mediwizard

I do not know about LPNs but in RN NCLEX, there is a category to the questions being asked. I.e. you would need to answer questions that are more critical thinking based and avoid the memorization ones. I am not saying do not utilize them, I did but I used it as a 'stepping stone' to the harder, more NCLEX type questions. NCLEX would not just ask you questions that are too easy i.e. memorized. You need to apply what you learn and NCLEX would give you scenarios and want you to critically think to answer them. Did you also know or are familiar that you can take a break right? If you do feel more anxious, take a breather for a minute or two, it would not stop the clock but it might be what you need to maybe settle your nerves a bit. Do not study the day prior and just relax yourself. Go to the testing center early, have a good breakfast, maybe even bring some food and water if you end up having to stay later. I know RN NCLEX can take up to 6 hours or so.

NCLEX is a Computer Adaptive Test meaning it is taken via computer and the computer would analyze your ability by the way you answer questions. Hence you need to answer NCLEX type questions using the computer to familiarize yourself with the test format. I study best by reading through a book and flipping the pages, etc but for this test, I had to take the review questions using the computer to make myself comfortable with using a computer which the NCLEX will be given by. It is basically trying to build muscle memory and making your body familiar to sitting in the computer for long hours so hopefully by the time you actually take the NCLEX, your body is used to it and hopefully lessen your anxiety.

Why not bring this to the parents? If I were a parent of a child prone to having seizures, I would gladly provide another set of medications to keep in this building. I do understand that not everybody has the financial means, I do not have extra money either, to just buy extra medications. Is there community resources or even government aid that can be used to supply for the extra seizure/epi pen meds? If so, maybe bring that up to the admin of your school or apply for it yourself, if you are allowed to do it.

Thank you for your feedback! It really does seem like I would need to take the ACLS if ever I hope to be hired in Emerg. I did look it up more and you are indeed correct. I do like the algorithms though since it specifies the actions one must be taken depending on the rhythm then respond with either a defib/pacing/cardioversion in addition to the medications! I would definitely study hard prior to taking the class.

Thank you for the feedback! I guess, I have to spend money I do not currently have. Hopefully, I get a job offer once I get these certifications.

I have also heard my classmates mention Uworld and Kaplan. I personally did not use them but I have heard lots of positive reviews. Each individual needs to find what method would work for them. Also how did you review previously? You have to reflect on what you did and rationalize why they did not work for you. When you failed the first time,did you change the way you study for the next NCLEX? If you did, why did it not work? Is it because the way you study does not coincide with NCLEX type of answering questions or is it because something happened in your personal life. If it has to do with personal life, can you maybe find a place or time that you can focus on reviewing? Also NCLEX would definitely give you a feedback regarding how you did with the exam, you mentioned that you studied according to it but still failed. I would say just review the entire NCLEX regardless of whether you are above the passing criteria based on those feedback especially since it has been quite a while since you graduated. Also you would know when you answered incorrectly since NCLEX would ask the same question/same category of questions. You mentioned an app, how consistently do you review that app? Is it just browsing? If it is then that would not help you at all. You need to be consistently studying, I read NCLEX app type questions inconsistently while I was reviewing, It taught me certain things but I did not find it helpful for me personally. Again, we are all different so find what would work for you and avoid what made you fail the NCLEX the previous times. Also answer the questions using the computer. NCLEX is computer based so it is imperative that you answer the questions the same way.

What I did find helpful in reviewing for NCLEX was utilizing the NCSBN review course. They sell a comprehensive review course for either 5 weeks, 7 weeks, etc. I do not know if they have for LPN but it is worth to check it out. I really like the questions that they ask you and they are questions that make you critically think. Besides they make the test questions so they definitely know the type of questions in the test. They also have a corresponding review for each component of NCLEX. I really liked it. I am not an LPN so I used the Saunder's Comprehensive NCLEX review as well as the Lippincott Review. I used the Lippincott mainly for additional questions. I did not really like the way they made the comprehensive review, I personally prefer Saunders. I made a schedule for myself and stuck to it. What I did was answer a minimum of 100 questions every single day. I would then utilize the Saunders to read about the question topic and why a specific answer was the best answer. I find that method more helpful since I am actively studying compared to just trying to read the entire Saunders Review book front and cover. I find that not useful and makes me forget about what I reviewed. Since it has been quite a while since you graduated, I would highly recommend you do what I did. I would also say do not sign up to take the NCLEX until you are confident that you will pass the test. It does not make sense booking the test when you have not reviewed or felt confident to take it. It is a waste of money and will also stress you out. I do like stress and tend to function better when under pressure but not everybody is like that. So I would recommended doing what I told you above. Answer 100+questions every single day (can take the weekends off to relax) for 3 months. That should give you ample time to really remember what you studied and be able to answer NCLEX type questions. It does not have to be 3 months, it can be less but it all depends on you. Once you reviewed for 3 months or less, THEN book for the NCLEX test. That would still give you another 3 months and you can change the date of the test as long as it is available and more than 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. Good luck and you can do it! Just believe in yourself, make a schedule and try to stick to it as much as you can.

