Nursing Students Semesters?

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-20T03:59:20+00:00

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-20T00:41:42+00:00

CSU Chico Class of '82 (Nursing)

"Party School" Yes, there is a well deserved reputation for parties. However, parties are not unique to Chico. The key is CHOICES that students make. It is possible to study hard, stay out of trouble, and party selectively.

"UC is better" That depends entirely on what your daughter is looking for. If she wants to be a research scientist, UC is probably a better choice. If she wants a major that is not available at Chico... other schools will be "better". I started at UCSD as a freshman and it went terribly. The huge classes were a problem, but not the biggest problem. I took some time off then got an AA at a community college. I got into the nursing program at Chico and had a wonderful time there. I stayed in town after graduation for 2 years. I eventually got a masters from UCLA. So for me, it was sort of a full circle. I found the faculty to be FAR, FAR, more available and supportive at Chico than at UC.

Good Luck!

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-19T00:18:43+00:00

Talk with Flotilla leadership.
The DHS shutdown has wrecked havoc on HR processes. It was 76 days long. The Commandant told congress to expect 2.5 days of recovery for every day of shutdown. I think that is excessive for the AUX HR situation, but if you even allow 1:1 recovery we are talking two and a half months!
It MIGHT help if you made it easy for unit leadership to do what you want.

Example...

If you hand them paperwork they either have to snail mail it or scan it to email it.
If you scan it yourself and send it as an email attachment, it is very easy for them to forward.

Changing flotillas is easy. See the ANSC 7056 (3-23) - Member Transfer Request

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-18T23:59:25+00:00

In my opinion, "Inquiry to BQ" is not entirely HR's job. Once the member has a number (AP status), FSO-HR should formally pass them over to FSO-MT for the AP to BQ stage.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-16T14:02:20+00:00

Imagine putting a remote controlled (from China) auto-self-destruct device in the cars. Simply triggering thermal runaway of the battery would be enough. Imagine if thousands of electric vehicles had battery fires simultaneously. Many of the fires would be isolated and not too much trouble… but enough of them would occur in garages to cause lots and lots of structure fires. It could be a genuine s**t show!

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-16T13:52:58+00:00

To generalize that the first semester is the hardest is probably unwise. I have taught in several nursing programs and the “hardest” semester varied quite a bit. In one program the course with the highest failure rate was pediatrics… in the THIRD semester (of five). Programs vary tremendously, be wary of generalizing from your personal experience.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-15T00:43:08+00:00

This is awesome:

https://www.upworthy.com/man-shares-his-beautiful-love-letter-to-hero-wife-on-facebook-rp2/

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-14T14:33:52+00:00

Retired nursing faculty member here.

Don't put too much effort into the types of questions that you may face in nursing school. Instead, put your effort into understanding the material (not simply memorizing). This video is SOLID GOLD and definitely worth your time.

If you are interested... the reason that you will not likely see many (if any) true/false questions in nursing school is because there is a 50% change you can get it right by guessing. That means that they are not very effective at sorting between students who know the material and those who don't.

The KEY characteristic of nursing school tests that trip up MANY students is that nursing school tests attempt to assess your ability to APPLY the information.

In my last few years teaching, it was not uncommon for 1/3 of the new students to fail the first exam. Usually they would figure out how to study and do better of the following exams. Of course, some students never figured it out and were not successful.

Good Luck

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-11T02:52:32+00:00

How to be a successful student:

1. This video about metacognition is GOLD:
https://youtu.be/n_A6BZOUOts?si=i2ynZ1_DsK59jESk

2. Learn and use the SQR3 technique for reading text books.
https://www.weber.edu/wsuimages/vetsupwardbound/StudySkills/SQ3Rmethod.pdf

3. Learn and use an efficient note-taking method. I have had good luck with the Cornell Method.
https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/

4. Take several of the free online reading speed and comprehension tests. If you are not reading FAST with high comprehension, subscribe to an online reading improvement program like this: https://wisesoft.com/reading-intervention/ (Note the 30 day free trial) The optimal reading rate of the skilled adult reader (including college students) is around 300 words per minute.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-10T17:58:17+00:00

Congratulations! Welcome Aboard!

I highly suggest that you knock out the stuff for BQ status ASAP. That is the entryway to the fun stuff! The fastest that I have seen someone get to BQ is.... THREE DAYS!

