CandyGyrl

Hi, I have been an RN since 2009. I started off on a Neuro step progressive care unit and did that for 3 years, then started working at another hospital on the Nursing Resource team aka Float pool. The upside they hired with FT benefits and a competitive flex bonus. I initially took the position as a short cut to helping me decide what unit I would like to make my home-- Cardiac, Oncology, Labor/Del I was ready to find my niche. I also needed more flexibility with my hours and shifts and usually when you work in the flex pool you can make (not suggest) your own schedule. I knew I eventually wanted to work ICU but wasn't sure if I wanted Medical, Surgical or Neuro. Anyways after doing that for 2 years-- I think I came to understand that the hospital life and hours weren't for me. I hated working weekends although it was only 1 a month. I hated working holidays-- the day before or the day after. NO MATTER WHICH ONE. If I worked days-- I couldn't get my kids off to school in the morning or pick them up on the days I worked which sucked. Nights allowed me greater flexibility with my day and I could at least pick them up after school and not have to worry about snow days 1/2 days etc BUUUT because they are really active I could not always make it to games, recitals, and family functions etc. Switching schedules can be a pain and it was getting old. I had a friend who had taken a position as a case mgr for a major insurance co in our area. In 6 months she was working from home. No weekends no holidays. They offered flex time, she was available to her kids to get them off to school in the am and pick them up in the afternoons. She was usually done by 4 or 5 and when she was off guess what-- her house was clean, laundry done and dinner cooked. She scheduled her clients around her day. When her husband got home from work she could pretty much take off and go to the gym, meet up with friends and was never tired. I realized at that moment what was important to me. So I followed suit. I am a Certified case manager. I love my job. I don't work from home-- our site does not offer but I could easily transfer if I really wanted to. I like coming into the office it's really laid back. I love the people I work with. We dress casually and can wear jeans everyday-- but in a casual Friday way. They will allow us to wear spirit wear if our local teams are having a big game, and we have company t shirts that we can wear to support our company goals and initiatives. I provide telephonic case mgmt. to Oncology patients. We have an expectation of having 50 active cases but it's a difficult mark to hit and not many people do or can maintain that. We come close and always hit our department goals. Yes it can be boring but in a very relaxed way. For example I schedule myself to call 8 members a day. I may only reach 3 of them. I may pull some members from another day and see if I can reach them. If not, I'll just use that time to organize my calendar, check emails, go for a walk, whatever-- trust me I'm never short of things to do. They are always doing fun things like health and wellness challenges, they bring exercise to you-- I'll be taking hustle and line dance every Thursday after work. They also offer Cardio kick and tone as well as Zumba. For a dept meeting they treated us to an afternoon at the apple orchard filled with fun activities and free cider and donuts. They let us leave around 3 so we wouldn't get stuck in traffic. I feel more valued as an employee and ADULT than the hospital ever made me feel. For nurses week they spoil us! I won't even start. We get yearly bonuses and merit raises. I could go on and on but I won't. I will be taking my OCN in 2017 and they are allowing me days off for my review class, reimbursing me for it and the OCN. Once I get my OCN I am considering transferring to Utilization review just to see another side of things however case mgmt. was a nice transition from the hospital setting. I still interact with patients, provide teaching, education, resources, care coordination and ongoing follow up. And besides with my CCM I can always go back to the hospital as a case mgr if I choose to. However-- Once I get my Utilization experience I will apply for contingent positions in utilization review and pick up a couple days a month. In the meanwhile-- living the dream... Its not all roses there are things I don't agree with but the benefits outweigh ANYTHING I experienced working as a staff nurse. I don't miss it... Now I would go back to the hospital but I wouldn't work there full time again.

Hi everyone! I'm sorry for the terrible response time... if anyone wants to contact me directly [email protected] otherwise I pop in and out of here when I can. It seems like more of a support site for Nursing students. I should know... Anyways the jobs have been great. Both are wonderful companies to work for. HOM is top notch. A nurses dream. I would love to go back! The flexibility and work environment -- unbelievable. Beaumont is also nice. It's an altogether different beast working for a big hospital though so it all depends on what suits you and your life. I hope things are going well for everyone who are pursuing nursing careers and employment. Lots of changes evolving with the health care reform... Hold on to your seat!

They called yesterday. I GOT THE JOB!!! so I'm doing a happy dance :) God has been good to me! Through Christ Jesus he has been giving me strength, courage, favor and wisdom throughout it all. Not me alone. I know some of you are going through this same process. Stay encouraged and persistant. It may take awhile but will payoff in the end. Please share your journey. Your hunt, interviews, follow ups, waiting period successes or defeats etc. You never know who you might help!

