Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Originally Posted by messageinabox

Hi mommyrina, I don't know if I can tell you the name here but I will send a PM to you.

Hi Messageinabox, got your PM but so sorry I can't reply to it because I am not able. I want to ask a few questions, but I don't really think you can answer here Thank you still, maybe in a few weeks I can send private messages and I can reply to you..

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Originally Posted by messageinabox

Hi porkfat,

If you want to be a board topnother you really have to want it. As in WANT it. You should be willing to have more sacrifices than others and exert extra effort, extra time, extra dedication for this dream. Since you will be taking your NLE in November you will have plenty of time to harness your theoretical foundation and enough time to condition yourself for the NLE.

You're thinking, "Would my chances of topping the boards better if I enroll in a Review Center?" My answer, Not necessarily. I landed 5th Place in the recent November 2008 NLE and I didn't enroll in a review center. And I know some topnotchers that did it without having to enroll in one, too.

Here are my tips and advices:

1. Formulate a schedule for yourself, the one you can easily adhere to. Unrealistic schedules will only cause you frustration and in my opinion will only increase your anxiety.
2. Perform a self-evaluation. What are the subjects that seems to be difficult for you? Allot extra time in your schedule for those.
3. If you think your theoretical foundation is sound enough, start with answering questions.
   • My advice, use NCLEX review materials first. It will strengthen what you already know and will aid you to understand some concepts that is vague.
   • Here are the books that I used:
     • Lippincott's Review for NCLEX-RN by Billings
     • David's NCLEX-RN by Lagerquist
     • Mosby Review Questions for the NCLEX-RN by Saxton
     • NCLEX-RN Review by Stein
     • Prioritization, Delegation, Assignment by Lacharity
     • Saunder's Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN by Silvestri
     • Saunder'sComprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN by SIlvestri
     • Complete NCLEX-RN Review by Gauwitz
     • NCLEX-RN Review Guide by Chernecky
     • Mosby Comprehensive Review NCLEX-RN by Saxton
     • NCLEX-RN Pearls
   • I also suggest you make a improvised answer sheet similar to the answer sheet for the NLE. It would help you make you lines more straighter and you could have some "techniques" on how to shade properly
4. Keep a log on your scores and if you still have time. Retake the same exams and compare your scores.
5. Lastly, but not the least, always PRAY. Seek His guidance, you will need it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot for the advice!

Congratulations on topping the board!

If you don't mind me asking, has being number 5 helped further your career? Like, have well-known hospitals accepted your application to become a staff nurse because of that? With the freeze hiring in many hospitals, I was thinking that maybe if I topped the board, then that would give me an advantage over other applicants. A stepping stone if you will.

Currently I'm brushing up on my poor foundation, since I have a lot of time on my hands. And it's true what another poster said; because the more I study, the more I realize that I don't know anything!

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Thank you porkfat.

To answer your question, NO, even landing 5th did not increase my chances of being interviewed let alone being hired,hehehe. It is so sad. To date, I have "distributed" my resumes to almost ALL hospitals and still no response . I have my share of "Sorry, we don't accept applicants as of the moment and no we don't accept resumes even for manpower pooling" or "Sorry, we only accept resumes for manpower pooling from our own graduates".

The only door that is open for me at this time is teaching. It can be fun and the pay is great but I really wanted to be a nurse. You know what, before the results was out I already have a pending application to Saudi but when I learned that I was one of the top examinees I felt this overwhelming patriotism and canceled my application to stay here as a nurse. Now, reality is getting back at me and as much as I wanted to stay here and serve, I felt that I have no place here at home.

But I am still hoping for better days. Maybe it just bad timing with the global recession and all.

Yes, it is true that the more you know, the more you don't know. But then again, you cant know everything. Good luck!

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Originally Posted by porkfat

Currently I'm brushing up on my poor foundation, since I have a lot of time on my hands. And it's true what another poster said; because the more I study, the more I realize that I don't know anything!

Hi porkfat! I noticed that too, now that I am reviewing for the boards, I realized how little I know and how much there is to learn...and I'm also bothered with the fact that there really is no way to know everything...

Goodluck! Hope we can make it!

Hi Messageinabox! I already sent you an email! thanks!

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Hi piquant! Good luck! Are you using Saunders right now? I'm about to buy one. I'm also NOT enrolling in a review center. Everyone I know is telling me I'm making a mistake by not doing so.

Hi messageinabox! I hope you get hired soon. Maybe you can apply again to Saudi?

Yeah you guys are right. It's impossible to know everything.

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Thanks porkfat. I hope so too. I'm giving myself til September this year, if by then I am not still able to land myself a nursing job, I'll eat humble pie and go back to my agency and beg to accept me back.

Saunders is good but in my experience Mosby's better.

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Originally Posted by piquant

Hi Messageinabox! I already sent you an email! thanks!

Already sent you my lectures thru email. Good luck!

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease Yes, it is VERY okay for you to read as many Q&As as possible. And it is doable, I graduated October 2008 and took my NLE Nov 2008. After graduation, I didn't read any books aside from the Q&A books I have.

I'm currently a review lecturer for Nursing Leadership and Management, I could send you my lectures if you like.

Another thing, posting (using manila paper) your hard-to-remember concepts on the walls, ceiling, behind the door, and even behind the bathroom door will help you memorize.



hi messageinabox..i just read this and if you would be please,,can i ask how i can get intouch with you so i can ask for your lectures...thanks in advance..

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

hearty_doll,

already sent you via PM my email address.

Re: I wanna be a board topnotcher. Help me pleeeeease

Thanks messageinabox. I havent been online for a while cuz i was very busy reviewing...i managed to finish the MS questions in nclex3500 and pedia/mcn/psych from saunders....i hope i will also manage to remember the rationales by heart. hehe! i know the hardest questions will be coming from CHN and LMR....thats a different story...i only read my notes and sample exams from carl balita (the notes you sent me, I'm saving them in my folder now! hope i'll have time to read them! :-)... For those taking the boards this June 6, best of luck!!