friendlysmile

So this has nothing to do with nursing... I was attending UT Austin as a pre-nursing student when i found out i was expecting my first child. I was going to class with one of my best friends and we had to go up these escalators stairs. For some reason that I haven't figured out, I was really focused on taking a glance to the left side of the stairs with my head lead over the side. I hadn't been paying attention to anything and for some strange reason I swayed to my right. I had no intention of moving. As i did this, i realised that the 2nd floor was coming up like 5 seconds and I would have hit the concrete ledge. I don't like talking about it but I can honestly say if I hadn't "swayed" to my right, I would have most likely died. I thank whatever, or whoever was looking out for me that day.

I just graduated with my BSN and it has been a hard time finding jobs. I went to a mass interview during the second week of June and there must have been over 500 people in that ballroom. I was able to manage to get a full time position. While I was applying online at other facilities, I came across various employments that were looking for LVNs/ADN/BSN. Just have too apply like crazy.

Have you tried southwest general?

Yeah, other ppl that have tried to PM said that it wasn't working. idk.

Good luck on your NCLEX next year. I guess the point of my post is that you have to "MAKE" time to study. It might seem hard to study with kids but anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

i just wanted to let other nursing students who have little children during nursing school and nclex know that it is possible. i have a 4 yr and 2 yr and lets just say it was very difficult to study for nclex. i take care of my children all day and i do not allow them to take naps during the day but they still do not keep a set sleeping schedule. sometimes i would have to study after midnight up til four in the morning while knowing that the kids would wake up by 9am. i studied for nclex with hurst review, saunders, and these nclex rn flash cards someone told me about that are helpful (if you would like to know what they look like (message me)). i can tell you that if it wasn't for saunders, i would not have passed boards. anyways, i finished my test in 76 questions and felt like all i received were sata and priority questions. i did the pearsonvue trick and i got the "good pop up" that everyone talks about. after stressing about whether or not i passed for 48 hours, i got my results today and i "passed".

thank you for posting your story. this could very well help someone out in the same situation. not only was it inspiring but it showed that there is a light at the end of the darkest tunnel. yes, stress and situations like that would definitely affect you when taking the test. i think it is a wonderful idea to try to help others in a situation like that. i have had several of my nursing classmates that have gone through divorce because the husband doesn’t want them to further their career. may you have a blessed future and happy life with your new partner and family. also, when you feel ready to take your nclex again remember to stay positive.

I got this from the information that they sent us with our ATT but I would double check before your appointment. "Acceptable Identification: When you arrive at the test center, you will be required to present your ATT and one form of acceptable identification. The printed first and last names on your identification must match exactly the printed first and last names on your ATT. Your identification must be printed in English language letters, must be valid and unexpired (clearly stated), and have a recent photograph and a signature signed in English. The only acceptable forms of identification at test centers located in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Virgin Islands are U.S. drivers license (not temporary or learners permit), U.S. state identification, and passport. The only acceptable identification for international test centers and Puerto Rico is a passport. No other identification, including learner permits, is acceptable for admittance to the NCLEX examination. Please note - Identification from embargoed countries will not be accepted at the test centers. For further information please contact Pearson VUE at one of the phone numbers listed in the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin or at www.pearsonvue.com/nclex."

First off, good luck tomorrow. Believe in yourself and focus on the questions one by one. Stay calm. Hope that you can conquer this "dragon".

I used Saunders book and cd. I completed the entire book and answered close to 1000 questions; read all the rationales even if answered correctly. I made sure that I understood the material before taking the questions. I also had Hurst Review that was the core basics. It was not easy to finish reading the entire saunders book because of the following: a) I have two children: 4yrs and 2yrs that I take care of during the day. b) They have horrible sleeping hours even though I do not allow them to take naps during the day. Which means I usually study between midnight and 4 in the morning and then have to wake up at 9am with the kids. But I made myself do it so it is possible.

I really used on the Saunders book (I focused on the questions mostly and the drug chapters). I would skim most of the chapters that I knew and focused on s/s, tx, and medications. I also had hurst which focused on the basics.

A couple of friends that took boards on the 29 of June (Friday) got their license July 3 (Tuesday). I heard that it gets updates Tuesdays and Thurdsay. I also took my NCLEX July 3 so maybe we will get our results posted on Thursday. I don't know if they are closed on July 4th since its a holiday.

I took the 75 q's test to start off. Then I focused on the "study mode" to get all the question. I read the rationales and really focused my energy on the questions that I kept getting wrong. But really overall, I believe that if I hadn't read those saunder's review chapters I wouldn't have got as many correct answers on the study portion.