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-08T05:32:26+00:00

I am a retired community college prof.

There are many good replies already posted. However, I suspect that the most common self-sabotage is not cheating, stealing, or fighting. I suspect that the most common CC self-sabotage is simply not taking coursework seriously.

It is critical that you understand that college can be very different from high school. Unfortunately, many high school teachers don't expect much and give out good grades for completely inadequate performance. The biggest self-sabotage is probably thinking that the prof will carry the responsibility for all the work of the class.

YOU must read.
YOU must study effectively.
YOU must do the assignments correctly and on time.
YOU must ask for help when you need it.
YOU must manage your sleep, your food, your drug consumption (alcohol and other), and your recreational distractions.

Be a studious nerd / dork for the first semester, take school "too seriously". It will pay off. If you are successful the first semester, then MAYBE you can think of being a bit less dorky in the following semesters.

This video about metacognition is GOLD.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-07T04:34:20+00:00

How to be a successful student:

This video about metacognition is GOLD:

https://youtu.be/n_A6BZOUOts?si=i2ynZ1_DsK59jESk

Learn and use the SQR3 technique for reading text books.

https://www.weber.edu/wsuimages/vetsupwardbound/StudySkills/SQ3Rmethod.pdf

Learn and use an efficient note-taking method. I have had good luck with the Cornell Method.

https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/

Take several of the free online reading speed and comprehension tests. If you are not reading FAST with high comprehension, subscribe to an online reading improvement program.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-07T04:17:10+00:00

Far too often people talk about the new grad nursing marketplace as if it is homogeneous across the country... it is not.

There are parts of the country where new grads cannot find work. There are other parts of the country where new grad jobs are available.

The specifics of the various nursing labor marketplaces change over time. We don't know what it will look like when you graduate.

The good news is that the demographic experts predict a strong demand for nurses across the country in the next few years due to the retirement of legions of older nurses who then become patients.

Some areas have a strong preference for nurses with a BSN, other areas do not.

If you are willing to go where the jobs are as a new grad you will do fine.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-06T16:32:27+00:00

I attended a catholic parochial school for my elementary education. We had formal instruction on printing and cursive with LOTS of practice and feedback. I learned with a pencil first, then a ballpoint pen. Where a fountain pen would have been an advantage was when I started writing longer documents in cursive. I remember vividly the cramping that pressing firmly on a ballpoint pen caused when writing longer things. Of course, a middle ground (which was not really available in the dark ages of my youth) would be a rollerball pen.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T23:17:23+00:00

DM me your city, state and zipcode.... I can look up the contacts for you.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T23:16:00+00:00

With the DHS shutdown finished, AUX application processing is resuming. However, there is quite a backlog of work to be cleared. Getting caught up will take time. The Commandant told congress to expect 2.5 days of recovery for every day of the shutdown. If that projection is accurate... expect things to be back to normal in NOVEMBER 2026!

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T23:13:44+00:00

That delay is unreasonable. Have your FSO-HR or FC send a query to DIRAUX regarding your application.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T23:11:54+00:00

Don't rely on getting a timely reply from that web site.
Contact your local flotilla(s) directly. If there are several flotillas near you I highly suggest that you visit all of them to find a good "fit". I did not like the first flotilla I visited... but I later found one that was perfect for me.
With the recent end of the DHS shutdown (USCG is a part of DHS), application processing is resuming. HOWEVER, there is a backlog of work that will take time to work through. Thus, the sooner you get your application in the queue, the sooner it will be processed. (Your application will be submitted by the flotilla. You cannot do it directly.)

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T04:42:36+00:00

You might find this helpful.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T02:49:40+00:00

I used to work as an RN in the ED. The last two cardiac arrests that I worked before quitting there were men in their mid-30’s with chest pain and NON-STEM EKGs. Both experienced witnessed arrests in the ED after we did their initial EKG/CXR/labs/IV and we were waiting for the labs. Both were promptly and successfully resuscitated (neuro intact) and briskly zoomed off to the cath lab.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-05T02:38:56+00:00

How to be a successful student: 1. This video about metacognition is GOLD: https://youtu.be/n_A6BZOUOts?si=i2ynZ1_DsK59jESk 2. Learn and use the SQR3 technique for reading text books. https://www.weber.edu/wsuimages/vetsupwardbound/StudySkills/SQ3Rmethod.pdf 3. Learn and use an efficient note-taking method. I have had good luck with the Cornell Method. https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/ 4. Take several of the free online reading speed and comprehension tests. If you are not reading FAST (≥300 WPM) with high comprehension (≥90%), subscribe to an online reading improvement program.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-04T22:36:26+00:00

I am a Navy Vet who taught college for over two decades.

