new employer vs nclex

[orbit]

Hi to all. Being is GN is sure frustrating at times. I Graduated end of December and took a job and started mid January. I negotated time off for my boards with my employer which was verbally "ok" with her. I started working full time M-F and realized about two weeks into it that trying to study after a full day of working and pounding my brain with so much new information that studying for my NCLEX was about impossible. I managed to get a day a week to leave 1 hour early to study. That for sure didn't do enough to create study time. I recently received my auth. to test and approached my boss about time off to study. The answer was no, a day off before mytest was ok but that was it. I let them know that until I was in my regualr shift working part time where I had time off to study that I would schedule my NCLEX after I raised my comfort level and felt that I had quality study time (about two weeks from now) Now they're cold shouldering me, closed door conversations after talking with me. They want me to test right away, for their conveinence. I have been communicating with them several times a week regarding my test and the minute I knew I could test they knew as well. Today, one of my many bosses approached me about my test date and I again told him that it would be within the next 2 weeks. He immediately left and went into the big bosses office and closed the door. Give me a break. I've been a LPN for 8 years, I know myself well enough that I need to study, that comfort level is so important that at least I feel I prepared myself. I don't want anxiety to take over during the NCLEX because I think in the back of my mind that I did't study enough. I wish they were supportive of my test and not so concerened with their need to have another body working. Any thoughts on what I can say, or your suggestions?

Thanks

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I too worked fulltime before i took NCLEX. Maybe your boss is concerned you are taking to much time and worrying about study to much. If you are fresh out of school, did well, passed your clinicals a couple hours of evening study time with the computer tests and a good review book should be enough. There is something to studying to much.

Make sure you take quality time in the evening for study. Find a way/place that noone will bother you, unplug your phones, find someone else to deal with the kids if you need to. You will be fine. Use the hints in the front of the books for studying, and test taking strategies.

Remember you didnt crack the books during school every moment you werent in class, so im sure that is what your employer is thinking too with you asking for time off to study.

I got the day off to take my test, but had to make it up later because they traded a day for me so i could get off.

I dont mean to sound negative, but there isnt any employer that will give you time off to STUDY for NCLEX. You will get as much out of a good days work toward NCLEX as you would if you were home with books open all day. Hang in there.

[elkpark]

Don't wish to sound mean, but I've gotta side with the employer on this one. You were hired to work full-time, and they're doing you a favor hiring you as a GN in the first place ... Studying for the NCLEX is your own responsibility, not theirs.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You said you have been an LPN for 8 years. That tells me that you should know that when you make a committment to work a certain schedule, you are obligated to fulfill that committment. If you needed time off to study, you should have negotiated that BEFORE you took the job -- not after you have taken your employer's money, orientation resources, etc.

There is nothing wrong with wanting/needing time to study for NCLEX ... but you are old enough and experienced enough to know that you should have anticipated that need and taken that into consideration when you committed to working a full time job prior to taking the test. You knew that work is not easy: you knew that you would need study time. It was irresponsible of you to make a committment to your employer that you are now not wanting to fulfill.

llg

[orbit]

Thanks for the replies. Wether or not I get the time off I desire for my board exam, they are scheduled and approaching. In reply to your posts, I was not hired full time, I was hired as a part time employee, on a contract signed as a GN. I did not take a full time position that I couldn't commit to. I took a job part time that allowed my to study, unknowingly that I would work full time during orientation, although now I know this is standard, since I have never worked a part time postion before. This contract required a written study plan, signed by my boss, recruiter and HR. Failure to follow this contract resulted in termination. Minimum study hours on the agreement were 15 hours a week. Obviously no one would know if you weren't keeping those hours but the whole point is where is that possible time to study?? We all find some time and squeeze it in. For sure 15 hours isn't happening but why force a contract that is difficult to acheive. I most certainly did negotiate time off for my boards as I said previously. THis was "Fine with me" from the manager during the interview. I made the mistake not to thave that in writing but , when during an interview I wasn't thinking in those terms. I truly had no idea when I would start this position, the interview and follow up interviews were during the holidays, so many issues are up in the air as many are out of the office. I recieved a call asking if I could start the nect day and was then given my full time schedule for the next month.

Irregardless, my test is coming and I will do fine. I still feel as I did before. I think that the facility I work for is always sending out questionaires to students on why they are not seeking employment where they do their cllincal rotations at, and I think this is part of the factor, among many others. I know as a manager that the success and satisfaction of my new employees retains them, period. A couple of shifts off is minimal and it projects an image of intrest to the employee. It is my opinion- new graduates need time to study and develop their skills, they can exist together.

Agfter reading my original post I think sounded "whiny" which was not my intent. I was more fustrated with being so exhausted after working all week. I am long time ER nurse, endurance I have, tolerating stress I can do. But for some reason this new job is just wiping me out at the end of each day. This just made me feel anxious more than anything. Thanks for posting.