ShemRN

What I want to know, is why Doctors don't lose THEIR ability to practice if they get a DUI.

I've taken the test twice. Once ENFJ, the second INFJ. Most of the categories are really close to the middle though, as I recall.

I was told by another nurse to break the "bind" of the drug by soaking it in cola for a bit. It disolves the binding agent of the sustained release particles, but doesn't release them --- is the gist of it.

Everyone's feet are different. Try on a good selection of different styles if you can to see what's right for you. And don't forget to see what your hospital/clinical policy dictates you can wear! I personally LOVE Danskos (& wear them in the real world in non-nursing styles too). I couldn't get the professional (closed back) style clog for work since I was too in between sizes, but the clog with the strap in back fits me well. Ingrid I think it's called. Wore New Balance crosstrainers in school clincals -- and they didn't seem good to me at all. Sturdy, but very uncomfortable. I prefer Sucony running shoes for comfort. A good clinical back up for me. I tried on Crocks too since I see a lot of people wearing them - but once again, the inbetween size thing didn't work for me - and they were a bit too wide for my foot.

Don't be a tease! Tell us!

Hi - thanks for asking. Unisex top in L - $15 includes PCC RN patch - already sewn on. :)

To Canada, you can purchase Saunder's NCLEX guides from Amazon.com or other online book sellers (for less than $50). Your own bookstore could probably special order it for you as well. Kaplan is a course that most people go to classroom sessions for and costs hundreds of dollars to take ($500??). It includes their own study materials & study booklets, and I believe Kaplan also has online study courses. They offer money back if you fail (I've heard). NTPinky's comments about how NEITHER study plan made her feel prepared echos the sentiment of one of my closest study buddies throughout the program. She relied on Saunders mostly (heavy on the CD portion), but also did all the Kaplan practice tests. She was convinced she'd failed (but didn't) since she said a lot of the questions she had no idea what the procedure was, or had never heard of the disease before. All throughout my NCLEX I was wishing I'd gone over the comprehensive text more & done less CD. I think I spent days doing that practice disc - but THEY say that it gets you used to test taking the way NCLEX is given at any rate.

Of course test taking skills are a must, but there's a lot of fact based questions on there as well that have nothing to do with prioritization or picking out the real question in the sentence (or at least that's what my recent test was like). What critical lab value would you expect to see with Graves disease, for example, and then 4 are listed. Diet type questions, which food would you eliminate for a person with x disease. What answer do you pick to educate a person who's just had a D&C. This is why I strongly recommend the review guide (and personally prefer Saunder's format). So far, my class is all taking the NCLEX about now, and I know of no one who went the Saunders direction failing. Not true for Kaplan takers though. Maybe just cooincidence? Try going over the review with a friend. Take turns asking each other questions. Also, I found it quite helpful to always give my rationale with the answer I picked. And when I was wrong, I would repeat the correct answer and then explain outloud why it was so. It seemed to cement things, and I paid more attention that way also. Good luck.

Try and relax first of all! I would just go over prioritization (everyone's been saying their test was heavy on that), main diseases or disorders (like Graves, diabetes, even sickle cell), diets (diverticulitis, celiac, etrc.), general assessments for drug interaction or toxic levels (digoxin, asthma meds, etc). Any comprehensive review guide should have a good layout for delivering this information w/o you having to dig through old text books. Don't study heavily the day before your test, and especially not that night. You need to sleep well, be hydrated, and eat something that'll stick in the am. Also bring a snack for your locker - if you get the nervous muchies it'll help you focus maybe. Good luck!

P.S. I have uniforms I'm trying to sell if you know anyone interested in supplementing what they already bought.

It's true - you are out if you don't pass your dosage calc exam at the beginning. We lost one person at the beginning of 3rd for that reason. They give you 2 (maybe 3?) chances. Also - I don't think they told us this directly, but there are study calcualtions available. Just ask Keith where you can find them. It really is a very intense program, but hang in there. Sometimes it will seem they really are trying to get people to drop and the instructors are never on your side trying to help you. Those rumors about wanting to weed out the week so they have a better pass rate aren't exactly rumors. Even if you dip below a passing point though, don't give up!

I keep hearing mixed reviews on hiring out of state grads - but regardless of where the grads come from, oportunities are certainly less. I've asked what area you are in so I can maybe forward you anything I come across.

Salem Hospital http://www.salemhospital.org/ I only know the recruiter is nice, but haven't heard anything else.

