tkm2005

1) what sources did you use as a study tool Hurst Review. I took it twice (once after my 1st year of nursing school and once after I graduated). I did the QReviews that came with it. They were extremely helpful in learning how to answer NCLEX style questions. I read every rationale (right & wrong) that came with them. 2) how many hours devoted to studying daily About an hour of actual studying of material, then however long it took me to take a QReview and read through the rationales. 3) how many MONTHS/WEEKS you studied for until the nclex I graduated may 12, tested June 20th. I didn't really "study" until about a week before the test. That's when I started doing QReviews. The best advice I can give you is GO SLOW, BREATHE, AND GO SLOW!! For each question I asked myself "What is the problem?" (ex. DM, COPD, HTN, etc) & "What are they asking from me?" (ex. first, priority, education, etc.). After I could answer those two questions I would choose an answer. Whenever I chose an answer I made sure it related back to the problem, and it was what they were asking of me. It took me two hours to answer 75 questions, but I passed first try. Good luck. Read each question thoroughly and breathe. You've been preparing for this exam for at least the last two years. I will say a prayer for you.

Yes that's the good pop up! :) Congratulations to all of you!!

Good luck! :) I will say a prayer for you tonight.

I just took it on June 20. I passed in 75 questions. I too was extremely anxious, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, etc. DO NOT study the day before the exam. Rest, eat a good meal, and let everything settle. I took Hurst Review (and studied their core content one chapter a day for two weeks) and I did 5 of their "Q-Reviews" and read every single rationale that came with the questions in the QReviews. That helped me the most, learning how to answer NCLEX style questions. Read every single word in the question, SLOWLY. Then ask yourself... "What is the problem?" "What are they wanting from me?" Then choose an answer. After you choose an answer, make sure it relates back to the problem and what they are wanting from you. I did that for every single question, it took me two hours, but I passed! Good luck, just breathe. :)

You should enjoy your free time. Be with your family, clean your house, read books of your choosing, mindlessly search the internet, watch silly TV shows for hours on end... You better do it now, because for the next 2-3 years, you WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT be doing any of that if you want to be successful in nursing school. It will become your life.

HIGHLIGHTERS.

Just wanted to say that i just found out i have officially passed all of my courses and will graduate on may 12, 2012! I never ever ever thought this day would come! All nurses was such a tremendous help. All of you can achieve this dream! Keep your heads up, take it one day at a time, and be proud of every accomplishment you make along the way!! This can be done! Remember to put the lord first in everything you do and he will see you through the end of your nursing journey!!

14 days! FOURTEEN FREAKIN' DAYS!!!!!!!! I can't believe it is actually here!! I have to take a HESI, a Pharm exam, and a Pharm final and I will be a NURSE!!!!

Go back on the 9th and graduate in may!! Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!!!!

Comfy shoes and a bajillion highlighters!!

I agree, stop wasting time on the flashcards. You can't just memorize nursing material, you have to be able to apply it. I read and outline the chapters, then I read my outlines over and over and over again and do practice questions. Your lucky, if we fail one class - we're out!

Remember your ABC's... An O2 saturation of 82% is ridiculous.

Don't worry about the exit HESI yet. You need to focus on learning all the material to the best of your ability so you will be prepared for it when that time comes. You have to take nursing school one day at a time, otherwise you'll get bogged down and get behind.

Woooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!! SUCCESSFULLY finished my third semester yesterday - which means I'm 75% FINISHED WITH NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!!!! Next big milestone is MAY 9th, A.K.A. - G-R-A-D-U-A-T-I-O-N!!! Good luck to all of you, it can be done!!

Imagine how awful it would be to fail out at this point and have to do it over again! That's motivation enough for me!!

76.5 - NO ROUNDING!

You'll probably do a lot of standing around, bed baths, and bed changes. Nothing to be nervous about. If you do get nervous, ask your instructor for help, that's what she's there for. More than likely you'll have a partner too, so don't sweat it. Just go in there and be the best nurse you can be!

Check with your school and see how many people apply, that way you'll know how competitive it is. If they accept 60 out of 1000 applicants, you are going to have to be on top of your game. As far as being "smart", I'm not sure it matters. As long as you are dedicated and put forth a tremendous effort, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Google.

Thank you :)

More than likely you won't be carrying all of your books at one time. I have used my "medical dictionary" maybe once, and that was at home. Google is a lot faster!!

First and foremost, your nursing courses will be unlike any other course you have ever taken. So don't go into it with preconcieved notions. The classes are HARD, there is A LOT of reading, and you have to stay on top of it every single day. My best piece of advice, - TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. Make a list everyday of what has to be done THAT DAY. Don't worry about tomorrows mess, or the day after that, focus on the HERE AND NOW. DO NOT procrastinate. If you get behind, it's so hard and very frustrating to try and play catch up. Unfortunately, everything in your life will have to take a backseat if you want to be successful in nursing school. Study a little bit everyday and don't try to cram before tests. Don't get hung up on how the specific disease process works - understand it, but focus mainly on what you as the nurse will be doing to care for your patient. Don't try to study like a doctor, you aren't there to diagnose, your there to help care for the patient. And lastly, and probably my best piece of advice... When it get's tough and you feel like you can't go on, remember how excited you were the day you recieved your acceptance letter. Remember that you must perservere - there are thousands of people all over America who are on waiting lists and who have been rejected. They'd give any thing they had to be in your shoes. :) P.S. - ENJOY IT :) You've worked hard and deserve to be where you are!

My best advice is take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Keep lots of check lists, stay organized, and stay on top of your reading! :) Good luck - Nursing school is both the best and worst decision you've ever made!!!! LOL :) It's a truly rewarding experience and with the right mindset and perserverance you'll be successful!

The biggest difference for me was not being able to "memorize" everything I needed to know. Nursing school is all about applying what you know to different situations. My best advice, take it one day at a time and focus on the here and now. Don't get too far ahead of yourself or you will get completely overwhelmed. I'm starting my second year of my ADN program August 16th so it is possible to be successful :) Look at all the great nurses who come before us. Cherish every minute of your education, you've earned it! :) Remember there are hundreds of people on waiting lists all over the USA who would kill to have a spot in any program, anywhere. Work hard, stay focused, and remember your initial goal. When it gets tough, remember the excitement you felt the day you got your acceptance letter. Best of luck to you. :)

On a side note though... I take EVERY SATURDAY for myself, no school, nothing! On exam weekends I study for one hour only on Saturdays!