doodlebug914

I'm a new nursing graduate and did not pass my boards (I just found out today). I am interested in finding out what other jobs I can get with my bachelor's degree if I decide to not take the boards again. At this time I am pretty sure that I do not want to take the boards again due to various things that have happened... it has really been a challenge trying to finish school, taking the Hesi, and taking the boards, and I am really fed up right now. Any advice or insight would be much appreciated. Thanks, Miranda

I graduated from college this spring with my BSN, but have not been able to pass my Hesi... an exit type exam which I need to pass before taking my state boards. I took it twice last year... once in January, which not many passed, including me. I took it last May, but was the day before I had gall bladder surgery, and did not pass. Then, I took it last Tuesday, and still did not pass (but received a higher score than the 2 previous times). Here's my story that might make you understand... I was supposed to graduate June 2003 with my BSN. I had gall bladder surgery May 2003 and missed a lot of my acute nursing course, and was not able to keep up. I did not pass, and had to wait to take the class over. It was not offered until January this year, and I took it and finished the end of March. I felt SO out of the loop, and still do, because I had not been in clinicals or had nursing in that time period. I am now working at a hospital as a PCA/nursing assistant/graduate nurse. Everyone keeps asking 'when are you taking your boards?' I feel like I get asked this so much I could get sick. Not many people know I haven't passed my Hesi, I feel ashamed and stupid that I haven't been able to pass. There are other ladies I work with who graduated from an ADN program, fresh out, taking their boards, passing, and I feel like they are better off than me. I just want to hang my head If I am not able to pass these tests, what other career options do I have that I can do with my BSN? I want to know what other options I have if I cannot overcome this hurdle. I am wanting to take my Hesi again next week, and if I don't pass it this time, I don't know if I want to take it again. Thank you in advance for any advice/comments you can make. Miranda

I graduated from college this spring with my BSN, but have not been able to pass my Hesi... an exit type exam which I need to pass before taking my state boards. I took it twice last year... once in January, which not many passed, including me. I took it last May, but was the day before I had gall bladder surgery, and did not pass. Then, I took it last Tuesday, and still did not pass (but received a higher score than the 2 previous times). Here's my story that might make you understand... I was supposed to graduate June 2003 with my BSN. I had gall bladder surgery May 2003 and missed a lot of my acute nursing course, and was not able to keep up. I did not pass, and had to wait to take the class over. It was not offered until January this year, and I took it and finished the end of March. I felt SO out of the loop, and still do, because I had not been in clinicals or had nursing in that time period. I am now working at a hospital as a PCA/nursing assistant/graduate nurse. Everyone keeps asking 'when are you taking your boards?' I feel like I get asked this so much I could get sick. Not many people know I haven't passed my Hesi, I feel ashamed and stupid that I haven't been able to pass. There are other ladies I work with who graduated from an ADN program, fresh out, taking their boards, passing, and I feel like they are better off than me. I just want to hang my head If I am not able to pass these tests, what other career options do I have that I can do with my BSN? I want to know what other options I have if I cannot overcome this hurdle. I am wanting to take my Hesi again next week, and if I don't pass it this time, I don't know if I want to take it again. Thank you in advance for any advice/comments you can make. Miranda

I am enrolled in the Kaplan Online course... having the most horrible time trying to concentrate on the videos! If you took this course, how did you go about using it? Did you read a section, watch a video, quiz? How do you feel like it did in preparing your for NCLEX? If you didn't take the Kaplan Online, what methods did you use and did/do you feel prepared? Thanks! Miranda

I just graduated with my BSN this spring. I'm working as a PCA2/Graduate Nurse at a local hospital until I take my boards... I am taking my HESI tomorrow at the college I graduated from. This is an 'exit' type of exam that we have to pass before taking our boards. I'm feeling down about not being able to pass and have this huge fear that I am not going to pass my boards! Amidst my fear, I am questioning taking a role as an RN on floor nursing. It seems like most of the RN's on my floor have an associates degree, and I am questioning if I should be doing something different since I have my bachelor's? The pay is the same for an Assoc. or BSN, which doesn't make any sense to me. Just wondering what else is available that I might not be looking for, or what your opinions are!? Another BSN student who just graduated as well was speaking with me, and said she wonders if the Assoc. degree RN's laugh thinking that we have wasted our time getting our BSN when we get the same pay/same responsibilities. Is this a big issue? Thanks! Miranda

I just graduated with my BSN this spring. I'm working as a PCA2/Graduate Nurse at a local hospital until I take my boards... I am taking my HESI tomorrow at the college I graduated from. This is an 'exit' type of exam that we have to pass before taking our boards. I'm feeling down about not being able to pass and have this huge fear that I am not going to pass my boards! Amidst my fear, I am questioning taking a role as an RN on floor nursing. It seems like most of the RN's on my floor have an associates degree, and I am questioning if I should be doing something different since I have my bachelor's? The pay is the same for an Assoc. or BSN, which doesn't make any sense to me. Just wondering what else is available that I might not be looking for, or what your opinions are!? Another BSN student who just graduated as well was speaking with me, and said she wonders if the Assoc. degree RN's laugh thinking that we have wasted our time getting our BSN when we get the same pay/same responsibilities. Is this a big issue? Thanks! Miranda

Hi! I'm finishing my BSN in March and will be taking the Nclex. Can you give me any tips on the test, what the format is like, what you did to study, etc.? I have heard there's no way to tell if you passed or not whether it cuts off at 75 or not. Scary! Sorry to be no help on that. Best of luck in waiting for your results! Miranda