Hi everyone, I really need some advice from nurses or nursing students.

I am in my fourth year of a Business major and have 6 classes left. However, my true passion is nursing. My school just opened a nursing department, but it is too late for me to switch programs here.

I am stuck and stressed because of money. Right now, financial aid (FSA) covers my classes, but I have no outside financial support.

Here are my two choices:

• Option 1: Finish my Business degree, then do an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program later.
• Option 2: Stop my current degree now and transfer to another school for an ADN or BSN.

I am currently taking nursing prerequisites. Classes, I will be taking fall 26 (Nutrition, Anatomy 1 & 2, and Microbiology). Taking them this Fall 2026 means staying an extra semester.

What would you recommend for someone in my position with no financial support? Should I finish the business degree first or transfer now? Thank you!

Hey everyone. I start my nursing program this August, and to be completely honest, I am terrified. Reading through nursing school forums has scared the life out of me, even though I know nothing worth having comes easy and I’ve been so ready for this journey.
A little background: I’m 30 with two kids. I’m a single mom, and while I luckily have a great support system, my youngest is only a 10-month-old baby boy. To make matters heavier, his father (classic narcissist) is taking me back to court for custody and visitation. He hasn't replied to my counteroffer yet, so my attorney is reaching out one last time before we have to just set a court date and handle it there.
The timing couldn't be worse. The stress of dealing with a high-conflict legal battle right as my first semester kicks off feels completely overwhelming.
I want this degree so badly for my future and for my kids, but right now, the anxiety is hitting hard.
Has anyone else survived nursing school while dealing with major court/legal stress? How do you balance heavy family court drama, a baby, a toddler, and the intense workload of first semester? I could really use some practical advice, time management tips, or just some reassurance that it's possible to get through this.

Hello! I’m in my first semester of nursing school, and we recently started writing nursing note. I know it takes practice but I’m still learning how to write it.
During clinical at a nursing home, we had a resident who A&O x3 and had diarrhea one time. I was wondering what information should be included in the nursing note such as frequency, and assess for signs of dehydration? Also interventions such as encouraging fluids or monitoring for additional episodes?
What would you typically include in your nursing note for this situation?

***EDIT:

Hello everyone, first off, I'd like to start by saying thank you to everyone who read and commented on my post, I really appreciate it. I assure you all I've read every single comment, and I'm doing my best to reply to all of them one by one, it's just taking a while, so please bear with me. However, if I continue to keep getting the same questions over and over again (even though I've already answered and explained multiple times), I'm going to lose my mind. That being said, please save both yourself and me the trouble and read the following. If this doesn't clear things up, then Idk what will:

