Passed TEAS TEST Yesterday My Story

Published

Hi All!!!!

I just wanted to celebrate my acceptance into the nursing program. I celebrate because I'm 32yrs old, hated high school and almost didn't graduate. I haven't seen a text book in 14 years! I make great money in a plant building Large Power Distribution Transformers. But I have to live there 6/7 days a week for this money. And there's always the lay-off talks. So I decided to track down the most in-demand job I could think of. Hello nursing. I know lots of people in the field, and they all make alot more than me, alot easier, and have no fear of being laid-off or slowed down to 4 day weeks. So my wife, my son, and I went to Bryant And Straton to see their nursing program. It looked great, just like a little hospital. The cost was fair and manageable. She gave us a real nice power point presentation and I was hooked. Then she said you just need to test into the school, then into the nursing program. I said "WHAT?"!!! She said you need to pass an accuplacer and the TEAS test. We left with the info. I looked up accuplacer and thought I haven't done algebra or sentence structure in 14 years!!!! Then I saw how crazy the TEAS test is and how many don't pass it!! I freaked out!!!!

A few days later, I did a bunch of research online and found out about ATI and their teas test manual. We drove to Barnes and Noble paid $46 and I now had the key to my future in my hands. A quick scan through the book revelaed somethings I kinda knew and other things I had no idea about. The science and math being the worst of it!! I made a study schedule of 2hrs a day until I was done with the book. Once I reached the end of the math section I jumped over to the English/Language usage to prepare for the accuplacer. I felt good for the placer, took some practice tests online and did terrible. Back to the book I went for another week. Tested again online and averaged about 75%. I felt I was ready.

The Accuplacer was scheduled for last Thursday. I was soooo nervous!!!! The test started out with Reading comprehension. I felt okay about that section. It then went into math. I felt kinda okay about how that went. Last it went into English/Language usage. I thought I did terrible on that. After the test I sat down in my advisor's office and she gave me the look of ***!! I said "it's that bad huh?" She turns the results over and reveals my 91%!!!! I was shocked!!!! So, she asked if I was ready for the TEAS. Naturally I said "no", but it has to be done within one week of the accuplacer. We scheduled it for the following thursday(3/27/14)

I now had one week to go back into the teas manual and finish the science. I made over 200 notecards and 10 pages of notes. I took the test in the back of the book and scored 83%. I know all the terms, how they work, and what they do to each other. I can walk you through cell structure, DNA replication, energy conversions, balance a chemical reaction and name all the parts of the heart. I WAS READY!

Once more I walk into the school nervous as ever!! I flew through reading comprehension, destroyed the Math and was feeling good. Then the first science question came up. I almost dropped. What the hell is this? I never heard of this!!! And it was like that for the next 8 questions!!! That's it I'm done for!!! The next few questions I knew. Then a bunch more I didn't. I stumbled through the science feeling like I failed. Onto the English/Language. Felt pretty good, finished 10min early. Went over my answers made a few changes and clicked FINISH TEST. The proctor came in, printed the results and back to the advisor I went.

I sit in the chair thinking I just bombed this thing. I was soooo ****** at the science!!! I thought I was done for. She looks at me and smiles while turning over the results. 80% score and 81% national ranking. I almost hit the ceiling!!!! I was so shocked!!!! She said I made it and did very well.

I post this long, choppy, grammatically error'd story to show those who are in my position that it can be done. I hated high school, I thought I'd never have a respected carreer, and was okay with that. But with some motivation, dedication and alot of studying, I was able to meet the beginning of my new carreer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations!!!!! I am 32 yrs old too and I had to take the teas v twice before I passed it. I also got accepted to the ADN program starting this fall. Let's keep our minds focus on our goal and less on problems and distractions. And pray to God to take them away, we will be alright. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Many congratulations to you! Keep your eyes on the prize, stay focused on your studies, and may good luck always be on your side :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow CONGRATS I ​plan on taking the teas test in novembet..best of luck on your journey

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wonderful! I love hearing everyone's stories, and yours was especially nice to read! I'm so glad for you! It really sounds like you have the dedication to get through it all. Congratulations!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

While I applaud your efforts and scores, I think you misunderstand what nursing is about. It is not easy hours and money. Depending on where in the country you live, you may not find a job in this field. I hope you did some research on the job market in your area. I hope you looked at what jobs are out there for new grads and the pay rates. Many hospitals are being bought out and are in big time transition because of Obamacare and the whole face of nursing is changing. I hope you looked carefully into whether they are hiring ADNs or BSNs in your area. I hope you also looked at the NCLEX pass rates at the school you are choosing and whether or not area hospitals will hire from your school. A school can look very flashy but it comes down to regional accreditation and reputation. These are all things I considered before getting into nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for the nice comments.

Heathermaizey, I appreciate your comments/concern. I have 7 friends whose wives are all nurses, from RN to CRNA. My mother is a histotech. I dont think nursing is an easy hours/money job. But compared to the 60 pound tools and 990,000 pound units I work on and maneuver everyday, nursing is a much less physical job. I am used to 12hrs/7days/week. How much worse can it get? I have spoken with several HR depts in local hospitals and clinics. Most hire ADN RN's from school. Others are looking for new students to hire in groups for training purposes.And of course there are the places that dont have time to train and look only for BSN with 2yrs exp. I am staying at my current job until I get placed somewhere I am comfortable with. The school has a 97% NCLEX pass rate. Although they have stated that many drop out well before NCLEX. They also meet all accreditation necessary to "wow" prospective bosses. Such a huge decision did not come without some heavy research and discussions with many people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion