Advice for career and NCLEX

[HoustonRN04]

Experienced RNs and New Grads,

I loved every minute of nursing school until my last semester. I had an internship with an awful preceptor in an MICU which drove me into anxiety, depression, and made me want to leave the profession.

However, I have overcome her adversity... It has made me question if I desire ICU or not... For my entire nursing career, I always thought I wanted critical care... but now I really question that......

I take the NCLEX in 1 week... I am a little frustrated because I took the last Kaplan question trainer and only received a 52%. It just really blew my confidence... and now I feel overwhelmed and don't know where to focus my study... From my score, there isn't anything that I am entirely weak in... they are all around the same percentages.

thanks... love and prayers

[crazydaizy]

dont worry you will be fine i just to my nclex and i feel that i totally boomed it and not because i didnt know the information but because i let my nerves get the best of me so take a deep breath and tell your self you can do it and that you know the information it is not that bad just dont work your self up trust me or your brain will be in overdrive and you wont think near as clearly as you could

and dont worry about how you do on the practice test because if have a friend who got her att and the next day tested didnt study only took 100 practice questions and got a 55% on it and now she has her licence so you can do it :)

[Love-A-Nurse]

don't let the % of your practice test discourage you. continue to do practice questions or what ever your plan is until a day or two before your exam. relax and i wish you the best.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Relax.

There are so many options in nursing, if you don't like ICU then move somewhere else, but don't be unhappy. You'll find your niche. The first year will be a roller coast ride of emotions and doubts. Just ride them out.

[leraern]

Please Don't Let One Bad Experience Determine Your Whole Career. Sometimes These Preceptors Forget They Were Once Students And Learning. They Become Rns And Develop This Attitude Like They Are Better Than Students. But, Don't Let That Get You Down. Once You Decide Where You Want To Work, I'm Sure The Preceptors You Have Then Will Be More Helpful. I Got Lucky To Get On A Floor Where Everyone Is Always Willing To Help And Teach, Even The Cnas. And As Far As The Nclex, I Personally Didn't Like The Kaplan Review. I Read The Book Once And Never Picked It Up After That. I Used Saunders, Lippincott, Nclex 3000, And Mosby's Flash Cards. I Didn't Score That Well On The Practice Tests Either, But I Got 101 Questions On The Exam And Passed The First Time. So, You Can Do It And You Will Find Where You'll Belong. There Are So Many Things You Can Do, You May End Up Somewhere Where You Don't Do Bedside Nursing, Who Knows....keep Your Head Up!!!!!