LostinVegas

I would have to pay the rest of the contract back, its not a big deal...I have been expecting to pay it back. I think the job market in Albany may be slightly different than downstate and in Rochester. Maybe I have no clue...

Hello all, I love all the posts about new grads and the experiences we go through...its like reading a journal of my experience as a nurse. To get to it, I am a new grad that graduated out of Las Vegas and am currently working on a Med Surg floor. I have 4 months experience and am planning to stay for six. My hometown is Albany, New York. I have no family or friends here in Las Vegas and eventhough my job is ok, I feel alone here and am starting to become very depressed. I gave Las Vegas an honest shot, but I don't like it here whatsoever..and I know with the economy and all that making a job change right now probably isn't the best idea. Also I am on a 3 year contract with this hospital!! With that said, here is my question: what do you think my chances of getting a job in Albany are?? Its a small city but theres like 5 or 6 hospitals in the area. I already have my NYS license and I do have family administrative ties to a couple of facilties. I applied to three facilties and got calls back for all 3...they just didn't like me still living in Nevada. What should I do?? I am so sick of being in this rut and I hate it here... I am homesick. Has anyone been in a smiliar situation? If so what did you do?? Thanks for reading.

I wouldn't move to Las Vegas, this city is awful....research this area thoroughly before making your move.

Thank you so much for the updated information. I heard that DeVry bought out the apollo in phoenix, I didn't hear about the vegas campus. My degree is from Apollo, so I don't think that affects me. I actually passed my boards this past week and am now an RN! Its a great feeling and I do owe alot to Apollo. I hope that you enjoy your time there and if you need any advice or help don't be afraid to send me a message! Good luck!

Honestly it wasn't as bad as I thought. With all of the nurses telling me it was the hardest test they had ever even seen, I was expecting to have a test full of impossible riddles. The questions were worded exactly like many of the questions from my Kaplan online review (I didn't pay for the entire class). I felt prepared and like I was taking another Kaplan test. I think alot of nurses like to say the NCLEX is next to impossible to scare students?? Nursing school should scare the students, not the NCLEX. I know how horrible of a feeling it is to wrack your brain everyother minute, "did I pass? what if I failed? I should have answered this question a different way, am I going to wait tables again?" We all go through it, and its horrible! But the payoff is fantastic. If you have made an honest effort towards school your chances of doing ok are much higher.

Your going to burn yourself out, do something physically demanding like run or hike...take your mind off things. A couple of my friends were only getting like 50s-60s on the QBanks and tests, and they both passed. As long as you know the question strategies, have a good knowledge base, and go in there with a cool head...I think you will be ok. Don't freak out...its just a test.

Try not to stress about it. I know that is next to impossible but it really will do you no good. I wish you luck and be sure to let us know how you did! If you live in a quick results state you may be able to log into PearsonVue.com/NCLEX and get your results Sunday like I did...good luck!

Thank you for all of your support, you really made me feel alot better! I found out yesterday that I passed! I am now an RN!

I went over the Kaplan videos and question videos twice, did all of the question trainers and QBank...took me like 3 weeks! I read the entire Kaplan textbook, read half of Saunders...which I thought was way too easy so I stopped and about half of a Lippincott book...which I thought was way too hard so I stopped haha. Honestly if I do pass I will recommend Kaplan to everyone. The $500 is pricey but the rationales that they give do come in handy...plus its a confidence booster. I did not take the class, only the online classes so the price was $418. Kaplan scores were Q Trainer 1: 78 2: 70 3: 68...tough one I can't remember the other ones but I got a 78 on the readiness test. It seems like alot of people that only get 75 questions pass?? Maybe I'm totally off here...

I took my NCLEX yesterday and need some encouraging words if anyone has a spare moment. My test ended at 75, last question being a med calc. I didn't have any delegation, only like 5 SATA and I'm just worried that I was answering the lower end easier questions. I'm really freaked out and sad, not only did I possibly fail...but miserably if I only got 75 questions! I studied my butt off! I felt really confident for the first 30 questions or so but was totally lost on the last 45....there was one medical condition I had never even heard of before!! As I sit here and think of my questions I can think of ones I got wrong...someone help!

Heres my 5: (I take my NCLEX RN tomorrow) AHHH! 1.) The use of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), streptokinase is contraindicated if the patient has had any recent (within 2 months) trauma --->(CPR) 2.) Digoxin: Digitalizing Dose is 1-2.5, maintenance dose is 0.125-0.5, and the average dose is 0.25. 3.) Think of the o in miotic as a little o (meaning that miotics are used to constrict the pupil). 4.) When an IV has infiltrated first action is to remove the IV and place warm towels in the site. 5.) The cardinal sign of a hemolytic blood transfusion reaction is back pain. :typing...I like the smileys

I would really appreciate feedback (thanks in advance): 1. I'm testing on a Friday and will pay the eight bucks for the internet results...when should I expect the results? I've heard Saturday counts as a business day (I'm located in NV) 2. Anyone have tips for the day of the test....I'm pretty nervous. I'm taking Gingko, working out, eating well and trying to stay calm. 3. Are there any jobs you can get in the healthcare field if you do fail? I know I shouldn't think like this but just in case. 4. I have read the entire Kaplan book and have gone through the Kaplan online videos twice...I'm doing well on the tests but did not get the opportunity to take their in person class...am I missing out on alot? What do they do in those classes? Oh and a tip! Search for NCLEX RN 3500 on Google and click the "institutional version" link....great program with lots of free questions! Wish me luck!

Yeah the pass rate for the first class wasn't as high as it should be but I think that is common for most new programs. I looked more into it and there are colleges in Phoenix that accept Apollo credits, the program down there is a more established

I'm scheduled to take the NCLEX on Sept. 12th Today I am so nervous I feel like I can't concentrate and I'm on the verge of crying. I bought NCSBN's review and it doesn't even work...its a rip off in my opinion. I have already went through all of Kaplan (read the whole book, all the videos and questions), and am now doing it all again for the second time. My scores are good 65-70 and everyone from my school that took Kaplan passed with 75 questions...I'm just nervous. I don't think I got a very good education and feel cheated and confused eventhough I'm doing well. I'm contracted to work at a horrible hospital and am feeling very pessimistic...I don't know what to do...(hence the username). Advice?

So I'm a new grad (RN program) from Apollo College here in Vegas. There is so much hear say in nursing I feel as if my head is spinning. My questions are: Has anyone heard of any schools out there that will accept Apollo College credits for a BSN program? (I have heard so many bad things about the University of Phoenix that I'm trying not to go there). Also, what is the deal with working out of state? I called the NY state board of nursing and they said that as long as the school I graduated from was "recognized by the state where it is located" that I should be fine to work in NY. I then asked what she meant by recognized and she said that some colleges are "fly by night" and close up within a week...if I'm able to sit for the NCLEX (which I'm taking Sept. 12th) I should be fine. I'm so confused and get different answers from everyone I talk to...help! Thanks!!