Medstar Refresher Course?

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Specializes in New Grad.

Hey there everyone, first time poster, long time lurker. So I just passed the NCLEX (YAYYYYY!!). But it seems taking a refresher course may be needed for me since here in Arizona after 2 years at the time of licensure a refresher is needed. Still waiting to see If I make the cut off (passed the day before LOL) but I'm trying to prepare myself just in case. 

So my question is, does anyone have any experiences with the MedStar program? It's online until the clinical which I like. Can anyone say what the course was like, how to prepare for exams, how tough was it compared to nursing school? I'm just anxious that I may have to take more exams, I'm so tired of them LOL. Thanks in advance to everyone who responds!

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Specializes in ED.

I feel the same way. Just passed the NCLEX and then more exams. I'm moving to AZ from ID, so I'm jumping on board with South Dakota because they offer online class. The only thing is you have to secure your own clinical rotation which is like 80 hours. Have you enrolled to MedStar?

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Specializes in New Grad.

Hey Rara! So some new news regarding my situation. The BON looked at my original application and decided a refresher course wasn't needed since I was licensed before my two years were up. My license was issued and it says it's active and unrestricted so it seems I was good to go. Yay! 

I've heard about the South Dakota program. I would have gone with Medstar personally (even tho it is very expensive) simply because the exams seem to be very basic and repeatable from what I've heard and gathered from those that have taken it. They all say its nothing like in nursing school and its all very chill. 

But again, they are very expensive like $3,000, and I totally see why you would go with the South Dakota program. If you don't think you'll have trouble finding a preceptor than it should work just fine with you. I would have no idea where to even find one LOL. 

Please let me know how it goes and good luck, the hardest stuff is past us! 

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Specializes in ED.

Just wondering are you a US citizen?

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Specializes in New Grad.

Yes, I am! Why do you ask?

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Specializes in ED.

I see. Because I’m a foreign educated nurse. So I’m trying to see my chances of not having to do the refresher course. It’s just frustrating that from all of the studying for NCLEX, then having to take a refresher course is just all studying again

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Specializes in New Grad.

Yeah I know how you feel. It took me a couple of tries to finally pass my NCLEX. It was very demotivating every time I opened my email and see that I hadn't passed. The AZ BON has a page online about all the refresher courses that they offer in the state. The most popular ones are the ones offered by the local community colleges, and the one bye MedStar.

They are the most expensive tho, ranging from 2 to 3 grand. But they do offer payment plans. The courses at the local CC's is done in person every 6 months. Clinical sites are included. MedStar is online and no teachers, just videos, quizzes, and 2 exams. But from what I gather its nothing like in nursing school. And the clinical is in person. Clinical site included. So just choose whatever works better for your situation.

Did you make sure that the BON wants you to take the refresher course? Did they send you a message about being required to take it? 

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Specializes in ED.

On your first situation, did they send you an email of all the requirements asking you if you need to do a refresher course?

the email is very vague, but it also said that validation of practice within the past 5 years which I have. 

also I’ve already started with sending requirements to South Dakota and already spent money just for processing because I didn’t know that Medstar has online options as well. 

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Specializes in New Grad.

They sent me a email saying I would be required to apply to the refresher course if I didn't pass my NCLEX by a certain date. The day after the exam, they sent another email saying I passed, and gave me my license number. My profile shows that it is active and unrestricted on the main page, and they closed my original application.

They said that they would give me a temp. license only valid to complete the clinical portion of the course. And I could only get that If I applied for it and showed proof of registering to the course. But I have proof of my current active license so I guess they would have sent me another message saying I would be required to take the course if I wasn't allowed to work.

Yeah they had a page about the refresher courses they had available. I'm assuming you can always ask for your money back before you start the course no? Is it to late? And also it should be similar since its online with modules as well. 

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Specializes in ED.

I haven’t paid South Dakota yet because the director is out of town for the weekend so our communication was cut for awhile. But also when I looked at the modules for south dakota it’s like a 11 with test on each end and it said NCLEX type questions, so I was like “no way!” If I could just do the clinical I would be fine with it. 
I’m really just trying to set my case regarding the part of verification of practice within the past 5 years because I have that and it didn’t specify if practice has been made outside the country or not because I’ve been already an RN from the Philippines and just moving my license here in the US
I’m really frustrated because all the work of trying to pass NCLEX then you just want your license and another mountain is in front of you

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Specializes in New Grad.

Yeah I see where you are coming from. The BON is very vague in their emails. Have they been able to respond to you yet? 

Regarding the course, MedStar is very expensive its like 3 grand for the course, and an extra 400 to 500 for the books and clinical bag. Plus you have to get some kind of insurance when at clinicals or something. And they say that they can take up to a year to find you a clinical space. Although, I haven't heard any problems regarding that. 

But yeah it is a lot. I know that feeling, my nursing journey has not been very easy either and I cant believe I'm here even now. But just know that the program is only like 3-4 months and after that you'll be good to go. Maybe even faster since it's at your own space. Just a little more and you'll be done. 

I was reviewing my skills in preparation for job hunting, but my house was hit with a bad cold. Now I have it too. Part of me is ready to start working, but my other half is scared, since I don't have any experience. But if we are both here now, I guess it was meant to be. Just take it day by day, and do what you can today. The months will pass faster than you know.  

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Hello, I was lurking around and I found this post, I know this is old, but I wonder if you guys are still here? I am in the same boat, I graduated 10 years ago, and recently passed ny NCLEX, only to be bummed out I have to take more tests, I am again anxious I am enrolled in medstar, if you guys could help and tell me how were the tests? Especially calculations oh geeeZ 

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