and kitchen is non-negotiable) and get a job. Work as a half-time student (6 or less credits) while getting healthcare certifications to build up my resume and prove that I am not there just for school. This is to establish residency so that I don’t have to pay out-of-state tuition. I’ll take out student loans.
2. After establishing residency, complete all my pre-reqs for nursing school and get more certs. Hopefully by then I have become a CNA or CMA and can start working in the medical field.
3. Get into the nursing school and graduate with my AAS. Take all the tests and become an RN.
4. Transfer to UPENN (hopefully) and get my BSN while working in the ICU and/or the NICU (I love kids and babies) for 1-2 years for experience and live below my means to save as much money as possible.
5. Get into CRNA school, hopefully at UPENN.
6. Have the worst time ever as a student and graduate :)
7. Pay off student loans and pay for my younger sister’s college (with conditions obvi, and I haven’t told her that I want to do this for her yet)
Now I have some questions.
1. Is it worth it to establish residency for cheaper tuition? If I transfer to UPENN, all tuition is the same price anyways.
2. I will definitely become a CNA, but should I be a CMA as well? Would I actually make more and would it be beneficial for nursing experience and my resume?
3. If yall have ideas for all the possible certifications I should get, please let me know. I’m doing research to get a list of the ones I should get and many are obvious, but outside opinions from people already in the healthcare field are always welcome! Especially from the POV of professors and hiring managers.
4. I know that AAS is a type of ADN degree, but I would like to know if that would affect my chances of passing the NCLEX and others as well as being hired, and would I be paid less? Should I see what credits transfer over and get a general ADN degree as well? How about an ASN? CCP only offers an AAS btw.
5. I believe I would eventually like to be a CRNA. I’ve heard that hospitals will pay for you to go back to school and will do that if I can. Do hospitals in Philly do that and what are the limitations? And what hospitals should I be looking into?
6. About CRNA school: I’ve heard people say that you can’t work while doing these programs because school is full time, and some programs don’t allow it, which makes sense. How would I be able to pay for rent and food and bills?
6.5. I dont care for dating all willy nilly. If I date someone, I want to see if I’m gonna marry them, and if I marry them, I’m keeping my finances separate to protect myself. It would take me several months or years to be talked into moving in with someone, and I would require them to put me in the lease. I want kids in my twenties, but I’m not sure when in this timeline would be the best, especially with school. What are your experiences? How about with allowing a partner to pay for my school? How does that work? (If I meet a sugar daddy while at college and they reasonably want to help with tuition or rent, I doubt I’ll say no. Money is money and older men are generally more mature in that aspect.) Could it be held against me if the situation goes bad and turns into financial abuse and HOW could that happen? What’s the general pattern?
7. If I have student loans, would I have to start paying those off as soon as I get my degree and start work as an RN? What if I work as an RN and student at the same time? How about going on to CRNA school?
8. If I can’t have a job during CRNA school and have no outside help for rent/bills/food, how will I pay for those during that time? COULD I take out a loan strictly for that stuff and pay it off after I graduate? If I know that my work would pay for school, should I just save up for the bills for the next several years?
9. How would accommodations work in college? Right now I really only need extra time on tests and quizzes, but that’s because it takes me slightly longer to think through things after my concussions. Remembering is fine, but free-response is the issue. And once in a blue moon I will have to change the day I take a test due to a migraine. Should I get an academic plan for that or just talk to my professors about my individual situation and needs? Can prospective jobs see if I needed accommodations?
10. Are there any other medical degrees that have enough overlap with nursing that I could get them if I add an extra class or two?
11. What other things am I not thinking about? What other recommendations do yall have?
Here is a list of my current resume and what I am like so that could be taken into account:
3 years of volunteering at a zoo
Several years of babysitting experience
I work as a hostess right now at a sports bar/restaurant and will stay here for the next year, saving as much as possible.
Not the best grades. I think I will graduate with a 3.4ish GPA because I was very sick second semester of Junior year and had to freeze my grades at a bad point so I probably won’t be able to get any performance-based scholarships.
I do love learning, and have an IQ of 133 so I have the ability to learn and understand things really fast. If I can understand the process and WHY something is done in a certain order, everything else in the category is easy. However, I have 4 concussions and minor memory issues (really only small details) so reputation is key for me. Ex: getting several certifications for similar things. I’m not worried about it too much since clinicals will do that for me and like I said earlier, if I understand the WHY, the exact details are easy to figure out (like medicine doses).
I don’t really start fights with anyone. If I have an issue with them, I’ll complain to someone else that is completely outside of the situation or social area, but I’m not afraid to take action against abusive people if needed.
I’ve taken a CPR class before, and have had my serve/clean food permit for several years.
I LOVE kids and animals. I really want to raise several kids to be the best humans possible and set them up for success, but first get a kitten or two when I move to the apartment in Philly.
I am a pretty nice person. I was raised in very diverse schools (cultures, languages, incomes, etc) so I understand that everyone comes from a different background. Mental health is openly talked and (lovingly) joked about here, as well as disabilities, so I don’t have any issues with things like that (I am familiar with autism, adhd, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, dementia, and I am being screened for ADHD and Autism). I love meeting new people and socialize, but also love to lay in my bed and doom scroll (college has been my recent fixation). I only care about morals and personalities.
I am a tech for my school’s theater and show choirs, and love the arts and technical aspects of it all, especially creating things and making people happy (but I’m not too much of a people pleaser).

