KeithT66

I graduated CHSON in June of this year. It is an excellent school. In 2009 they were given a "school of excellence" award by the NLN. Its hard...really hard but everyone passed the NCLEX on the first try from our class. I was able to work full time and go to school in the evenings for the 1st 3 semesters but took the last one off from work as I didnt want to take any chances of not passing. I passed by 0.2% - but I passed. Go for it - I loved it. Good luck!

This is what I thought help me. I got the Feurer audio CDs and all the material that went with it. Honestly I listened to the CDs wherever I went. Even dug out the old walkman to put them in. I'm sure they could be downloaded into ipod but I didnt have the patience. Also did the NCLEX 4000 but did it in study mode. That way if I got something wrong then I could read it right then and there instead of waiting till the end of the "test" and go back and review. I also found this website to be a great help http://www.exammaster2.com/wdsentry/utmbrn.htm someone else had put in on here and I followed their advice when preping for the NCLEX. Good luck. Try and relax and remember to eliminate the answers that you know are wrong when you take the exam - then you at least have a 50/50 chance of guessing at the remaining ones in case you dont know it.

The trick worked for me. 2 days exactly after the NCLEX I got my quick results and today am finally an RN. I learn best auditorily so I bought the Feurer Nursing Review CDs and listened to them - they are great. Also I did hundreds if not thousands of questions in the study mode so you know immediately if you got it right or wrong and then read the rationale. Then I would go back and take the same questions in test mode. I got 5 math questions on my exam. Critical Care math. I think I got so many because I likely got the first few wrong. Math is not my thing - so study your math. A few things on there I had never heard of before - drugs a couple of diseases etc...the best thing I did was I went in there with the idea that I was going to relax and I was and I just told myself if I dont pass then I can just take it again. Passed on the first time. Also - eliminate the wrong answers immediately and then choose your answer. For those of you waiting for results good luck. For those who didnt pass the first time - dont get discouraged - just take it again.

Took the test this morning and got the 'Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Please contact your Member Board for further assistance. Another registration cannot be made at this time." God I hope that means I passed. 93 questions - 2.5 hours. Pretty much the same type of stuff everyone else here says. I did thousands of questions in "Study Mode" on the on-line stuff and the NCLEX 4000 book. God I hope this works! I cant wait for a time that I can just simply relax on a weekend and not think about anything except what I'm having for lunch.

It can totally be done. Although I have no kids - I do work a full time career already and I went back at 40 years old and graduated this past June at 43. As others have said - the house just stays a little less clean sometimes. I did it and still managed a Friday night out once in while. Many others in my class worked full time, had a spouse and kids at home and still finished school and graduated. Its hard - dont get me wrong - but most definately you can do it. Take all the pre-reqs first so you can get into the swing of going to class and juggling a schedule. Those are the easy classes. Remember you just have to pass you dont have to have straight A's in nursing school. That was a tough one for me to deal with. You can do it. Good luck!

You will be fine and you will look back at what you thought were some of the toughest times in your life and think "wow that was so much fun." I graduated in June this year and still waiting to take the NCLEX and believe it or not I miss class, the people there and the hospital. I worked full time and went to school and clinicals at night. Dont get me wrong - its hard. I was one of the folks who barely passed. Keep in mind anything less than 80% is failing. Thank god for tenths of points is all I have to say. You are going to do great. The time will fly by and 2 years from now you will be handed that diploma and you will feel awesome. You just have to give up this time now. Study everything they tell you to but dont forget to laugh and have fun. Good luck you are going to be great. I still cannot believe I did it and I'm 44.

Many of the above are true. Remember this is NOT high school. You are paying for your education now. My best advice would be make sure you do the reading. I just graduated but BARELY. I worked full time on top of it so I can cut my self some slack. Bottom line is I passed. My biggest mistake was not reading the chapters. When you are on the floor do what ever you can. Even if you are in your 2nd year tell the nurses and the UAPs you will help with what ever they want you to. I did and it seemed to earn their respect - then when there was something like a foley or other procedure - they would come get me to either observe or participate. They are also quicker to help you with questions or things like that. Lastly - there is always one person in the class who thinks they know it all or want to tell their personal stories. If the professor doesnt squash it early - it will continue. If you have to interupt so that you can get your question answered. DONT be afraid to ask. These classes are nothing like the college pre-reqs you took - NOTHING - They are brutal. Start studying your lab values now and memorize them. If you dont its going to come back to haunt you. There are soooo many questions on exams that you can only answer if you know your labs. Do math questions through out the semester not just at the beginnng and never touch them again. If you dont practice - you will forget or find them difficult when they come up. And good luck - not all of you new folks will make it. We lost half of our class by the end of the 2 years. YOU CAN DO IT - but you have to sacrifice a lot of your personal life.

Congratulations! Some advice from a 2nd year student. DONT FALL BEHIND IN THE READING. I did and it was always anxiety producing trying to catch up. I made it through the first year - got a B both semesters and worked full time so it can be done. Classes are more interesting if you can participate in the lecture and if you havent done the reading you just have to listen. You will be way more confident in class when you know whats going on. The math was beyond scary for me as I havent had to "solve for x" in over 25 years but its easy once you know what you're doing. Good luck - you'll do great and love it. I did.

Thanks everyone. I dont feel so "on the ledge" anymore. I have to keep remembering why I went back to school to become a nurse in the first place. I miss caring for people. 5 days a week in a cubicle is just not for me and I want to walk out of every test knowing I did well having had the time to study and not just wonder how I did. I will hve my sit down with administration tomorrow. Wish me luck.

I hear you - same thing here. I think its not so much the blues but anxiety in general. Everyone says 3 and 4 are the hardest and I work full time. My big dilema now is do I keep working or use my savings to get through the next year. I know I have to drag myself out of this place I am at - very slightly depressed too - I feel for you but its only 2 semesters. For me I am really just tired and cant imagine having to do this again. I will think of you. Good luck - we'll be fine.

Wow - I'm not sure if I just kept searching for a conversation like this until I found it or it was the sign I was looking for. I have been with the same company for 19 years working many of them hands on running group homes for developmentally disabled adults and for the past 8 of them training staff and management. I work m-f for the most part and make a pretty decent salary. I am heading into the 3rd semester of nursing school and I must admit I am petrified at the idea of working full time and going to school like i did last year. I passed but the last semester just barely. My school requires 78 passing and I walked out with an 82 for my last semester. I am 43 and will be done with school next May and god willing take and pass the nclex and start working. I am so afraid to quit my job but I have enough saved to get me through the next year. I still feel sick to my stomach at the thought as I would need to give 4 weeks notice this week. HOw is it going for you?

I realize in this economy etc... that the idea of quitting job with a company you have been with 19 years sounds foolish. I am sick to my stomach at trying to handle a full time career and finish up the last year of nursing school. Talk about a decision. Right now I have enough money saved to take a year off and complete the last 2 semesters and then prep for nclex etc... Help here - not sure what to do. Last year was hard enough with 1 and 2, my work suffered and I heard about it. I know people do it but I am so afraid of failing and having to repeat everything all over again. Suggestions? Thoughts?

I guess maybe its paranoia but need some real life advice. I am completing the college pre-reqs this spring and have been accepted at a nursing school starting in the fall. The course catelog description for Nursing I says 1 night 5-9 and 2 other nights 5-midnight. This is all well and good but I am terrified its going to be more than that. Right now I have a 3.8 GPA and have been able to work full time while doing this. Anyone else out there work FT and do the nursing school at the same time? I guess I am just looking for some encouragement. I know I can do it. Does the schedule sound accurate? Thanks