Rean87

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm currently in TX so hearing about the new job opportunities is promising. I'm going to do more research before I make any changes though. :)

Wow, it's been so long since I've posted on here..Since my last post, I've gone from ADN to BSN, and most recently, I'm working on my MSN. I'm currently in a FNP program, but have been thinking about changing to clinical nurse leader. I just wanted to know if anyone who is or even know someone who is a clinical nurse leader have any inside perspectives that they can share. For example, what's the job market like and daily duties. Thanks in advance for sharing! :)

I think taking boards and becoming licensed is the first thing you should do. Then look for jobs. It may be hard, but eventaully you'll find something. If possible, why not search for jobs and do the RN-BSN program at the same time. I found the online RN-BSN program to be much easier than regular nursing school. I just gradauted from an online porgram at UIC this past May. A lot of my friends who are doing the various online programs also thought it was easier...While getting a BSN would make you way more marketable, having experience is also important. Good luck with everything! :)

Thank you all for the advice. It's really helpful. :)

Congrats!!! I'm a new grad RN as well. I'm almost done with orienation and from what I've been experiencing I would say STAY STRONG & learn as much as you can from your preceptor. Learn about the doctors, the other nurses, and just people period that you can go to for help. It may seem a little overwhelming at first but you'll eventually get it.

Well as for the expiration date I know that here in IL we all renew our license every 2 years on the even numbered years. No matter when you get it you'll be required to renew during those years..it's just a standard/generalized requirement for everyone licensed in IL...And, don't forget about the CEU hours needed.

Oh my goodness, THANK YOU so much for sharing your experince. I am a new grad RN who's been on orientation for the last several weeks and I must say it's very tough. I often find myself discouraged and ready to call it quits, but I can't. I refuse to give up.

@teenytinybabyrn: i was thinking about moving to houston or dallas.

Oh my goodness, I'm so excited now. Thank You so much. You were very helpful.

Hello Everyone, I am writing this thread to ask for some advice. I am currently a new grad nurse with an Associate's degree and was recently hired on a Med-Surg/ Teley unit here in Illinois; however, I'm planning to move to TX sometime next year. I'm not exactly sure when I will be moving but I'm planning to stay here in Illinois for at least 6 months so that I can gain some experience before I leave. If any of you could explain how the whole endorsement (license transfer) process works or how the TX job market is I would greatly appreciate it. I'm also wondering if you all think moving with only 8 months - 1 year experience would be wise or should I just wait until after I have a full year's experience. Thanks in advance for all your help.

throughout nursing school I received only one "a", one "c" and the rest b's. I graduated in may and just took NCLEX on July 20th and passed on the first try at 75 q's. I did use Kaplan, but I think as long as you begin studying a few weeks before the test, doing nothing but questions and being sure to read the rationales and remaining confident then you'll be fine. try not to let your nerves get the best of you. I wish you much success on your exam.

I took the Kaplan review course in which I think was really good as far as boosting my confidence level, but as for everything else it was OK. I didn't care too much for the in- person portion but I did like the online portion (trainers and q-bank)...I think the best way to prepare for NCLEX is to begin a few weeks before the test doing nothing but questions and making sure you read the rationales. I did a 3 week study plan which consisted of me doing at 100-150 questions a day. I did use the Kaplan questions, but if you don't have those I think NCLEX 3500 or 4000 would work just as well. I also used the "Prioritization, delegation, and assignment: practice exercises for the NCLEX examination" book. I think it's a really great book to study from. No matter what version of the ncex exam you get, you will surely see some prioritization and delegation questions. I also recommend going over your major drug classifications. I had several drugs on my test, some I knew and others I had no idea what they were...On the day before the test just try and relax. Enjoy your day by doing something stress free and fun. Also, make sure you get a good night's rest and a well balanced breakfast in the morning. Go in the test with confidence and be sure to pray! Good luck with everything. ? P.S. I must warn you that it's perfectly fine to feel unsure about how you did afterwards. Just about everyone who takes NCLEX feels that way. My computer shut off at 75q's and my heart almost stopped. I left the testing center feeling very unsure about how I did. My exam had several medications, an ekg strip, & lots of select all that applies (in which I'm horrible at), but I tried the pearson pop trick (which really works) to help ease some of my anxiety and 48 hrs later I found out that I really did pass...And for those of you who had to take HESI like I did, don't worry about your scores on them. I bombed a lot of those exams but still passed NCLEX on my first try.

Yes, it is very normal to feel anxious, nervous, excited, happy, fearful and everything else. You'll be having these feelings all throughout the program, especially on test days and the start of a new clinical rotation. Don't worry though because it'll be over before you know it. I remember feeling like that at the start of my program and now I'm finished. Congratulations on your acceptance into the program. I wish you much sucess!

Right now I'm really thinking surgical or pediatrics.

Hi, I agree with the previous posts, I think you just need to stay strong and do what you have to do to get through this. In life we are all faced with difficulties but that doesn’t mean that you give up, instead it just means that you need to try harder. I just completed my first year of nursing and throughout that year I found myself sometimes getting frustrated and feeling as if I was a failure. However, rather than giving up, I kept telling myself that no matter what that I was going to get through it and I did. I constantly found myself praying and seeking help from just about any- and everywhere. I asked my teachers, classmates, other students, I looked online, went to the tutor & even bought extra books when I needed to. You just have to figure out what works best for you when it comes to learning and understanding the material. More importantly, rather than focusing on how difficult things are at the moment I think you need to focus more on staying positive and telling yourself that you can do this. Whatever it takes to succeed you need to do it, and to do it with much confidence and determination. Someday, you’ll look back at this and realize how far you’ve come and will be very proud. I wish you the best of luck! :)

I totally agree Nursing school is one of the hardest thing for me also. In my previous classes getting A's was nothing, but when it comes to these nursing classes I now find myself sometimes satisfied with B's. But again, like everyone has already stated succeeding in nursing school is not impossible and I know I can do it...And yes, it most definitely is a tough thing to explain to those who aren't going through it!

I paid over a $1000 for books and only used about 2-3 out of a list of about 7-8. I would definitely find out those that you really need to buy and one's you can rent from maybe the school or go without. I would also recommend buying them used from other students or Amazon.

Thank you!

Hey everyone :), I was sitting here thinking about my first year of nursing and has deiced to make a post about it to see how the rest of you all feel too. It's funny how fast time flies and how much I have learned in a single year. Even funnier, is how something as simple as taking blood pressure was once intimidating for me and now I feel very confident about it. This first year of nursing really has been a challenge, however I thank God that I have managed to make it through. I am still very excited about my future career in nursing & can honestly say that I loved my clinical rotations, patients, and everything else that I have experienced throughout the year. I am now more excited than ever to finish school. Only thing left for me to do now is tackle this Hesi exam come the end of July and finish up my last year. No need to worry though because I know that with God by my side & my continued confidence, determination and hard work that I can pull it off. With that being said, I hope everyone is still enjoying nursing as much as I am and I wish you all the best of luck! Please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and experiences as well.

i tend to second guess myself a lot also but i’ve been dealing with it by not changing my answers unless i’m about 65% sure that my original answer was just wrong...anyhow, i think getting a "b" out of nursing isn’t bad at all. i'm also use to getting straight a's but i try to keep in mind that nursing is also a lot different from most other classes... as for studying tips, i normally read the books and notes from class as many times as i can before the test. sometimes i even rewrite my notes. i also make sure that i understand all the covered material and when it comes to sitting down and taking the test i take my time and read each question thoroughly….i think you should hard try to follow you first mind and again take your time and reread all the questions. good luck with everything! :wink2:

congrats on starting so early… i just started the nursing program & i am 21 years old. i’m not that young but i look kind of young for my age. i find that most people think i’m still in high school and about 17-18 years old and it can be kind of frustrating at times.

just a month ago i was asking people the very same question. anyhow, i agree with auburngirl95 when she said that nursing differs from taking & studying for biology classes in that it requires a different way of thinking. in nursing not only do you memorize certain things, but as my teacher put it you have to fully understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. overall, i think the program isn’t necessarily hard it just requires a lot of reading and much time and effort put forth... good luck!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that gave out tips, they were all very helpful. Initially, I was having trouble finding the brachial pulse but now I feel more confident.

Hey everyone, I just completed my first two weeks of nursing and so far everything has been going well. I'm really enjoying class and i'm very excited to be in the program. I just wanted to know how is it going for all the rest of you all. I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as I am and I wish you all the best of luck!