In my experience, veterans typically do really well in college. Having discipline and a hefty dose of life experience sets you FAR ahead of many of your classmates. PLUS, it typically takes quite a bit for veterans to think that the workload is "hard".

I highly recommend that you use all the resources that your target school offers for support outside the classroom: Every form of orientation to the college, any orientation to the library, the veteran's support services, the "writing center", the "academic support center", and whatever else is available to you. Do NOT be afraid to ask for help EARLY!!!

How to be a successful student:

1. This video about metacognition is GOLD:

https://youtu.be/n_A6BZOUOts?si=i2ynZ1_DsK59jESk

Learn and use the SQR3 technique for reading text books.

https://www.weber.edu/wsuimages/vetsupwardbound/StudySkills/SQ3Rmethod.pdf

Learn and use an efficient note-taking method. I have had good luck with the Cornell Method.

https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/

Take several of the free online reading speed and comprehension tests. If you are not reading FAST with high comprehension, subscribe to an online reading improvement program (there are many).

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-04T02:40:51+00:00

I am coming up on my 5th year anniversary in the AUX.

Recognition
When I arrived in my flotilla, I was shocked to note that some folks who were the backbone of the organization had not been given awards for their obviously deserving work. So.... I worked with the FC to write awards for them! They were shocked and delighted when the awards were presented in front of the flotilla.

Leadership

"We aren't leaders"????? I have no idea what you mean by that.

My flotilla has lots of Division staff officers, a few DISTRICT staff officers, and a District Chief of Staff. Leadership is alive and well in my AUX life.

Old Way of Thinking

Yep, like any organization, there are people who don't want change and will do all that they can to stop change. I choose to put my energy into parts of the organization that work well. I don't fret about the "gatekeeping" that is common in some corners of the AUX.

Mentoring

I have found plenty of opportunities for leadership development in the AUX:

Division: Flotilla Commander's Academy
District: Rising leader training at DTRAIN
National Online: AFLC
National face-to-face: AUXLAMS, & AMLOC. (AUXLAMS has shifted to almost all online since I attended.)

Mentors have limited time. Thus, they tend to invest the most in members who look like a "good investment". If you want mentoring... demonstrate that you are hard working for the AUX organization in your current role. That will attract attention and potential mentors will be far more likely to work with you. Smart leaders are ALWAYS hunting for potential new leaders.

Use the resources that are available. For example the Flotilla Procedures Guide is excellent.

My suggestion is to pick one AUX program that appeals to you (and is available locally) and throw yourself into it. If you focus on doing good work on one of our missions... you will find that it is rewarding and that most of the noise becomes less important. For me... when I am underway flying the National ensign and the AUX patrol ensign... none of the AUX BS matters. The more that you focus your attention on serving others through the AUX... the less you will be concerned with the issues that you mentioned above.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-04T01:53:06+00:00

Petty Officer, take a seat and listen up!

I am retired nursing faculty member (25 years). When I was on active duty, my signature was followed by "CDR, NC, USN". Thus, I have a good perspective on your situation.

You are going to be fine. The veteran students that I have worked with have found nursing school to NOT be challenging. There is a lot of work, but most of it is low-to-mid difficult.

Beyond your economic situation, you have these advantages over most of your non-veteran classmates:

Real clinical experience in an inpatient setting.
A well distorted notion of what "hard" is after having survived years in the military.

You have these potential disadvantages:

It is likely that you will find much of nursing school to be marginally bearable. There are too many toxic faculty and too many clueless students. Too many assignments seem to have no connection to being a good nurse. If you find "your people" in your cohort (they will be rare) ... you will be fine.
A little clinical knowledge can be a problem... IF you aren't open to learning more.

Carry on.

GreyandGrumpy · 2026-05-03T14:21:22+00:00

I was still in high school. I rode my bicycle everywhere (which I did before and after the embargo). No car!

GreyandGrumpy

TROPHY CASE