Nursing school is ruining my vacation!

[pharmgirl69]

So funny that so many nurses and nursing students can relate. Nursing school messed with me last year as well. We had booked and paid for a Disney vacation months and months in advance. We were to leave 2 days after my graduation and spend 10 days. Well, lo and behold, they moved graduation to a week later because we had so many snow days. Ughhhh! I even had the trip insurance but that didn't help so we ended up going to disney a week later and cut our trip down by 2 days. Still had a great time and a great celebration to finally be done!

You will have a great time no matter what, as others have suggested I too would suggest flying. If you can make it through nursing school, you sure as hades can make it through a 2 hour flight!!!! lol....Congrats on your upcoming graduation....you've worked so hard to get this far and it is sooooo worth it!!

 

[kchughes]

congrats on making it through nursing school! I graduated almost, YIKES!, 16 years ago. I know how much that NCLEX prep class helped me. Even tho' you have a fabulous GPA, it is amazing how much you forgot from the first semester that will actually be thrown on your State Boards. Remember, you have worked for 4 long, hard years to be able to say " I am an RN." Please, please find a way to work it out and go to that prep class. My school did not make it mandatory and the one person who did not attend FAILED State Boards for the first failure from my school in 5 years!Yes, you deserve a fabulous Disney vacation, but but figure out a way to make it work.

 

[ebtbmom]

Congratulations on your accomplishment!!
I can feel your pain, DH is about to graduate from nursing school May 5, we haven't had a regular family vacation since he started. We're leaving May 6 to go to Ireland to celebrate though, that will make up for lost time!

Anyway, I recommend that you take the flight. The first one is the scariest and once you've flown maybe you won't mind it so much and then the whole world is available to you. Also, be glad that your school is providing you a review course, DH doesn't have one provided and has to find his own.

Good luck in your new career, I'm an RN too, trying to talk myself into going back for CRNA.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Sorry but I do not agree that nursing school is ruining your vacation. I guess I am confused you are questioning weather to throw away all that hard work on nursing school (potentially if you did poorly on the tests as a result) for a vacation.

Options:
1. Take your life serious - this is your career - WDW will always be there. I am a teacher and even my 4.0 students need to review before a test - not doing so is foolish. I also took a number of board tests to get certified as a teacher and an above poster is correct. They often throw in things that you learned early in your college career. Things that without review will not automatically come back.

2. Finish your review and such it up and fly.

3. Reschedule your vacation for a time in your life that is appropriate.

Sorry this is not what you want to hear, no hug and snuggles here. Jobs today are very hard to come by and you are graduating into a great field. Why blow it.

WDW will always be there - can you say the same for your review session?

 

[momof2n2]

As a fellow RN, I can say the review classes are helpful, but there is no way the school can make them mandatory.

 

[Clare Voince]

Sorry but I do not agree that nursing school is ruining your vacation. I guess I am confused you are questioning weather to throw away all that hard work on nursing school (potentially if you did poorly on the tests as a result) for a vacation.

She's not saying anything like that. She's trying to figure out how to alter her trip due to the change in her classes, not the other way around.

Geez, People on this board are rude and judgmental.

 

[Shelly888]

FIrst off congrats to you, as a fellow RN, I know what you went through to get where you are!! Good luck on your NCLEX, and hoping you can either get out of the mandatory review, or will fly down.

 

[amzking]

I have no idea how your school can possibly make a review course for the state boards mandatory. You will have already graduated - it is your business whether or not to take a review course, you are a grown adult. Did they say they would withhold your diploma or lower your grades?

It's really astonishing to me. Things have changed a lot since I graduated OT school in 93. They left it up to us when to take the boards, and how to prepare.

 

[nicki.momof3]

She's not saying anything like that. She's trying to figure out how to alter her trip due to the change in her classes, not the other way around.

Geez, People on this board are rude and judgmental.

Sorry but the title of her post is "nursing school is ruining my vacation"

She is clearly upset that the school is offering a review course during her vacation (like they should change it just for her). The school is giving 5 months notice - that is very reasonable.

As someone that has taken board exams without and free reivew session (not offered or I would have jumped at it - even missing a WDW vacation) I can say - if you can get the review session - jump at it.

