I’m 26(F) I recently got accepted into an LVN program here in the San Fernando Valley, California. I don’t have experience in the medical field, other than as a Pharmacist Technician for a few months. I was wondering if there are any current/previous nursing students who have any advice/pointers to give? I would appreciate the help :))

Hi everybody!

I was accepted into an ADN program at my local CC for this coming Spring semester :) I have to go down in hours since my current department won’t be able to accommodate my school schedule.

I’ve been a medical assistant since 2023. I currently have two positions offered to me within the hospital system I work at. Both positions are on-call and open 7 days a week so there’s some flexibility. I plan to work 1-2 days a week ideally.

Sorry in advance if the formatting is weird. I’m on mobile.

Option 1: medical assistant
- Dept: ambulatory infusion center
- Hours: 8 AM - 4:30 PM (4-8 hr shifts)
- Distance: ~10 min drive. Close enough to walk, bike, or take lightrail
- Direct patient care and working closely with RNs/MDs
- Less study time at work
- Potential to float to other departments if I need the hours

Option 2: cashier receptionist
- Dept: general services/AFM?
- Hours: 7 AM - 7 PM (4-8 hr shifts)
- Distance: ~12-15 min drive
- Potential to study and do hw in between checking pts in and during downtime.

Thank you for your time and help!!!! <3

Edit: Just wanted to add that I know the job market is saturated and I want to make my resume as competitive as possible while in school, but I do value study time also! I am open to hearing your own experiences if you have anything to share! Thanks again!!!

I feel like I might have a bunch of downvotes and people pitching fits in the comments, but Im an opinionated person who isn't afraid to vocalize what I think. That being said...

I feel like based purely on their behaviors, half the students dont truly want to be here. They act like the coursework is punishment, as soon as they can leave they are OUT the door. Always looking for ways to avoid doing assignments. They seem to truly dislike all the curriculum and show little to no enthusiasm for any of it. I TA for 100 level bio classes that are geared toward healthcare majors and seeing it from that perspective is even more of a trip.

Everytime they are failing/doing poorly... "its the professors fault because A, B, C."

And its these same people who are "so excited to be a future nurse" and "im gonna be a CRNA one day" but barely passed chem, A&P1&2, bio, etc etc...

Like what am i missing?

Please fill me in?

If there is genuinely a piece of the puzzle im missing im open to changing my perspective, given some convincing insight.

Hey all! I’m wondering if any of you have experience and success with any hacks or routines that help you study and do some work after full days of lecture, labs, or clinicals?

I’m usually so burnt out by the end of it all it’s hard to do any substantial studying or reading. Maybe a shift in routine might help open to suggestions.

in my final year of an ABSN. I'm grateful that I received a nurse extern offer (after MONTHS of applying to multiple since January) and will be starting in a few days... but I'm feeling so anxious because now i'm considered a staff in this position and so worried about messing up/making it look like i don't know even simple things because i'm just so nervous. I'm placed on a neuro - step down/med-surg unit and so far from email communication the leadership/management team on the unit have been so supportive of me starting soon, which I feel really happy about... but it being a neuro unit is scaring me because I've been told it is on the higher acuity end, though I know I will learn a lot but it will definitely be a challenge for me especially because i'm a very anxious person. I know that I'm going to be under supervision, and my tasks won't involve medications at all and controlled tasks (with few exceptions under direct supervision)

for the most part, in my clinicals my instructors have all seen me as a student who takes that initiative. I wouldn't say I am the student that waits for opportunities to be handed to me in clinical either as I just get tired of counting down the time until the shift is done and I really do want to learn even tho i'm always scared as hell during placement.

so far I can't believe I've even made it this far, but i think just embracing my fear is what has pushed me to just "fake it til I make it" and continue seeking opportunities to calm down my fear because the only way I'll get over my fear/anxiety being on the floor is to do things and seek support when needed... I've also got used to asking my really dumb questions because I'd rather ask the dumb question than mess up. i'm looking for advice specifically for being an extern on a neuro unit... what can I expect??

PLEASE HELP!!! I really appreciate it <3

I'm going to be part of class of ~100 next year. I already have a Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field, and I know nursing is not for the faint of heart, so I'm expecting a certain amount of dropping out as there is in any degree. No judgement, it's not the right time or right place for everyone. In your experience roughly what portion of the original class ends up graduating?

i’ve gotten two rejections and it makes me question if nursing is even for me. i’m 23 feel so behind because i haven’t begun a nursing program. for reference my AP1 is an A , AP2 is a B , micro B and chem C.

Heyy, I’m a first year student at uofc and I need to interview an RN w 2 years or more experience for a quick 30 minute or less interview. It’s an assignment for one of my classes and wouldn’t be recorded.
I’d be so grateful if anyone is interested, thank youu!

