Introduction
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 So You Want to be a Nurse...
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Part One: Getting Started
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THE SCOOP ON NURSING
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 Why Nursing is Hot & Why it Will Stay That Way
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 More Choices Than Stars in the Sky
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 LPN vs. RN - What's the Difference?
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IS NURSING FOR YOU?
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 Student Nurse Snapshot
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 But What's it Really Like?
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 What Makes a Good Nurse?
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 Testing the Waters Before Diving In
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 A Day in the Life
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FIRST THINGS FIRST
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 Planning Your Path
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 The Application Process
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 Selecting a Program
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 Writing a Powerful Entrance Essay
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 A Word on Distance Learning
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 The Interview
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 Entrance Exams
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 Waiting...and Waiting...
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 Pre-Flight Checklist
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KEEPING YOUR PIGGY BANK HAPPY
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 Work & School - Can it be Done?
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 Student Loans
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 Paying for College: Myths vs. Reality
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 Still More Types of Aid
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 Grants & Scholarships
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Part Two: You're In! Now What?
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GEARING UP FOR STUDENT LIFE
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 Tools of the Trade
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 Meet Your New Family
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STUDENT SURVIVAL SKILLS 101
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 Getting Organized
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 Chicken Scratch
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 Sharpen Your Study Skills
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 Study Groups
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 Procrastination - the 8th Deadly Sin
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A GUIDED TOUR OF YOUR CLASSES
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 Nursing School Horror Stories
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 Core Classes
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FRONT AND CENTER: IN THE CLASSROOM
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 Identify Your Instructor's Style
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 Ask and Ye Shall be Answered
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 Learning Objectives
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 Your Two Cents - It Counts!
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 Taking it All in
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 The Art of Public Speaking
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 Reading with a Purpose
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 The Written Word
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ANXIETY-FREE EXAMS
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 Strategies for Test Prep
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 Preparing for Finals
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 What's the Question?
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 The Sun Will Rise Again
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 Budgeting Exam Time
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RESEARCH
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 Finding Information
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 Drawing Conclusions
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 Evaluating Sources
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THE JOY OF CLINICALS
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 What Are They Like?
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 Nursing Diagnoses
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 What Will I Be Expected to Do?
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 Holistic Care
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 Helpful Advice
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 Cultural Issues in Nursing
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 Getting the Experience You Need
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 Interpersonal Skills
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 Care Plans
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MAXIMIZE YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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 Get Involved
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 Give Something Back
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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
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 Balancing School, Work & Family
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 Be Assertive
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 Making Time for Yourself
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 Motivation
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 Adjust Your Attitude
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GRADUATION DAY
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 The Pinning Ceremony
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 What's Next?
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Part Three: Beyond The Classroom
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THE DREADED NCLEX
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 What is it & How Does it Work?
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 Waiting for the Results
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 NCLEX Myths
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 If You Don't Pass
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 Getting Ready for the Big Day
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GRADUATE SCHOOL
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 Clinical Nurse Specialist
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 Nurse Practitioner
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 Community Health Nursing
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 Nursing Informatics
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 Nurse Anesthetist
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 Nursing Management
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 Nurse Educator
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 Research Nursing
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 Nurse Midwife
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TRANSITIONING TO WORK
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 Finding Your Dream Job
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 Salaries, Benefits & Perks
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 Resumes
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 Evaluating Job Offers
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 Interviewing
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THE FIRST SIX MONTHS
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 You Really ARE Ready!
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 Legal Mumbo Jumbo
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 The Preceptor Relationship
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 I Wish They Would Have Told Me...
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RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
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GLOSSARY
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REFERENCES
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APPENDIX
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