With little or no readers of these post I find myself writing to air my own frustrations.
On a positive note, I passed NCLEX on my first time. Can't say the same for every one of my friends.
I did the Pearson Vue trick and it worked. The "Good Pop-up" showed when I attempted to pay for a second test. I also obtained my results approx. 43 hours after taking NCLEX. I also learned you can log into the states system, and after logging in you can see your own license or you can not log in and search for you name as any person of the pubic could do.
I also will start a new RN job in shortly. The non-BSN degree didn't hurt me in that ball park but I still think it could hurt me if I had wanted to work at certain locations. I know this for a fact because those places told me or a classmate of mine. The funny thing is that my school professors can't see around their frustrations in us students asking these questions. They are so used to saying we will be okay rather than actually fixing a problem.
I still continue being frustrated with my nursing program at the school I'm attending. A friend of mine I've known for a long time prior to nursing school is a teacher in the nursing program now and I see it affecting this friend in so many negative ways. My friend had a light of joy inside but now it seems to be a distant shadow. I pray my friend's own gusto can overcome the assumed negatives around that seem to be snuffing it out.
Weather I ever write here again or not I will leave you with this parting words...
If you want to go to nursing school, first ask yourself why?
Wanting to help people is a fine answer but will dwindle away after time. If it is a job you just love, then job feet first. Learn something new each day and do your best not just for the patient, although that is your customer and that should be enough, but because you have a standard that you expect.
Then ask yourself what nursing school?
A BSN program should be a requirement as ADN's are putting out fine nurses but hospitals are beginning to not hire them. Don't believe everything or anything in their sales pitch. Ask questions about their NCLEX pass rates. What resources they have for struggling students who don't pass or who struggle to pass ATI, KAPLAN and/or other semester tests while going through the program. Ask to speak to a senior RN student and ask them hard questions. Did you feel supported in clinical? Do you feel comfortable doing a physical assessment on a patient or where you expected to look in the MAR (digital chart) to try to find answers for clinical paperwork rather than being taught how to do nursing skills?
Do I get an advanced RN degree?
MSN then maybe a DNP or PhD.
First a MSN; CNS, NP, Education, Management, Informatics... There are a handful of masters degrees. Many of my classmates and I wanted to be NP's. Having now worked with NP's, they are not allow to do what they can in some states. They are often relinquished to urgent cares or clinics while MD's and even PA get to deal with critically ill patients. This was not what I thought NP's got to do.
Your school may push the Ed. route. That's because we are at a great shortage for teachers. PROBABLY WHY MOST OF THE RN TEACHERS SUCK!!!
DNP or PhD?
First off, I'd suggest making sure you get this degree and maybe even the Masters from different schools you obtained your bachelors from. You will just be more well rounded.
DNP: Bedside
PhD: Research
Your choice!
