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Thanks minnymi. I like your approach of asking the nurse if they were comfortable letting you do things or observe. I will try that approach. Your comment was very helpful.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice. It gives me something to think about & work off from. And it seems that on the job experience will help build my confidence. Hopefully i can hang in there.

Thank you Gold_SJ for the advice. I think the PACE approach may come in handy. Sometimes it's hard to ask for help. Because some nurses pretend they are teaching you things when other nurses are around. Then act differently when those nurses are not around. And it makes me look incompetent. Again thank you for taking the time out to share your wisdom.

Thank you for the advice. I think the PACE approach may come in handy. Sometimes it's hard to ask for help. Because some nurses pretend they are teaching you things when other nurses are around. Then act differently when those nurses are not around. And it makes me look incompetent. Again thank you for taking the time out to share your wisdom. :)

This is my first year working as a licensed RN. My current position isn't my ideal job. But it will garner me some experience, since it has been hard finding a job. My confidence level isn't where I would like it to be. I feel like I don't know anything, despite all the schooling & "training". It has also been a LONG road for me to get to where I am today. And that process I think has shaken my confidence level as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can build my confidence level? And also how to create opportunities for myself? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the advice...

Hello All Nurses community, I am currently job seeking. My nerves can get the best of me sometimes. And wanted to know what is the best way to prepare for a nursing interview? What should i expect? Thanks in advance...

This is what I am worried about as I look into volunteering. I am licensed to practice, and currently unemployed. And thought that volunteering may open opportunities for employment as well.

Thank you for your reply. It is a horrible situation to be in....I think I also need to remember to network. Thanks again for the suggestions. I will definitely look into them.

Hello Everyone, A little background of myself to paint the situation I am in. It took me a few years & a few tries after i graduated to pass my boards. During that time i spent solely reviewing for my boards. Thus leaving my resume with a gap between the time I graduated until the time i passed my boards. Once I finally passed my boards I started to search for employment opportunities. Until now I am still searching with no luck. I realized that I could be doing more to build my resume while searching for jobs, and trying to gain experience and knowledge wherever i can. But with little to no nursing experience, I am not sure where to start. So if anyone can point me in the right direction or lend some wisdom on how to approach this. Because with each passing day, I become a little discouraged that my nursing career will never be. Thank you in advance for those who have taken the time to read this and for any suggestions you may have given.

Hi cpmom...I noticed you posted this early last year, and not sure if you are still looking for advice. But i have taken the nclex several times as well. I felt like giving up at times, but persevered and finally passed it. I believe you will as well as long as you dont give up and do whatever it takes to help you pass. I found kaplan and the saunders review book to be very helpful. The cd included in the saunders review book is very helpful as well. Like others have mentioned focus on the rationales. In the saunders as well it gives not only rationale but strategies on how to answer the questions. Good luck with everything.

Thank you all for your comments. I will take that refresher course. I think it will jumpstart a more proactive path for me....I had talked to a nurse recruiter and asked if volunteering will help me and she said that it wouldnt neccessarily make a huge difference. But if i did or did a preceptorship type program, how would i go about searching for that? I live in the state of Maryland. I had searched volunteer programs and such but wasnt sure what to look for. Like i said i just need to pointed in the right direction.

I feel lost and discouraged, and in need of some guidance. I graduated a few years back but took some time off after i graduated for personal reasons. I have my RN license but havent practiced yet. Have been looking for a job since december of last year. And still no luck. Not sure what to do now or which way to go? This job search has taken a toll on me personally, spiritually, mentally. Everything feels like it has come to a standstill. I considered taking a refresher course. Would that help my chances in getting hired?

Thank you all for your comment and support. I think that not passing after taking it a few times has aided in my discouragement. Bc i have taken the review courses and have gone through a few review books as well. And spent countless hours studying. But you all bring up good points. And I will keep them in mind as i decide how to proceed while keeping my options open. 2ndwind: Good luck on your last semester...Some of my classmates had worked parttime as student nurses. And others were able to work after they graduated as they prepared for their exams. Most hospitals have transition programs, where you are able to work as new grads while you prepare for your exam. So i would look into whatever hospital or agency and see what works for you. Again good luck on you last semester and to your future career as a nurse.

