new Army Nurse going Landstuhl, Germany

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Hello. I'm new to this but I just wanted to get some get some more information. I am a nursing student (RN-BSN) and Army ROTC cadet on my last semester of nursing school and Army ROTC. In May, I will be graduating as a nurse and commissioning as a 2nd LT in the Army. Anyways, I just found out that I got my first choice for my First Duty Station and it's Landstuhl, Germany. Of course, when I found out, I completely freaked out :yeah: and it's probably the best early Christmas gift ever! :D

I don't know anyone who has been to Germany as an Army nurse and was wondering how the area was and if you liked living there. So far, I've read only good things. Are there things to do around city? Is there a beach or something? How's the weather? Is it a big city? congested? Also, how was working in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center? I know there will be a lot of injured soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan so maybe a lot of critical care cases. Was it stressful? big? Did you feel lost? Did people help you? Are the native people there friendly? do they speak English? Do I have to learn how to speak German or is English good enough? Is housing easily available and is it affordable? How about the cost of living there? I know the Euro is more than the American dollar. Will I have enough time to travel through Europe while working as an Army nurse? How about a car? Do I need to buy a car? a little off topic, but are Mercedes or BMW's cheaper there? Is there anything else that I should know? Anything that I need to steer clear of?

I know these are a lot of questions but I've never been too far from home and on my own, plus living and starting out a whole new life in a foreign country (I'm single, so no family or friends in a big, foreign place!:no: lol.). Just really want to know any information that you have or any of your own personal experience living there. I kind of need to prepare myself for this whole new life and adventure before it happens. Thanks! :D

:yeah:congratulations on getting your first choice!

Ha! I just got my orders!!! I am going as I expected to go in October for OBLC and then to Germany report date in January. OMG I am soo like nervous all of the sudden about that Nclex. I study, but I find myself getting bored with studying lol. I know I have to study though. I have been doing about three hours a day at least. You think that is good enough. Now I have done those three hours a day consistently for several month now.

Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.
Ha! I just got my orders!!! I am going as I expected to go in October for OBLC and then to Germany report date in January. OMG I am soo like nervous all of the sudden about that Nclex. I study, but I find myself getting bored with studying lol. I know I have to study though. I have been doing about three hours a day at least. You think that is good enough. Now I have done those three hours a day consistently for several month now.

Are you taking practice exams? If so, are you scoring well on them? I would reccomend taking practice exams from a few different sources.

I have completed Kaplan on the 11th of August and I have been doing saunders and nclex 3500 for resources. According to Kaplan I am scoring high. In saunders I am not sure what I am supposed to score, but I seem to be right there with the others of my school. I range between 65 -75% depending on the content with 100 questions. Hope that is good enough.

Ha! I just got my orders!!! I am going as I expected to go in October for OBLC and then to Germany report date in January. OMG I am soo like nervous all of the sudden about that Nclex. I study, but I find myself getting bored with studying lol. I know I have to study though. I have been doing about three hours a day at least. You think that is good enough. Now I have done those three hours a day consistently for several month now.

OMG!! I'm so glad you got your orders and you'll be going exactly as planned!!! You'll get to see your grandmother!!

I think three hours a day is already good enough since you've been studying for several months. you don't wanna burn yourself out. and you've been doing well on those practice questions and they're really good, esp. the kaplan and the saunders. those are pretty much what i used. And don't be nervous!! give yourself a break and relax before the big test. you're gonna do great!! :wink2:

Thanks so much Pink!!! I am just soo excited. I will report to you how work is over there so you have an idea. Only heard good things so far though. This is soo exciting!

Hmm I just found this thread and I am wondering if anyone is scheduled to go to Landstuhl in January 2010. I am scheduled for that day, but might go two weeks early since I am German and I would be able to visit with my family for Christmas. I will::crosses her fingers::soon be an ARMY Nurse myself, after passing Nclex. OBLC in October. Would be great to find some others here going the same route and timeline.

Hi! I am going the same route and timeline =) I'll be there in Texas this October and Germany in January! I'd love to be in contact. Hope things are going well for you in the meantime

I took the NCLEX a hundred years ago... or so it seemed... and I took an in-person review from Kaplan... I passed with no problem... you should be just fine!:up::up:

Kaplan rocks

Hmm I just found this thread and I am wondering if anyone is scheduled to go to Landstuhl in January 2010. I am scheduled for that day, but might go two weeks early since I am German and I would be able to visit with my family for Christmas. I will::crosses her fingers::soon be an ARMY Nurse myself, after passing Nclex. OBLC in October. Would be great to find some others here going the same route and timeline.

I am scheduled to report the first week of Jan. 2010... after OBLC in Oct.

I've been a nurse forever, but am new army... Good luck on the NCLEX... you'll do fine... See you in Germany!

Well, I guess Getting Dun we see eachother in october during OBLC. This is exciting to see already at least two people who go at the same time as I am to OBLC and Germany. I am easy to notice since I am likely the only one with a German Accent lol. I am also on Facebook if you all want to see a picture of me so you can recognize me and to stay in contact. On facebook I am Susanne Collins and I should be the first one to pop up when you put my name in. Dark blonde curley long hair and a face shot. Just let me know who you are if you place a friend request! Thanks for the encouragement with the Kaplan part. I am so excited to get this Nclex behind me!! Ballroom RN, you already completed your Nclex as well? Any good feedback for me on what to focus on? Likely everything lol.

Ballroom RN, you already completed your Nclex as well? Any good feedback for me on what to focus on? Likely everything lol.

The NCLEX is not as bad as it sounds. I took it back in July and I studied through Kaplan, but I think I would have been okay even without that.

Balance your time between doing content and practice questions. Towards the end, I mostly did practice questions and made notes of anything I really had no clue about so I would remember it for next time. My NCLEX had a lot of prioritizing questions, med questions (which can be figured out easily with general knowledge of the drug class), and "select all that apply" questions. I had NO math and very few questions in specific fields like OB and Peds. There are certain things everyone seems to run into:

-Infection control/ the different types of precautions

- morphine, lisinopril, insulin, lithium, magnesium, SSRIs, Prednisone (or another steroid), NSAIDS. etc. Know basically how they affect the body, when you should or should not take them, and any outstanding side effects or contraindications.

- growth and development applied in the context of patient teaching or communication

- addisons vs. cushings

- SIADH vs. Diabetes insipidus

- Hypothyroid vs. hyperthyroid

-Diabetes type I and II

-Placenta Previa vs. Abruptio PLacenta

You can get away with hanging out in a bookstore get a cup of coffee and do questions without spending 40 bucks on a review book. Borders and Barnes and Nobel are usually pretty friendly about it.

DON'T Study the day before. You'll do GREAT!

Okay, I have done by this time more then 4000 questoins lol. I did Kaplan and a good amount of Nclex 3500 and Saunders questions. I have done tons of content. Meds suck, but the ones that you named there I had no trouble with and I think I do about 50-50 on med questions, which is my lowest. I am just soo happy when its over lol. Thanks much for your feedback!!!

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