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I've started in ICU about 8 weeks ago as a new grad with no more than nursing clinicals hospital experience. First 4 weeks I had only classes and a couple of hours in the afternoon on the floor. After the classes were over I moved to nights following my preceptor schedule. The preceptor started teaching me as if I do not know anything and I just loved it. Even I knew some of the things I was very glad to let him explain and review things with me. The night shift is somehow slower paced than the day shift, but the residents still do procedures. For whatever reason our patients were usually the sicker from the whole unit, and if they were not, they would definetely turn into one by the morning. Last week they gave me two patients (the full load for our ICU) with little help from the preceptor. No, he didn't plan to leave me alone, just thought that i am ready. I still have lots of questions, but also plenty of help from all the other nurses. Sometimes I literally feel my heard is tachycardic (maybe SVT's :) ). I am taking one shift at the time, but I do trust the support I have at work. I do not feel ready to end the orientation and be on my own, even if this is going to happen soon, but I know that starting directly in ICU wasn't a bad choice after all. I imagine that IMCU experience is different, so why not start with something you want to do from the beggining, and you will do fine.

I've seen that Kaiser Permanente from Pasadena, CA does not require GRE, but there may be more of them if you check AANA website Accredited Programs.

You should see some of the pts in ICU will SBP of 70 and MD says is acceptable in that pt case and will do nothing about it. QUOTE=JamiRN]Can anyone tell me what may possibly be going on with a patient of mine who's normal BP is around 110/70 110/78 but occasionally will have pain and readings go to 100/90. MD has no concern. No tests ordered. No current medications in use.

I graduated in May, got my RN license in June, and will be starting RN-BSN online at UNC Chapel Hill, NC in August. By the time I start school I will be finishing the orientation in ICU. Not that I will feel comfortable to work without a preceptor, but at least I can make my own schedule. Good luck to all of you, flaced

Hi, GCShore! We may be working on the same unit, but your screen name does not give me a hint about who you are... The Lord, your scores, the many years of experience you have as a nurse and your nice personality (in case you are the one I think you are) helped you get into the school. Best of wishes to you! It will be hard, but not impossible. I am sure you will do excellent. flaced

Hi crazydebbie, I am not the best predictor, but seems to me that you fulfill at least 3 "conditions" similar to people that passed (1- more than 90% of people whose computer shuts off at 75 pass, 2- most of us believe the test was hard, cannot remember most of the questions in the first couple of days after taking the test, they start coming back to you later on and 3- I believe ATI is pretty accurate - I took it, did well, and passed NCLEX)), so you have all the chances to have passed as well. Regarding the results, depends in what state you took the test. Some of them will have them in 48 hours through Pearson Vue, some others have to wait for their BON to confirm their license by phone or mail. I haven't heard of anyone who had their results in 8 hours, but I guess everything is possible. And yes, uncertainty definetely can make someone go a little crazy, but hang in there. You did fine!

I took my test Friday, June 3rd, and by the following Friday, June 10th, I had the license in my hand. BON processes results Tuesdays and Fridays, and I do not think there is a matter of a few weeks waiting. Good luck to you

Rachel, I took the test last Friday (6/3) in NC and found out Tuesday morning that I passed. They process results Tuesdays and Fridays. If you call the phone number listed on the BON website you can get the results before it's listed online. I know the waiting is terrible (much more as it comes closer to the day of the results), but I am sure you passed with 75 questions.

I am waiting to write this posting for over 2 years now. I started the Associate Degree Program in 2003, graduated this May and got my RN license yesterday. A couple of years ago, while taking my prerequisites for Nursing I was asking students and nurses around how hard are clinicals, nursing courses and if there is any time for me to take prerequisites for the BSN while in an ADN program. To my dissapointment I never had any positive answer. "Nursing courses are terrible, take up all your energy, forget about family-sex life, about speding time with kids, don't even think about taking other courses that require studying. Forget about having a life of your own!" This was what I had been told. Anyway, I am not a super smart person. I am just as good as all of you are. And I manage to take all the prerequisites for BSN, which I am starting in the Fall this year. I had only 7 courses to take, but there were Microbiology, General Chemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Statistics, etc. I took 22 credits in top of Nursing courses, this last semester even having 19 credits, and no time to study for NCLEX. No, I am not saying was easy, I have a husband and child (I am not working though!), but for those that are determined know that this is possible. Do not listen to what others tell you, what is hard for one person it may be OK for you and viceversa. I will be working on an ICU unit for a while, starting next week. I just wanted to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams, take one day at the time and know that every step of the way is worthy! I am far away from having been fulfilled my carrer goals, but I learned that though people can discourage you (even teachers, clinical instructors, or family), never give up! HANG IN THERE!!! Good luck to all of you, flaced

