sk2198

Hi Class of 2013!! My name is Cookie Monster :) .. I just graduated from NVCC's Traditional Nursing Program. I took my boards on June 25th 2011 and became a Registered Nurse (OFFICIALLY :) ) on June 27th 2011.. What I want to advice all of you is that although NVCC recommends you guys to not work throughout the program, it is definitely difficult for a lot of students to keep up with the living expenses and stuff especially cuz our economy sucks at this time.. Anyway, I want to suggest to either volunteer or work as a nurse aide or tech at a local hospital, just to keep your foot in the door. This will help you get a job once you graduate...I only worked 24 hour a week throughout the program.. NVCC does really well with preparing you to think critically..It really really prepares you to pass your NCLEX the first time. I know you guy will do great and if any of you guys ever have questions or help with anything, I am all about helping because I know these two years are going to be your most difficult years in school. Been there, done that.. :) Good Luck to all of you.. ps... my ultimate goal is to be a CRNA also :) Cookie

To be honest, I didnt really do any review.. I just bought a kaplan 2011-2012 book from Barnes N Nobels and did the practice questions in there.. My averages were about 70s-low 80s.. I really only had one day to study and didnt want to do anything the day before the test.. I just relaxed on the 24th and took the test on the 25th.. I heard that Kaplan questions are very difficult.. and to me, they kinda were. Hurst Review, I had heard a lot about. If ur weak in content, then thats what people have recommended..If ur good with content, then just practice questions.. But, let me be honest here, I really thought the test was SO EASY.. I was a B average student in nursing school..I found it easy, like really really easy.. HESI and Kaplan questions were difficult..Dont stress.. Just relax ur mind and make sure to read each question carefully.. just go over labs values and insulins the day right before the test...thats all I did.. Only one lab value showed up on my test..:) Make sure to know how to calculate drip rates..Also always round up to the tenths for the adult and down for the pediatric client..

Dont wait too long to take ur test.. Just go and take it.. Thats what I did.. I changed my test date on June 23 to take the test on June 25..Initially I was taking the test on July 14th 2011. I felt that I was definitely not ready for the test and was confused as to how and what to study.. But, the truth is that there is really no way that you can prepare to take such test.. You just have to have ur basic nursing knowledge- things u learned in school- and then do some practice questions, which you say that ur doing a great job at, and believe me, I would do anything to help a fellow nurse or nurse to be... So, go ahead and take the test.. Good Luck!!

hi i graduated on may 15, 2011. had my first job interview on May 9th, 2011.. Found out that I got the job on May 11th, 2011. Took NCLEX on June 25, 2011. Found out I was a Registered Nurse on June 27, 2011. Took a leave of absence for 30 days from work so that I could relax and be with family before I start my new job.. (was working at a hospital on a Progressive Care Unit.. Advice: To all, KEEP YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR WHETHER YOU ARE PART TIME, FULL TIME OR PRN, just get ur foot in the door and BELIEVE ME, its like a guaranteed job once u graduate.. all the people that listened to my advice (the other 3 out of my class and myself), have jobs.. Good Luck...dont give up..keep trying is all I can advice u...

shhhh, What state do u work in? Hows the cost of living there? I am trying to relocate...Thanks

I took mine this morning.. Got the good pop up.. Excited yet nervous for official results...exam ended at 75 questions.. I knew the computer was gonna shut off at 75. I started studying on Tuesday.. Took exam today.. I personally had a good experience with my exam I got a lot of cardiac questions (One of my strengths).. I knew my heart inside out with all meds and stuff. Lots of priority questions and lots of meds.. Luckily again, one of my other strengths was Meds.. Other than the anxiety that goes with taking such a big exam, I think it was kinda of a piece of cake (especially because I got questions that I was good at).. Hope for the best and always always and always REMEMBER GOD.. TAKE HIM WITH YOU TO THE TEST AND REMEMBER HE WILL GUIDE YOU TO PICK THE RIGHT ANSWER.. You know ur stuff and may not remember it all.. But, its all in there somewhere.. Good Luck.. I did about 450 practice questions before my boards this morning.. But, if I were you I would start studying early and do as many questions..

