NorCalMel

I graduated on Dec. 22nd and got my ATT today. I registered with Pearson and paid for the NCLEX on Dec. 7th. I was told by previous test takers that I would receive my ATT faster than if I waited until I received notification from the CA BON that I was eligible to test. I think they were right because I received my ATT less than a week after I graduated. My nursing school said I would probably receive it in the middle of January!

I'm a nursing student in Sacramento, graduating in Dec. It has become very difficult to get new grad positions in Northern California. If you're not completely set on moving to SF then I would suggest the Los Angeles area. There are tons of new grad jobs there, with new grad programs in great hospitals such as UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, and LA Children's (if you're an aspiring peds nurse). I used to live in SF and I loved it but you're going to be shocked at how expensive it is to live there. Yes, you will make more money but you will not have more disposable income because of the high cost of living. I would actually consider moving somewhere else because the job situation here is not that great anymore but I have "California sized" student loans so I have to work here to pay them off! Good luck!

To actress8503, are you planning to go to the University of Southern California? If you are, then you don't need to worry about residency because USC is a private school (you will pay a lot of money whether you are from CA or not). The residency requirement applies to the California State University, and the University of California campuses, which are there many. I live in Northern CA and almost all hospitals up here (Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area) will hire new grads into the ICU.

Don't listen to others, just come! I've lived in California all of my 31 years of life and most likely I won't be moving to another state anytime soon. Before going back to nursing school, I lived and worked in San Francisco making $43,000 a year and I had my own nice studio apt. I wasn't rich but I had fun and was able to make ends meet. If I move back to SF and work as a nurse I will make a minimum of $80,000. If you want to buy a house it's more difficult financially than renting. But don't worry about that now. Just move out here for the experience, overall it's a great place to live!:nuke: I'm planning to live in Australia after a couple of years of nursing experience where I'll make quite a bit less than here in CA. But, I'm doing for the experience and because Australia is one of my favorite places! Good luck!

Hi Everyone, So I took it yesterday and got an 85% which is the 99th percentile ! It was hard, but like Sue said, I studied for it using the HUGE study guide. Actually, I think the thing that helped me the most (and helped with the Mental Health one too) was taking the practice tests and then studying the topics that ATI told me to review. Like Sue said, there were quite a few topics in the test that we didn't cover in my Med-Surg class. Good luck to everyone who will be taking it soon!

Anyone out there have any advice for the Med-Surg ATI RN version? I have to take it tomorrow (should be studying right now;) )! Rumor is that it's really hard and we have to pass it to pass our class. Just a little stressful... If you've taken it, is it really that hard? I have an 89.73 in my advanced Med-Surg class so I hope I would be able to pass it but... Thanks!!

I might be able to help if you give me more info such as the health insurance company and where you will be living in the US. Are you coming to work over here? Most hospitals should pay for their employee's health insurance. It's one of our major benefits. I'm a BSN student in California; let me know if you need help with the insurance stuff; I can do a quick search for you to see if it's a good deal. Our health care and insurance here in the US is VERY expensive!