Hi porkey,It's interesting you put it that way that makes me smile :) Thank you. But honestly I wasn't feeling all that successful. It's important to stay persistent and don't give up. You fail, you get rejected get back up. Get back in the ring! It's easier said than done but hang in there and things will eventually work out in your favor.I'm still waiting to hear back from the hospitals. Beaumont called earlier today... False alarm they needed the number for one of my previous employers. They are doing a reference check sooo that's a good sign. I didn't hear back from them so I've been worried all day. The waiting game is torture. Now its going into the weekend and I will have to wait yet again (tapping my feet). But I'll try and take my mind off of it and maybe enjoy the woodward dream cruise and spend some time with my family.

TiffanyRN,Yes the pay is good but it is contingent so it is typical that you would receive higher pay due to no benefits. It's funny you should mention the admissions coordinator because I applied for that as well. (nice sign on bonus) they asked if I was still interested but I said that was ok because the office I was interviewing with did not manage that position and I did not want to ruin the bird in the hand vs the 2 in the bush :) Try to apply again, the position I think is still available. Email me I'll gladly share interview tips with you!Thanks CrunchRN, it was far more difficult than I could have ever expected. So I know if its a struggle for me... Many others must be having similar experiences. That's why I feel it would be nice to have somewhat of a support system to share our stories, vent, encourage and provide tips if possible.Despareux, I know exactly what you mean. I've spent countless hours working on resumes and cover letters, searching for jobs, applying, really trying to connect... I had nothing and with 2 children I really needed some income. So tough is putting it nicely. Good luck!

So... I mentioned that I went on an interview Friday with hospice of Michigan. They called me yesterday... I got the job! It is a contingent assignment that will allow for me to work two 8 hour shifts every 2 weeks and 2 weekend days a month. This will be my "Christmas money" job. I interviewed with Beaumont yesterday, it went really well. The unit manager stated afterward... "I have to say, you really impressed me". She went on to say that she thinks I am just a good human being in general and that I am in my calling. That made me feel really good and gave me the confirmation I needed. So I'm waiting to hear back...Still have an interview on Thursday with St Johns Providence. We'll see how that goes :)

Ok so I'll start... I'm an RN with 3 years experience. I've been working in the hospital and it was pretty nice. I had to resign recently for family/personal reasons. I'm utilizing the summer to aggresively pursue new career opportunities as I now have to wait 6mos for rehire into the system. Boy was that a mistake... I thought I would work through a few agencies over the summer just to bring a paycheck into the house and free up my time while I job hunt and interview. But nobody seems to have needs unless youre an ER nurse. So I've been applying everywhere. Many hospitals are overlooking ADN nurses now because there are many, many BSN prepared nurses now and so you know the rest. So I spend many hours at career centers polishing over my resumes, my cover letters, my thank you notes, updating my references. Requesting letters of recommendation from colleagues and physicians I've worked with. Hours combing through job search sites such as monster, indeed, and michigan works. Sending resumes to every health system in MI. They say when you don't have a job, you should make your job looking for a job. I've been going onto corporate web sites applying. If there is something I am really interested in, after appying online I go to the hospital professionally dressed, visit the unit, try to meet a few of the staff members, the manager, give him/her a copy of my resume and cover letter specific for that position and if their not in the office, I leave it anyways and have one of the staff members that I connected with get me the managers business card so that I can follow up with a call and email. I started going on linkedin networking (just started that) and this is pretty much my life any rejection emails I receive I always take note of the nursing recruiters name and phone number or if the system itself has a number for nursing recruitment I make sure I call just to make a contact or connection. I have recently enrolled in a RN to BSN program. I realize that this is quite necessary in such a competitive market. I will go on until I get my Doctorate. Nursing schools were competitive and when I started people were beginning to complain about waiting lists etc. I never had that issue. When I finished people were complaining of not getting jobs... Again, I never had that issue. I'm starting to feel the backlash of the market itself, I thought it was really only effecting the new grads. WRONG!!! A nurse educator told me that the health care industry is feeling the effects most other industries felt after 9/11. It just took longer for us to get hit. Now most other industries are recovering and we are starting to have issues with employment. Oookaay back to topic! I have gone on 4 interviews with DMC, Beaumont, St johns and Hospice of Michigan. I did not get the DMC or Beaumont positions instead I rec'd a generic Email "we have decided to go with another candidate whose qualifications better fit our needs". I followed up with the nursing recruiters to thank them for their response and suggestions on improvements. No responses. I am waiting on an answer from st johns as I did follow up with the unit manager with a thank you note and recruitment regarding my status 1 week following the interview. I received 2 calls from them. Was I excited both times as I thought "this is it" Both calls were to schedule interviews for another unit next week. Still no status regarding the previous one. Interviewed with hospice of Michigan yesterday for a contingent position so I am waiting to hear back from them. I have another interview scheduled with Beaumont next week so I'm going to give it my all! I have reheorificed interview questions until I'm blue in the face. I record myself to make sure I am poised and fluid, that I sound friendly, and confident. I even had my aunts best friend who conducts seminars on job/career transitioning conduct a mock interview. After the 4th question she stopped me and said there is no need to continue, you interview well. You know what to say, you deliver your thoughts beautifully and you really draw in the listener. You look great, well dressed not too overstated just the right touch. She told me to just hang in there my job will come, the one that is right for ME. I recently accepted a position in a SNF. I am eternally grateful because I need an income and this place which is actually pretty nice hired me without blinking an eye! My friend who works there told me to apply and she said she would tell HR about me. This place gave me a chance when no one else would. I just started orientation but I am still looking. I really want to work in the hospital, I know many of them don't consider or respect SNF experience. I don't want to hurt my friends feelings or reputation by leaving. If I am offered a job in the hospital in the near future... I will take it. I have to do what's best for my career but I feel so guilty. So anyways... I got the job!