OHSU has internship programs that might help with changing specialties also. "Once hired into a specific job position, additional theory, learning opportunities and caring preceptors are provided for all including the newly licensed nurse, the nurse who has practiced in other than the acute care hospital setting, or for the experienced acute care nurse who wants to enter a new specialty area" http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/central/hr/nursing/Nursing-Internships.cfm

Wow - I hope you're right about OHSU cahnging their chemistry requirements! I looked last week at the RN to BSN program and saw they wanted 15 units of chem! I took only one chem class since that was all that was required at the university I had originally planned on transfering to, but now think that I would probably have to start from scratch as I'm sure I've forgotten it all. Math too. I only went to Intermediate Algebra and then took Statistics. OHSU says they want College Algebra in addition to Statistics. I'd be happy though if it was just math I had to worry about. Aside from math and chem, all general prerequisites have been completed (I think) for OHSU. I also looked into Linfield a few months ago, but don't remember how their prereqs compared. Can anyone mention some details about either school or what they thought of the programs?

I'm in the same boat...but mine's further south right now! I applied for Oregon endorsement a few weeks ago (should've done Oregon directly though since I knew I was moving up after graduating) but haven't found really any openings to apply for anyway. Saw one briefly posted for new RNs at Salem Hospital, but now it's gone. They along with Adventist Health were the only ones who even bothered responding to my New Grad position inquirys. What area are you in, and how far would you be willing to go for a job/new grad program? Is there a specific are of interest?

I agree with your friends, stay central! Even if it's in a lesser quality hotel - you'll have a much easier time seeing/doing. And make sure you wear good walking shoes! SF is a very walkable, easy city to get around in - if you're NOT driving that is. I always try to stay near Market, just a short walk from Chinatown, North Beach (Italian area with great history and personality), and a longer but nice walk to Ghiradelli square and the piers for clam chowder. If you stay central there are many buses/cabs/bart to take you just a short distance if you don't feel like hoofing it.

I think all Kaiser locations must be good EXCEPT Kaiser Sunset (in Hollywood). We did our Peds rotation through there and it was INSANE. One RN actually had to report herself after she battered a parent (no joke - we heard it explained that there's some catch about if you report yourself the penalty isn't the same than if someone else does) Anway, the RNs all fought loudly in the nurses stations, and were overall very unprofessional. I know someone who's worked a long time in the education dept at that specific Kaiser location, and she says she's aware of her hospital's bad rep, but thinks it's just that one. I was also a pt for many years at that location, and though it wasn't exactly poor service, it wasn't good.

I graduated from PCC's RN program this past December. The program was difficult, as I expect all RN programs are, but I felt (along with many classmates) that more than just being difficult, the program was poorly organized. If you're already in though, stay in - and congratulations for getting this far. Also - if you have any specific questions regarding instructors or whatever, feel free to contact me.

Consider working as a traveling nurse. My aunt did and her rent in a VERY nice apt in Pasadena was completely paid for by the agency (plus travelers always make lots more money!). She was also able to obtain some sort of tax shelter for the home she still owned in Northern California (don't know if the agency helped with that though). You can sign on for just a few months to test out an area or hospital which seems like a good thing too. Also, check areas outside of Orange County. Maybe look at a travel guide to see what other areas have things you'd enjoy doing in them.

I have a friend interviewing for the New Grad OR program tomorrow. She lives in South Pasadena (where she knows and LOVES her neighborhood), and refuses to move the Westside where rent is INSANELY high. If you want lower rent, you have to not mind a commute - which in LA can be really bad depending on where you're coming from. If you're not already familiar with the Los Angeles area, it may take some time to get to know, but you can always move later after you've found a niche.

Saunder's is what I used (and passed with). I kept thinking during the NCLEX that I wished I'd used the Saunders Comprehensive Review Guide more though (I was using the Saunders Q&A book mostly), and less of the CDs (there were some mfr "typos" on the 3rd ed disc of Comprehensive Review- quite annoying!). I looked at some Kaplan study tests my friends were using, but didn't study by them. I did hear though, that Kaplan's test 7 had some exact NCLEX questions on it - but that's 3rd hand information.

Is everyone who's a new grad looking for transition programs? I certainly am - but at this time there's NOTHING open and I've looked from Eugene to Portland (I'll be in the Corvallis area to start, but will travel for a good new grad oportunity). Adventist Health Care in Portland wrote me back saying they'd have more openings in Spring for new grads...but in the mean time what am I supposed to be doing? I know someone on one of these threads suggested just calling up and requesting an interview, but if there's no program/training openings - I can't see what good that would do. Any new grad job search hints or tips would be appreciated.

Took my test on a Thursday and knew that I could check the California BRN site for license verification before anything would reach me before mail. My friend who also took it on Thursday knew by Tuesday morning (3 update cycles). I freaked out when I didn't see my name Tues AM, but gained hope again when I realized that Monday was a holiday the BRN celebrated, thus no Monday night update. Just check Permanent License Verification at http://www.rn.ca.gov/