Adria

Thank you for your reply! I will make sure I ask about the orientation program since it is very important for me. Thanks again!

Hi Tulip! I just passed my boards as well (october 11th) and have a question for you. Have you gotten your license yet? I have no idea how long it takes and I don't think I can even apply for a job without a license number at least. Congrats on passing the NCLEX!

Hi everyone! I just passed my boards in October 11th and still waiting for my license to arrive...Finished school in PA so I haven't had any experience with the hospitals in NJ and don't know where to apply as a new grad. I live in Burlington County and I am considering Lourdes in Willingboro (it is very close to me) but I have heard that their nurse patient ratio on a Med-Surg floor is 1 to 10. That scares me already! Could anyone tell me if that is true, and if they are helpful to new grads, how long their orientation is, pay, and working there in general. I do want to work Med-Surg for my first year. My next two options are Virtua Memorial in Mt. Holly and Cooper. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

There are different degrees that make up the same designation of R.N. A Diploma R.N. which studied and trained in a hospital-based environment working as staff in the hospital for hands-on experience in the off shifts of class time. This takes about 3 years. The Associate Degree nurse (ADRN) has a 2-year college degree. The Bachelors in Science in Nursing (BSRN) has a 4-year college degree. These degrees mean college courses first, then hands-on experience -- clinical time. Nurse Practitioner (N.P.) or Advanced Nurse Practitioner: R.N. with a Masters degree who practices under the license of a physician to do almost everything a physician does, such as diagnose, write prescriptions, give orders for tests and referrals, etc. Nurse Midwives fall under this category as well. P.A. or Physician's Assistant is usually a non-nursing person who has 2 additional years of college on top of their 4-year Bachelor's degree and has similar capabilities as the Nurse Practioner. MSN (masters degree in nursing) or PhD in nursing typically are educators in nursing schools.

Very funny...thanks for sharing!! :chuckle

I would definetly talk to the college you are going to apply to first. Ask exactly what prereqs. you need -- different colleges have different requirements and although they are very similar you don't want to spend money on courses you won't need. Second, I would tell them where I am planning to take those prereqs to make sure they transfer. Most accelerated programs also fill up quickly so the sooner you apply the better. Call them and request to talk to a counselor or the person responsible for admissions in this program. Good luck!

I am scared of beginning work in the hospital as well. I am a new RN, just passed my boards in October and still waiting for the license. I keep telling myself that my fear comes from a new environment, from dealing with situations that are new to me and from fear of making mistakes...but all this is normal! As I start working and practicing I will become better and more confident, and so will you. Just go for it and make sure you have a list of coping strategies handy...I'm sure you will need them until you get adjusted and gain confidence. Best of luck to you!

That's a great question and thank you for all the replies as well! I am also a new RN and those tips will help me a lot!

I think that you should not worry so much about employers looking down or discriminating against you because you did not pass the first two times. Study hard and don't let yourself be discouraged. If they mention/question your first two attempts then you can talk about how determined you were to take it again and succeed. Your persistance and hard work will pay off and you need to keep believing in yourself. Good luck and keep working hard towards your goal!

I am ready to try and quit smoking...been a smoker for 11 years now and I hate how dependent I have become. I tried the nicotine gum before but it has not worked for more than a day...I am going to try the patch this time and I'm glad to see it worked well for others. If I quit then I will try and convince my other family members to do the same.. Good luck PurplePassion and let us know how you do! You have my support and encouragement.

I can answer the question regarding drugs bound to protein in blood. If your serum protein levels are low then you are at risk for drug toxicity because the drugs will be metabolized and not excreted without being metabolized first. So your thought process regarding that was correct.

Yep...both answers are correct, good job! Hope you get the 100 on the test...

Great job and congrats!!! You need to celebrate

I had only 75 questions on the NCLEX but felt just as horrible as you do after taking it. I was very dissapointed and upset and thought I failed. I did pass however...I don't think anyone can say with certainty they did well or not and my advice is try to do anything that will make you feel good until you find out the results. Sleep, watch movies, anything that will take your mind off the test. I was able to look up my results online in 2 bussiness days but I know there are only a couple of states that do that...for others you need to wait longer. Good luck and hang in there!

I'm from NJ...took me 1 month to get my ATT from the board. It depends from state to state though, and NJ seems to have one of the slowest BON out there.