Amber07

Well I got a job offer last night with the second facility I interviewed with. It would be working in the Maternity unit. I officially accepted the offer and start in a week and a half. I am so excited but am also getting nervous now. They do a six week preceptor training. That seems about what all the hospitals were offering with the exception of one. That one was twelve weeks but was also at the first hospital which was the horrible interview. I am worried though that I will not know anything or feel comftorable on my own after that period. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions? Also thanks for all your help and support. I believe it was also why I felt more confident during the second interview.

Well third interview was ok although the nurse manager didn't really ask me more then two questions so I don't think she was really interested. However, she wasn't rude and gave me her business card to call with any additional questions and then showed me around the unit. Which is what happened with the second interview although the three ladies I interviewed with for that position asked me several questions and we talked a bit more. However, now on top of having trouble with people accepting Excelsior I have a new problem. The HR department from the second interview called asking for a clinical instructor reference. I tried to explain Excelsior to her but she told me that they have to have one. I don't know who I could use. It has been quite a while since I worked in the medical field as a CNA or anything else since insurance needs took me elsewhere. Any suggestions? I don't get it. I am officially a registered nurse and have proven myself to be motivated, dependent, sufficient, and goal-oriented. I wanted to be a nurse and found a way to meet that goal. I am willing to learn and spend more time and effort into obtaining clinical skills but nobody seems willing to give me a chance.

:ancong!: Hooray...glad to hear that you passed!!!!

:yeah:Congratulations!! :yeah:

Good luck to those still waiting on results. You can really play tricks with your mind and totally freak yourself out. Try to keep yourselfs busy doing something fun or something you have really wanted to do but have been too busy studying for. Good luck....you will all be in my thoughts. :heartbeat

Thanks for all your tips and advice. It really is nice to be able to hear from other people in the same type of situation. The second interview I had on Thursday was much better. I actually interviewed with three people and they were familiar with Excelsior. They also seemed to understand how much dedication and determination it takes to get through the program. So we will see how it goes. I have a third interview today at another hospital. Hopefully I'll get an offer soon. I figure worst case scenario I can possibly start at a LTC facility since I have more background in that area as a CNA and then try a hospital down the line.

No it was Excelsior. She asked if I went to New York to learn and what I did for clinicals. Then she matter of fact stated that a lot of local colleges use them for clinical rounds and she was concerned with my lack of rotations. When I was starting to explain about the clinical test she got the call and after she got off the phone she moved on and never brought it up again.

There are some hospitals in my area that offer a residency program to new grads to help them transition into working. However, I missed the two that were open for June as I was studying so hard for the NCLEX. There are a couple more that will start in September that I could try for but I was hoping to be working by then. Two months of missed RN wages would be very helpful right now. While I was going through school I tried to get several extern positions but all the hospitals told me that they weren't contracted to work with Excelsior for these positions so I was unable to. I guess I just need to keep my chin up and be proud of my accomplishments and hope I find someone that isn't so close minded and prejudiced about Excelsior.

I just passed the NCLEX last week and started applying for jobs. I had my first interview today and have two more scheduled for tomorrow and Monday. However, the lady was not at all nice or encouraging and I think once she found out I graduated from Excelsior she no longer seemed interested. Here's my story for background. I actually was grandfathered into Excelsior's program as an EMT-B and CNA way back before they changed the requirements. I took my time and tinkered away at general requirements until about a year and a half ago when I really pushed myself and got through all the NC and CPNE last December. This is my dream and the only way I could achieve it. Being the sole insurance carrier for my family I had to remain working full time through school. I am so glad this oppurtunity was availabe. However the only clinical experience I have is working as a CNA a few years back before having to change jobs for insurance reasons. While going through Excelsior I called all the local hospitals to see if they would work with me on clinicals and not one of them would. So I was unable to find a way to get clinical experience which is now a problem. The interviewer today expressed concerns that I didn't have clinical experience but at the end of the conversation told me that I have such a positive attitude that I will end up being successful. However, she also answered a phone call from her manager during the interview and spent 5-10 minutes talking with her. Can you say ackward?? The interview tomorrow is the position and hospital that I really want to work up but am now feeling discouraged. Has anyone experienced this sort of prejudice or have any advice? I have worked my tail feathers off to get my RN license.

I love it!! I actually have that picture as the screen saver on my phone. It looks awesome! Your husband did well!