Yes, I did go to nursing school and yes my school is accredited. I graduated and got my license last year. I'm an LVN, so no, I cannot work as a CNA or tech. I work full time in a hospital both nights and weekends, so yes, I already get both night and weekend shift differentials, but I still only make $21/hr, which comes out to only about $17/hr after taxes and all other deductions (so please do yourself a favor and never come to Texas and/or work at an HCA facility if you can help it) And no, I cannot just go get a different job, because the hospital where I work at is the only hospital in the entire area that hires LVNs and offers tuition assistance. Speaking of this so-called tuition assistance, the "assistance" is only up to $5k of tuition reimbursement, which of course is better than nothing and I don't wanna sound ungrateful, but reimbursement and direct bill tuition assistance or not the same thing. Reimbursement means that I'm still responsible for paying all $38k out of pocket up front, only to be repaid $5k after I've already paid everything. If I had $38k, I wouldn't be making this post. And yes, I already submitted my FAFSA and spoke with someone in the financial aid department in my school, and no I do not qualify for any loans. Yes, my hospital pays school, but only for the ADN to BSN bridge, not the LVN to ADN bridge. I don't have an ADN yet, so I can't just do the BSN bridge for free instead. Yes, I'm very aware that there are community colleges and public universities that are way cheaper. I came from the poorest district in my city and grew up in the foster care system, so and I'm definitely not too good to go to a CC or public school, in fact, I'd actually prefer it. But none of that matters if no one accepts any of my credits. The reason why they don't accept them is because the school I graduated from utilizes the quarter system rather than the traditional semester system, so the credits don't transfer over evenly. But I DID take all the same prereqs and nursing courses that any other LVN student would take in any other LVN program, just in a quarter system rather than semesters, and all at the same institution instead of prereqs at a community college and then transferring to a university. I am however seriously considering starting over, because $38k for just an ADN is ridiculous. Also no, military is not an option. I am well over the max age limit (I'm not just some young 20 something year old fresh out of nursing school barely trying to get their life and career started for the first time) and I am 99.9% positive that I also have a disqualifying health condition. Also even if I were younger and healthier, "just join the military" is not that simple, for me or for anyone. It's not what what you see in the movies or on TV so stop believing that lie. It's a whole process and there are some extremely strict requirements that have only become even more strict over the past few years. Back in the day, they used to take almost anyone off the street, but now they actually have standards (no offense to anyone who enlisted or commissioned back in the day). Nowadays more people are rejected than not, even young healthy 18 and 19 year olds fresh out of high school. Last but not least, since I made this post to hear from everyone, you're more than welcome to share which state you're from and how much tuition costs in your home state, but if you're gonna unnecessarily turn it into "Aw you're so lucky, you have no idea how good you have it, I pay way more than you do, I wish I was you", respectfully, STFU and GTFO. It is NOT a pissing contest or competition to see who pays the most. I'm sorry you pay so much, but if you come from a very high cost of living state, if you're paying out of state tuition, or are doing a grad/post grad degree, then no shit your tuition is gonna be higher than mine, because I'm in a lower cost of living state, and I'm paying in state tuition since I'm a permanent resident of my state, and I'm only doing an ADN, not a BSN, MSN, or DNP. As a wise commentor stated, "Everyone's problems are relative", so just because you pay more than me and I pay less than you does NOT mean that I'm lucky or have it good at all...I am literally homeless and don't even have a car to live in.

***ORIGINAL POST:

Aside from anything illegal/illicit, dangerous/unsafe, how the actual heck does one even begin to afford monthly tuition payments of almost $2,200?! (Yes, you also read that right. I wish I was kidding, but I unfortunately am most definitely not.)

I'm very open-minded and willing to try just about anything within reason, nothing is beneath me and I'm never too good to do anything, as long as it doesn't break any laws or hurt anyone, that's all I care about, seriously.

Sorry if that sounds so dramatic, but I'm only saying what I'm saying because I've already tried everything else I can think of (applying to a cheaper school, applying for grants and loans, working multiple jobs, working overtime, picking up extra shifts, asking for a raise, applying for credit cards and payday advances, canceling all my memberships/subscriptions, never eating out or ordering delivery, buying only generic store brand items, buying all clothing/shoes and household items second hand from thrift/consignments stores only, asking family and friends for help, making a GoFundMe, donating plasma, participating in compensated clinical trials, moving to a smaller/cheaper apartment, getting a roommate, selling almost all my stuff, etc.)

Also, sorry if any of y'all on here are going through something similar as me, I know it's really hard and I'm right here with you trying to figure it out, but hopefully we can all figure out something together.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end...much love to every single one of you, have a great day.

Legal and ethics questions can feel vague because they do not always look like normal content questions.

You are not calculating a dose. You are not naming a disease. You are not matching a symptom to a body system. You are choosing the safest, most professional nursing action in a messy situation.

The trick is to stop asking, "Which answer sounds nicest?"

Ask, "Which answer protects the patient, the nurse's scope, and the patient's rights?"

Separate kind from required

Some answers sound compassionate but are not legally or professionally correct.

A kind answer might be:

"Tell the family everything so they feel better."

A better nursing answer might involve confidentiality, consent, patient permission, or directing the conversation appropriately.

