mmel025

I used Hurst to study and I think it is sufficient. Have you done all the practice tests? When I took NCLEX I got around 60% on the exams so don't stress about your scores. Just review rationale and look up any material you don't know. After you take your test you will doubt that you passed because it's so tricky!! p.s I finished my test in 1hr 30 mins, 75 questions.

Study the Select All that Apply as much as you can. When you take NCLEX the more you get questions rights the more difficult they become. I had many of those types of questions. One girl in my class posted on Facebook that she had 37/75 Select All. Even if you hate them practice them!!

I took my NCLEX Oct. 11th, I started working on the NICU floor on Oct. 22. I've had three shifts so far... My first day was good but I felt so incompetent changing TPN lines and keeping sterility. My preceptor made me change sterile gloves 3 times. She was nice but I could tell she was getting frustrated since she couldn't go to lunch and I was wasting time. Drawing labs from a UAC also gave me problems. Remembering all the steps and switching the ports off to draw labs and whatnot. Everyone keeps telling me it takes 6 months before you feel confident in NICU? Anyone have any must read books for helping me in NICU? I'm comfortable taking care of Level II babies and I've successfully done peripheral sticks 2/2 times (once on a premi)!!

Hey guys, I took my NCLEX Oct. 11 in Texas. I started my test 8:00am and finished by 9:30am with only 75 questions. Here are some things that I wish others had told me prior to taking the test: 1) How long does it take to get ATT (Authorization to Test)/ where can I go to check my status? I graduated officially from my school at the end of August (31st). I didn't get my ATT until 9/19. After that the closest testing site soonest date to test was Oct. 11th. Others in my class took the test sooner because they choose other testing sites. I think the soonest date for my class mates was Oct. 2nd. You can check the status of your ATT (in Texas at least) on the TX Board of Nursing website. Enter your information and find out your status: https://www.bon.texas.gov/olv/applstatus.html 2) What happens on test day? You are asked to be at your testing center 30 minutes before your test starts. Everyone starts at different times. The sooner you get there the faster you can begin. Once they verify you with your license and ATT you have to palm scan/ finger print and take a picture at the testing site. You are given a locker to place your belongings because you can't enter into the room with anything. Someone walks you to your computer where you begin your exam. You are given a eraser board which you aren't allowed to write on until after the tutorial. You are recorded at all times. You are also given bulky headset to block out the noise. I can't remember how long the tutorial is (I believe 5 questions) but they count towards your 6 hours. I thought this was a waste of time but if you need it, it is there. The tutorial just made me more nervous because I just wanted to start answering questions. If you want a break you have to raise your hand and be escorted out. You can't just stand up. You also need to palm scan if you do take a break. Break happens after 2 hours if you choose to take one. Once you finish the test and your screen goes blank you have to survey at the end. By this time I was freaking out about my test and wanted to get out asap. They make you take the survey before you can finish which is no fun because I just wanted to cry because I thought I failed. 3) How soon does Pearson Vue trick work? My testing center is a five minute drive away from my house. I took my test and 10 minutes later the good pop up comes up. I believe Pearson Vue trick works immediately. 4) How soon does Verification online of your RN happen? In Texas, RN status are updated on the BON online every Tuesday and Thursday. All you enter is your first and last name and your information should pop up. (has to be 48 hours after your test though) https://www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/rninq.html 5) How soon do you get your license if the mail? About a week after you pass NCLEX you get your license.

Thanks for all yalls advise! So many options to look into. I feel so motivated reading encouragement. My nursing education is sadly lacking and I wouldn't recommend my program to anyone. My school forced us to buy ATI but used it once a semester (if that). My pharmacology course was a joke. My teachers mentality was that we would learn drugs once we had our license, so I'm severely lacking in pharm background. Just to give you an example of how horrible it was... our final was a take home that she copied and pasted for Elsevier. Long way to go with studying. On happier news, there was a Borders going out of sale here in town so I splurged on flash cards and books. ($7.99 for last year edition of NCLEX study guide with little to no markings, can't beat that!)

