pepinokc

Hi everyone, I'm an AGACNP student in my last semester. I officially graduate April 17th, and I'm currently scheduled to take the ANCC boards on April 4th. On my first Barkley DRT predictor (taken 1/10), I scored a 60%. It was painful because I realized afterward that I changed several correct answers to wrong ones. I haven't taken a second predictor yet. I've been working through the StatPearls QBank — I've completed 370 questions so far. The stems are very long, and I've been averaging in the low 60s. I also did a short 50-question test from SM and scored a 52%. Now I'm spiraling a bit and wondering — am I in serious trouble? The latest I can push my exam (long story) is May 6th. I'm trying to decide whether to keep my April 4th date or delay. I only have two more days of clinical rotations ( I have to complete 280 hours plus full-time work this semester) but it has been exhausting. I have been focused on studying material (Reading and doing flashcards from the Leik book, and my friend gave me her Barkleys review booklet the best I can). Just recently, I started doing questions regularly (50 a day). Also, for the first time, given everything else happening outside of work/school, I truly feel burnt out and I am struggling to retain information. For those who passed: What were your QBank averages leading up to boards? Did anyone score in the low 60s and still pass? How predictive did you find Barkley DRT to be? I'm studying daily and reviewing rationales carefully, but I'm worried my scores aren't where they need to be. Any honest feedback or reassurance would be appreciated. Thank you.

If you have other options, choose the other school! The amount of disorganization regarding clinicals in certain states...I cant even. Frankly, for that tuition, everything should be arranged for students in a timely fashion. Heard the FNPs were having issues with OBGYN placement too.

Hi, first of all, congratulations on taking this step on furthering your education!! ? I'm sure you are very excited. I applied to NP Program over 5 years ago. Here's my story - I got accepted to Cal State LA, U Miami, UT Health Houston, and Duke. I was 2.5 years into the pension at work...and another 2.5 years into getting vested ( otherwise I would've lost the money) so it all came down to flexibility and clinical placement. Although everybody has a different experience, I chose to attend Duke because they said they would help with clinical placement. Let me tell you, it was one of the most stressful things ever. While the semester had already started, I was still waiting for clinical placement. Mind you, this was not a one time thing. In one occasion I had to complete 168 hrs of clinicals during the Summer (8 weeks) and once school started I was still waiting for them. I was always encouraged to " network" and reach out. I guess they forget that's their job as a school to have everything lined up for you. If I knew what I know now, I would've gone to Cal State, save the massive loans and pay the school out of pocket. Because although Duke looks nice on the resume, in reality, no one will ever care where you graduated from. Those are my two cent. Good luck!

Hi, I have been a nurse for over 2 years now working night shift. I don't know if anybody else goes through this issue but Im having trouble retrieving information that I already knew and feel foggy all the time. I believe that at this point my critical thinking and skills should have improved. Im having a hard time connecting the dots ( Is almost as if I was book smart but not "hands-on" smart) my IV skills have not really improved that much. There was a particular pt who was confused all day and at night when I got him, although the previous night he had been cooperative. He was an HD pt who got dialisys that day, HF, anemic H&H 7.8/24 or so.... nothign was done during day shift..became tachypneic later on during the shift. I shouldve asked the MD to draw labs earlier and make sure I had a second IV available in case we had to trasnfuse and give him IVF/send to ICU ..(I had established a 2nd IV access on my first night but for whatever reason I didn't do it that night smh!) the charge was not happy, and she asked to paged the MD...asked for VBG and lactate. I asked for ammonia levels but was told not necesary and scolded for giving trazodone earlier...after 2 draws lactate finally came back elevated...the next night pt was trasnferre to ICU. I love nursing and there is nothing else I rather do! Love being on the floor and connecting with my patients... I enjoy handling emergencies such as rapid responces or codes and my heart is on the right place... but Im afraid that Im neglecting being able to anticipate what could go wrong. Nursing is already my second degree, otherwise I would switch just because I feel like I will never be good enough. I feel at unease at work (afraid of asking for help at this point due to some interpersonal issues with some colleagues) and inadequate, and currently handling other things outside of work (but who isn't?) Somehow the only thing that is a little encouraging to me is that the "newer" nurses ask for my help (although I feel like I don't have much to pass on). I've lost all confidence and I don't know where to go from here.