xObabytiggerr

@vintage What if the baby isn't ready to come off of oxygen? I find that interesting. In my NICU, if the baby's lungs aren't mature enough to breathe on just RA, they'll go home on like 0.01-0.02L @ 100% NC and able to bottle feed with a slow flow nipple without difficulty.

Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia has a 101 bed level IV NICU that just opened last year in January.

I don't think you should assume. I work in the NICU right now (about 10 months in on my own) and it can be super intimidating to ask for more complex patients. I think charge/clinical educators or whomever deems the appropriate assignments to whom, should know every nurse that works in a specific shift's experience and give each the appropriate assignment. i.e. a NICU nurse with 3 years experience a 24 weeker on an oscillator with plenty of IV drips whom is a 1:1 vs. a NICU nurse fresh off of orientation a 2-3 baby "feeder grower" assignment. Recently, I've been slowly getting babies with a little bit more acuity, which I like because they know how long I've been there and what is appropriate for me. So I think it's more so whoever makes the assignment is the one to blame and the administration for not making her FEEL comfortable to talk to them about what kind of assignments she wants. I wish I knew who OP was. I'd definitely recommend filling out an application at my hospital. There's so many helpful resources on my unit. They'd make you feel comfortable asking for help and progress to where you need to be.

Congratulations RN!!!!!!! I bet it felt awesome seeing "pass". :)

I just graduated Nursing school in May and I just passed boards last week Tuesday. I've been putting in applications everywhere, then last night I finally put in one for Children's Hospital in D.C. (the place that I really really want to work). I found a position that requires no experience then this morning, they sent me an e-mail saying that they'll be pursuing "other candidates. It's a bit discouraging because I don't know what I'm doing wrong or what I can do to be accepted. Current Pediatric Nurses, What can I do to be accepted into a peds position?

I just took my test last Friday and I was afraid as well. I went into my car and got the good pop-up. I was still uneasy, so I did the trick over 10+ times that day and over the weekend and I still got the good pop-up. It was either Monday or Tuesday I paid for the quick results and found out I passed! The trick still works!

Thank you!!! :) That's actually a good point! It's VERY important to look for the keyword. I forgot to add that in my entry. Lol. When I first started out in nursing school, I use to do horrible in answering nursing questions and that was one of the main things that I didn't do.

You're welcome! & thank you!! Best of the best of luck to you!

Thank you so much!!!

I don't have much experience with Kaplan, but the day before my exam, I stopped studying at 5 or 6ish and just relaxed and watched movies on Netflix. Later that night, I did some light exercise on the treadmill to alleviate my anxiety/headache, took a shower, then went to bed as early as I could. Eat a good breakfast in the morning (pancake, eggs, and bacon). Bring a snack(s) and water with you to the testing center, so when you get hungry you can eat it on break, so you won't feel fatigued.

I was one of those who were absolutely TERRIFIED of this exam. The month leading up to it, it was a bit surreal, so I basically just paced myself. I tried to do at least 60-120 questions a day. I based my studying off of those questions I answered. Side note: Personally, I don't think the amount of questions you do specifically helps you to pass, it matters on whether you understood the rationale. If I didn't get it right, I'd search through all of my books to find the answer and understand it thoroughly. For prep I used VATI tutor/ATI question codes that I used throughout nursing school, Saunders book 6th edition, NCLEX 3500 (look for it by googling), and Davis' NCLEX-RN Success cd. During NCLEX I got tons of SATA, prioritization (some were SATA), a few delegation, a few labs, 4 EKGs, no math, a couple of diet, and a couple of meds. Besides content, I think the MOST IMPORTANT thing to know is how to prioritize (who should you go see first?), delegation, and labs. I was also one of those that feared SATA, but I was told to look at every answer and determine if it's true or false. That's how I got through those. I wish the best of luck to those preparing to take for the first time and those who have to try again. You will get through this! I know the night before I felt nervous (and you will too). Just relax, do some light exercise, have faith, pray, and believe in yourself! If you get nervous during the exam (which I did as well, lol) just take a couple of seconds and do a brief breathing exercise. That always seemed to calm myself enough to continue. & please take your time! Don't rush and don't pay attention when people are leaving. When I finished my test was when I realized I was the only one left in the room, lol. If you go pass 75 questions and it didn't shut down, that means you are still in the game! So hit the ball out of the park! You got this!!!!!! :)

You'll be fine! Just go in there and do your very very best!

I think you're doing great with prepping so far. Make sure you know how to prioritize (i.e. what patient should you see first?), delegation, and of course labs. With select all that apply, go through each answer one by one and ask yourself "Is this true or false?" I brought water, a bar, sandwich, yogurt, and applesauce. I was so determined to finish that exam I only ate the applesauce and drank some water lol. I've noticed a pattern that everyone who studies for the NCLEX, they never felt ready and that included me. I was super nervous the night before and I exercised and I felt better. If you get nervous during the test, do a brief breathing exercise, it worked for me. Best of luck to you, I know you can do it!! :)

That's what makes me iffy about paying the $8. That exam was super expensive! I might as well just wait until later today (Monday).

Thank you everyone for replying!