Hello everyone: I am in need of some advice. I graduated from a BS in nursing. Unfortunately i haven't successfully passed the NCLEX yet. I'm starting to think that this may not be a career for me. As much as i enjoyed my brief experience in nursing. Im trying to figure out my next step. Having only a nursing degree without a license to practice, I'm not sure how to proceed? I'm guessing there isn't much you can do with just a nursing degree and no license...

I do become overwhelmed very easily now a days. I guess i do have to remember to take it one day at a time. I failed to mention that i actually stopped Saunders (wasnt too far into the chapters) because i was unsure how to move on. But i am currently doing an online review. The last part of your previous message, just doing as much questions i could before my scheduled test. You think i could use the quizzes in Saunders (since i still have it) as questions to practice after i am done the online review? And how long do you suggest to "rest" before my actual test date?

Thanks for the suggestions. And that makes sense. Sometimes when i try to develop my own plan i can get a little overwhelmed and lose focus. But i believe i can adapt what you have suggested to what im doing currently. Thank you again.

HI, Don't try to rush and retake the test. Give yourself time to "grieve" and sort of collect yourself. I was told never to go into restudying anxious. If you need to, take kaplan again. And go through the content and questions. If you fall behind or feel like you're not ready and need more time, reschedule your test. It's better than rushing through your study and then having to retake the test once again(i should know). Utilize Kaplan's resources. They have tutors that can help you tackle specific problem areas. Talk to or email instructors for advice or help. They respond back and will be blunt and honest (from my experience). Specific concepts that you cant seem to remember, make flashcards. Look over rationale and try to understand why it is that answer. I am saying this from experience. I failed the first time and rushed through restudying. And now i have to take it for the 3rd time. This time i weighed my options and found a review that is right for me. Just take your time and decide how you want to proceed. Do not rush! Sorry for rambling. And good luck!

Thanks for the reply. The NCSBN online review was one of the other options i was weighing before choosing Suzanne's Plan. There might be a glimmer of hope for me yet. Congratulations on passing!

Losing hope...is there anyone that can help me? I had decided to try Suzanne's Plan. I ordered my book, unfortunately it took longer than expected to arrive and thus delaying my review. I recently signed on to make sure I was following the Plan correctly. And learned that the plan has been pulled, but she will continue to "furnish hints" to those who have already started. I was not further enough along to PM her. And i do not know where i fall. I feel like im in limbo. Im not sure how to proceed. Im losing hope because it seems like i take one step forward, then two steps back. I have taken the NCLEX more than once. I really felt like Suzanne's Plan was going to help me reach my goal. I respect her decision. But i do not know where to go from here or if its allowed to share the hints....

hi chie18 so your friend was able to work as a surgical tech w/o any additional 'training' or certification? if so hw can i apply for a surgical tech position. bc i have tried and was not offer the position.

I'm in the same boat. But I was able to work as a CNA w/o having a cna certification. So i would check with the hospitals you apply with. And in my experience, i wasnt discrete. The staff knew i was going for my NCLEX, and it got a little annoying bc they would nag me about when i would take it and when i should take it. Good luck. Dnt give up. Take some tiime to "grieve" and study and try again.

So you would recommend the NCSBN review. What other books did u use, if you dont mind me asking? And congrats on passing the exam. Thanks. :)

You can find NCSBN review at www.learningext.com

Has anyone done the NCSBN online review? If so, did you find it helpful. I have done the Kaplan review and it didnt help me personally. I have heard about Suzanne's Plan. And it involves using Saunders Review book. But i have been using Lippincott, as recommended by Kaplan instructors for additional questions outside of Kaplan. I have heard to stick to one thing as to not get confused. But I'm confused now because i dont know whats best to use. And i dont want to confuse myself by using several books to review. In need of some serious feedback.