Cinqui73

Yes, I think we (DaddyO & I) were the last people to take the Accuplacer; it is now the HESI, which is more complex. I won't say "harder," because the Accuplacer wasn't easy, just based on subjects of more common knowledge. I used the Kaplan book for NET testing, and I plan on using it for the HESI when I graduate because it is actually designed more for HESI than Accuplacer exam. It breaks down each subject and gives you 2 extensive practice exams with complete explanations at the end of the book. I would suggest perusing it at Barnes & Noble to see if you like it. Aside from that, I have no personal info to offer. I think someone told me the time limit is four hours, but I can't swear to that - had a passing conversation with an former classmate who took the first HESI last semester, and do not remember for sure. Good luck!

Congrats, I_See_You_RN....I see you were just recently hired, and surgical ICU to boot! That is wonderful!! :)

As a student in a A.A.S. course, my GPA simply is what it is....for now. I spent alot of time coveting it for my pre-reqs, but decided toTRY not to stress over it while in the program, as that MOST people end up invariably going down. I went from a 3.97 to a 3.91, because of one B+ last semester. Which brings me to one point: testing in theory classes are not standardized, they are made up by professors and professors are NOT immune to making mistakes. Some are willing to own up to their humanity and return points on a test where the question was either poorly worded or simply WRONG....and then there are the stubborn ones! Frankly, I think I (and others, I'm sure) were robbed of an A because of a certain stubborn instructor who says the right answer is whatever she thinks it is, NOT because it's necessarily correct. I know I shouldn't complain about a B+, but it would of been a whole different ball game if I felt I had deserved it. Anyhow, I feel MUCH, much sorrier for the people who failed by only a few points last semester. Secondly, I've encountered some highly intelligent nursing students who I - God, forgive me - think will NOT be very good nurses. I don't mean that to come of as presumptious, judgemental, or bitter and I certainly don't wish failure of these people; it really is such a shame to watch such brilliant people falter due to poor communication & decision-making skills, a hopeless lack in confidence, and even excessive arrogance. Survival is more important, but I am trying to keep my GPA up as that I plan on extending my degree as soon as possible. However, I hope someone hires me because they like what they see when they talk to me, not because what I look like on paper. :)

Thank you! I will be passing this on to classmates, and classmates that I am not acquainted with on allnurses.com can search and find the answer here as well!! I knew Daytonite could help us! :heartbeat

Oh, I have no idea who created the med calculation practice packet...I'm curious to see when/if we review it if the instructor catches on to the misprint. I try really hard to keep my mouth shut, nursing instructors can be....ah, testy folk! :wink2: Look, atleast it didn't say "prostrate" when referring to a prostate! I sent a PM to Daytonite...hopefully, she'll have time to help me out.

I'm still a nursing student in Bergen County, NJ (graduate Dec 2010) and I'm worried already! I can only only pray the economy will be in an upswing by the time I graduate....:uhoh21:

Have to keep looking for something about urinary frequency, but these 3 can apply as additional diagnoses: Stress Urinary Incontinence r/t weak pelvic musculature Impaired Tissue Integrity r/t peripheral vascular changes Ineffective Tissue Perfusion r/t reduced venous blood flow Just thought I'd throw those out there! :)

Ah, that's good to know. As I said, I've never seen "dilutent" before, but I didn't want to judge it prematurely, "vancromycin" or not! Reminds me of a time when when I was touring nursing colleges, and I saw a sign above the patient simulator mannequins: "DO NOT INJECT FLUIDS INTO MANIKIN!" I giggled to myself, wondering how the college could keep a boast about academic prowess and superior teaching while they had a boldly misprinted sign hanging in plain sight. Curiousity provoked, I googled the word and found out that not only can the word mannequin be spelled various ways, but the company that produces said patient simulator actually refers to their products as "manikins!" :) Wiped the smug smirk right off of my face....

Thank you for saying "diluent"....my handouts call it "dilutent," which I don't know it it's correct or not; however, in my 17 years as a medical assistent reconstituting meds/giving injections, I've never seen a vial of diluent say "dilutent" on it! :) However, it also says "vancromycin" instead of "vancomycin"...and it's not a typo, it's misspelled in every "vanco" question over a handful of times!

I need someone's (Daytonite? :wink2:) help regarding this question. I've seen another thread with a similar pharmacology question asking for "dilution volume" that leads me to believe I know the answer, but my worksheet poses the query in a slightly different manner that makes provokes the little OCD in me to post it: An I.V. medication dose of 500mg is ordered to be diluted to 30mL and infused over 50 minutes. A 15 mL flush is to follow. The dose of medication is contained in 3mL. The administration set is a microdrip. Determine the following: 1. Dilution Volume:________ 2. gtt/min:________ 3. mL/hr:______ Now, I do not have problems computing #2 and #3, but #1 threw me for a loop, as that no book or handout in my possession addresses "dilution volume." Even a worldwide Google search had only brought me ONE post in allnurses.com, and the previously mentioned similar question. My questions REALLY is are: -- what EXACTLY is dilution volume? -- Are the answers 1) 27mL 2) 36 gtt/min 3) 36 mL/hr ?

Sorry, I have no experience with the HESI...wish I could help!

Well, I'm happy to say I made it through Level 1 with flying colors! I have a medical background to fall back on, thank GOODNESS, and I managed to figure out the thinking behind the tests to do well. I'm so happy, I came out with my GPA intact (much to my suprise, might I add)! Level 2 may not yield such a promising result, but I'm taking it one semester at a time and focusing on doing my best and PASSING. Good grades are a plus! But I must also say, I wasn't JUST me, because we had a fantastic pass rate with the whole class: we only lost 4 people (If I have my info correct, one dropped the day of class, two due to medical issues and I don't know about the fourth person) early on and only 1 person outright didn't pass in the end, so 35 out of 40 people in my section are moving on. I think we did great and had, in general, one of the higher passing rates to date! They are scrambling for spots now....I think they almost bank on a higher percentage failing. Now they are in a quandary as to what to do with all the students moving on, as that they have plenty of "repeaters" also taking up spots. Thank you, as always, for your insight; it is comforting to get encouragement from people that have already been through it all and help those of us "in the trenches" see the light at the end of the tunnel and that it is all, in the end, possible! ~ Laura,

Yeah, it WAS funny, huh? I mean, all I see is your name on the sign-in and I'm like, "Wait...is that MY Ed??" LOL I'll pm you my address....

Yeah, I'll say! The only time I experience true discomfiture was the first night though; the room was so BITTERLY cold that I couldn't concentrate on anything but the fact that I felt like I was in a meatlocker! Plus, as I told you Saturday in the nursing lab, I apparently chose the wrong section, lol. I went to the gym with a friend today who apparently knows one of my professors from HoHoKus school and the professor's reputation precedes her there...sheesh! Oh well....it is what it is. I'm not going to get discouraged just yet, not after scrapping for my spot in this program!

I agree - you gave it as ordered, therefore committed no error. Just make sure you document, document, document!