Registered Nurse (RN)-Former Nursing Student & Current Nurse Blog My Journey of Becoming & Working as a Registered Nurse

Hello Everyone,

So many times nursing students get frustrated when it comes to learning how to do the conversions. At first, I was so overwhelmed and I had a hard time learning.

However, after lots of practice I eventually became very comfortable doing conversions, and from that point on I never struggled with them again. I had a great question regarding conversions:

Hi Sarah. I love your site and your explanation on conversions is fantastic!I was wondering if it’s also important to learn how to convert to grams and grains? Also, if you could tell me what to expect for my first semester and what can I do to help prepare me for that. Thanks a lot.

Tabatha

Thanks so much for the kind words and the great question Tabatha! I will try to cover all of your questions the best I can.

Should Nurses Learn How to Convert Grams and Grains?

I am glad that you enjoyed the conversions page that I placed up. As I said before, I did have trouble at first learning the conversion formulas, and I was really stressed out when the test came.

However, after lots of practice I did eventually learn how to do the conversions. For those who may be interested in practicing those conversion problems, you can find the dosage and calculation conversions page.

As far as your question regarding the grams to grains conversions, no I was not required to learn that specific conversion, and it wasn’t stressed at all on the tests. In fact, I didn’t really bother with studying it much at all.

However, your school curriculum may be different and they may possibly choose to include those with your dosage and calculations problems. If that is the case, then I do recommend learning them. It may help if you can ask some of your fellow nursing students =-).

There are a couple of sites I can recommend which give some basic grains to grams conversion formulas/calculators, if you are interested in seeing how the formula works:

http://www.asknumbers.com/GramsToGrains.aspx

http://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/grams-to-grains.htm

What Should I Expect In My First Semester of Nursing School?

My first two years of college were mostly core non-nursing classes. The actual “nursing school” part was really the last 2 years. So what can you expect during this time? What will your first semester of actual nursing school be like? Great questions! I have written a similar post about nursing clinicals here that you may also be interested in.

Each year of nursing school had its good parts and bad parts. For example, my first year of nursing was more difficult academically, and I had some very difficult classes I had to pass. However, I didn’t have to really worry with clinicals at a real job too much so that was nice. The “clinicals” were mostly just skills tests that were performed in the actual classroom (such as inserting a catheter, applying dressings, and so forth).

The second year was much less difficult academically (the classes were easier), however, I had a much more rigorous work load with clinicals, projects, and so forth. The clinicals were a little more challenging because you deal with real people in an actual hospital setting.

As far as my very first semester of nursing school, it wasn’t too bad at all. Each nursing school may be structured differently, however, mine focused mostly on academic book work and so forth.

So if yours is the same, I would recommend you really just try to remain dedicated to your homework, projects, and studying. If you have trouble doing this, you can always get a study buddy, or form a study group.

I tended to study mostly on my own, and I would simply sit in my apartment bedroom and just study over and over as much as I could (and sometimes listen to music). That has always been my own personal study routine.

You really have nothing to worry about at all, and I think you will really enjoy your first semester. I know you must be very excited, and at the same time anxious and nervous.You will probably make some friends that you may end up partnering with throughout Nursing School on various projects, and you may even work with them once you graduate!

I think you will do great, and you will see that it isn’t bad at all. If you just keep up with your classes and study, it is really like anything else in school. Just remember that practice makes perfect, and studying regularly will not only help you pass your classes, but it will also help prepare you for the HESI and NCLEX tests.

Thanks again, and good luck! =)

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Posted under Ask A Question, Nursing School

Hey Everyone,

Here is another great nursing-related question regarding becoming an Obstetrician. Here is the question:

Hi Sarah,

I just LOVE your blog! and you are an amazing person. I need your help to guide me.

I am 18 yrs old. I really want to become an obstetrician.I am currently in high school. I want to know the steps i should take to become a successful obstetrician.

Unfortunately I have to support myself financially so I am planning to attend BMCC for my nursing degree and I don’t know what i have to do after that. I am working very hard.

My backup plan is if I cant seem to support myself in order to further my nursing education to become an obstetrician then, I will try being an R.N or a nursing assistant but it is my dream to become an obstetrician . Please help me

Anita

First of all, thanks so much for the very nice things you said Anita. I think it is great that you are so ambitious about wanting to become an obstetrician! If you really want it bad enough, then trust me you will one day be an obstetrician. I will do the best I can to give you some tips on how to realize your dream.

How to Become an Obstetrician out of High School

High school is a great time to really start making moves for your future career goals. You said you are 18, so I assume you are about to graduate very soon (if you haven’t already).

At this point, I would recommend that you talk to your guidance counselor to see what classes can help prepare you for your college courses. Any health or nursing related classes would be great, and it can start laying a foundation for your future academic success.j

This is also a great time to begin applying to the college you hope to attend, to see if you will get accepted (if you haven’t already done so). Once you do get accepted, I highly recommend getting a catalog of classes, and also speaking with an advisor in the health department of the college. An advisor can tell you which classes to take to ensure you can meet the necessary requirements to become an obstetrician.

I also think it would be a very wise move to start with an RN degree, since obstetricians usually require a more advanced degree than a BSN. Nursing would not only give you some good experience, but it would also enable you to network with other obstetricians and medical people, and also give you a good income if you decide to continue schooling.

How To Afford Advanced Medical Training and Degrees College Programs

You did say that you were going to have to support yourself, and I completely relate with that. Both my husband and I came from single mothers and we had to support ourselves through college. It was very difficult and quite a struggle to do. So I can relate with you on that.

However, there are many great things you can do to help you financially while you are seeking your education. I thought I would share a few tips in case you haven’t tried these yet, so you can realize your dream of being an obstetrician or Registered Nurse:

1. Talk to your High School guidance counselor about any scholarship programs. Many states have scholarship programs that will cover the full or partial expenses of your schooling. I was able to get a “lottery scholarship” based on my GPA, which helped tremendously.
2. If you come from a family with a lower income, or you yourself have a low income, you can apply for financial aid from the government. This is totally free, and you may be able to get grant money that you don’t even have to repay. You can do this only at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
3. Check with your local college to find out about potential scholarship programs. Many colleges have tons of scholarship programs and you will likely be eligible for many of them. This can help you cover your educational expenses.
4. Consider working part time either before or after you get your nursing degree. Many companies in the medical field will give you tuition re-reimbursement if you complete a college degree and agree to work with them. So this can help you both while you get your undergraduate degree, and also if you plan to go back to get your further medical degrees. So I would definitely keep that in mind.

Conclusion: Good Luck and Don’t Give Up!

Being an obstetrician would be a great career. If this is something you are truly interested in doing, then don’t ever give up. You can and will become an obstetrician if you set your mind to it and work hard.

I hope the tips I have provided will help you on your path during nursing and medical school. I wish you the very best of luck, and thanks again =).

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Posted under Ask A Question, Nursing School