Ok so I am taking my boards tomorrow also..SO FREAKING NERVOUS!!! N E way, from what I remember, if disaster, you prioritize caring for those that are most STABLE FIRST... If triaging in ER, you prioritize by caring for the LEAST STABLE FIRST.. PS. I feel like I dont know anything rite now :).. So wierd...Keep us all posted and GOOD LUCK.. I will keep you in my prayers!

I take mine on July 5th. I just signed up for Kaplan two days ago and havent done any studying yet.. I m too nervous about the test that I just cant focus..I think I am kinda screwed..

JSmith, Is this Janet from NVCC, VA?

hey futurenovarn, are u ready for monday's exam--> fluid and electrolytes (exam 4)? im just trying to finish the readings.. there is way too much crap to remember. how r u doing up to this point? oh i think u said u were pregnant? i dont think u should have a problem at the psych facility... i doubt that you'll ever be alone..u'll always have supervision of ur instructor.. btw, r u takin hlt 250 this semester? im taking it online... i have two more exams left and i just cant get to them... do i know u? who do u have for ur monday discussions? i have mr vananden..and im pwh for clinicals..

hey how r u? how did u do on the math diagnostic test?? i took mine on tuesday and i believe i missed one. but i missed one ? for sure..it was the one with a proportion with a fraction on top.. it was like this: 1/2:50::x/25. x is 625 but i dont know why i didnt work at it like i did when i came home. haha n e way..its all good. so wat do u think so far about the program?

congrats to u too!! yaaay!!im so happy that both of us are a part of this site and both of us got in...its just so cool.. n e way, my orientation is from 1-4 cuz my last name starts with K...well ill see u around...

thanks all for the kudos!!

hey how r u? did u recieve a letter yet? i just got mine in the mail on wednesday... i was so happy.. i withdrew from the private school i was attending. i hope u got in also and maybe we will see each other at orientation on the 23 of june 09. good luck and keep us posted!

hi everyone, after a long wait of about 5.5 years, god has granted me one of the happiest times of my life. i was attending a very expensive private school and was half way thru the semester when i recieved my letter of acceptance last wednesday... i was crying and laughing along with my husband. it was a very happy moment for us. i withdrew from the private school in a yippy! lol..any one else get into NOVA'S program?? it would be nice to know how many students also shared the same happiness that i did with my family! all posts welcome!!

guys, i know earlier i said that i was going to attend the school, right?!. i was half way thru the semester at ghnts and i dropped all my classes and withdrew from the semester. the administration is no good peoplez.... always keep ur options open. when i attended the orientation for ghnts, i was told that since school is private, none of the classes will transfer especially because its accelerated and cuz its private.. also, people at the school( administration including the director, mariatu k. ) are there to rip us all off. they charge for the simplest and the cheapest little things. they have a bookstore with A NO RETURN POLICY. so all the books that i bought are non returnable. sucks huh? n e wayz, there were about 50 students in my class on the first day and there are about 22 left. no one likes the school.. i had to talk to a finance director the other day and i had called all day to get in touch with.. i left messages and sent emails. i heard nothing back from n e one. they kept telling me, "he just stepped out, he will be back in 30 minutes and that he went to get coffee and he will be back in 30 minutes.". then i started calling every thirty minutes for like three hours, and the receptionist finally took my number and said that i will have him call u. i am very disappointed with them... u may have a better experience but mine obviously was no good. n e way, i work with about 6 people that have told me that the director of the school is no good because her mom used to be the receptionist there. the mother quit working for the director because director was too rude... last week, i was in class when two students were 3 minutes late to take an exam for the CNA program,due to bad weather and mariatu, the director, did nothing. all she said was , "guys may be u can sign up for another day". the two students were so upset because they lost their money and they had to pay again to take the test. n e way, i will wait to get into an accredited school no matter wat happens, now that ive been to global health nurse training services, i will not recommend the school to n e one. ..they only communicate through email about when the fees are due not about important things like when the last day to drop courses. so if u guys decide to go to ghnts, please ask soo many questions and just read my post and think twice before u make any decision.. good luck... ps also, all the ppl that graduated from here so far are working really hard at NURSING HOMES. there is only one person that they always talk about that works with the inova healthcare system (hospital).. just one person.. n e ways just be very careful..

my application has been deferred to nova's traditional program... but i am currently attending a private nursing school in alexandria.. currently enrolled in pharmacology, health concepts, and health/physical assessment. if i get into nova's program, i will definitely attend it cuz of the tuition difference. good luck to u

