Congratulate SarahBelle! She's a student again!

[Pale Blue Dot]

I have a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who takes the time and the risk to make their lives better, and today, SarahBelle is taking that step. Please join me in wishing her luck (not that she'll need it)!

You're an amazing woman, SarahBelle. Knock 'em dead.

:loveya: :applause: :yourock: :thumbsup: :woohoo: :loveya:

[Thtwudbeme]

1. Very very cool!

What's she a student of? (major, I mean...not the name of the school-)

Stephanie

[SarahB]

2. Nursing.

I finished all my prerequisites a year ago and start my clinical work in the Fall (21 months and I'm finally an RN). I have a math class over the next couple of weeks to prepare for my first exam in September on calculating med doses. Exciting stuff. :D

[Thtwudbeme]

4. Very exciting!

I was a paramedic; now am in school for Pastoral counseling ---I want to go back to the ER.

Med doses are a pain in the ass! You have to learn how to prepare IV drips--which are the ones I couldn't stand doing the math for! However, once you pass that on your state boards, I THINK (it's been awhile) that the pharmacists in hospital formulate them for you--

About your clinicals....(oh my God, I hope I don't piss anyone off here) Cardiac nurses were the meanest---and the nicest, most pleasant nurses were OB/GYN and Burn unit---Peds nurses were pretty cool too!

Now watch me get flamed from the Cardiac nurses on DU! ;)

Stephanie

[SarahB]

8. Having had some experience already in the field...

With cardiac nurses vs. pedi and ob nurses, I'd agree with your assessment in my experience thus far (not to offend any cardiac nurses either). :7

I hope to either work in post partum care (no big urge to do labor & delivery though) or pedi (either NICU or med/surg with little ones).

[NightNurse]

33. Good Luck. PPC is trending (nationwide)towards being absorbed by L & D...

It's all about budget and bottom line numbers,thus,unless you can find a "boutique facility" somewhere, the door to PPC goes straight through the L&D Nurse Manager's Office. It goes without saying that you'll start your career on Night shift.

But,as they say, that's 2 Summers from now. Good luck. Lord knows we need the help.

[TNDemo]

5. I'm your sister in arms...

I have spent three years doing prerequisites (despite a bachelor's degree) and sitting on the waiting list. At the end of August I finally start and in 21 months I will be an RN. It sounds like my program is of the Marine boot camp variety so I hope I can suck it up and stick it out. Good luck to you!

[SarahB]

9. My program's intense too.

A good 25-30% don't make it. :scared: I'm prepared and pretty driven (and have a degree already too, just in a field that doesn't pay so well), so hopefully I won't be one of them.

Best wishes to you as well, my sister. :thumbsup:

[TNDemo]

31. There is a lot of weeding out before it starts.

The A&P and micro courses seem to get rid of the borderline ones. My A&P class finished with half of what it started with. People in the program say it is like the professor's goal is to get you to quit. The suspicion is that the school has a high pass rate with the NCLEX and anyone who looks borderline and might possibly fail they want to ditch. My husband says it seems to be something related to healthcare (doctors and nurses anyway) that they have to treat like crap while they are training for some reason. Anyway, we'll see how it goes and if I am woman enough to take it. I hear the third semester is the killer. PM me if you need to!

[blondeatlast]

11. SB, as often as I have been in health jail, I have the utmost respect

and admiration for nurses.

Good for you; just stay out of California!

:toast:

[SarahB]

13. Thanks.

I think no matter what, I'm going to be an east coast girl forever.
I know you've been through a lot. Chronic conditions are rough. :hug:

[SarahB]

3. Thanks.

If I need help, I'll call on you. ;)

[madmax]

6. That's terrific SarahBelle!!!

Kudos to you. :applause:

[SarahB]

10. Thank you.

:bounce:

[In_The_Wind]

7. HURRAY SarahBelle!

good for you :thumbsup: we'll all be pullin for ya!

[SarahB]

12. I appreciate that.

A lot. :)

[tigereye]

15. way to go, SB

:thumbsup:

[SarahB]

22. Thanks.

:)

[In_The_Wind]

24. I'll always be here if you ever need anything

[Left_Winger]

14. Congratulations and all the best

I took the same step in 1990 when I was laid off during the S&L crisis and it has led to a better and more fulfilling career.

:kick:

[SarahB]

20. If you're not squeemish...

(and have a decent brain) ;) nursing provides both an opportunity for a decent income, flexibility (both in a variety of fields within the field in terms of hours), and a lot of job security.