I'm a month away from graduating Nursing School in Texas and we took an ATI predictor the other day. I got a 50% chance of passing the NCLEX on my first time so it makes me nervous about my chances for passing the real test. I tried to go through all the posts here on allnurses but so many anxious people and so many people that didn't pass the first time is very depressing and discouraging. I figured instead of spending hours looking through feeds that just overwhelm me I would post a discussion and others can respond. My top questions: what did you do to study? (Hurst, Kaplan, NCSBN, ATI??) Study books? Saunders (I've heard that's the best), Mosby, um... not too sure what else? Any good question banks out there that I must have? I saw a link for NCLEX 3500 and read that NCLEX 4000 doesn't work on Macs? If you have an amazing tips/ advise please that you have gathered and are willing to share. Let me know. Thanks guys, haha it feels very therapeutic just to leave this thread... even if no one will read it.

Hey guys I have a quick question about books if yall could help, I wasn't sure which Fund. of Nursing book to buy. I definitely won't buy at the bookstore because it cost so much so I'm left with two choices. FUND.OF NURSING,CORRECTED-W/CD POTTER Edition:7TH 09 The First is at http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-N...p_ob_title_bk\ Mosby; 7 edition (December 5, 2008) The other is at http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-N...pr_product_top Mosby; 7 edition (March 20, 2008) I emailed the professor and she told me I need the 2009 edition which I can't find. Also the ISBN number on her syllabus and the bookstore are for different editions. Thanks for yalls help, Melly

I had two quick questions about clinicals. When I attended open house Mike Ashburn said that for clinicals students usually have to arrive an hour earlier then the scheduled time to set up, sign in, etc. So clinicals at 7:00am technically begin at 6:00am... is this true? My next question is about whether homework, lab reports, etc are due in clinicals? I would imagine so but you never know. Thanks for answering! :)

Hi, I'm not sure if yall still get email notifications from this group but if by some chance yall do happen to get one I had a quick question. I was accepted into the May 2011 Accelerated Program. I was registering for classes and was wondering what clinicals are most popular/ better for students; the early 7:00am or the 1:00pm lab? Any input would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

I had the same problem. I had to request my blue card twice. I had my fingerprints done in Dec. and didn't receive my card until early this month. I'm not sure if you live near Austin (which is where the BON is located) but when I called I asked if I could pick up the card as a last resort method they said yes. It may be a bit of a waste of time going to Austin simply for a small blue card but at least you won't be held back if worse comes to worse.

@Monica. No I haven't received the blue card yet. I am 100% positive that I have no record whatsoever so I have no idea why it's taking so long. I had my prints done on Dec. 16th and still no response.... Edit: I just found out (through our facebook group) that one of our classmates had to call the Board of Nursing and explain the situation about no receiving the blue cards. Apparently the school didn't give addresses out. The number to call is ‎(512) 305-7400. We have to explain the situation and they will connect us to the correct person. Hope that helps!

Has anyone received their blue clearance card from their background check? If so, when did you get your fingerprints done??

I am pretty sure that we have to buy a computer from them. I believe its because we have to take quizzes/ assignments online and their computers have "anti-cheating" programs installed. I also heard that our new textbooks are going to be on these computers. I really hope our books aren't on them because from experience I know that studying from multiple e-books is a pain. Can't take notes, can't highlight, if your battery dies then your stuck until you find a plug, can't study at work... a literal headache.

Hey Guys, Thought I would share some information I got today. I called the Admissions office earlier today because I was wondering what year we needed to complete for our Fafsa; turns out we need to do both years (according to Financial Aid). We need to complete 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. I don't know about yall but I am stuck because in order to do 2011-2012 Fafsa I need my taxes from last year... now I have to wait for my W2 to come in.

Just a friendly reminder to check your email (even spam because my email was in the spam folder) because I just got my user name and temporary password. I think you have to set up two different passwords, one for our livemail emails and the other for inside.uthscsa. I haven't been able to figure out blackboard though.