Couple questions from a soon-to-be LVN

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Hello all! I have a couple questions, if anyone has any advice I'd love to hear it! Well, I finished my LVN courses earlier this year, and I'm taking my NCLEX-PN at the end of this month. I've been reviewing with the Saunders NCLEX review book, and I've mainly focused on the test questions, taking them, reading over the rationales, etc. I'm consistently getting 75-85% on average on all the practice tests and quizzes. I probably do about 150-300 questions a day, occasionally a few more give or take. I'm feeling confident about going into the NCLEX, but anxiety is doing it's number on me! I'm just curious how others did on their review tests/quizzes and if they helped, didn't help, or whatnot.

My other question is about after getting licensed (which is hopefully soon!). During clinicals, I really enjoyed wound care and ICU, and am interested in possibly specializing in these areas. I've had many people tell me I should do general nursing my first year before specializing. Has anyone gone straight into specializing? I'm just interested in what other people have done, how the transition was, all that. Also, if anyone has other specialties they may think would be fun as well (somewhat related to wound care/ICU), I'd love to hear them, especially from male nurses since I happen to be a male as well!

I'm excited to start off my career as nurse! I plan on going for my RN within a few years, but after the fun that was nursing school, I need to work to regain my sanity and get back into the swing of things, so to speak. Any advice/opinions/encouragement is GREATLY appreciated! I hate pre-test jitters, just trying to hear some good words before experiencing the "fun" (as I've heard) that is the NCLEX. Thanks all!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

:welcome: Welcome to AllNurses!

The Saunders review book did wonders for me. I was able to pass NCLEX on my first attempt with the minimum amount of questions using that book.

If you reside in California, prepare for the toughest LVN job market anyone has seen in many years. You might not be able to be selective regarding the hospital specialties you want to enter. Click on the link below to get more insight on how other California LVN new grads are faring in the job market.

https://allnurses.com/lpn-lvn-corner/southern-california-thread-389524.html

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

I didn't really review :nono: NOT a good ideal!

The night before, my BFF from nursing school and another PN student went two hours away to take our test and got hammered...also NOT a good ideal.

I passed with 85 questions :wink2:

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Specializes in Coronary Rehab Unit.

I'm excited to start off my career as nurse! I plan on going for my RN within a few years, but after the fun that was nursing school, I need to work to regain my sanity and get back into the swing of things, so to speak. Any advice/opinions/encouragement is GREATLY appreciated! I hate pre-test jitters, just trying to hear some good words before experiencing the "fun" (as I've heard) that is the NCLEX. Thanks all!

Sounds like my plan (my brain needs a rest - graduated/licensed this spring)...... I found the Saunders book/cd to actually be overwhelming, as some stuff was different than what we were taught (our school is run by the hospital that hired us)..... after days of frustration of Saunders review, I just vowed to relax, eat well, no late nights, and plenty of sleep. The NCLEX was way different than I expected (a lot of stuff we'd never heard of, and a lot of obscure stuff....), freaking me out a little even though we had mock NCLEX at school, but I passed at 85 questions. I'm sure the available reviews can help a lot of folks, just didn't boost my confidence, so I concentrated on living "healthy" before the big exam. All is well..... RN school is down the road, I'm sure .... just need to make some $$$ and rest my brain ...heh
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Thanks for the replies! I just hope I'm on the right track, I guess I'll find out once I get my results. I do agree with the living healthy aspect before going into the test. I've restructured my diet so it's healthy again, been getting rest, and doing exercises. School was hell mainly due to the clash of real life and nursing, so getting things back in order has helped. I just hope I'm not studying the wrong stuff before I take this thing. I think it's just my nerves, I just want to beat the NCLEX badly so I can get this career started. It's been quite a ride from the start of school until now. As for LVN jobs in So. Cali...let's just say I don't plan on living in this part of the state for too much longer, getting tired of it for the most part. The LVN jobs I've seen that are available around here aren't so new-grad friendly. I know I can find probably something if I look hard enough. Anyways, 9 days until testing, so here's hoping to a good test, and as always thank you guys for the advice and any other advice you guys have!

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