I am waiting to write this posting for over 2 years now. I started the Associate Degree Program in 2003, graduated this May and got my RN license yesterday. A couple of years ago, while taking my prerequisites for Nursing I was asking students and nurses around how hard are clinicals, nursing courses and if there is any time for me to take prerequisites for the BSN while in an ADN program. To my dissapointment I never had any positive answer. "Nursing courses are terrible, take up all your energy, forget about family-sex life, about speding time with kids, don't even think about taking other courses that require studying. Forget about having a life of your own!" This was what I had been told. Anyway, I am not a super smart person. I am just as good as all of you are. And I manage to take all the prerequisites for BSN, which I am starting in the Fall this year. I had only 7 courses to take, but there were Microbiology, General Chemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Statistics, etc. I took 22 credits in top of Nursing courses, this last semester even having 19 credits, and no time to study for NCLEX. No, I am not saying was easy, I have a husband and child (I am not working though!), but for those that are determined know that this is possible. Do not listen to what others tell you, what is hard for one person it may be OK for you and viceversa. I will be working on an ICU unit for a while, starting next week. I just wanted to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams, take one day at the time and know that every step of the way is worthy! I am far away from having been fulfilled my carrer goals, but I learned that though people can discourage you (even teachers, clinical instructors, or family), never give up! HANG IN THERE!!! Good luck to all of you, flaced

Congrats to you! I hope to find out soon too. This wait is killing me, especially that next Monday I''m suppossed to start working. NC seems to work so slow and keep people tense. I am not even sure I have the right number to check the results.

I have taken the test today and as many of you said before there were very few questions I was sure of the answer. Most of the questions had 2 right answers, very difficult to choose from. I wouldn't say it was a hard, neither an easy test, it was just something I've never experienced in Nursing school, neither in the other tests I've taken in preparation for it. The computer shut off at 75 questions (truly this doesn't tell me anything). I had about 5-6 math questions (I even started the test with a math question) and I am sure I answer them right. I don't think there would be any math question that I would normally get wrong. Math was always my best. So...I was very surprised to get so many math questions. I was praying for that though! I had 6 select all that apply. The rest was bunch of GI, infectious diseases, some respiratory, chest tubes, community health, etc. Also, I couldn't really tell which were the hard and easy questions. I know the last 3 questions were very hard though. Anways, I will not find out the asnwer till Tuesday or Thursday, so there is some waiting and stressing over the waiting time.

The questions have been more helpful. Yesterday I did about 700 questions. I know it seems a lot, but I haven't read the whole rationale for those that I knew why that was the right answer. I'm scoring anywhere between 70-78%. Saunders questions seem very easy, most of them can be easily narrowed down to one answer is you know about that specific topic the question is asking. I am thinking that NCLEX is a lot different and harder.

Good question! I was wondering about that too. I started reading Saunders, and then I thought that is so detailed and many of the details I will forget. If I didn't learn them before I don't think I am going to recall any of that for NCLEX. So, i started doing lots of questions and reading only those diseases or meds that I recall very little from nursing school. But I would like to hear the opinions of those that have taken NCLEX already.

Here is a web link to some pictures with fetal positions: http://www.birthsavvy.com/doula/Doula%20Notes%20Main%20Page%2003-18-02_files/page0010.htm You do not have to memorize them. When it says anterior it means that the head of the baby or whatever the presenting part is, is placed anterior (meaning towards mom's front); posterior means that the presenting part (occiput, etc) is placed at mom's posterior side (back). Hopefully this helps.