I just had two delegation and about 5 precautions; not that big a deal. I also starting to worry if I was getting the priority questions wrong because I kept getting them a lot.

Today I also took boards and after waiting 3 hours to get home, I went straight to check the "trick". I also got the good "pop up" and I hope to god that it is correct. I had 12-15 SATA, 10-12 prioritize, and several precaution/delegation questions. I used hurst and saunders (q&a's were very helpful; especially the sata).

So...my question is rather simple. I just finished my undergraduate nursing program with a 2.973 gpa. My question is whether or not I should apply for graduate MSN program with this lower gpa (had my baby which is not an excuse but it was tough). The descriptions on the websites I have visted so far state a 3.0 "B" average. Should I just try it and see what happens?

That's okay. And of course, I'm almost done. :)

:3 Well for first semester, Pharm is the toughest class you will have. I guess my advice would be to study as you cover the material and don't wait to the end. I would make the effort to go online with the professors powerpoint slides and read that information from the book. There will be so much information in the Pharm book that you will not need that you really need to limit your concentration on the info that will be on the test. Study, Study, and Study!!! Make graph/charts/notebook cards. Cost wise- I paid over $4,000. It just depends :3 Externships-I have had a couple of friends that have applied for student RN exterships during summer. You just have to be proactive and search hospital websites/career positions. Fingers crossed. Your first semester (Spring 2012) would be my last semester :3

1 semester: Monday-Concepts 9am-11:50am Monday-Foundations-1pm-2:50pm Monday-Foundations Clinical Lab (skills): Time (vary)- 7am-9am, 3pm-5pm,5pm-7pm Tuesday/Wednesday (choose Tuesday or Wednesday)-Foundations Clinical Application Time (vary)-6:30am-2:30pm or 2pm-10pm Thursday-Pharm-9am-11:50am Thursday-Health Assessment-1pm-2:50pm Friday-Health Assessment Clinical Lab (skills) Times (vary): 7am-10am, 10am-1pm, 3pm-6pm If you would like to see it, follow the link http://nursing.uthscsa.edu/programs/ugrad/sched_syllabi/f11trad.shtml Hope that kinda helps you see what it looks like since I'm currently in the 3rd semester and will be graduating when you come in the Spring

I just wanted to say good luck to all. I'm a current student in UTHSCSA and I just have to say that you will like it :3. If ya'll have any questions, feel free to ask.

Oh I forgot to mention it but another friend told me about methodist really hire RN students as pca's. She has several interviews already. Well from my experience, I like most of the teachers and deans. I've had some issue with 1 staff/teacher member but everything sorted out. if you would like to hear about it, just send me a private message and I will tell you. These teachers/deans help you out. They listen to you and want you to pass the classes. I feel that UTHSCSA is a very good school. I feel that they are giving us the best possible experience that they can provide through clinical settings. I loved Psych (mental) it was one of my favorites. Yes, they changed the program (i'm in the class where we are the lab rats for this new program). Our class comments have helped shaped this current 1st semester class and eventually your class coming in. I think they are giving us a good education but because everything is new it still has some kinks in there. Computers/fees....It's new for your class. Everyone now has to get a computer and pay for your spot in the nursing program. It seems that a lot of students decide to drop out at the last minute and then the staff have to come up with alternatives=more work. Liars/cheaters-i've heard this rumor for our class too. some people are just not honest and it reflexs badly on the rest of us. We were informed from the start that if we wanted to have a pinning ceremony that we would have to raise funds as a class in order to get this ceremony. So when you're class comes in they will elect officers and they should help raise funds for your class. :)

Yes, baptist offers externships but they do not have it posted on their website. A fellow classmate applied for cna position and was asked if they would be interested in applying for their RN student externship.

Hi all, I just wanted to say congratulations to all those that have been accepted into the program. For those that are on the waitlist, do NOT give up hope because several of my friends were offered a position up until a couple of weeks before school started. Hope you all enjoy this nursing program as much as I have.

Hi all, Just wanted to stop by and say "good luck" on the admission process. I was in your position in Fall 2010. Just like one of my upperclassman said if ya'll have any questions feel free to ask. PS. I just wanted to add that I'm in the second semester of the traditional program and that the schedule for 2nd and third semester will be different than what they posted (we are the lab rats for the new program). This semester we are taking OB (childbearing and families) at the same time as 3rd semester with the exception that ours is all semester. We are also taking Psyc and Mental Health (lecture and clinical rotation), pathophysiology, and nursing research.

To the new incoming class: I hope you enjoy orientation (a least a little bit (lol)). I can't wait to meet ya'll. I hope ya'll enjoy 1st semester as much as I did.