Ivanabanonymous

RN graduates still need to take a course and get a license to practice as a NA. At least in Mass that's the case.

Congratulations! I hope you do pass! At least a physical aid job is better than nothing! I've had only a PCA job before, and that was while I was in college. I know that works against me, so I'm bothered by it. You, on the other hand, has a good stable hospital job; I'm sure it will boost your resume once your license arrives! I will keep my chin up, and do my best! I hope we both manage to find jobs in this tepid economy.

Thank you too for your encouragement. No, it isn't 7 years after my graduation, but I'm still nervous and apprehensive. No one hires old newbies I feel.

Thank you so much for your kind words. You've totally empathized with my predicament. I really hope I pass this September so that those job opportunities will really come. I just have to remain hopeful and optimistic, I guess. Always easier said than done. You too, you had loads of experience prior to your break; I'm sure once you get the eligibility to apply for the NCLEX, you'll pass it with flying colors.

I meant 8 months.

Hi all, Let me tell you my story, and how I landed this mess in the first place. I officially graduated from nursing school in Feb of 2010. Technically, I was already done in Dec but due to college's policies, I wasn't considered an official graduate till Feb. Now as we all know, NCLEX doesn't take non-official RN graduates, so I had to wait till Feb to register for NCLEX. That already took 2 months out of this 8 month period. Afterwards, I found out I still owe a financial balance from the college so they wouldn't officiate my diploma. No diploma = no NCLEX. It wasn't until April (2 months after Feb.) that I had finally gotten all of this outstanding balance paid off. That's when I applied for NCLEX. In May, I failed the exam. Hence, another 45 days tacked on. I've reapplied, and am now going to take it early September. But in all this time that I've been studying, worrying, fixing my life, I've done nothing to enhance my nursing resume. I've only had ONE job that had anything related to the medical field (I worked as a PCA before). I've been out of school a total of 7 months, and no experience to my name. I'm beginning to think that I'm never going to find a job (who would hire me?). And I'm seriously losing hope. What should I do? - Hopeless and Unemployed

It is foolproof for those that reached the CC page I think. So for those that failed, I guess this serves as a reminder for getting back into the game early, rather than wait until you receive your results to study. Yes, I will definitely keep you guys posted. I will for once and for all confirm this PVT trick is real (for those that failed anyways.)

Thank you for your kind words. But I think the PVT is for real. I haven't heard anyone that used this method that failed for them - except those that thought they passed. Those who got to CC part always fail. Almost 100% foolproof.

Hey guys, I'm quite depressed at the moment. I took the NCLEX today, did the Pearsonvue trick, and got sent to the CC page and re-registered. I got cut off at 75 questions, and I'm positive I failed. In any case, I will keep you guys updated when the failure letter comes through the mail.

Hello, I just graduated from Nursing School recently, and am now in preparation for the NCLEX exam this coming February. The problem is, however, I don't feel prepared enough to actually take the exam so soon. But according to my professors, this February is the best time to take the exam before it changes format once again. Due to our lack of preparation in regards to the new exam, there's lower probability of passing it (my opinion anyways.) So my question is, when does the new exam change format exactly? And do you think it would be more difficult?

Phew, glad to know I'm not the only lone soldier on the road. I was very afraid of coming back here to read ppl's comments since I thought people would be criticizing my inability to cope as a nurse. Thanks for the support you guys! As a nursing student, and even reading some of the comments on this forum...not everyone is that supportive and encouraging. I was expecting some disparaging opinions...and so I needed the time to pump up my courage to read the feedback (lol). But I guess I had nothing to fear. I guess you learn the most out of school...but for the most part, can you relearn what you've already learned in school in the real world? I'm certain that there are many things as of right now that I'm not familiar with while I'm in school (I know I need to brush up on those), but do you ever relearn this knowledge outside of school too?

Ok, I'm going to have a really hard time admitting this (what's with my pride and all) but, I don't feel competent enough to enter the real workforce yet. As a nursing student, I still have one more semester to go before I graduate, and yet, I don't feel accomplished enough to be confident about my career. If someone comes up to me, randomly asks me a question about a health disease, I can't say I have the knowledge or the intelligence to answer the question. With clinicals, I was barely passing because I'm so afraid of messing up, and am careless about my observations. Twice, my patients (although not life endangered), were not treated for conditions that I failed to notice -- i.e., erythematous hand. It's so much stress. My clinical professors breathe down my neck, expecting me to know how to do everything...but all I could draw up is a blank. Will the real world be easier, and not as intimidating? Can I still count on the support of my teammates or am I on my own, with no one to look up to for guidance? What would happen if I made mistakes? I'm so stressed out, I seriously have trouble sleeping every night not knowing how to cope with the real world. As a person by default, I'm extremely shy. My peers are mostly very outgoing. I feel that as a profession, nurses are expected to (generalizing here) KNOW everything, and be supportive and engaging with their patients. I care for my patients, but I don't know how to relate to them. That already makes me feel like a total failure. I don't know...I guess what I'm ultimately asking here is for some assurance. Some pearl of wisdom that I can grasp onto. I'm 22, but I don't feel like an adult ready to break that barrier to be an adult yet. I still feel mostly like an overgrown teenager. I don't know if I can handle the responsibilities required to save another person's life as a nurse. Am I the only one that feels this way?