I was waiting for this post. I knew you could do it!! Congratulations on your success!!! :dancgrp::hpygrp:

:yeah:Congratulations!!! :yeah:

Well I just recently passed the NCLEX and started sending out applications yesterday. I now have two job interviews set up for the next two days. The one on Thursday is for Maternity which is the position I really want. However, I really don't have much clinical experience and after reading about some of the questions asked I am getting really nervous. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions? What kind of questions can I expect to be asked?

Just try to have confidence in yourself. I believe that really does have an impact on your testing. Also don't let the fact that your classmates were unsuccessful worry you. Everybody's tests are so different and that mixed with test anxiety, strengths and weaknesses in areas, and testing ability make it such a different experience for everyone. I would just focus on getting more questions right then wrong and read through every single rationale. Try to remember that you can do this. I did not pass my first time at 265 questions and regrouped and passed last week at 75 questions. I am also in Utah. The tests were totally different each time and Kaplan made the difference the second time around. Good luck to you. :heartbeat

You will do fine. Just go in their confident in yourself. You have worked so hard for this. I will be thinking and praying for you!!! Try to get a good night's sleep and give yourself some time off today so you go in fresh tomorrow. Good luck!!:heartbeat

Each testing center might be a little bit different on following these guidelines. However, when I went to test I wore comfy jeans and a black short sleeve tee shirt that is super comfy. I then took a white hoodie that zips up the front. I did not wear it but took it in with me. They checked the pockets and asked if I was going to wear it. I said yes but never put it on. When they took me into the room and were starting my computer I put the hoodie over the back of my seat and they did not say anything. It did not get cold and I never put it on so it stayed on the back of my chair the entire time. If your proctor says anything to you just tell them that you have a tendecy to get cold and don't want to worry about it when you test. Other then that you can't wear a watch or have anything in your pockets. You can only take in your locker key, driver's license and wiper board with black marker that they give you. Best of luck on your test!!

those scores are pretty good. especially since 6-7 are above 60% and very near 65% which is what kaplan told me was what they wanted you to aim for. however, i have heard other people say that kaplan told them to aim for 60%. qt6-7 are supposed to be most like the nclex. what helped me most was reading every single rationale and understanding why i got the ones i got wrong and why the ones i got correct were correct. i know people who retake the test and do better to boost their confidence. i did not do that as i usually tend to remember the question and am able to then remember the answer without having to critically think through it. if you have access to qbank or other test questions i would start using those. that way you are practicing new questions and working on your critical thinking skills. best of luck!!!! just remember that this can be done!!

If you have already paid the money to Kaplan they should set you up an account and send you log in information via your email address. I believe when I set up for the online complete with Qbank it took 48 hours from when I registered to the time I had an email with my log in information. If you have already paid and that time has passed I would call them and ask about it. If you haven't paid you can always call and register and provide your payment details.

:anpom::ancong!::anpom:

Congratulations Nursegreen and Ladybugsea!!!! :dancgrp::w00t:

I can't tell you what to do about scheduling as that really is a personal choice. I would recommend that you go in with some confidence though as not going into panic mode is one thing I believe helped me pass. My first test was horrible. Near the end I was sweating, dizzy and felt nauseas. However, you also have to realize that you will probably never feel completely ready or comftorable. I usually always got about 60% on my Qbank tests. Sometimes better and only twice below at 58%. I read every single rationale which I also believe was very beneficial. I think I learned more from those then the test. My goal was to take 150 questions a day. After each 50 question test I would reread through and check all the rationales. My trainer scores were decent. QT4 - 61%, QT5 - 68%, QT6 - 74% and QT7 - 66%. When I was weak in an area I would review it a little bit. Not too much though as the rationales usually helped me know what I needed and was missing. I know several people who were only scoring in the 50% and they passed. I think it is important that you see improvement and understand why you got the ones wrong that you did. Also focus on getting more right then wrong. I wish you the best of luck and will keep you in my thoughts. Just remember this can be done and you will slay the NCLEX dragon.

I know how hard this is too wait while you second guess yourself. Try to keep yourself busy doing other things. I will keep you in my thoughts!!! :heartbeat

Hooray!!! Congratulations!!! :dancgrp:

:yeah:Congratulations!!!! :yeah:

:anpom::ancong!::anpom: