selby08

I am a nurse with three years experience (most in pediatric med-surg, some in pediatric oncology). My husband will likely be attending grad school at UT Austin starting next year and I was wondering about the job prospects and salaries in Austin. I have looked into Dell Children's but other than that know pretty much nothing about hospitals or nursing/salaries in Austin. How is it finding a job? Do you work mostly 12 hour shifts or eight hours? What could I expect to make? Anyone know anything about working at Dell Children's? For a little background- I have a BSN as well as my CPN (Pediatric certification). We are currently located in Orange County, CA. I am also thinking about going back to school- any information on graduate programs in Austin? Thanks, I really appreciate it!

"Chase them intelligently." CA is a hard place to get a job right now. I think the only reason I got mine is that RIGHT after I submitted my application and resume online I called the recruiter and asked some questions and made my genuine interest known. She said that she'd send it to the correct manager right away. I got a call from the manager later that day and had my job after my interview a week later. Another thing that you need to do when getting a job in CA is emphasize your connections with California. A lot of people come here and then realize it's not what they want or expected and then move back after not a long time. When you get an interview make sure you bring up that you are here for reasons other than warm beaches and you won't be moving back after you see the price of rent.

I moved to CA as a new grad but had a job lined up and even then had major sticker shock at the price of rent. I was lucky and got work right before the economy took a big tumble. Keep in mind the economy in CA state-wide is in shambles. I would echo the sentiment that unless you have a LARGE amount of money saved up you should find a job before making the move. Many places just aren't hiring right now. If you're wanting to make the move to a sunbelt state the prospects in AZ and TX are far more promising at this time. There are even experienced CA nurses at my hospital considering the move to TX because of the more stable economy and lower cost of living. There is also a big variation in hospital quality out here. We do have patient ratio laws that vary by area that you work in. I've noticed that there are fewer CNAs though due to ratio law. I work on a 48 bed pediatric med-surg floor and when we're full our staffing is 12 nurses and 4 CAs (that's without any sitters or patients who are 3:1s due to high acuity). We have plenty of transport staff and rarely take a patient to CT or MRI unless they are unstable and need the RN to go with for that reason. Good Luck in your decision making process. CA is a beautiful state but it's definitely a difficult time to be looking at making the move.

Depending on what you liked about LA there are plenty of other areas in Southern California to live and work that have a lot to offer and where you can find a huge variation in affordability. Orange County has gorgeous beaches, Disneyland, and a diversity of its own. San Diego is also a gorgeous city with perfect weather, more beautiful beaches, and plenty to do. Up the coast Ventura and Santa Barbara each have their own unique qualities. California has a high cost of living and a car is a definite must. Preferably a newer car that you will feel safe and comfortable in because you'll be spending plenty of time in it. Stuff here is SPREAD OUT but not only that, there is so much to do in Southern CA that you'll want to see it all. I wouldn't limit yourself to one area when looking for an apartment. Santa Monica is gorgeous but can be through-the-roof expensive for what you get so you really need to think about what is important for you to spend your money on. And do NOT rent anything before you've been there in person. Also the hospitals here vary quite in bit in terms of quality and whether it's a place you'd want to work. So I'd do my research on that as well. Good Luck to you!

The tales of frustration with CA BRN are legendary! I endorsed to CA from another US state. When I needed to get through to them on the phone I called RIGHT away when they opened and just called and called until I got through. A few times I had to be a little more "assertive" than I may normally be but I eventually got all the answers I needed. I seemed to have better luck when I would ask for peoples' names again (this works not just with the CA BRN but all customer service folks)- it seems like if you get their name they know that you could possibly report them to a supervisor and that you are taking notes about what they tell you. If all else fails you could go to Sacramento! Good luck, I know they can be really frustrating.

I also wanted to add that you can apply for your original licensure to be in CA even if you went to school in another state. However, CA will need to receive and evaluate your transcripts before even issuing your ATT which is needed to schedule your NCLEX. A classmate of mine chose to go this route instead of endorsement like I did and it ended up taking her about 2 months longer to get permanently registered in CA.

Just to throw in my two cents about the quest for CA licensure. I graduated in a different state and had a job set to start in CA less than 3 months after graduation (2 months after NCLEX). I sought licensure in my "home" state (the state where I went to school) and then endorsed to CA. I passed my NCLEX in the beginning of June and had my permanent CA license (not just my temporary) before July was over. I was very particular about having all paperwork filled out exactly, I got my transcripts sent quickly, and had my fingerprints done on cards, NOT the livescan method. I also called the BRN BEFORE sending everything in just to make sure I had everything exactly as they needed it. I know firsthand that the CA BRN website can be a pain to navigate and calling them can be even more of a pain (and sometimes if you call them you will hear multiple, different answers). But stick with it. Make sure everything is in order and you'll get it done. Oh and just a tip- if you call the BRN early in the day, right after they open, it's MUCH easier to speak with someone in person. Wait until midmorning or later and you'll never get through. Good luck guys!

Hello all! I am an RN in Southern California, USA. I have been a nurse for a year and working in pediatric acute care the entire time. I have been hoping to move out of the county for a few years now and at this time am hoping to live and work in NZ. I have a few questions about moving and working in NZ and was hoping for more information from anyone who might know. My questions more specifically are -Is it best to work with a recruitment company to get a job? -What are some of the recruitment companies that I could go through? -Is it possible to start working with one of these companies with just one year of formal nursing experience? -Is it possible to find work without working with a recruitment company? -When can I do to prepare for work in NZ and how is it different than nursing in the US? Any information or assistance you could offer would be greatly greatly appreciated! Thank you, fellow nurses!

Take a break. Even if you feel like you can't, make yourself clear your head. Make yourself think about all the things you have accomplished. Just like you might do with psych. patient do a little reality orientation and point out to yourself all the things you have to be proud of. You will make it through this test! Picture RN after your name! Good Luck!

There is no way you will ever be able to know it all. And NCLEX isn't really about knowing it all either. It's about applying the nursing knowledge that you have gained in school. And you will be able to apply it. Trust yourself. Deep breath. It's almost over, good luck!

I graduated mid-may. The ATI that I did not study for said I had a 99% chance of passing NCLEX. I took it on June 9, had 75 questions and passed. I studied with that Kaplan book that you have. The test in the book I got 70% and the one on the CD I got 75%. I also completed Suzanne's first tip but didn't do the program because I didn't have the 45 days that are necessary. Even her first tip is incredibly helpful and I learned a TON. To study for the SATA I got a book called NCLEX-RN 250 New Format Questions. It wasn't the greatest book but it was ALL new format, which I really needed help with. Anyway, I'm glad I did because on my 75 question test I'm betting about 35 were SATA. Anyway, I am terrible at SATA, got a bunch of them and still passed! Try not to freak out too much- it is a big test but it is still just a test. The only power it has is the power you give it. You graduated from nursing school, you did your clinicals. You have all the knowledge you need and I know that reading Kaplan helped me to apply the knowledge I had to the crazy NCLEX questions. This phrase always helps me on tests: You know all the answers, it's the questions you haven't seen yet. Remember that, study as much as you can, take a deep breath and you can do it. And no matter what then you can tell yourself I did the best that I could in the time that I had. GOOD LUCK!!!

Wow- I'm off at work for a few days and TONS of people pass!! :ancong!: to all of you (there were so many I couldn't gather all the screen names though!) And of course there are plenty more still waiting to test or waiting on results! You guys will make it!! If you are waiting to test just be excited that it is almost over! Picture the word passed and practice signing your name with RN after it!! Keep it up June group!

According to Pearson Vue the people at the test center do not know your results. Even if they did it would be very unprofessional to release them there- especially to some people and not to others. I believe if they congratulate you it is for completing the test, not necessarily for passing.

During the exam TAKE A BREAK if you need it. The people at my testing center said you could take a break whenever you needed to just by raising your hand When I went to take I felt like I was going to throw up. :barf02:Actually I felt that way all day the day before and after while I was waiting for my results! Just remember that you've done the best you can, you've studied hard and you have the knowledge. You will get through this, this too shall pass. Good Luck to all people testing soon!

I don't know what the difference is between the old and new editions. I felt pretty well prepared but obviously nervous. The NCLEX is such a different sort of test! theresa1166-ATI is a program that my school had for us that was meant to prepare us for NCLEX through the whole program. We got books (that I never used, they weren't too helpful) and had to take a computerized exam for each class at the end of the semester. At the end of the program we needed to take a comprehensive test that predicted our ability to pass NCLEX. so that's, ATI.

I did the 2 practice tests in Kaplan's skinny strategy book. I got about 70% on the one in the book and then got 75% on the one on the CD. I also did Suzanne's first tip but not her whole program since I didn't have the necessary time. I went through Saunder's Comprehensive and did the test at the end of every chapter and if it was Before all of my studying ATI Predictor said I had a 99% chance of passing. I took NCLEX-RN on Monday and passed with 75 questions. Good Luck to you!

Congrats ICU 2008!!!:w00t: mellowyellow- good luck with the wait, try not to go crazy!!!:selfbonk: Because I'm sure I would!! Good Luck Fun2Care and anyone else testing this month!! Keep studying :crash_com and it WILL pay off!! Then it's time to celebrate!!:cheers: Keep your chin up and keep checking here, I know it helped me.

I think some states just post the passed results really fast! I'm sure glad I live in one of those states. And in MN they post on the BON if you passed before they even issue you a license so it's really fast! Good luck to all of you still waiting- I can't imagine it- 24 hours was long enough for me. And good luck to those of you about to take it- you already know all the answers, it's just the questions you have yet to find out!

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this thread! It came in handy on my NCLEX on Monday. I passed with 75 questions!!!:hpygrp: Good Luck guys and keep up the studying!!

I took my exam Monday morning. I did a final review on Sunday morning- lab values, some meds, some basic stuff, no questions though. Then I went out for lunch and had a beer and relaxed the rest of the day. I slept terribly that night but had been getting good sleep the rest of the week so I was ok. Took NCLEX-RN Monday at 8am and had 75 questions in about an hour and 15 minutes. I freaked out for 24 hours and found out this morning that I passed!!!! I think the best thing I did was just tons of positive self-talk the evening before and day of. Just tons of it!! It paid off and I'm an RN now!!!! Good Luck to you all!

everyone's test is completely different and tailored to the individual to give that person time to prove their competency. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it through the test and do your best to be positive while you wait. Good Luck!

I agree with gwafuh. Saunder's for content and Kaplan for questions. I did all the questions in the Saunder's comprehensive book and most of the ones on the CD that came with it. I also bought the Kaplan strategy book that comes with two practice tests and did those. Kaplan Q's are definitely closer to NCLEX but I didn't want to pay the money to access Kaplan's QBank. I studied 4-8 hours almost every day for 2 weeks. Went through Saunders and covered the chapters that I didn't know very well. I read Kaplan book once and did the test in the book. A week later I read it again and did the practice test on the CD. Passed yesterday with 75 Questions! Good Luck to you and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions!!

kelemet (and anyone else waiting on results) try to relax and treat yourself today! You made it up to and through the exam and it's out of your hands. I know it's a terrible wait but concentrate on the positive and treat yourself to some comfort food or something else like that. Good Luck to those still waiting!

I hope I didn't imply that rushing to retake was a good idea. People should take it in their own time when they feel they're confident and ready. I just hope that littlemiss1 won't give up!! In other news I found out this morning that I PASSED my NCLEX-RN with 75 Questions!!!!!!! hooray!!!! :dancgrp: Waiting for results was the worst though! I have a very healthy respect for those who have to wait for a letter. And a newfound respect for my dad who had to wait SIX MONTHS to get his bar exam results (that was a long time ago!) Anyway :ancong!: to everyone in June support group who has passed. Also Congrats to those of you who took it regardless of result- we've come a LONG WAY!! And you will get over this hurdle. We're all here for you, we know what a bear the NCLEX can be :sasq:and we're all pulling for you!:icon_hug: Good Luck to everyone! You can do this!

littlemiss1, I'm so sorry you didn't hear the good news that you had so hoped for. My advice for you is this: take a while to cry it out. Just at home somewhere find a spot where you're comfortable and let yourself just lose it. Hitting pillows, yelling, sobbing. Make it really cathartic. But after a while make yourself regain control. And say to yourself all those good things you know about you. You know that you made it this far- through nursing school and you probably have a lot of other accomplishments in your life and wonderful things about your personality. And this beast of an exam cannot take those things away. It can't take away the love or respect that your friends and family have for you. It can't change who you are. It can't change who you're going to be because you WILL pass, you will get over this hurdle and then it'll just be a bad memory! Take a deep breath and think about all those things, think about the things about you that are still wonderful because of this test. Yes, it is a big exam and it can mess up employment plans and make people doubt themselves. But it is just an exam. Most of the power it has is the power we give it. By stressing out about it so endlessly and by letting it control our lives and emotions. So try your best to not think about it for a while. Enough so you can eat and sleep again because if you don't do that you can't make any progress. And then one day look over your weak areas, make a study plan, set a date and take this test again with success on your mind! You are so close! Please don't give up though. Because you will be a great nurse, you probably already ARE a great nurse. Don't give up, take it again. Because "you only hit what you aim at and you miss all the shots you don't take." Sorry for such a long post, hope it helps though. I'm currently waiting on my results...took NCLEX-RN yesterday and this has been the LONGEST 24 hours imaginable....argh.