scallywags

TCN has an forum online that can connect you with other students and find valuable information on what others found to be helpful. I took the A&P exam yesterday and found that the Excelsior online tests were very helpful. I also signed up for Mr. Ford's class online, which had many tutorials and videos to guide me through A & P - many of which were linked to youtube. It helped me to have a visual. What subject are you currently studying?

Hopefully you will have news this week. I think it is promising that your computer shut off at 85. Stay positive and soon....you will be sharing the good news with all of your loved ones. Good luck!

I did use this as my last course of study prior to taking nclex. I found it to be helpful in studying and found it to be worth the money. I decided to use it after speaking to a newly licensed LVN who told me it was the only material she purchased to study for the exam and had passed the first try. Good luck!

I did my IV Certification at Facets of Nursing in South San Francisco. It was a two day course and the only way I was able to get out of being poked by other students, or poking other students for that matter, was to bring my "patient". My husband was a good sport and has great veins, so it was quite easy. It included IV Cert and blood w/d.

Don't be discouraged. This is a good opportunity to review the exam material and gain a better understanding of it. Take this opportunity to study and review, as though you were reviewing for the nclex.

From what I have heard, each exam is different. I did take it one time, but my classmates who had to repeat the exam did tell me the exams were different each time. Good luck!

It was $70 for livescan, although you may check with your local police department for the current fees. $75 goes in with your initial application, which the school will usually have to send it. It is then $200 for pearson vue testing center and an additional $120 for your license. It should not cost more than $500.

That is exactly what I did....dropped the kids to school and then off to Sacramento. There was one other person in the office when I got there, so it was no wait at all. The license you will get is just a piece of paper stating you passed all requirements/testing. The hard license is a blue card with your name and address, but no photo. That is great that you have a job lined up already. Good luck with it. I am sure they will support changing your hours, especially since you will be in schooll. Most places seem to promote education and some even will have tuition reimbursement. You should look into that. I am happy to hear you are moving on with your education. Good luck in your classes and getting into the RN program. :)

Congratulations on passing NCLEX! I am so excited for you and wish you luck with your new job :) I am not sure it matters how you pay, but I paid with cash. I happened to forget my check book and instead of turning home, I stopped at an ATM. It took about a week for my name to appear on the website and I had my actual nursing license a couple of days later.

You have achieved a lot at this point and you should remember that when you are applying for jobs. Finding a job out of school can be challenging. I went through this last year when I was looking for my first nursing job. I sent out over 30 applications, which included applying in person at several facilities. I got one interview and a job offer. It was a part time position about 30 minutes from home. It was not ideal, but it was a start and better than staying at home. I stayed there for a few months and continued to send out applications for a full time job. I finally got an offer for a full time position - five minutes from my house. It is with a major health care facility and I am very content. You may not find that "perfect" job at first try, but take it for the experience. Who knows, it may be the perfect fit for you. Secondly, two weeks with a license is not a long time. Be patient and continue to apply for jobs. Make a list of local facilities and spend your days going there and filling out applications. Follow up with phone calls. Apply for jobs, even if they say EXPERIENCE required. Good luck on your job search.

That would annoy me too. You should be respected as well as respectful. I would have a word with the secretary because I really believe that people will continue to treat us in such a way if we allow it. You don't have to be nasty. In a very kind tone, you should tell her that you have worked very hard to become a nurse and would appreciate it she would give you credit for your knowledge. Furthermore, let her know that you do not care for the condescending comments that are made in regards to your age, as this has nothing to do with your abilities as a nurse. It is not easy to stand up for yourself. This is not condescending - don't take it that way. But, you are young and new into the workforce in general (not just nursing). It takes time to develop that thick skin. The sooner you start letting people know what is and what is not appropriate, the sooner they will stop making these comments. Be strong and always say it with a smile on your face :)

Hi walking in faith, I am a mom of two. When I went back to school, I had a 2 and 4 year old. When I entered LVN school, they were 4 & 6. I managed to complete nearly 70 units at CC and graduate from LVN school. The big thing is to set your priorities because you will not always have all the laundry done or the house perfectly clean. I always felt as long as it was tidy and the bellies were full, all was good. In reality, my husband pitched in more than he had before and we were able to make it work. I had been a SAHM, so he had become accustomed to doing less housework, but he did pull his weight so I could go to school. Use your time wisely. It is as easy to pick up the phone and chat to friends as it is to pick up the books and study. Set limits. If you know you have two hours to yourself, study. Don't go on the computer and don't start talking to friends. Learning to say "no" to social invitations becomes easier when you let people know you are studying and cannot make it this time. I still allowed myself time to spend with friends & family, but certainly not every weekend. In class, try to sit as close to the front as possible. This will keep you alert. Make friends with people who are as serious about studying as you are, and form a study group. If you do study groups, keep on agenda so you don't spend the time chatting about everything except what you are there to do. This will be your "family" for the duration of the program. Like every family, there will be people you like and others that you don't care for. It is very easy to get caught up in the "drama", but don't allow that to happen. Stay focused on your goals and ignore the rest. Finally, stay positive. Believe in yourself and believe that it will all be worth it in the end. I am not saying it will be easy, but believe me, it is worth it. My kids are now 6 & 9. Now I am studying for my RN. They know when mommy has the books out and the door closed, they have to respect my need for quiet time...and my husband still does a lot of the cooking and cleaning. Good luck with your educational goals!