I'm 33 and in the median as far as age within my program. Lots of people in their 40's (and even 50's). Pretty cool. :thumbsup:

[Zomby Woof]

16. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

As a big proponent of lifelong education, I can't help but pee my pants with joy! :bounce: :loveya: :woohoo:

[SarahB]

21. Well, if you do pee your pants...

I'll unsqueemishly change your Depends. :P

Thanks, Zomby. I believe in lifelong education as well. Growth is continual! :D

[Rising Phoenix]

17. Congrats...Very Proud

[SarahB]

23. Thanks, Mrs. Sniffa!

:yourock:

[Trigger Hippie]

18. Good for you, SarahBelle

Good luck!

:)

:hi:

[SarahB]

25. Feels like I've been preparing for this forever.

I starting the prep work for my science classes (and updating a few electives also) almost 3 years ago. I just can't wait to be done at this point. :D

[no name no slogan]

19. Yay SarahBelle!!!!

Best of luck on your new adventure!!! :yourock:

[SarahB]

27. Thank you.

:D

[RedCloud]

26. Right on SarahBelle

Believe in yourself. Take plenty of notes. Sort your notes. Protein (about 48 hours prior to study)is key to memory retention. Remember to take breaks from studying about every forty minutes.

I would recommend using classical music while studying, especially Mozart or Vivaldi. I once remembered some really complex stuff simply by what music I had on while studying each aspect.

Go out there and knock 'em out! Remember, you are our goalie and we have the utmost confidence that nothing is going to get past you!

[SarahB]

28. Wow, good post.

I'm a huge believer too in good nutrition to keep one's mind and body clear (not that I'm always perfect, but I try). Thanks. I'll do it. I have a lot of motivation at this point. :D

[bicentennial_baby]

29. Yay! Congrats!!

:toast: You're gonna do great, I know it!

[SarahB]

34. Let's hope so.

I was supposed to send in stuff to join an honor society, but I was so busy and stressed over the last year that I didn't ever get around to it. Hopefully, my GPA will stay up and I can do it this year. :)

[bicentennial_baby]

38. I know you will

As an adult learner myself, I know how tough it can be, especially with life and it's habit of intruding on your school work :P Having seen you and your posts here for the last years, I have the utmost faith in you, girl. Knock 'em dead! ...well, not the patients, though :P

[LynzM]

30. Awesome!

Congrats, SB! Wanna join me in whining about class? ;) :rofl: I'm glad you're going back!

[SarahB]

35. You too?!

Yeah Lynz! :bounce:

[LynzM]

42. Yup, me too!

Trying to get gen. eds. out of the way this year, so I can go back full-time for a year next fall....

[Lisa0825]

32. Congratulations!!! I hope to return to school soon myself!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[SarahB]

36. You can do it!

With a little effort, I firmly believe almost anything is possible. You go! :thumbsup:

[Lisa0825]

41. I am definitely going to do it. The question is, now or later?

I just posted a topic about my situation.

I want to get a Masters in Cross Cultural Studies just because I love the classes, whether or not it ever affects my career.

[sundog]

37. right on sb!

:toast:

:hug:

[indigo32]

39. WTG SarahBelle

hang in there, it's not going to be easy, but you can do it.

[LaurenG]

40. congratulations and may you enjoy every minute of it nt

[NewJeffCT]

43. good luck

I'm sure you'll do well. It's tough going back to school after you've been out for a few years... trust me, I know.

[SarahB]

45. I've been going for awhile.

Tonight started the meat of my nursing classes though. Not too bad so far. :hi:

[SarahB]

44. My 1st nursing class tonight...

Easy. As. Pie. :7

Thanks guys again for all your nice words and a special thanks to Finnfan for always being there to do and/or say something nice just because that's who he is. It means a lot to me, my sweet. :loveya: :hug:

I can't wait until after my class Thursday. :woohoo:

[Pale Blue Dot]

46. Easy as pie, huh?

What's 35/5? Huh? Huh? :D

Maybe you need my "tutoring" skills after all. :P

:loveya:

[merh]

47. Congrats

:applause: :applause: :applause:

Good luck with the studies! I'll keep you in my prayers ;-)

:thumbsup:

[SOteric]

48. Errm... is

'knock 'em dead' really the right phrase to use for a nursing student?

:hi:

[Wapsie B]

50. Maybe she wants to work in the morgue.

:evilgrin:

Pathology seems like a cool career.

[Wapsie B]

49. Congrats Sarahbelle!

You've got so many things coming together. I've very happy for you.

[xmas74]

51. Good luck!

I'm thinking about going back to school in the next year or so (different field). I hope that it goes well for you!

[peacebuzzard]

52. Congratulations are definitely in order here!!!

Wishing you many successful nights of study!