*!*nurse*!*

It is never too late to go to school if that's what you really want to do. I am also a nursing instructor....and one of my top students from my prior graduation LVN class was 69 years old. She was able to provide excellent patient care and was an example and mentor to her classmates. Even when you enter the world of nursing...the learning never stops. So...don't let age stop you from achieving your dreams.

Yes...20mg/hr seems a bit high. Our usual dosage is under 10mg/hr...but we have infused more before. Usually we run our versed drips along with fentanyl drips. We also use the MAAS scale to aid us in our titration.

Wow....I have to say the USC UH New Grad (Versant) RN residency program is among the best! I used to work there as one of the educators and....one of my favorite moments working there at USC was with the RN residents! Perhaps I'm biased...but I have to say it is a highly comprenhensive, thorough, and a well-prepared nursing residency program! I remember receiving a ton of applicants for our program! Good luck for those of you interviewing! This place is what I consider home...and I think one of the best places to work at. The staff there are awesome! :nurse:I will say...it is highly competitive!

I'm a nursing instructor and an NCLEX review provider in CA. I pretty much have every NCLEX book imaginable. First off, you do need to use more than 1 resource to review. Exam Cram is not a comprehensive review book....but it is a great other source do to its smaller size and portability. I personally implement several of Kaplan's strategies in regards to test taking skills...and I do agree with some of their philosophy that it is imperative to keep on studying NCLEX style questions. It is however even a better idea to practice NCLEX style questions from other textbooks. Hence when I conduct my review course..mine is 10 days as opposed to 3 which others usually provide. I dont spend each day just answering questions..we also do a comprehensive review of all the diseases and disorders in med-surg, OB, Peds, etc....hence dont just count on using Kaplan's resources. Branch out. In conclusion...if the book is calling you out that bad....just buy it! I like the portability. But as the previous poster suggested the Pearsonvue one is more comprehensive.

In California...you do not know for sure your results until you actually receive it in the mail. Let me also say this. I have taught several students and I was made aware of this so called "trick" just a few months ago. I followed up with this with about 30+ previous students and colleagues who have recent taken their NCLEX this last quarter.... and this "trick" was accurate on them! All of my previous students have so far passed and the website did not allow them to re-register for the test. 3 other friends of mine whom have failed their NCLEX also tried the trick (while I was next to them observing this on the computer)..hence it did allow them to pay for their re-test. To me...just from my own experience..this has been quite accurate. But I cannot speak for others. Like I said..you will not know for sure until the results come in...but I remember being in your shoes...I would have tried this "trick" to. In the meanwhile...keep positive...and let's see.

Well...my reply is probably different from the other posters.... But first of all...yes...when I was a student...I was extremely fearful of being "poked"...I even teared up a lil...but kept on going. You see....to me I think its better to practice on each other first before trying it on patients for the first time. Although nerve racking....practicing on each other first is usually less stressful and when it comes to implementing that on our patients...it wouldn't be our first time and the confidence level is slightly higher...and the rate of success higher. I also teach IV cert classes...and I make my students poke each other...but it is California's state board requirement that "live" venipunctures be performed before issuing certification. I do carry liability/malpractice insurance just in case..but seriously...have you heard of a nursing student die from practicing an IV???? So yes...it is fearful...but really I think it builds a lot more confidence.

Definitely...not accurate. I think it would be a waste of time, effort, and increases the risk for infection. But like the previous poster mentioned...ok for trending purposes. If you think about it....if you use a temp dialysis cath such as a quinton....it is not a very long catheter. In order to measure RAP/CVP..the tip of the catheter or central line must lie where the vena cava basically meets the right atrium....hence right atrial pressure. On another note....I have never in my practice used a quinton to monitor CVP. We have used a PICC line before...that was simply out of desperation just for trending purposes...but also less accurate. Remember...the longer your line and IV tubing you have...the less accurate your reading will be since the pressure has to be transduced via a longer distance. Hope this helps.

You may want to check your state board's website for a list of IV/BW providers in Texas. I myself am an IV Cert provider in California...and our california board's website has a list of all the approved providers online. IV certification is not mandatory...but definitely helpful in this tighter job market...especially where I'm from in Southern California. Many acute care hospitals in my area require IV certification. Some home health companies also preferred IV certified LVN/LPN's to implement infusion therapy...which usually offers a higher wage as well. So just make sure your provider is approved by the state board.

My 2cents as an NCLEX reveiwer myself: If you struggled throughout the nursing program, barely made it, have a language barrier...etc...then I would advise taking a review course. But like what many of the previous posts mentioned..if you are confident that you know the material...performed well as a nursing student...then you can definitely save your $$$. However, if you are unsuccessful the first time...then I definitely would advise an nclex review course.

Here's my take on why people do not pass the NCLEX...and this is from my own personal experience as a nurse educator. Language Barrier Attended a mediocre nursing program: no overall the student is still responsible for independently making sure he or she puts in their study time...but if you experienced being a student in a program where the teachers were incompetent and did not engage their students critical thinking skills...then these students are more likely to become less successful in passing the NCLEX Cramming during the nursing program: I always warn my students, if you crammed for every single test you took during school....you will have a much harder time recalling facts during your tests. Cramming definitely does not help with retention. overall just a lack of discipline to study on a daily basis or no study game plan was established just an overall lack of critical thinking skills and the fact that the student never was accustomed to NCLEX style or application type questioning as opposed to knowledge based questioning too many distractors preventing adequate studying just reading nursing textbooks instead of practicing nclex style questioning waiting toooooo long to take the test. I always tell my students to strive to take their NCLEX within 3 months of graduation

As a nursing educator, first step is to try to eliminate the "Scared" or "Fear" attitude. You need to walk into your testing center with a can-do and a positive, confident attitude. Walking in extremely petrified or with a lack of confidence would only be setting yourself up for failure. My advice that I always give to your students: Focus on just answering as many NCLEX style questions from more than one resource as possible. I believe you should not read content or textbooks unless there was a particular question you did not understand or remember at all. I like to recommend practicing at least 100 questions per day. I also recommend reviewing med cards which can be purchased at any bookstore or on online resources as well on a daily basis. But the focus really at this point is to do NCLEX style questions over and over again! If you were a student who struggled during the nursing program, then investing in a comprehensive NCLEX review wouldn't hurt either.