Ok so I'll start... I'm an RN with 3 years experience. I'be been working in the hospital and it was pretty nice. I had to resign recently for family/personal reasons. I'm utilizing the summer to aggresively pursue new career opportunities as I now have to wait 6mos for rehire into the system. Boy was that a mistake... I thought I would work through a few agencies over the summer just to bring a paycheck into the house and free up my time while I job hunt and interview. But nobody seems to have needs unless youre an ER nurse. So I've applied to everywhere. Many hospitals are overlooking AND nurses now because there are many BSN prepared nurses now and so you know the rest. So I spend many hours at career centers polishing over my resumes, my cover letters, my thank you notes, updating and references. Requesting letters of recommendation from colleagues and physicians I've worked with. Hours combing through job search sites such as monster, indeed, and michigan works. Sending resumes to every health system in MI. Going onto corporate web sites applying. If it is something I am really interested in, after appying online I go to the hospital professionally dressed, visit the unit, try to meet a few staff members, the manager, give him/her a copy of my resume and cover letter if their not in, leave it anyways and have one of the staff members that I connected with get me his/her business card so that I can follow up with a call and email. Going on linkedin networking (just started that) and this is pretty much my life. I have recently enrolled in a RN to BSN program. I have gone on 4 interviews. DMC, beaumont, st johns and hospice of Michigan. I did not get the DMC or Beaumont positions rec'd a generic Email "we have decided to go with another candidate whose qualifications better fit our needs". I followed up with the nursing recruiters to thank them for their response and suggestions on improvements. No responses. I am waiting on an answer from st johns as I did follow up with the unit manager with a thank you note and recruitment regarding my status 1 week following the interview. I received 2 calls from them. Both to schedule interviews for another unit next week. Still no status regarding the previous one. Interviewed with hospice of Michigan yesterday for a contingent position so I am waiting to hear back from them. I have another interview with Beaumont next week

Hi everyone, I realize these are tough times for new grad or experienced nurses... Especially for us Michiganders. I'm currently on the hunt for an RN position just like many of you. If you landed an interview, do share... Tell us how it went, was the recruiter and or unit mgr nice? What was your toughest interview question? Vent about the waiting game (defined as the time of interview to time of notification of job status). Finally did you get the job if so share your success! Let's support one another:)

A BSN is a necessity these days so make your choice according to how well it fits your life. But as far as reputation employers regard UDM highly.

My Scorpio intuition tells me that it was 50/50. The compliment was a vehicle to open up the door for a longer conversation which he did get. Like 20-25 min that I don't have time for. You know how easy it is to get behind as it is but I didn't want to be rude and I was sort of flattered. Then here comes the unofficial job offer. Well part of me felt like maybe this is my opportunity to switch gears and the other part of me felt like whats the real underlying motives. Its not that I think I'm that hot, I don't. It's just i know how men act when they are attracted to you. I felt that the comp was just a bit over the top for the acts that warranted it. But hey, thats just me. For now I'll assume innocence. Thanks for the replies.

