jlan79

I kind of agree. I felt like the questions I was getting were so completely random, some obscure or uncommon conditions that I never even studied. I felt like I was making educated guesses on every single question. The only one I was sure of was the one dosage calc I had. When my screen shut off at 75 questions I was sure I failed because I kept alternating between SATA type questions and more basic questions about signs and symptoms of something I've never even heard of (but that I assumed would not be passing level questions). I ended up passing the test and I have no idea how. I feel like I just went with my gut most of the time. I used Kaplan exclusively (my school paid for the live course and I did all the qbanks). I honestly barely used anything I learned. I was able to use the decision tree on exactly one question.

I'm looking to go into ED nursing and I was wondering what is the typical nurse to patient ratio on a relatively busy day. The program I interviewed for mentioned 7-8 patients and I thought it was a lot, especially in ED. Is that a lot? Or am I being unrealistic?

When Pearsonvue says to wait 48 hours, does that mean exactly that? On the dot? And does it mean 48 hrs from the time you start or from the time you finish? If my test was at 2pm, the results should also be posted at 2pm? Ugh, I just want to know already!

This is exactly how I felt and exactly what my test consisted of. I got the good pop-up and I was shocked because I totally thought I failed. Will find out for sure tomorrow.

I was in your shoes a few days ago and was feeling very nervous too (the day before was the worst!) That said, when I saw the first question it was as if I didn't study anything. I felt like most of my test was either on meds/conditions/procedures I never even heard or or on those that I heard about but that were so random and not common that I never even focused on them while studying. I was on the verge of tears the whole exam because I knew I would fail. My test ended at 75 questions and I did my PVT as soon as I left the building (so about 5 min after the test). I made sure the status said "delivery successful" and I got the good pop-up! I was shocked! I did it again an hour later and then a few hours later and got the same result. So I guess as long as it says "delivery successful" you can check. Good luck! I'm getting my quick-results tomorrow and I'm hoping that the PVT works and I passed.

My school paid for Kaplan, so that's what I did. I went through all the questions and sample tests, I studied the Kaplan book as well. I feel like so much of my test was on stuff I never even saw before, or stuff I wasn't focusing on that I am not even sure if all that studying made any difference. I'm still semi-nervous until I get my quick results on thursday. Still can't believe I might have passed.

So I took the test today and I honestly felt like it was the hardest test I've ever taken. I did Kaplan and did well on it and NCLEX seemed MUCH harder! I was asked about stuff I never even heard about! I had maybe 20 SATA, a dozen priority/delegation, 1 dosage calc, 1 picture, 1 putting steps in order, and 1 chart review. I honestly thought I was failing as the test went on! I wasn't confident on any single question! I felt on the verge of crying all through the test. And I'm an honors student and a good test taker too! I was praying that it wouldn't kick me off and fail me at 75 questions and what do you know? At 75 questions the screen went blue! Omg, I was shaking all the way out. I did the PVT as soon as I got outside (the status said "delivery successful"), and got the good pop-up! I couldn't believe it! I went home and did it again and got the same thing! OMG!!!!!!!!!! I won't rest easy for another 48 hours, but I can't believe it!

Congrats!!! How long did you wait to do the PVT?

Good luck! Sounds like we're testing at the same time. I'm trying my best to stay calm, but I feel like so much is riding on this! I have a dream job opportunity that rests on me passing, so it's not like I can just re-take the test. I feel like I would have been a lot more calm otherwise. I hope we'll be both posting our good PVT pop-ups tonight :-)

Wow, I wouldn't be able to wait like that, I'd need to know ASAP. The anxiety is killing me already.

Did you try the PVT?

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm taking it tomorrow and I'm trying to calm myself down right now (unsuccessfully). I studied consistently for a month, did all the Kaplan Qbank and question trainers, and I feel like I can't really study that much more. Not to mention that all the anxiety makes it pretty impossible for me to retain any more info. So I'm officially not studying anymore, just taking deep breaths until tomorrow. I wish I had a morning appointment so I wouldn't be freaking out again, but I go at 2pm. I know logically I should pass (honors student, did well on Kaplan QTs), but I swear I've never been this nervous in my life!

I am testing tomorrow too! I'm so freaked out! I got a 65 on QT6 and a 69 on QT7. I am hoping that this is enough. I'm going to go over some last minute things today and then nothing tomorrow (I'm testing at 2pm). Will just try my best to relax and just do it. Good luck1

Yes, they are higher order questions according to my Kaplan instructor. So you do want them, but I know I hate seeing them when they come up.

I am taking it on Tuesday too and I'm so nervous! I feel like I can't study any more, but at the same time there's so much left to study! I'm so iffy on meds, but I just can't learn them any more. I did the Kaplan course and all the qbank questions, all their sample tests, etc. I scored well enough, so I should statistically pass, but I'm still a ball of nerves. I'm the first of my friends to take the NCLEX. My strategy is to relax the day of the exam (mine is at 2pm and I told myself that I will do no more studying that morning). Then I'll just go in, take a few deep breaths and take my time with the questions. I'm generally a fast test taker, so I have to pace myself. I am really hoping to be done in 75 questions, but who knows.... Good luck to us both and post back with your results! Are you doing the PVT?

Canny, if you want to email me directly, I'm at [email protected]

Canny, I actually got your PM! I don't know how much info we should be exchanging here, but I followed up and was told that all the info got sent to hiring managers, so no decision has been made yet. I thought HR selected those they liked in the first round....perhaps not. I guess I just have to wait :-/ Do you have the date for your NCLEX yet? I'm still waiting for my permission to test, hoping for some time in early July.

How in-depth was the physical and head to toe? Did you have to demonstrate anything? Thanks

Yes, that's without room and board

It's about $22k per semester x 4 semesters

I'm a new nursing grad and never considered emergency nursing until I volunteered for NYC marathon and I absolutely loved the experience. The fast pace, the chaos of patients just pouring in and needing assessment, triage, etc. I honestly felt "alive" in that atmosphere, so now I wonder if perhaps ED nursing is for me. I always wanted to go into critical care nursing, so now I want to consider ED as well. I wonder if the wonderful ED nurses here can tell me the good and the bad things about their jobs. In addition, what career path can you lead in the ED? I definitely want to go for MSN and DNP later on. How transferable are ED skills?

I searched the site and saw that many interviews will ask the head to toe question. For those who had that asked, how detailed did you have to be? Did you just verbally went over what you would do? I know in nursing school, our very first semester we did a head to toe that was super thorough (all pulses, reflex checks, etc). I'm assuming this is not practical in all cases because that has never been done since in any of my clinicals. When they ask you, should you just go over the vitals, PERLA, heart and lung sounds, abdomen palpation, skin check, and extremities? Thanks

As a new nurse grad I should be lucky to get ANY job, but I'm just asking in general - if you were interested in both, emergency and critical care, which would you want to go into? What's your rationale? Which will be harder to do, more stressful? Which has better future career prospects? Thanks

Yes, you will need a physical and blood test for NYU and I'm guessing for any other nursing program.