Pre-req's and NS and NCLEX OH MY!!!

[yooper13]

I have not posted much on this site, but I've been perusing it for years. Wasn't sure where to post, as I have been all over in my journey, so I decided "general discussion" was the best.

I discovered AN while doing my pre-reqs...I was just SO excited and impatient to start nursing school!!! I got a LOT of help on here, finding many mnemonics/tips on endlessly studying bones/muscles/veins/arteries etc in A&P, plus micro. Very helpful links. Finally, the day came, I was an official nursing student!! Hooray!!! My focus became the "nursing student" and "student assistance" boards. I had heard it would be stressful, but I had NO IDEA. I thought: "I will keep it together...I won't stress out as much...these people are just high-strung...etc" Oh, so little did I know!!! I got help with care plans, time management, importance of doing things for "me" and taking time off. Stress relief: exercise? meditation? Who on earth has time for THAT while in NS??? So, I didn't listen, got even more stressed, made my entire life all. about. school.

Then another important day came: GRADUATION!!! I MADE IT!!! FINALLY!!! Now, it will be easy-peasy!!! (LOL, hindsight makes things so clear!) I turned my focus to the NCLEX board. I got some great suggestions on how/what to study, got a few books that were recommended by other posters, made studying my job. THAT day came, and I was SO nervous...it's not a test that one can EVER feel fully prepared for. "did I study enough? Did I study the right things? Oh, crap! I forgot to go over (for the millionth time) fluid and electrolyte imbalances/side effects of EVERY SINGLE DRUG/endocrine system/(insert subject here)!!!" Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Can I do it? ... self-doubt was rampant. Apparantly, I was, as the test shut down after 75. Self-doubt being the beast that it was, part of me thought "waaaaa!!! it only took 75 questions to determine how much I DON'T know, and I will surely kill someone if they give me a license!!!" Lo and behold, 2 days later my name is on the BON website with "RN" credentials. I couldn't believe it! I DID it!!!

Now, with my fancy RN in hand, time to find a job...full of p**s and vinegar!! Little did I know that the HUNDREDS of resumes/apps I was sending were going directly into a black hole. "How can it BE??", thought I, "I am an RN! My phone should be ringing off the hook!!" (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *gasp* *sputter* HAHAHAHAHA HEEEEEEE HO!!!) My attention here on AN went to the "new grad/first job" board. With so many others venting their collective frustrations re:no jobs for new grads, I soon spiraled into a deep depression. My stressors became financial in nature, as I watched my (already meager) savings being depleted. I kept applying, but almost as habit...my enthusiasm/hope was also being depleted with every resume I sent. At least now I had time for that exercise/meditation regimen!!

Finally, I made the choice to stop worrying (I think the meditation helped with that)...this too shall pass. Be it "good" or "bad", my dire situation was going to change, it had to!!! I put my trust in the universe that it would all work out. Then I went about my life. It was only after that that I interviewed at a LTC facility and was offered a job on the spot (last week)! ...just in the nick of time, too, as I had just the day before written a rent check that left me with ~$70 to my name (thank god for soon-to-be tax refund to carry me!!) ...the last few days I have been enthralled with the geriatric/LTC boards. I also have another interview this Friday at my hospital-of-choice, but even if I don't get an offer there, I have a job!!! HOORAY!!! Now I know, my stress has not ended. I know, first year can be overwhelming. I will be looking on the "first year of nursing licensure" boards to vent, find tips, etc. As hard as it will be, I am up for the challenge!!! I've come this far, I can keep going!

If you are still reading this (rambling) post, thank you! Just wanted to share my journey...

THANK YOU ALLNURSES!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!

[AnonRNC]

I DID read the whole thing. You're not rambly; you just had a story to tell. Congratulations on obtaining your RN credential and a job offer! Yes, the first year is hard: keep up your exercise and meditation regimen and you'll get through.

[NorthernCaliRN]

Thank You and Congrats!! I also read the whole thing, as Your situation seems to mirror mine! I graduated in Dec, took boards with all the craziness you said, test shut down at 75 and I said NOOOOOOOO...please give me more....I know I can pass!! hahaha...I did! Now I am filling out application after application with an occasional stress cry...but I just keep going! Made it this far there is no way I would give up now!! I am an RN! Thank you for your encouragement and your story..I am waiting patiently for a tax return also!

[jonesel9]

That's very good that you went past your burdens in life. CONGRATS!!. Keep a positive mind on set and you can do anything in life. You went through a lot and I think all nurses/nursing students do. What links did you use on here about mnemonics/tips on endlessly studying bones/muscles/veins/arteries etc in A&P?

[Enthused RN, BSN, RN]

Congrats! I may have missed it, but how long did it take from the time you passed NCLEX to when you were offered a job at the LTC facility?

[Cessna172]

Congrats, that's an interesting story. Thank goodness for that job too. Good luck with it.

[yooper13]

Thanks for the replies! jonesel9, I don't remember which exact ones I used (it was a while ago), but a quick search gave me some helpful links:

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/p-help-my-334360.html

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/huge-list-p-794727.html

Enthused_Nurse2B, I took the NCLEX the end of September, job offer the beginning of February, sooo, 4 months (though it seemed like a LOT longer!)

To all new grads who can't find jobs...Keep at it!!! Easier said than done, I know (I went on several motivational 'hiatus's', but got back to it after my own little meltdowns)