Maebell1925

I have been an rn at a hospital and have been hating my job although I need the job to get out of debt. I thought I'd like nursing but am rethinking this career change. The senior nurses, I assumed would mentor the new nurses. Boy was I wrong. Some senior nurses appear disconnected with new nurses (at my facility) so I hope to meet competent and caring nurses wanting to see new nurses succeed.

I interviewed at a hospital in Louisiana and starting pay for new grad RN was $18.00/hour. I felt sick.

cdc website on infection control

I hear you -- I got blasted for every little thing wrong in my patients room today -- felt i should have just walked off the floor and quit. the good thing is that the other RNs kept saying this kind of shift can happen. so we must hang in there.

Completely understand and I am now on Day #2 of my orientation on MedSurg. I am so feeling very anxious and not very confident. I have conveyed that to the RN and she has been receptive and willing to teach me. It is not as bad as you think - more hands on versus book stuff at this point. So just focus and try not to overwhelm yourself to prevent burn out. Good luck!

the website for Veteran's Hospital is http://www.va.gov and you can also try http://www.usajobs.gov. Both websites offer the RN series that is 0610. Inputting the RN series of 0610 will net you only jobs for RNs.

You asked the magic question! One of my colleagues who was also unsuccessful on boards called and suggested Hurst Review. The overwhelming difference is that Hurst Review focuses on the 'core content' and not just testing strategy. We both had taken Kaplan and utilized the strategies but the connections were not there as opposed to Hurst Review. I completed the Online Review ($300) and I wish I had known about Hurst in nursing school - it would have helped me with understanding the material and not memorizing. I recommend Hurst Review hands down. :bowingpur What else did I do to study: completed every question in Silverstri Q&A - took about 2 weeks; completed drug dosage calculation questions - about 10 a day - just to take the edge off at work during my breaks - completed the online review for Hurst. Did have to take at least 1 day off a week or I was going to go crazy - but otherwise about 15 days before test listened to Hurst videos and completed the worksheets. Oh, yes, - I also studied up until the last minute of the test and did not work for 9 days before test! You must do what works for you and what works for me is keeping my brain engaged. Good luck and when do you plan to take NCLEX? Maebell

Any word on whether you passed? I found out yesterday that I did and it was my 4th attempt. I am excited and no longer beating myself up over not passing the first time. A nurse is a nurse. Keep me posted on your results.

I also just took the NCLEX-RN and 101 questions. I hope and pray I have passed. Good luck to you!

Reschedule if you do not feel adequately prepared. Soul searching for your answer and it will come to you. This is a journey and it is your path.

Get one resource like Saunders and know it. The mateial in this book is right on target and does appear overwhelming but you can overcome by breaking it down into sections.

You must call the Texas BON. The information is not on the TX BON website on how to reapply. You must call the board on how to reapply. Good luck in your preparation to sit for the test. I understand that Suzanne's plan is a good way to study.

Congratulations and if you can share tidbits on how to destress, remain calm, strategies, they all would be appreciated. I continue to stress completely out when I sit down to test and the stress has gotten the best of me. Any recommendations? Maebell

I am praying that you were successful on the NCLEX. It would be a wonderful present to have passed.

Good Luck to you on your NCLEX. Just remember to relax while you are testing. Use your strategies and be confident in your ability to complete this hurdle to becoming a nurse. You can do this and must believe that you can. My recommendation: is you do not feel ready reschedule your test date. If you are confident go into the test center with your head held high and just do it!

As a new nurse it is hard to manage experienced healthcare workers. To groom yourself adequately, find an experienced RN to mentor you. Someone that you can get advice from and talk to in confidence. Preferably an RN not at your current work location and someone you can bounce ideas around with. In the meantime, feel confident that you can take uncomfortable situations to your supervisor. Personally, I would elevate to the supervisor and ask for assistance. You stated you are a new nurse and with that you are expected to have challenges in your current role. Practice makes perfect and leadership is learned over time and not overnight.

Don't fret. You will get through this test. I have failed now three times and most of my classmates have passed. I feel like a complete failure but have come to terms with my strugggles with the testing process. You will get through it but can not give up.

You hit the nail on the head - mind, body, and spirit are the connections were need to fire while studying to pass this test.

Only you can determine if and when you are ready for the NCLEX. Personally I never felt ready and there was always something that would spring up (you know how life can be) that would put a crimp in the schedule. It just never seemed to fail and then I would be overwhelmed. So now I am just taking my time doing questions and reviewing rationales - basically not trying to study too hard. If you are not ready, don't take it. If you are ready, go for it and just do your best! Think positive!

The endings are great study tools - thanks a bunch. Too bad these were not emphasized in nursing school.

http://www.drugs.com - has good patient/client education. Also LeMone and Burke MedSurg book has on the book's website patient handouts you can print.

Hamburg, Do not give up. I have failed 3 times and refuse to even discuss failure. Thinking positive and not going to give up!

Do not try and study too much material. My recommendation is to do questions and learn strategies to tackle the NCLEX. You must know how to discriminate between what the question is asking. If you go through questions and have a topic you are unfamiliar with - study or read up in MedSurg book and learn the topic. Know labs and practice dose calculations. Study medications and it is essential an RN knows what tasks to delegate to subordinate personnel in the hospital setting.

Don't give up. I can speak from experience. I attended an accelerated program and have advanced degrees but can't get through the NCLEX. We can not allow this test to keep us from becoming RNs. We will persevere!

http://www.evolve.elsevier.com - has good resources that accompany nursing text books. site is free and you can search numerous books for patient education handouts. Maebell