I am not being rude at all - this OP needs to grow up and understand what adult priorities are. A career and job come before a vacation - hands down.

 

[kadesha]

Ignore the snarky comments.

I understand. My job is ruining my vacation! lol! I am a teacher and we are leaving for our vacation the day of graduation, which I have to attend. I HATE arriving at WDW late but I'm checking in on May 13 so I'll be arriving late. I am not going to fly. It's not so easy to just "suck it up and fly" if you have never flown and are afraid. I will never fly. I'll drive my 9 hours happily. If you can't get a different test date just do your best with your dates....it's all you can do. Have a great trip, no matter how it works out!

 

[suemom2kay]

Who is doing the review? Is it Kaplan? They have online reviews as well. Also you can get the review books and they are more helpful than the review class anyway.

Speak with the director of your program about alternate dates.

For those that have said the school can't make it mandatory, I'm not sure about that. The school can lose their accreditation if their NCLEX pass rate isn't high enough. Having a review could be mandated (if pass rates have been low) or the school can just be covering themselves.

For those that have been so rough on OP, shame on you. She just found out about a review that starts immediately after graduation. It is ridiculous that the school is just springing it on her now.

OP talk to your dean and see what they can work out with you. Hope you get to go on your trip. Personally I think the review is more helpful a month or so after graduation when you are closer to your test date.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Ignore the snarky comments.

I understand. My job is ruining my vacation! lol! I am a teacher and we are leaving for our vacation the day of graduation, which I have to attend. I HATE arriving at WDW late but I'm checking in on May 13 so I'll be arriving late. I am not going to fly. It's not so easy to just "suck it up and fly" if you have never flown and are afraid. I will never fly. I'll drive my 9 hours happily. If you can't get a different test date just do your best with your dates....it's all you can do. Have a great trip, no matter how it works out!

I am a teacher also and I understand not wanting to attend graduation but you have to, I get it -same here.

But what I am confused about it why would you plan a vacation on a day that is clearly a schedued work day that you can not miss. A school calendar is always set in the fall (at the latest) if not months / years earlier. I can tell you our start and end date for the next 3 years (and we are working without a contract - the calendar get set no matter what). I can also tell you our graduation date for the same length of time (always the first Sunday in June).

Sorry but a teachers schedule is one of the most predictable careers a person can be in. Days on and off are scheduled very far in advance and they do not change.

If you planned your vacation on graduation - it sounds like poor planning on your part.

Not snarky just honest.

 

[NatsFan15]

Forgive me for not reading through all the replies before posting (I have limited time before I need to get back to studying lol) I wanted to suggest though that if you can't make your school's review course, have you considered signing up for a Kaplan review course instead? I don't understand the school mandating attendance for an NCLEX review post semester/graduation. There may be a detail with your particular nursing program that I'm not aware of but I would suggest getting with your advisor and speaking with him/her about your predicament.

FWIW - I graduate on 5/11 and leave on 5/15 for WDW ... my NCLEX will come after I return and have sufficiently rested and celebrated.

Best of luck to you for the rest of the semester and for when you sit for boards and ... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You worked hard to get here (I KNOW!) and I commend you for your acheivement.

 

[tskover57]

Sorry but the title of her post is "nursing school is ruining my vacation"

She is clearly upset that the school is offering a review course during her vacation (like they should change it just for her). The school is giving 5 months notice - that is very reasonable.

As someone that has taken board exams without and free reivew session (not offered or I would have jumped at it - even missing a WDW vacation) I can say - if you can get the review session - jump at it.

I am not being rude at all - this OP needs to grow up and understand what adult priorities are. A career and job come before a vacation - hands down.

Sorry you had to take my title so seriously, it is just a saying the PP is correct, I am basically asking for advice on how they think I might be able to switch things around. I am not asking my school to change things"just for me" I am looking for other options, and FYI this isn't a free class it may be mandatory but it's not free. I am an ADULT who works to pay my own tuition, my own bills, because my mother is a single parent and my father has passed away. I am a grown adult who loves nursing and disney and my school's late notice has thrown a wrench into my plans, thats all.

 

[suemom2kay]

I am a teacher also and I understand not wanting to attend graduation but you have to, I get it -same here.