I really love my hospital, patients and family members are so impressed when they are admitted or come to visit so it takes a little of the edge off of their whole "hospitalization experience" which in turn helps me out a little. Well lately, I really have been dreading my patients and their family members and how they think they are the only ones in the whole hospital! I'm so sick of it. I'm doing my best to bend over backwards and update my patients and try to give them a sense of ease by discussing what will be happening with them for the most part throughout my shift like --you'll get your am meds around 930 or I'll be removing your foley around noon or you have to go for an xray although I'm not sure what time right now, I'll try to find out something and let you know blah blah blah. Its never enough and I'm so sick of it. So I've been thinking it may be time for me to switch gears but I don't know how or where or even if I should. So one day I come in and I'm told I'm being pulled to another unit. I'm 6mos an RN yesterday (yay) and have not ever been pulled before because we are ALWAYS short. So I see one of the Hospitalists and I was caring for one of his patients and he complimented me saying "I really like the way you handle your patients, I mean you're really good with them... seriously, I'm impressed." So I'm all like o.k thanks, I'll take it when I can get it because thanks is not always easy to come by so thank you. He then goes on and on like you're really incredible the way you talk to them and are patient with them, like he hasn't been a physician for 15 years and has never seen a decent nurse care for a patient. So then he goes on to ask if I liked working on my floor and would I consider another med surge arena and that I should consider working on the 1st floor which is our Oncology unit. He says that he was just appointed the medical director and that all I would have to do is say the words and he'd speak to the nursing manager down there and get me in. Now, I do want to change things up a bit. I really liked the compliment. But I am married, and I don't want to walk into a trap like-- now since I got you in, we should do lunch and what not. He's very nice and all but am I wrong to feel like this? I may be making too much of it. I mean, I'm a big girl I can say no. I just don't want to be put in an awkward position.

Thanks you guys, I am just so frustrated beyond understanding. I mean I try to go over and beyond for my patients, thats what I came into this profession for. Sometimes I find myself so busy, I have not checked on patients (maybe 1 or 2) for hours and although they're ok when I finally do check in on them, I guess that just was not what I'd signed up for. There's plenty more I could go into but I guess thats nursing. I want to get better. I feel like such a failure right now. If I'm so focused on things such as tasks tasks tasks, and covering my butt, when do I start to look at the entire picture. When does that happen? Thanks for the suggestions, and please keep them coming.

I don't even know if I'm a "new grad" anymore. I graduated in August 09, finished orientation in Jan 10 ANYWAYS... I mean I don't even have the energy to type this right now thats how zapped I am. I feel like I'm drowning everyday in my own whirlwind of work. Its just so overwhelming for me and I think its just me and I just can't seem to "get it". I mean some days I've got it! But some days I come in and I'm being pulled 10 ways to Sunday and I cant seem to manage it. I've tried report sheets with boxes for times that I have to do things. I've tried writing a list of things to do from the time I come in until hand off, I've tried using a stopwatch to time myself but it seems like EVERYTIME I go into a patients room to do an assessment and pass meds, it cannot be a 5-8 minute ordeal. It ends up being a 28 minute ordeal because "oh sweetie do you mind, since you're in here I have to go to the bathroom". I don't want to be rude, go and get the nurse asst. who is going around doing their morning vitals, blood sugars, labs, etc. Ok so I help them back into bed, and because our hospital is somewhat like a hotel we have room service food delivery so food must be called in and ordered. "Can you help me call my breakfast order, I'm not sure what to get" all I want to do is pass my meds between the hours of 0900 and 1000. As if this is not enough I can't seem to get all of my assessments charted because I'm constantly being interrupted by the phones, the Nursing assistants and the patients families who all need me so desperately, I have to deal with those matters, catch up with the MD's, the PA's and the NP's as they Zip quietly in and out of pts rooms never to be seen again for the rest of the day JUST so that I'll have an update on the POC for the patient when they or their families ask ''so whats going on"? Or at least pass along to the next shift. To make matters worse this goes on nonstop and the next thing I know its 1500 and I have not charted an assessment, a careplan, I'm running around like a chicken with its neck cut off, I now have 10 patients because 1 nurse had sense enough to say I'm going to lunch. I DON'T take a lunch. I may pee, I may take a couple sips of water I am always leaving an hour maybe an hour and a half later to make sure everything is done. I work dayshift. I have 2 kids and a husband. I got home last night at 9:45 pm and guess what I have to turn around and do it again the next day. Any suggestions?

