Rita_RN_BSN

Thank you Mr. or Ms.? music...I have the Mosby's book (which I'm almost finished with) & have pre-ordered the new 2007 CEN review book from ENA on amazon. I scheduled my test today! I take it September 27... That's my downfall too, on tests...reading through the questions too fast:uhoh3:...I know you need a 75% to pass, but how many questions can you get wrong then? because aren't some questions test pilot questions like NCLEX was? I like statistics & would like to know how many wrong/correct I need... Thanks again!!!

Thanks to all you guys for replying!!! But, I was wondering, does anyone know what the "state mandated charge for Illinois" is? (it's indicated on the NSO application form) Thanks a mil!!! Rita, RN, BSN

I used to work full time on the mother-baby unit/newborn nursery & after a short while, it became SOOOOOOOOOOO routine & boring:uhoh3: (no offense to all the passionate mbu/nbn nurses! just my opinion!). I recently accepted a position full time in the ER (my first real true passion), which will therefore make me part time on the mbu/nbn. Now, since I'm going to be working with acute critical patients, there will obviously be more at stake, (i.e. higher change for litigation). I was looking on nso.com & was wondering if anyone has this insurance, & if it's a good idea to get it. I mean, honestly? $98 per year sounds too good to be true, so I'm thinking, what's the catch? Also, has anyone had this insurance & been sued or had to appear at a deposition? & how was it? (Sorry for my million & one questions!) Thank you all so much! Rita, RN, BSN

When I was in nursing school, we had a career services rep come talk to us who used to work in the HR at a hospital, & the following things he suggested really stuck: he said that you have about the 1st 5 mins to really "sell yourself", as the interviewer can make his/her decision in about that time, do some research on the hospital (i.e. it's history, majority of patients seen, etc) - because that I found from personal experience HR interviewers ask, know a personal strength & weakness & be able to elaborate & give examples. I've spoken to a HR employee on a personal level about 1 yr. after employment at a particular hospital, & I asked her what's her biggest pet peeve during interviews, & she told me appearance. She said her pet peeve & what she doesn't understand is how some people can come to an interview in jeans & flip flops. She said it doesn't matter how extensive & impressive your resume is, if you come to an interview in jeans & flip flops, it says a lot you hands down (in a bad way). Good luck! (I'm sure you'll be fine - just stay away from jeans & flip flops, no matter how hot the weather is - haha)... Rita L., RN, BSN

Gosh I love this forum!!! Thank you guys & gals ALL so much!!! I have already pre-ordered the new, not-even-out-yet CEN exam study book published by ENA. You all are the best (esp. GilaRN!). Thanks again! Rita, RN, BSN

I'm going to take the CEN examination & am scared. I read you find out after completing the exam if you passed or not. Any advice from anyone who has taken it? I am studying, using the Mosby Emergency & Flight Nurse Examination Review book, any other tips for studying or about the test for a heads up? ANY help at all would be GREATLY appreciated, as this is a $316.00 Test!!! Thanks! Rita L., RN, BSN (Chicago, IL)

I'm going to take the CEN examination & am scared. I read you find out after completing the exam if you passed or not. Any advice from anyone who has taken it? I am studying, using the Mosby Emergency & Flight Nurse Examination Review book, any other tips for studying or about the test for a heads up? ANY help at all would be GREATLY appreciated, as this is a $316.00 Test!!! Thanks! Rita L., RN, BSN (Chicago, IL)

I'm a realist, so I'm not going to tell you, "don't worry, don't think about it". one thing that helped me have peace of mind & relax after taking the NCLEX for the dreaded "2 business days after" was trying to remember some questions & looking them up. Fold a piece of paper in half & keep count of how many you got right vs. wrong of those you remember (BUT DON'T SHARE YOUR QUESTIONS W/ANYONE ELSE!!! remember they want you to maintain strict confidentiality related to the NCLEX).

I passed NCLEX my first time & found that Mosby helped me a lot, I also used Saunders & liked their CD-ROM. Saunders is more detailed & specific, which I liked as well. Just keep doing questions! Good Luck! Rita, RN, BSN

I started looking for a job 2 months before my graduationg & nailed the interview & got hired for the ER on the spot, didn't need to work license pending, because I passed NCLEX on the first try. A lot of places do offer the license pending option though. Good luck! Rita, RN, BSN

Ouch, that posting from your college announcements is harsh! Anyways, when I was in pre-nursing classes, it was mandated that I take a statistics course, which you will actually use along the line when you take Nursing Research (I'm not sure if Nursing Research's offered only for the BSN program). Um, & when I was a junior, at the start of each semester, before we could set foot in a hospital for clinicals, we had to get a 90% on a math test to check our competency in regards to medication administration. Senior year, we had to get a 100%, not a 90% anymore. I have to say a lot of people stayed back a year, due to those tests. I know some other BSN programs are mandating something like that nowadays. You should inquire to see what they really mean with, "math competent".

I'm not sure about the different states, but the one I'm in (Illinois) is starting to mandate HESI pre-GRADUATION. For example, when I finished all of my nursing courses(from a BSN program), & I mean EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE OF THEM, PLUS CLINICALS, we had to take the HESI & score at least a 900 on it, some associates programs from the community colleges only required a score of 800. I'm not sure why you are taking the HESI pre-nursing school? because HESI for us is a mirror-image of NCLEX & it supposedly prepares you, because it is a cumulative exam of everything you could have possibly learned throughout nursing school. Anyways, if it's the actual HESI your school's giving to you(I'm not sure why), they have their own book out called, HESI NCLEX-RN REVIEW (ISBN #1416040781) with CD-ROM included. Good Luck! Rita, RN, BSN

Yes you can do it, I did it. My 1st or 2nd semester of nursing school(which seems like a million years ago), I had 16 credit hours in one semester. I had Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology(4 credits), Cell Biology(4 credits), Biochem(4 credits), Inorganic Chem(half of the semester-2 credits), & organic chem(last half of the semester-2 credits). Maintain GOOD time management, don't work too much, & DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Good luck, Rita, RN, BSN

HI! I'm not sure if you took a mandatory exit exam before graduating, but they say that you should schedule to take the NCLEX as soon as you are comfortable & not wait too long, because everything's still fresh in your mind from nursing school. I took the NCLEX exactly 1 month + 1 day after my graduation date & I would have chosen to take it sooner, but that was the only available day left in June. In my opinion, if I were to wait longer, I would just build up with more anxiety, & I obviously passed on the first try. Kaplan is structured in a more difficult manner. I took the review course, because my school mandated it. But, if you ask me, I was more confused walking out of it, as I did better on their pretest than posttest. I liked Mosby a lot & Saunders was ok. Only you will know whether or not you are ready to take the NCLEX. But, I would suggest taking it as soon as possible. Good luck! Rita, RN, BSN

I'm a Filipina RN born & raised in the USA, & my cousin is in the Philippines who's an RN now wants to try to work here in the USA. For some states (you need to check which specifications the state where you wish to work require), you need both a passing score for the CGFNS (I think that's what they call the over-seas exam) & the TOEFL. Some states require just the CGFNS, so check first. Then, I BELIEVE they are doing the testing actually IN the Philippines, check the website of NCSBN (the national council of state boards of nursing) for further information. Good luck!