Need advise and support

Nurses General Nursing

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I really need advise on my situation:

I graduated with a BSN two years ago. Rather than taking the nclex right away, I took time off for two years. Now, I am getting ready to restart my nursing career and take the nclex, but I am finding it extremely overwhelming reviewing the material that I haven't touched for two years. I am starting to panic because I feel like I have to relearn everything and remember even my prereq classes like anat. and phys. which I took even before nursing school. So far, I have taken a two week nclex review course.

I am really worried that I will be required to retake nursing classes after a certain period of time of not taking the nclex. I am also worried that once I pass the nclex, it would be difficult for me to get hired compared to someone who just came right out of school.

I would appreciate any thoughts, comments, and advise, especially from someone who may have been in a similar situation or who might have taken time off from their nrsg career. Thanks!

(I am a newbie, hopefully I have posted this on the correct forum).

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I am only a pre-nursing student but from what I have heard they recommend you take the NCLEX within 3 months of graduation. I wish you luck and study hard you will be fine.

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How did you do in the nclex review class? Did you take the end of the course test they normally give, how did you make out with it? The result of the test normally gives you a probability of you passing the nclex itself.

I took the kaplan review, and then took time off from my job as a GN to study for the test using the saunders review book.

Good luck with the test and your career.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

If you can do it, get your CNA, and work part time in a LTC or as a nurse tech in a hospital. In your off time, get permission to look through charts and start putting together information just like you did in school. Getting the CNA job gets you access to these charts. Do little care plans on your own in your own time. They don't have to be nearly like the ones you had to do for school, but all the documentation and information you need to put together for the critical thinking will be there in the charts for you. That critical thinking along with the nursing process is what you need to pass the NCLEX as well as just knowing the nursing information.

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Specializes in Home health, Med/Surg.

Cg88,

I know your pain. My mother was diagnosed with cancer 6 week after I graduated from nursing school and I moved home with my family until she died. This was 10 years ago. I needed time to grieve and recuperate after the stress of her death. I took the NCLEX 1 year after I graduated and passed at 75 questions the first time I took it. I bought 2 NCLEX study guides and took all of the tests in them. I also re-read the chapter summaries in ALL of my nursing text books and answered the questions at the end of each section of the textbooks. It can be done with discipline, I am proof of that. I did have to take an RN refresher course before a hospital would hire me because I did home health first after passing the NCLEX. 10 years later I am thriving as a med/surg nurse and I love my job.

You can do it if you set your mind to it.

The textbooks and study guides contain what you need to pass. You have to buckle down and study and you can pass without returning to school.

I hope I have calmed your anxiety. I remember I was an anxious panicky wreck until I found out that I passed. You can do it!!!!!

PS I never took Kaplan but many people say it helps.

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