Heres the thing. I work on a Med Surg Neuro floor with step down tele. Technically we should get mostly Neuro patients as if that isn't enough. But we get all the patients who require telemetry monitoring as well as a hodge podge of med surg overflo. No I don't have alot of healthcare experience. Other than school, I was an Nursing assistant for like 5 months on my floor before I started my Graduate Nursing job. My orientation was for about 12 weeks. I got shuffled between preceptors for the first 5 weeks because there were no available preceptors. Our unit had just hired 14 new nurses, 5 with previous nursing experience the rest of us were fresh out of school and had not taken NCLEX yet nurses. Because of the LUDICROSITY ( just made up the word) experienced nurses are heading for the hills at record speed leaving the midnight shift high and dry with a staff of 2 experienced nurses, no clinical coordinator or night manager and the rest... you guessed it BRAND NEW NURSES. :eek: So obviously there are nights where neither one of the two experienced nurses are there and one of "us" has to be in charge. Somebody has to do it. So it's not me huh? This is quite ridiculoso? UPDATE: I requested to go on dayshift:idea: I start next week. There are no new grads on days, I'm the first so I guess I will get my six months after all!

Anyone experience this? During the last week of my orientation I spent the last week orienting to charge nurse. I am now being told that in fact, I will be in charge soon. Although I have objected and asked for more time to adjust to being on my own, I'm coming up on my 1 month anniversary and its happening again. SO I will soon have to step up to the challenge sooner than I've anticipated. I know its not that big of a deal its just that I feel that I should be able to become comfortable as a brand new RN handling day to day nursing experiences without being bombarded with the expectation of being a clinical resource, night clerk and deal with staffing and admission issues while managing 5 patients all at the same time until I've been an RN for a MINIMUM of 6 months . Is this fair? Or am I being unreasonable?

I've been an RN since oh Nov 13, 2009 and I've quickly discovered RN is RN whether you are ADN or BSN. I've had fellow BSN's come to me and ask for help or advice because in all reality, we ARE on the same level period. We don't even have that option at our hospital. I personally have a ADN, I'm going back for my BSN so that I may apply for CRNA but irregardless of that I am an RN no matter what. I've not had any of my patients question me yet as to whether I am ADN or BSN. It is obviously important for you to proudly reflect the words BSN on your badge and if it makes you feel better then by all means proceed-- snotty or not.

Good luck to you! Just know scheduling is flexible once you're seasoned-- Part time

Depends on what you consider good money. Where you are now and where you'd like to see yourself may help you to determine what its worth to you. Would I like to make $350k+ a year YES! With hard work all things are possible but realistically, I live in Michigan, the economy is tough and I have a husband who's been laid off and 2 mouths to feed SOOOOO... lets get to the point. I am a new grad. I graduated in late August, landed a job during my last semester of school and began working as a intern in September passed my State boards in early November and Now I'm officially R.N. when I came on as a G.N my pay is the same as a New Grad R.N so it did not change once I became official. I'd make close to $40k a year working 36 hours a week if I worked no overtime or holidays (virtually impossible in nursing) With overtime and holidays maybe about maybe about $50k- $70k and this is just my first year. You will get annual raises as time goes on. Except right now hospitals are taking a big hit in this economy and alot of hospitals like mines aren't giving raises right now. In addition you can take a contingent position or work with an agency or home health care as a 2nd gig, after you get a little more experience in 6 mos - 1 year depending on how comfortable you feel. Some nurses I work with work full time one place and contingent (minimum of 40 hours a month) somewhere else and they make $70-$100K easily. There are also advanced nursing positions that hold higher salaries of say $90k-$175k which is where I'd eventually like to be. Just know that it is not without hard work, and trust me you earn every dime of it. But I now have a financial freedom that I've never had before and it may not be much money to some people but I feel like I do pretty O.K. I can hold down my household, pay bills, buy gas and groceries, treat myself and even put a little something away each check for a rainy day. The hard work was well worth it... (on my days off at least).

1) What type of setting do you perform nursing? Med/Surg Neurosciences 2) What type of nursing care do you perform - team nursing, primary nursing, or other? Team Nursing 3) How many patients do you care for usually per shift? 2-4 4) What is the maximum amount of patients do you care for? 5 and Thats our cut off! 4) What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? We have a great support team, other nurses will help out. I can talk to my manager, or clinical coordinator they're good for helping you to develop a solution to solve the problem so that you may do your job better. Also I vent to my mom who's also a RN and my nursing school buddies.