What did everyone get on their first pharm exam??

Hello, I am trying to enroll into a LPN program. I need health insurance, I just want some help on what are some good reliable health insurance companies that I can call and receive insurance as soon as possible. I have until September 29 so the help would be kind

Anyone here have ATI proctored exams by modules?

Hi! I am trying to decide between a 12 month ABSN at Dominican University or a 15 month hybrid program at TESU. Please if anyone attended these programs and can give me any insider tips on the school/professors, how they studied, how often they were in person every week, etc. It would be SO helpful! Thank you!!

I'm currently a community college freshman finishing my prerequisites for Texas A&M's BSN program across this fall and upcoming spring semesters. I already hold CPR, BLS, and EKG certifications, but I want to earn an additional certification next summer while I have the time. I'm torn between getting my EMT certification or becoming a CNA.

I realize I won’t be able to include this new certification on my TAMU nursing application since deadlines fall between late this year and Spring 2027. However, I’m looking at the long-term benefits.

I am interested in knowing which certification covers a broader range of practical skills that will directly benefit me in nursing school and bedside practice. I also know that an EMT certification opens doors to work as an ER technician, and I want to understand how that experience compares to working as a CNA. I'd also like to learn which pathway provides stronger clinical experience and builds a better foundation for nursing school and future employment.

I'd love feedback from current BSN students, TAMU applicants, or working nurses who held one of these certifications. Which path served you best?

Hi how was relational practice as a class first year? was it hard, very assignment heavy or was it a bird course?

Anyone took RN ATI Med Surg 2026 yet? I took the 2023 version. Are they similar or the new test is harder and how did you study? And study’s tips would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe I'm just overdramatic but I'm actually freaking out... Is it normal for my A&P 1 lectures FIRST exam after only two classes be on 6 chapters?? The first class my Prof talked about chapters 1-3 and second class she did 4-6 CHAPTERS

So from chapter 1 basics of A&P, 2 Chemistry, 3, cells, 4, cellular metabolism, 5 Tissues, 6, integumentary system.

This is just the lecture exam. HELP.

Hey guys, I recently got accepted into the 2027 cohort and was wondering if anyone else is taking Pharm or Patho through Portage Learning. If so, could you let me know what it’s like?

Can anybody recommend a good app or game for their phone that helps practice with anatomy and physiology work?

I am currently in Grade 12 and will be completing all of my high school requirements in late January 2027. Since I will have several months between graduating and starting a BScN program in September 2027, I was hoping to find out if there are any ways I could use that time to prepare for the program or get a head start academically.

I was initially looking into taking university courses during that time, but the admissions at my university explained that doing so could change how my Fall application is assessed and could affect my eligibility as a direct-from-high-school applicant.

I definitely don’t want to risk my admission chances, especially since nursing is already such a competitive program. So I was wondering if there are any other courses, preparation opportunities, certifications, or experiences you guys would recommend that I could pursue before starting?

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has notes for the chapters from Lewis’s Medical-Surgical textbook and would be willing to share them with me? I would really appreciate it.

These are simple squamous epithelium cells I am confident, it seems like they are stratified but then I see single rows of cells still. Correct me if I’m so I can learn and understand.

Hi guys! This is my first semester of med surg. My school uses ATI and Pearson. I’m asking for help on how to study med surg. From what I’m understanding, I have to know the material like if I’m teaching someone who is newly diagnosed?

I also am doing some concept maps, but I’ve never done them before. How would you study from those?

Also, I have two teachers teaching this class. One hates ATI and likes Pearson more? I do have dynamic quizzing on ATI. We have PowerPoints as well.

Thank you 😊

Hi everyone! For those who have already taken the 493T midterm or have some insight into what to expect, what would you recommend focusing on when studying?

I’m trying to figure out which specific topics I should prioritize rather than reviewing everything.

• What topics were emphasized on the midterm?
• What topics would you say are high-yield and definitely worth reviewing?
• Were the questions more application/priority-based, or more straightforward knowledge questions?
• Are there any specific Fundamentals, Pharmacology, or Med-Surg topics you would recommend reviewing?
• Is there anything you wish you had studied more before taking the exam?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Trying to make sure I’m studying the right things and not wasting time on topics that aren’t as important.

I’m an EMT. Graduated #1 in my emt class. One year of on the truck experience. Decided to become a nurse! Currently taking prereqs.
All is going great! Straight As in everything. Including a&p, medical terminology, and psych.
A&P is absolutely killing me. Daily studying is not enough. I went into this class confident about anatomy only to find I have a kindergarten level of understand in cells. I’m so worried about this test I’ve done every assignment, read the textbook, done all extra assignments, perfect notes, study guides complete. I can do flashcards all day long. That doesn’t help me understand the cells and all of the chemistry stuff. I am NOT confident in the information and have to redo assignments over and over. I have 4 days to prepare. I don’t know what else to do. SOS!