Happy earth day to all!! :)

hi i need some information about this program. will u supply some info about deadline to apply, how are we selected for grant, wat r the requirements to apply, when the application comes out for 09-10, and what do they pay ( i mean how much). I m starting at Global Health Nurse training in Alexandria, Virginia, and i have to pay as much as 25000 dollars not including books and other fees. So this scholarship/grant can really help if it is supposed to, right? well thanks n e way for at least starting this thread so others like myself can be informed.. simi

hi i applied to nvcc's online accelerated nursing program. I am to hear from them this week. I have been accepted at a private school but i dont wanna go there cuz i dont feel like paying 25000 dollars. lol.. n e way, i took the hesi exam and did very well (or at least i think i did). i had an 88% overall. I also took the teas and scored 91st percentile for the private school. THe tests were not hard at all. It is all basic stuff. Its easy math, vocabulary, reading and language arts. very easy.. i had 1 day to study. I had registered two days prior to the day of the test. orientation for my program of interest is on april 24th, 2009 and so i am desperately just waiting a couple days to find out if im in or not. N e way, hope to hear from u soon.. o by the way, i have completed all my prerequisites and supporting course. i tested out of medical terminology so i dont have to take that class. I challenged a & p II cuz i had taken it but it was not transferring cuz i took it at an institution where i was on a quarter system and not on semester.

hi i have just received my acceptance letter into thier program also.. its very expensive but its worth the 5 year waiting period.. Maybe we should keep in touch cuz im starting the RN classes May 11, 2009. Thanks for the info.

hi talia, im simi. i am also a nvcc student. i have applied to the nvcc's online nursing program for summer 09. i dont think u have to take the TEAS. I just took the HESI entrance exam for nvcc's program. They changed the exam just recently. if you are required to take the teas exam, i have the teas study manual which i havent used at all. i also have the hesi book but that has some writing in it.. if u need n e one of them, just let me know. i live in loudoun county so i can probably just mail them to u or give them in person depending on whether u need them or not. n e way, i just took the TEAS EXAM today and i scored 91st percentile both national and program. it was very basic math and reading/language arts; science sucked like a cow. i still managed to guess on the science and ended up getting 83% lol...i have to admit that i did take the online practice test on the ATI website (only one of them though). i think that may have been a refresher for me. well keep us all updated about how u do... simi

samantha, i had my princess last january and im very happy that i have her but i wish i had finished school first. now im in the process of applyin to schools again.. and i know im a bad mother for making this decision, but i left my baby overseas with her grandparents. ;-( so sad)-; i miss her terribly. but i made the decision assuming that i will get into nursing school.. my husband is the only child and baby is our only child so therefore she is the only greatgrandchild and the only grandchild. im 24 my husbands 25. inlaws wanted baby with them and husband didnt want her in daycare so i had no choice but to leave her 22 hours away from me(by air). only a mother knows what it feels like to be away from her child. its so depressing. i search for her everywhere and i miss her every move, word, her smell..everything. i wish i can have her back but im desperately now waiting for admission. maybe god has planned something for me for which he had me decide to leave my baby overseas. so i now suggest that you, Samantha, think carefully after learning about my experience about having children so soon. i would wait til done with school.. im sorry for the long sad story but it's true and now u should be able to make a wise decision hopefully. ps samantha, do u live in northern virginia? if so, did u ever work at inova fairfax hospital??

hi i was a student at cal state hayward when it had that name. n e way, chabot and ohlone have good programs.. let me advice u that they offer the ADN degree and csueb offers bsn. Difference is just the degree ...pay for starting is very very similar.. in some places, its the same for candidates that have either degree. i was exactly in ur shoes once..exactly... i was just as confused and im still waiting to get into a program... while i have been waiting to get in, i got married, had a child, took classes, worked and still am waiting. lol..programs are just so impacted everywhere. let me suggest that u should not take more than 12 units at csuh cuz u will not do well in ur classes. try ur best to get as many A's as u can cuz ur gpa is a key point that they look at.. then its community service, residency, work experiece... i used to work at eden medical center in castro valley.. and washington hospital... really good hospitals.. n e way good luck and i hope we get in...

how did u do on ur hesi exam? im so eager to get in but thatz only if i can pass the hesi.. n e suggestions for the vocab part of the test?