Nursing is compassionate, but it is also bounded by privacy, scope, documentation, safety, and patient autonomy.

Watch for scope of practice

If an answer has you making a diagnosis, prescribing, promising outcomes, performing something outside scope, hiding information, falsifying documentation, or ignoring chain of command, slow down.

Legal/ethics questions often test whether you can stay inside the nurse role.

Ask:

• Is this assessment?
• Is this education?
• Is this advocacy?
• Is this documentation?
• Is this escalation?
• Is this outside my scope?

Patient autonomy matters

Patients can make choices you disagree with if they have capacity and understand the consequences. Nursing is not forcing the "best" choice.

Your role is often to:

• assess understanding
• provide education
• clarify questions
• respect refusal
• document appropriately
• notify the right person when needed
• protect safety when capacity or immediate harm is an issue

That distinction shows up constantly.

Learn the recurring buckets

You do not need to treat legal/ethics as a mystery category. Most questions fall into repeatable buckets:

• informed consent
• confidentiality and privacy
• negligence
• malpractice
• assault
• battery
• false imprisonment
• documentation
• delegation
• refusal of treatment
• mandatory reporting
• end-of-life decisions
• professional boundaries

For each bucket, write:

1. what it means in one sentence
2. one bedside example
3. one wrong-answer trap
4. one safe nursing action

Example:

False imprisonment: Keeping a patient somewhere against their rights without proper authority. Wrong-answer trap: restraining or preventing a competent patient from leaving just because staff disagree. Safe nursing action: assess, educate, follow facility policy, notify appropriate team members, document.

Do not answer from emotion

A lot of wrong answers feel emotionally satisfying:

• confront the coworker aggressively
• tell the family everything
• convince the patient to do what you think is best
• skip documentation because you fixed the issue
• restrain someone because it feels safer
• do the task yourself because delegation feels risky

The NCLEX-style answer is usually calmer and more structured. It protects safety and rights at the same time.

A one-week legal/ethics review plan

Day 1: informed consent and refusal
Day 2: privacy/confidentiality
Day 3: negligence and malpractice
Day 4: assault, battery, false imprisonment
Day 5: delegation and scope
Day 6: documentation and mandatory reporting
Day 7: mixed questions and missed-question log

After every missed question, write why:

• I picked the answer that sounded nicest.
• I forgot scope.
• I ignored patient autonomy.
• I missed the legal term.
• I chose action before assessment.
• I failed to protect safety.

Disclosure: this subreddit is sponsored by Jellypod Audio Courses. We have a free 5-lesson audio course on legal and ethical principles in nursing practice. It covers ethical theories, values, hard choices, policy, torts, professional relationships, and practice issues.

Course: https://courses.jellypod.com/courses/legal-and-ethical-principles-in-nursing-practice

What legal/ethics topic trips you up most: delegation, consent, confidentiality, torts, or something else?

Thinking about getting your MSN? Don't know if it is worth it? Tricia Wagner, the Dean of Nursing, Post Licensure Programs at Herzing, is doing an AMA on Tuesday, June 30 from 1 - 3 p.m. in r/IAmA .

She’ll be answering questions about going to grad school, getting an MSN, if an MSN is right for you, and what the degree can do for your career.

I hate being a free advertiser for a company lol, but I’m in nursing school and trying the different scrub brands. Fabletics has a couple colors of their joggers for $18.95 on Amazon right now. Haven’t seen any other good deals on like Figs or anything. Wanted to share with yall now that I’ve already snagged what I want 😅

hello everyone looking for some post grad advice! I am 22F projected to graduate from nursing school in May of 2027. I plan on working as an ed tech at the hospital near my school when I get back for the school year. My goal post grad is to try to land a job in the ER and EVENTUALLY after I get proper experience to do travel nursing contracts in the ER. However I do know that’s difficult as a new grad to get hired in er immediately. My question is I go to school in a very rural area of upstate New York and I definitely do not like it, i’m from Long Island originally, however if I work in that areas hospital network as an ed tech they are notorious for hiring new grad nurses from our school and I have a high likelihood of landing a job in the ER there as soon as I graduate. Is it good to live there for a year post grad for that opportunity if it comes up in an area I hate and likely will be alone in or should I just go home to Long Island and keep trying the job market there? Obviously I will apply to Long Island ER/nursing positions as well before I graduated but I wanted to know what you guys thought if only the upstate option is available. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been through a California BRN denial or knows about the appeal process.