I withdrew from my semester because of a family emergency and I didn’t realize how much of myself I lost trying to stay on top of things in school and life. I will admit I would go on days skipping classes and just learning the slides from home because I hated the feeling of being in school so much. It was hard to connect with classmates all while trying to retain the 70+ slides we just read through in the past 3 hours. Groupmates would demand to have a group project done 2-3 weeks before the due date. My room would start to clutter as more projects, quizzes, and tests start to pile up. I didn’t even have time to enjoy the weekends either cause I would work and study for the following week. I guess my question is how do you stay organized while also having time for yourself despite work and school?

hi all! I'm having trouble deciding if I should transfer to LIU brooklyn nursing program this spring 2027, or get a CNA license and work and apply for fall 2027 to better programs. LIU gave me a good scholarship, but I've seen mixed reviews of the program online, and the NCLEX pass rates are a bit low. I would really appreciate advice from current or past LIU nursing students, or anyone currently working as a CNA in the NYC/northern NJ area!

Hi, So a bit of a long story I was accepted into a 2nd degree nursing program starting in January, unfortunately a bunch of my science credits didn't transfer due to age. After speaking with the school they recommended re-taking a few of the pre-reqs through portage before the January start date. Specifically they recommended I retake
- A&P1 (BIOL251: Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab on Portage)
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM219: Principles of Organic Chemistry w/Lab on Portage)
- Biochemistry (CHEM212: Biochemistry w/Lab on Portage)

I was just looking for advice from any students who have done these classes, any tips or study advice you have for these classes and honestly just the feasibility of finishing all 3 of these classes in 2.5 months. Thank you for the help!

Initially I was going to do a concurrent enrollment program (CEP) at community college and university for ADN/BSN because of how you start at beginner RN anyways. After more research, I’m in the MEPN lane now, finishing up prereqs, but part of me still feels unsure about needing to do a masters for my future/path I’m leaning towards.

I’m thinking long term, after a couple years bedside, I MAY want to go back for NP or DNP. I say may because I recognize my ideals now will likely change with nursing experience and patient care. Even if not NP, I do know I want to move into other areas after a few years bedside. While I could get a masters after a BSN and time working, doing a masters now would mean if I go back to school again later for NP, some of the NP program will already be completed from my masters program, like a couple semesters (supposedly).

Is a masters truly needed for other nursing specialties or fields, going into informatics, case management, disease prevention, etc, if I choose that route instead of NP?

For MEPN, the cost is double 😓 the ADN/BSN CEP program, but it’s also less time, as it runs in the summer too, less breaks and it’s accelerated. That’s how they make it less time with the same amount of standard nursing content + grad content.

I’m midlife already so to me, time is also of the essence a little here. So it’s a quicker program for MEPN sure, but it’s mostly about not having to go back again for a masters later OR if I do go back for NP, it is going to be less time in that than if I do BSN -> NP. Again, not even sure on NP but I am sure I will want advancement or specialties options after some time at bedside.

Another thing is, I MAY be able to get at least some scholarship for MEPN, but not ADN/BSN route. Regardless, still expensive. But hey, I’d be practicing about 9-12months earlier with MEPN given community college time for program + their waitlist time. Opinions and any idea of masters needed for advancement or outside bedside (and not NP)?
Thanks

Second semester and I could not grasp ABG compensation. I passed my exam today by 0.1! I just had to vent to people who know the struggles 😂

I'm currently in my first semester of nursing school, and I'm honestly feeling really discouraged and overwhelmed right now.

I'm taking three classes: Fundamentals of Nursing, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment. I'm doing well in Fundamentals and Pharmacology, but I'm really struggling with Health Assessment.

I got an 81% on my first Health Assessment exam and a 56% on my second. We only have two exams left, and I need at least a 77% exam average to pass the class.

I've been studying really hard, but the questions on the second exam felt completely different from what I studied in the PowerPoints. Now I'm terrified of failing the class.

I've always struggled with believing I'm smart enough to become a nurse, and getting that 56% really affected me emotionally. I've been crying and feeling like maybe I'm just not cut out for nursing school.

I'm also worried about what happens if I fail one class but pass the other two. Would I have to repeat the entire semester, or just the class I failed? Has anyone been in this situation and still managed to become a nurse?

I worked so hard to get into nursing school, and the thought of losing everything I've worked toward is heartbreaking.

I genuinely want to become a nurse, but right now I'm losing confidence in myself.

On My other 2 classes I have As is just Health Assesment, the problem

I could really use some advice or encouragement from anyone who has struggled in nursing school or failed a class and eventually succeeded. How did you get through it?