atticus27

I've used this website religiously and I'm paying it forward now as many previous students/nurses has done. A brief history about myself and the program (skip if you would like to get to the main part about the NCLEX): I went to a community college for my ADN which consisted of 4 semester (2 fall and 2 springs). I unfortunately didn't pass my 3rd semester by 6 points on my finals so I had to retake it again but first I had to go through a remediation program which consist of me making notes of all the chapters that we learned in 3rd. Roughly a year later, I was called back to see if I was interested in their first ever Summer Accelerated Intersession - I said YES and I started in the next few weeks. we re-did 3rd semester, passed, had 2 weeks of break before starting my last semester, 4th. I passed 4th with a good cushion and graduated on Dec, 2014 with my ADN. Unfortunately, I was told that although I passed the Nursing Program...I'm unable to graduate from my community college because I was missing one Physical Education class. While everyone started to submit their papers to Sacramento to the board in January and started to take their NCLEX in Feb/March...I was taking my cycling class until May. After I completed the course, I submitted my papers in June, paid all my fees and received my ATT at the end of August...here comes my study session NCLEX Prep Portion: I made my appointment in October giving me a good month and a half to focus on my study. I study best at libraries versus coffee shops due to noise distractions. I was able to borrow my friend's account on Kaplan and used the practice questions. I also went on UWORLD.COM and used their 14 day trial for more questions. My friend lend me her Kaplan books "Strategies, Practice and Review", "NCLEX-RN Premier 2014-2015" and "Mary Ann Hogan's Reviews and Rationales" I had more resources than I could use. I found what worked best for me personally was doing questions and reading the rationales. I wrote down any questions or anything that stood out to me on a notepad and referred to it every time (I will list down anything I found important in a bit). I did roughly 75 questions a day and worked up to about 100-150 a day making sure to take breaks. You never know what the NCLEX will give you so do your best and study what you feel is important or anything that stands out. TEST DAY: My appointment was on a Wednesday at 8am. I did what everyone else said to do...eat well and get a good night sleep. Instead of studying the whole day as I normally did, I reviewed my notes on Tuesday and ended up going to the gym, chose healthier options to eat (fruits, oatmeal, drink lots of water) and ended up going to sleep an hr or two earlier than I normally do. I woke up at 6am, gave myself plenty of time to get ready, ate 4 boiled eggs and got to the testing center at 7:30. I started testing at 8am. The questions were really basic and easily put. It's not trying to trick you. It wasn't until later when I was down to 2 answer choices because they both sounded good. Make sure you remember safety first and your ABCs. Before starting the test, I wrote down the lab values on a dry erase paper they give you so I can refer to it during the test - or else you will start second guessing yourself if sodium was 135-145 or 1.35 - 1.45..write it down while it's fresh!! I was hoping I would end at 75 but it kept going...135...170...200...240...265. Before I know it, I've done all the questions with 1 restroom break, 36 Select all that applies, no dosage calculations, nothing with hearing or pictures. I walked out of the center stressed and I was already anticipating on failing because once I hit 200, I felt like I didn't know anything. I went home and didn't bother doing the PVT trick because they've fixed the glitch and some people were charged $200 trying to do the trick. I waited 48 hours, checked breeze.ca.gov and found my name with my licensed number! It goes to show you that even at 265, you can either pass or not pass, have hope and if you need to retake it again...no biggie!! My NCLEX Notes and Must-Knows: - Positions post-op, DRUGS DRUGS DRUGS!! The NCLEX gives you generics but know both to be sure (digoxin, lithium, therapeutic levels, etc) LAB VALUES are a must know especially BUN, Cr, RBC, WBC, Cholesterol LDL HDL, CBC Platelets, PTT, APTT, INR, Heparin, Coumadin..know your labs!! Which infections/disease are airborne, droplets, contact, TB. I had several PEDS/OBs so make sure you know your APGAR, GTPALM (pregnancy) Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Gestational Diabetes. I hope I wouldn't get any PEDS/OB but I did, make sure you study them regardless. I focused my study on hyper/hypo thyroidism and hyper/hypo cortisolism because they both confused me and I noticed they were everywhere on my review questions; it turns out i'm glad I did because I had a few questions on those. Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia gravias, Guillian-barre Syndrome. I hope this was helpful! I tried to keep it short and to the point without leaving out any important details. If you have any questions please feel free to comment and I'll do my best to answer them. For those wondering what life is like now with the whole job hunting...I'll touch more on that base later as I have crucial information on how to find a job.

Hello fellow nurses/pre nurses. I've been reading couple threads and found it to be really helpful, especially the TEAS sticky thread. I have a couple more classes to take before applying to nursing programs (taking TEAS) and I was wondering if you have any tips for a pre-nursing student. It could be anything you've learned through out college or a studying skill you came across that worked wonders for you. Or even what one can do to make them stand out out of all other students. My backgrounds: currently taking physio at Pasadena CC. Took anatomy, chem, nutrition. Will be taking microbiology spring. Currently in the CCE program (internship), interested to be an RN, took EMT class and failed nationals exam once still need to take it. Question: Do you take the TEAS test before applying or after you apply to schools? Is TEAS required for CC's and UC's and Calstates? thanks!

What i've found that worked wonders for me was repetition. How I've been studying for physio/anatomy, nutrition was from writing and copying whats important onto scratch paper over and over again. After a couple of times I would ask myself and try to rewrite everything out again from memorization. I'm not sure if this is efficient but it works for me.

Chireiyu that is perfectly fine! Yes that is true, 1 4hr shift per week. I volunteer at Barlow Hospital next to dodger stadium. Sometimes things come up and the coordinators are very understanding (or at least they should be) Once everyone has signed up for at least a shift a week you can sign up for more shifts. Some people sign up a 4 hr shift everyday or 2 shifts a day (thats 8 hrs!) Depending what department you work at, it can be a slow day or intense day. E.g. Emergency Department, respiratory, ICU. GOODLUCK! it's a great program to begin with. Although there are interviews, tests, TB shots, etc. at the end it's all worth it!

Alright, a little introduction about myself. I'm 19 and i'm currently going to Pasadena City College. I've been there for about 1 1/2 years and by spring, I should be done and can apply for the RN program offering at PCC. My problem is, I have 4 classes left and i'm not sure if I can handle it. I need to take Physio(4), Anatomy(4), Microbio(4), Chem(4). They are all 4 units and that's 16 units!! not to mention their all the big classes. I need 12 units (full time) for financial issues and I'm about to pick my classes in a couple of days. Those are all difficult classes and as for right now, i'm not sure which to take !! Maybe I should do Micro and Chem and take 2 classes that are elective classes? Does anyone have any input on this? thanks UCLA Question: After I graduate from PCC after my RN Program I'm planning to transfer to UCLA to get my B.S. Is there anyone here that has gone through UCLA's program and if so, how was your experience? thanks!

I just started school in the fall 08 aiming to become an RN nurse...Wondering if there are any students that have graduated from PCC Pasadena community College or is currently in their RN program. Thanks!! P.S. I would love some motivational tips or advice. Thankyou so much :) email- [email protected] if you would like to chit chat