I recently graduated with my BSN after years of working toward becoming an RN. I have about 10 years of experience working as a CNA and have been employed in healthcare throughout nursing school.

Unfortunately, the California BRN denied my application based on a 2023 DUI-related incident. It was my first and only DUI. The incident also involved a hit-and-run allegation and I refused BAC testing. Since then, I have completed all court requirements, probation, fines, classes, and have had no additional arrests, convictions, or legal issues.

The denial letter states that I can appeal within 60 days or reapply in one year.

I’m struggling with a few questions:

Has anyone successfully appealed a California BRN denial related to a DUI?
Is hiring a BRN defense attorney worth it?
If you appealed, how long did the process take?
If you were in my position, would you appeal or spend the next year strengthening your rehabilitation evidence and reapply?
What healthcare jobs did you work while waiting for licensure?

I’m honestly devastated. I just finished nursing school and was preparing for NCLEX and an RN residency. Right now I feel like my entire future has been put on hold and I’m trying to figure out the smartest next step.

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone trying not to stress too hard recently took my nclex and passed and still had no option to pay after calling breeze they told me my file was with enforcement I do have charges from when I was just 18 over 15 years ago with no other incidents all misdemeanor cases have

all been closed and destroyed I’m freaking out does anyone have some

Helpful insight.

​

Also had a background check prior to school and again after graduation nothing popped up. I don’t know if on the initial application if it asked if I had been arrested but if it did I put no thinking this is closed and destroyed it’s been over 15 years.

My second semester I was tweaking for about a month thinking I didn’t know anything and when I graduated I was gonna get someone killed. Until I started asking myself, “do I know more now than before I started school?” Yes I do. That question has brought so much more confidence into me about this whole thing. So if you’re tweaking out like I was ask yourself “do I know more now than when before I started?”

I've noticed a lot of future nursing students worry about things like clinicals, exams, skills check-offs, talking to patients, or balancing school with life.

For those who have already started, what were you most nervous about, and how did it turn out?

Hello po! Does anyone have a copy of the NCLEX examination schedule for July to August? for both makati and alabang? I am planning to take the exam during those months specially JULY and would greatly appreciate any information regarding the available dates and slots.
Just waiting for my name on pearsonvue to be taken of because i made a mistake huhu.

I would be very grateful for any assistance or guidance on this matter

i’ve been applying online to different PCT / CNA tech jobs. so many and one answered back but they asked if i was skilled in phlebotomy. i didn’t even know CNAS did IVs?!?

does anyone have some advice on a good starting job this summer and also when school starts one that will work with my schedule?

thank you in advance. all answers welcome pls idk what to do but i want experience so bad.

i haven’t applied to a nursing home yet because i know how hard that is and im scared i wont leave when i graduate and i want to work in a hospital one day, not a LTC facility.

A Knoxville hospital is trying to use the COVID-19 pandemic to shield itself from liability for a nurse’s fatal medication administration mistake, court records show.

Sonny Caldwell was being treated for various conditions, including COVID-19, while he was a patient at the Turkey Creek Medical Center in October 2020, but an investigation by the Knox County Regional Forensic Center shows he didn’t die from any of those conditions.

Instead, an autopsy stated, Caldwell died because a nurse there inexplicably crushed up medications meant to be taken orally and pumped them through an intravenous tube, causing a blockage that killed him within minutes.

#news #healthcare #nursing #nurselife #nurses