waterpaint

Did you find that the questions were similar to the NCLEX question style?? I found that the questions weren't similar at all and actually felt the style and type of questions weren't hard enough to prepare me properly. You're right though--it really does depend on the person. Congrats on the exam.

I wouldn't recommend using too many resources. Saunders is not a good resource. The material and style of questions are not going to prepare you for the exam. If you haven't already taken the in-class version of kaplan, I would highlyyyyy recommend you spend your money on this instead. A lot of companies will pay for your class free of charge. This class will teach you how to answer the questions and break down everything. Another resource I would recommend is "Exam Cram" book. Their questions are very similar to the NCLEX exam as well and they even include a mock-trial exam on their CD. Stick to 2-3 resources only. If you don't know something, i.e. Parkinson's signs and symptoms then look it up. But don't spend your time reading old school textbooks and paragraph after paragraph of details. Do questions...and questions and questionss. Good luck!!

Suggestion: Get Exam Cram! Do all the questions. Helped Me

i also graduated may of 09. however, my wait wasn't as long as most of the comments i read. i waited about 8 months before finding a job. i was applying everywhere in my area or near my area (fairfax, va...dc...maryland). no luck. i ended up hearing of job opportunities from a friend back in ny, applied...traveled for my interviews...and eventually got a job. i ended up having to relocate to ny and am currently working as an rn in a small town. the funny part was that as soon as i moved to ny, dc was calling for interviews. i think the key to finding a new job as a new graduate is 1. don't give up 2. consider relocating to another state to get at least 2 years under your belt. some states are hiring more so than others. (alabama, upstate ny and texas are hiring-pa is barely hiring) 3. constantly send out your resume and fill out applications. i was filling out at least 10 a day, almost every day out of those 8 months of being jobless. good luck! it'll happen...

have you looked at nursing homes??

check your institution's policies. at our institution, we are to change the inner cannula every 8 hours.

By the way, if you want any person to really respond to your messages in a cordial manner, I'd advise you to watch how you respond to another's post.

Sorry for not being specific enough Dragon... I have applied and called all the hospitals and LTC facilities I can...and all do not hire new graduates right now. This may change for the new year but as of now, none, zero, nada. I wish this wasn't true...but it is. And I'm only speaking from Fairfax so....

Binghamton NY is hiring! Wilson Memorial Hospital (UHS) and Lourdes Hospital. It's pretty much a small college town, but experience is worth it.

I currently live in Fairfax, VA and have been having a difficult time just applying for new graduate positions. There are little to no positions available in the VA, Southern Maryland, and DC area. Only a couple of hospitals are hiring new graduates and I'm talking maybe 5 for their 2 floors and not even. Most new graduate fellowships are starting in January and February so now would be the time to start applying. However, it's VERY competitive and the amount they're accepting is very minimal. Even the nursing homes, LTC facilities, are not hiring new graduates as of now. I have contacted over 20 hospitals within an hour or 2 of my area, and have had no success. I'm actually moving back to Binghamton, NY because the hospitals there are hiring new graduates willingly. Hope this helps!!

I'm also a new graduate having just passed the boards last month. The job market in the VA/DC area is horrible especially for new graduates. They're wanting more experienced nurses. If you had a choice as to where to relocate...I would not make VA your first choice. Go to Texas! I hear they have opportunities there

I wouldn't recommend moving to VA unless you're thinking of West Virginia. A lot of the hospitals here are only hiring experienced nurses...and the few that are looking at new graduates...are highly competitive and very hard to come by. I'm a new graduate with a recent RN license and have yet to get a call-back from hospitals. I would recommend TX or another state if you're going to relocate

Prepare now for NCLEX if you're doing good in your classes. I noticed that a lot of the students who started preparing for NCLEX their senior year, by doing questions here and there, passed the exam after graduation. Can't guarantee this is successful, but just what I noticed

thanks! I passed at 75 questions :) I appreciate all the advice you had to give

oh and day of... wear a rubber band on your wrist! It helped more than one graduate with keeping their attention on the computer. If your mind starts to wander...flick the band on your wrist. Also, DEEP BREATHES! Take a deep breathe if you're stuck on a question...take your time with each question...and don't look at the clock. These tips will all help your anxiety :)