[ladyLee]

hi I am a student in college and I want to be a nurse but I don't think I'm am going to get in the program with my grades you have to be a A+ student and I'm just a B. Do you have any advice for me????? Other school want you to take the test the pax test but I have no idea if its hard and whats on the test, whereas in my school all you need is A's to get in the program. I'm so lost

[NYDreamer]

First: be more positive about yourself

one of the things you can do it, if you still have pre reqs to take, try and aim for getting As. That way you can pull your GPA as close to a 4.0 as possible. I would speak to the advisor at your school and find out the EXACT minimum GPA you need to get into the program, how competitive it is, etc...do not just go by what you hear from other students....

As far as the other school, usually there are study guys for these exams. Otherwise you can ask an advisor or someone in the nursing department what you need to study in order to prepare yourself for the exam. You won't know until you ask. Also, look at a few different programs in your area.

good luck

Originally Posted by ladyLee

hi I am a student in college and I want to be a nurse but I don't think I'm am going to get in the program with my grades you have to be a A+ student and I'm just a B. Do you have any advice for me????? Other school want you to take the test the pax test but I have no idea if its hard and whats on the test, whereas in my school all you need is A's to get in the program. I'm so lost

[mystiqx]

If you mean the NLN:PAX-RN exam; its is not that bad, I took it this year and I got accepted too my progrm. You need too give yourself ample time too study, get the study guide, there is one thats written specifically for that test by Mary McDonald. The format in the book pretty much matches the test. You may get conflicting opinions on if the content matches the test from some off the allnurses peeps who took it. I think the tests matches the study guide.

The test consists of basic math and algebra, reading comprehension, vocabulary, bio/phyics/chem (all at the basic level)
Math was my biggest worry, even the basic stuff I am super poor at, so I went out and searched for every book out there that could help me, the two main ones I got were Painless Fractions (explains how to solve all fractions know too man) and No Fear Math, which literally teaches you the grade school basics and works it way up. They are both small reference books that you can flip too what you need. To be honest I still didn't do as well as I wanted on the math section, however, like my mom said if i didn't study soooo hard on that part, I would have done much much worse.

I've never done a physics class a day in my life, so I got "A Cartoon Guide to Physics" by Harvey Gonick (found out about this book on the forums) this book helped me, it was still a little tough since I'd never taken physics, but since im a visual person and happen too like cartoons and comics, seeing the pictures helped me too understand and recall certain things. Bio and chem was what it is just a case of studying it and if you took bio before even better. Reading Comp and Vocab are sorta my forte so I wasn't really worried about it.
I also got out bio and chem reference books from the library just too look things up when I need too.

This may seem like alot, but like I said, you should give yourself some time too study if you can afford the time; you also have to practise time management for this test. Each section is only 1 hr long. The time is more your enemy on this test than the actual content. When I studied for the test I made several photocopies of the practice exams, and set my food timer, and did drills over and over.

If taking this test gives you more nursing school options then I say take it. You've got nothing to lose in my opinion. Im no where near an A student, and I was able too get into a very good program in my state, its private, but I specifically choose to apply too that school cause I knew I had a fighting chance of getting in, as opposed too the community college program.
Nursing school is still possible for you, you just have too be willing too explore other options, and believe that you can get in.

I hope this helps you a bit
Good Luck in your decision

~M

[GottaGetIn]

You never know unless you try and apply!