But what I am confused about it why would you plan a vacation on a day that is clearly a schedued work day that you can not miss. A school calendar is always set in the fall (at the latest) if not months / years earlier. I can tell you our start and end date for the next 3 years (and we are working without a contract - the calendar get set no matter what). I can also tell you our graduation date for the same length of time (always the first Sunday in June).

Sorry but a teachers schedule is one of the most predictable careers a person can be in. Days on and off are scheduled very far in advance and they do not change.

If you planned your vacation on graduation - it sounds like poor planning on your part.

Not snarky just honest.

OP planned her vacation 1 week post graduation. Read her original post. She didn't plan poorly her college did. Nursing school is very rigorous and the fact the she is graduating speaks volumes about her ability to plan effectively.

Not snarky just honest.

 

[tskover57]

I want to thank everyone who has given me positive advice and suggestions! I appreciate it all! I am looking forward to becoming a nurse, it has been a lot of hard work! I am still contemplating what changes I want to make, but regardless it will all work out even it it's a day shorter than planned!

 

[tskover57]

Forgive me for not reading through all the replies before posting (I have limited time before I need to get back to studying lol) I wanted to suggest though that if you can't make your school's review course, have you considered signing up for a Kaplan review course instead? I don't understand the school mandating attendance for an NCLEX review post semester/graduation. There may be a detail with your particular nursing program that I'm not aware of but I would suggest getting with your advisor and speaking with him/her about your predicament.

FWIW - I graduate on 5/11 and leave on 5/15 for WDW ... my NCLEX will come after I return and have sufficiently rested and celebrated.

Best of luck to you for the rest of the semester and for when you sit for boards and ... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You worked hard to get here (I KNOW!) and I commend you for your acheivement.

CONGRATS!!! Ya our school is crazy, although we will have already graduated they will not release our records over to the board of nursing until we have attended the review class, as though I am told. I have the same plan, I need the mental break so I can get back to studying for the NCLEX!

 

[suemom2kay]

I want to thank everyone who has given me positive advice and suggestions! I appreciate it all! I am looking forward to becoming a nurse, it has been a lot of hard work! I am still contemplating what changes I want to make, but regardless it will all work out even it it's a day shorter than planned!

Good for you!

Just so you know... it won't get any easier working your vacations around work. Sometimes you don't get the week you want. But usually you can work something out with your co-workers. Any idea what type of nursing you want to do? I work in Medical/Surgical ICU and have experience in Trauma. I will probably be switching to cardiac soon since they have a weekend position open. Wish me luck on my interview tomorrow.

 

[tskover57]

Who is doing the review? Is it Kaplan? They have online reviews as well. Also you can get the review books and they are more helpful than the review class anyway.

Speak with the director of your program about alternate dates.

For those that have said the school can't make it mandatory, I'm not sure about that. The school can lose their accreditation if their NCLEX pass rate isn't high enough. Having a review could be mandated (if pass rates have been low) or the school can just be covering themselves.

For those that have been so rough on OP, shame on you. She just found out about a review that starts immediately after graduation. It is ridiculous that the school is just springing it on her now.

OP talk to your dean and see what they can work out with you. Hope you get to go on your trip. Personally I think the review is more helpful a month or so after graduation when you are closer to your test date.

Thank you! Yes i believe the reason it is mandatory is to keep up our passing rates! I am in contact with the instructors to see if there is an alternative session, if not i'll just have to change my plans!

 

[tskover57]

Good for you!

Just so you know... it won't get any easier working your vacations around work. Sometimes you don't get the week you want. But usually you can work something out with your co-workers. Any idea what type of nursing you want to do? I work in Medical/Surgical ICU and have experience in Trauma. I will probably be switching to cardiac soon since they have a weekend position open. Wish me luck on my interview tomorrow.

GOOD LUCK!!!! I currently work on a tele floor as a nurse tech, but my heart is really in peds. I did my precepting in a special care nursery and my dream would be to work in our children's NICU or the subintensive NICU, but gotta pass this NCLEX first haha! I'm in critical care now, not my favorite! I say I can do critical care of infants not adults! But good luck with the interview!!! Oh, and with the vacations in the future, my mom works for a school system so it's a tad bit easier for her to get vaca, and she's talking about future trips and I'm like AH now that I won't have control of my schedule and summer's off what am I gunna do!!!