How did you review for the NCLEX? The NCLEX has a very specific way of taking the exam. What kind of review books did you take? If you can share that, I think that would be more helpful. Also, you need to set a time to just study. With the gap from graduating till now, you would likely need to review all of your nursing knowledge, this means getting a good review textbook and studying it. Studying styles/techniques varies for each individual but what I really found helpful when taking the NCLEX was to practice as many questions as I can, I would then read the rationale and look up the disease process, medication, etc using the review book for an in depth explanation. I did that and it really helped a lot. Good luck, you can do it!

Thank you for your feedback! I am definitely making the connection though I am reviewing my nursing knowledge more based on my interview experience. You are indeed correct and I do reflect on what had happened during the interview and how to improve in case I do not get a job offer from those previous interviews. See, that is what I am kinda confused with since even though they know based on my resume and application, etc, they still ask me at the beginning of the interview regarding what certifications I have which as a new grad is intimidating and makes me think on whether I should fork out the money (very expensive ACLS course) to get AT LEAST an extra certification not just the bare minimum expected of being an RN. If only money was not an issue, I would have taken ALL the certifications I could get. I am still waiting for the results but the waiting game is definitely making me more anxious, over think things, punish myself on how to improve my interview skills, and research on how to make my resume stand-out more through gaining more certifications.

Thank you for responding. I will definitely try to get my ACLS at least. It is quite expensive which made me hesitant on getting it and waiting to be called for interviews is making me anxious. How long did you study the ACLS provider manual before taking the course? I have heard some needed just a few days while other says to study the manual for at least 2 weeks for a chance of successfully passing it. I do not want to fail it especially with it being such an expensive certification!

Congrats! I am a relatively new nurse and gets confused with the acronyms. Would taking an Advanced Critical Care certification focused on Emergency Nursing qualifies you to take the CEN or would just that be ACCRN? How do you go about taking the CEN? Is there a theoretical component or just ED experience and if only ED experience for how long?

Do you think taking an EKG course would help? All these courses are so expensive! I wish it were cheaper especially for new grads like me. I wish I could be more competitive especially since I lack the experience but finances are holding me back.

The thing is the position I applying for is not under the New Grad Residency program, just the normal RN route. And yes, even I get confused at times since whenever I go on interviews, I see this lists of certifications and asks me if I do have any of them. Which I do not. I am also a bit hesitant in taking the ACLS since it specifically states that I need to be able to read ECG rhythms which I can to an extent i.e. I look/study the ACLS precourse and check my nursing texts but it was not really an indepth discussion about it in nursing school. I just do not want to take it and possibly fail and lose my money which is already a struggle since I could not find a job yet! I am also sort of thinking of taking my ACCN focusing on Emergency Nursing though I can take it online and in a span of 2 years. I cannot do the practicum though unless I have at least a year of nursing experience which I hope to get soon. Nursing is so expensive with all these certifications that we need to get. I certainly hope the interviewer would not hold it against me that I do not have these advanced certifications. But I fear that somebody (a new grad too) who does applies for the same job and they would end up hiring that person due to them getting the ACLS. I am really confused and stressed at this point. Been applying to so many jobs and still not getting hired.

Are you still working in that hospital? What do you think of a new grad doing what you were doing when you started working there? I know this is an old post but would appreciate feedback! Thank you

How did you do it? I am thinking of doing the same and feeling both excitement and trepidation particularly with the limited support and more than likely the possibility of being the only RN