marci3335

Thanks so much everyone for your input, this is super helpful!

We are considering changing how we are doing the schedule on our Med/Surg unit, I was just wondering how other units do their scheduling. Do you rotate weekends? right now we are fixed schedules, but the weekends are always a problem to fill! Any input is appreciated! Tks.

Hey there! I have been lurking on this board for months while studying for this evil-evil test. I took the NCLEX last Friday and found out on Tuesday that I passed with 104 questions! I was (and am still!) in such shock that I am still checking the BON to make sure there wasn't a mistake. I was so sure I failed when I walked out of there. So the night I found out that I passed I had a nightmare that I had to take the NCLEX in a cave. The cave had just been cleared out of bushes, and the proctor told me this. He then told me, casually, that there was a brown recluse spider above my head! I was so scared I dropped the test and ran out of the cave. He followed me out and told me not to worry he turned in my test for me with all the right answers because he had the Key to the test. Flash to my college classroom, the instructors are telling us about some cheating they discovered, and there was my name listed among the cheaters! They took away my license. I woke up so upset, I went back online at 5:00am just to double check that I really did pass! I did. Anyway, I just wanted to share that awful nightmare! I am so glad that I really did pass! Here's the list I used to help me study. I took test questions, and whenever I missed a question I added that subject to a list that I would later look up in my textbooks. Doing test questions and creating a list REALLY helped me. Good luck everyone! Marci List to study 1.Labs (basic electrolytes, WBC's, etc. BUN, SG, Creatinine) 2.Apgar 3.Tpal (pregnancy numbers "2-0-1-2") [Term-PreTerm-Abortion-Living ] 4.Shock- spinal, hypovolemic 5.Phases of labor 6.Normal CVP 0-8 mm Hg 7.Cardiac Output 4-6 L/min 8.Diuretic, potassium sparing vs. wasting 9.Blood gas normal levels, ABG's 10.Heparin drip 11.Other math review 12.EDB (estimated date of birth) -3/+7 (subtract 3 months, add 7 days) 13.Thyroid, hyper & hypo 14.Cushings and Addison's 15.GI such as Ulcerative Colitis, Peptic Ulcer, etc. 16.Basic Cardiac- CHF, MI, Angina, etc... 17.CPR 18.Know Isolation- contact, droplet, airborne (which diseases have what precaustions) 19.Basic fundamentals 20.Erikson's stages 21.Myasthenia Gravis 22.Diabetes & insulin, also diabetic ketoacidosis. Difference between DM1 & DM2 23.Psych 24.Pharm- Digoxin, Lasix (and potassium sparing diuretics) Congentin, Beta Blockers.

I've done that too with jeans! With the Downy/fabric softener, I mix it with a little cup of water before I add it to the wash. I find that works best.

Well I took the test and it wasn't too bad. I'm confident that I got them all right- but ya never know!! There were only ten questions and they were pretty straightfoward problems. I'm sooooo glad to have that behind me. But I can't believe I have to wait until the 18th to get my results!! They tell you during orientation. They pull everyone in individually and go over your test with you. Talk about nerve-racking!! Now I can relax and enjoy the rest of the month until school starts....... Marci:)

How many of you have to take a test for the nursing program? I'm on my way to take my test right now. It seems crazy to me that they are giving us a test on dosage calculations before we even start! And there's no measurement conversion chart- we have to memorize it...and no calculator!!! We get one hour and 10 questions. I feel OK about it cause I've been practicing (they were kind enough to give us a practice test) but I'm still nervous. Just when you thought you were in-like-flynn they make you jump through another hoop! Oh yeah, we get three tries at the test and must pass at 80% or better. I'll post later and let you know how it was. Marci:)

Debi! The Cell is hard!! I did the worst on my first A&P I exam. I think it was because I couldn't really anticipate what kind of questions would be on it, and therefore, what exactly I needed to know! There's so much to know (who knew a cell could be so complicated?!?!) What worked for me after that was to go through my book and re-write pertinent info in my notebook and write flashcards on everything! Yes this was time consuming but it really works! I wrapped up my cards with a rubberband put them in my purse and went through them everywhere I went! Like standing in line at the grocery store or at DMV. On the next test I got an A. By the end of the course I had almost a thousand cards. I passed them on to a friend who took the class after me. But really, most of my absorbtion came from writing out the info in my own words, and drawing the little diagrams. Good job on Lab. Actually Lab is what saved me from a B to an A in the class. I would have got a B if it wasn't for Lab! Good luck Debi- you can do it!! Marci:coollook:

Ah yes, an engineer. My hubby's an engineer and a great father to boot! Makes breakfast for the kids and is home by 5!! I wouldn't want it any other way! Marci

Hi Fatima, I also am married with 3 kids so I can understand! That's part of what concerns me. I know I can do it, but how many hours will I have to dedicate to getting a decent grade? Thanks for your honesty- I will think hard about it before I decide. Marci:)

Actually, I'm doing pretty good in A&P. So far I am getting 85-95% on all of my tests. And you're right, the people who have been saying this aren't doing as well as I am. Thanks for the input.:)

I am considering taking Chemistry and A&P II next semester (and possibly Sociology). A couple of people in my A&P I class told me they would never attempt 2 science classes with labs in one semester. Now I'm getting kind of worried! I don't work but do have 2 small kids. MY average class load is 4-5 classes a semester with a 3.9 GPA. I'd hate to blow my GPA because I'm overloaded. Anyway, what's your opinion on 2 lab classes? Have you done this? How hard was it? Thanks for your input! Marci:)