I'm new to Neuro and although I like the brain... I was looking for support and comradery with other neuro nurses. This forum has the least number of members, and it just doesn't look as if I'll get alot of feedback here. Did I chose the wrong floor? No one likes Neuro?

Thanks everyone... your kudos really means alot!

Hey guys congrats to all who have accomplished this task in which was no easy feat. And to those still aiming for victory it will soon be yours. I did not do Kaplan, although I really wanted to, I did not have the money. I wanted to do the Kaplan Qbank... I did not have the money. However, I did do Saunders Comprehensive (the blue book). I had this book since my first Med-Surg course in nursing school so its been my companion for quite some time. Although I thought that this (Saunders) would just not do, it did! The questions here were very much like the ones I answered on the NCLEX. I mainly did the CD-ROM at home which has a little over 4000 questions on it. The wonderful thing about it is that you can identify your weaknesses such as a particular content area (cardiovascular, renal, pediatrics) or nursing processes (assessment, planning, implementation, priority or pt teaching) or question level (application, analysis) and even alternate questions (select all that apply and order of process) (and answer questions that are based on your weaknesses. I did not have a lot of time to study. I'd already accepted an intern/Graduate Nurse position with my employer, and I was given 60 days to take and pass the NCLEX upon accepting the job. So I'd been busy with orientation, not to mention I had to and still am taking Critical Care classes with tests, and quizzes every week, on top of managing a household and a family, all grouped together with trying to study for boards. I'll be honest in saying I may have answered a total of 700-1000 questions maybe? And this was probably over a period of 3 weeks whereas I should have easily cleared 700 questions a week. I took the exam style questions each time I studied (100 question max) and I read throuh the rationales carefully each time I received my score at the end of each test. This took approx 2 hours per 100 questions. I'll admit I could have done better if I'd started studying more consistently when I got out of school answering at least 300-400 questions a week which only would have been 100 questions a day x 3-4 days a week. I technically had 11 weeks to prepare for this test and I only effectively utilized 3 out of 11 of these weeks to prepare for this exam. I answered 130 questions (not 75) I got 2 drug calculations questions, 1 or 2 pediatric questions, quite a few pharmacology questions maybe 12-15 (although fellow friends who'd taken it had bragged they'd only gotten between 2-6). I take it that was a weakness for me which is why I kept getting them. I got alot of priority, and pt teaching questions which seemed to make up the majority of my test, about 6 select all that apply and 3-4 psych questions. I got quite a bit of endocrine questions like 10-15 (Hypo-Hyper thyroidism, Hypo-Hyper parathyroidism, DKA, Diabetes) some Gastrointestinal 5-8 (dx procedures, cirrhosis, and pancreatitis) and a few questions that involved diet or interpreting lab values (3-5). I know everybodys test varies and is based on how the previous questions were answered but I hope this helps someone taking the test soon. There is no way to study for this test. Answer as many questions as you can, read the rationales, if you find that you keep getting questions incorrect in a particular area of content its ok to jot down notes of particular disorders or procedures so that you can refer back to the book during your down time to just read through some key points. But don't spend too much time going back to read. You learn by answering questions, even if you don't know the answer don't feel like Man I need to read about this, answer the question anyways because you will come across many questions on NCLEX that you don't know the answer to so get in the habit of making an educated guess. Make a cheat sheet along the way pertaining to lab values like your electrolytes, amylase and lipase, digoxin levels and troponins so when you've got some free time, you can just run through them and thats pretty much it! Try not to stress, relax while you are taking the test, take your time, take a break when its offered try deep breathing techniques, don't allow your head to get cluttered with thoughts like, if I fail, my family will be... if I fail my co-workers will... if I fail I'll be so.... RELEASE THOSE THOUGHTS, THINK POSITIVELY, STAY FOCUSED... If the test goes beyond 75 questions remember YOU ARE STILL IN THE GAME SO MAKE EVERY QUESTION COUNT! Good Luck!!!!!!

Thanks for the replies I really appreciate the feedback. @TurnLeftSide, I am highly considering U of D because of its partnership with HFH. I would apply now, for next year but I have yet to take my NCLEX. Although I love to plan ahead... I must focus on one thing at a time. Thanks, let me know how it goes for you.

@ Michigan Girl... My Sentiments exactly, thats why its almost unreal how quickly time flies!