RNrunner1

I took the NCLEX about 2 years ago and I would highly recommend Uworld. I didn't find out about it until a friend who had just passed said it was the best out of all the online reviews and NCLEX books she used. I also used ATI and some of the Saunders book to get an overall understanding of things I needed to review, but if U-world predicts you have a high chance I would bet that you do! Remember to take your time and read the questions, but don't spend too much time on any one question if you don't know it. At least that strategy worked for me and I passed the first time with 77 questions. I got done a lot sooner than I would have ever guessed. Good luck!!! You can do it!

Does anyone know if you have to answer the question, "Have you ever been on disability or applied for it?" on a pre-employment health form. I have a conditional offer, but this doesn't seem like something that should be required to answer. Has anyone ever not answered this questions or left out other thing on this form? I want to be honest, but I don't want to have the department making judgements based on a stereotype or what "could happen", because I know that this is not legal under the ADA. But it seems like with nursing jobs, there doesn't seem to be the same rights given to applicants due to "patient safety" concerns, regardless of whether the applicant has never had any issues in job performance or attendance.

Did you end up getting the job? I am going to be going in for an employee health screen and am getting nervous about pre-judgements about my health conditions and medications. Although my health has never compromised my work performance or attendance, I have experienced delays in starting positions because of concerns of what "could happen" that required further documentation. I now have to fill out a pre-employent health history form and I wonder if it is legal to ask if I've been on disability or ever applied for it? I know that before you are offered the job, that question is optional. Do I have to answer it now?

Most new grad residency programs make you sign a contract that you will work for them for anywhere from 1-3 years after the program. If you break the contract and quit you have to pay back the money they supposedly invest in training you. I have seen the amount to be anywhere from $5,000 up to $15,000. If you get let go, as long as it wasn't for a patient safety or other serious violation they most likely won't end up making you repay it. It's a horrible system, but it just shows how hard it is to keep bedside nurses!

I had a similar experience working on a subacute unit of a hospital. It was a horrible experience because I felt that patients were not getting the proper care because the unit was understaffed and the patient acuity was often much higher than it should have been on this type of unit. Many patients ended up being sent right back to the med-surg or PCU floor soon after they came to the rehab unit because they were unstable. The only way to survive was to focus on speed and getting all the meds to your patients and then do whatever BS documentation was required. The nurses didn't actually listen to their patients concerns or needs and when I would try and address it, I would be ignored or minimized. Many of the doctors did not even want to come to this floor and patients would go for days without being seen. I tried to stick it out, but just was eventually let go because I wasn't able to handle enough patients quickly enough. I was supposed to be given an extension in training, but never received it. I couldn't quit because I had signed a contract or I would have sooner. While it was hard losing a job and income, it was really a blessing in disguise because it was a toxic and unsafe environment. I would listen to your gut. If it doesn't feel right then you should not force yourself to be miserable and risk losing your license for unsafe working conditions. Of course ideally it would be better to have a job offer before you leave, but if that's not possible, have an idea of what direction you will go and how you will get there.