I also used this site as my final study tool, however I did not find any of the questions to be similar. I will say that I did find the review to be very helpful, especially the tips on how to analyze and answer the questions. It is a great resource and well worth the money.

When I received my letter of passing from the board in the mail, I drove to Sacramento the next business day and came home with a license. This license stated that I had passed all educational and exam requirements, and was awaiting a permanent license. Just be sure to bring your ID and all the paperwork they mail to you, plus the fees. Congrats!

Thank you for the info. I am not quite ready to take the exam, but will keep this in mind for when I register.

Where can I take the excelsior practice exams? Does anyone have the link? Thanks! Currently studying A&P with TCN study guide..then onto micro.

Good luck with the interviews. I know how exciting and stressful it is waiting, but time will fly! My new job is going great and I love it. It is a huge transistion working FT, but so far so good! Thanks for asking. Looking forward to hearing your results...soon!

HeartJulz....I am sure you did great. One of my classmates passed with 86! I hope the wait is not too long until you get your results. Make sure and let me know!

I agree with Commuter. Wait until you have passed the exam and have a license in your hand. You are probably going to want to spend good time this summer studying for the NCLEX. If you want to get a jump start, it might be a good idea to prepare your resume (leaving a blank line for your license #). You could also compile a list of potential employers. While you are not submitting your resume and applications until you are licensed, you will have a lot of the leg work done and should be ready to go once you have your license in hand. The day I received my passing letter, I arranged to drive to the board to pick up a temporary license. When I had my temporary license in hand, I began applying for jobs. I had a friend who passed the exam, walked into a facility and was offered a job, but could not start working until the license was issued by the State. Good luck on your last semester of nursing school :)

I would suggest brushing up on calculations. I did have to do several at one interview. It is a good idea to practice answers to some questions. As with nclex, remember safety is important. I would not wear scrubs to an interview, but that might just be me? I always feel it is important to make a good first impression. Wearing a suit is good, or perhaps slacks and a conservative shirt or sweater. Keep good eye contact. Know what your long term professional goals are and be prepared to discuss instances when you were under pressure, had to deal with difficult situations, and how you prioritize. Good luck with your interview :)

I really don't believe big means fail because my friend got a big envelope and passed. I got a small envelope and passed.

Oh my goodness, what a horrible tragedy. I am so sorry for your loss and for your friend's family. I know how difficult this is for you and how hard it is for you to compose yourself and face the challenges that are ahead of you. I really feel you should continue your schooling. Do it for her, do it for yourself. She wouldn't want you to put your dreams on hold. She would want you to achieve something you started together with her. I hope you will find peace in knowing your friend is in a better place and in the memories of your time together.

Oh gosh...no...1-2 per year is all that I can handle :) Yes, it is very depressed right now. In fact, I had a listing just expire recently. It was the first time ever that I did an open house and only had something like 5 people come. Yes, I really love nursing. With the high cost of education, real estate was an extreme help in putting me through school. How does the credit repair work? Have you been successful in repairing credit for your clients? I have had more people who did not qualify for loans d/t bad credit. Makes it difficult when trying to buy a house or refi.

I could have wrote this myself a few years ago. As a mother of two and the primary care giver for my children, I had to jump through some serious hoops to make it work. Somehow, it all did work out and come together. My school had an evening program. I was able to go to classes at night. On the days where I had morning clinicals, I found a way to have my parents help out or use the after care service at the school. When my parents or husband was not available, I made some phone calls to other parents and found many who were more than willing to lend a hand. In exchange, I would care for their kids during times when I was free. I now work 8:30 to 5. Enough time to take the kids to school and either my husband picks them up at 3 or they go to after care until about 5:15. The great thing about nursing is that there are many types of jobs and shifts you can work. Find a way to make it work and don't give up so soon. You will find a way. Good luck!

I am currently doing my pre req classes for the ISU program. I purchased my books through The College Network. The best way to determine what classes you will need is to speak with an adviser from TCN. If you have previous credits from another college, they may transfer over and lessen your work load. The pre req portion varies on the number of classes you will need. The ISU portion is stated to be around $12K.