lilac22

There really is no way to compete with nurses who have experience. I know it is extremely frustrating. I graduated in May, passed boards in June, and quickly discovered it would be much more difficult than I anticipated to get a job. I applied everywhere. Hospitals, home-care, nursing homes, doctor's offices, ect. Everywhere I applied I heard the same thing. Need experience. There are many job listings in my area as well, but those jobs are usually unattainable for new grads. With no job by July, I ended up getting a job as a server at Red Lobster. It was disappointing because I never imagined I would be interviewing for a job as a server after graduating and having my RN license. Finally, October 15th I had my first healthcare interview and was hired at a hospital in Michigan. I live in Ohio, so it's a 45 minute drive to the hospital. I do not mind at all. I am thankful to have a job, as many of my former classmates do not. I know it's difficult, but don't lose hope! It will happen. If you are able, I would recommend volunteering at the hospital. One of the women I am going through orientation with did that and she was able to get a job that way. Good luck and don't give up!

Yes, I passed! Believe me, if you get the message you passed. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Thanks so much! I am very excited to be done studying! (hopefully). I started studying for NCLEX on June 13th...so I studied a total of about 11 days. That was all I did during that time. No work, nothing but studying. I started by reading chapters out of the "Illustrated Review for the NCLEX-RN" and then doing the corresponding questions on NCLEX 3500 online. I was only able to make it through about 1/4 of the book until I got very tired of it and ended up just doing questions. I did have to pass the HESI to graduate, however, and I spent about a month studying for that in March so I already had a pretty good understanding of the content. I bought a Kaplan book and did the questions in that. However, I will say that the most helpful questions that I did were from a book I bought entitled "Exam-Cram for the NCLEX-RN." It was a great book to study from because it simply gave the basics for everything you need to know for NCLEX. However, it is not a necessarily good content review. I would use it IN ADDITION to the Illustrated Review book. The questions on the EXAM-CRAM CD are excellent. Very difficult, and LOTS of priority questions that really helped me. Due to the privacy thing with NCLEX, I can't discuss what it was necessarily like...Honestly, I feel like if you know your content, and can prioritize, you will be in good shape. I was having serious anxiety issues the night before. I had the stomach flu for two days and went into take the NCLEX with 2 hours of sleep and no food for 2 days. I cried the whole way to the testing center, certain I would fail. But it is definitely doable. If you have any questions about the books, feel free to message me!

I'm praying for you!!!! Stay strong!!!

I hope we passed!!! Can't wait to see the results. Good luck!! Did you do the "trick?"

Well, just took the NCLEX-RN this morning. I feel pretty confident about it. It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. I tried the "Pearsonview Trick" and was blocked from accessing the credit card page by the following message: "The candidate currently has an open registration for this exam. A new registration cannot be created at this time." Is it too soon after the exam to assume this is a PASS?

I hate SATAs! I have been practicing as well and I cannot manage to get them right. I am hoping it doesn't mess me up on NCLEX

CONGRATS!!!!!!! Thanks so much for the advice!

OMG I hope this doesn't happen to me. 24 SATAs? That's RIDICULOUS!

I am taking NCLEX on Wednesday. My stress level is out of control! For those of you who have experienced this horrible test, I need your advice. With only a few days of studying left, should I concentrate more on memorizing meds or just practicing questions. I know all my major meds in each category, but I've heard about alot of people getting off the wall meds...Any advice would be much appreciated!! :uhoh21: