Chicago

I read pretty much all the comments and here's my take on what I think...you can take my advice or leave it, but at least think long and hard on what I have to say. Now we all have various reasons for becoming a nurse, so if you want to really be successful, I need you to be honest with yourself. You say you've taken pretty much every prep course and re-read anything you got your hands on. That's all find and dandy, but have you really been studying?? Nursing school is tough but there's time and it builds on itself. But studying for NCLEX is not a little bit here and a little there. It's a lot right now and the moment after that and the moment after that. You want to constantly keep concepts organized in your head, while remembering to pull out, "what is this question really asking me?”, and nullifying everything else and all while remaining calm at the same time.* Now at one point you said you have a family and that is always a priority. But how balanced is your family life and allowing yourself time to really study? Are you doing a prep course over the weekend and just immediately scheduling your exam within the week or two? When you test yourself, are you in a controlled environment, similar to taking the real NCLEX? Do you review the rationales of every question, even if you got the question right? A few posters brought up the topic of the language barrier. I am not going to put much into that, but that going old school with a dictionary in tow with your medical dictionary is a good resource. If you come across terminology or just the use of some words to be a bit confusing, looking the words up can help you understand what it means and how it's being used. Sometimes just the lack in knowledge on the meaning of a word, can cause miscommunication and in turn, you may answer incorrectly. So don't be afraid to use it while studying. At this point in the game, re-reading your textbooks is kind of too late. If there is a concept you didn't fully grasp or a chapter you didn't focus on, then it doesn't hurt to review. But right now, it's QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS and then more questions. Theory questions, Scenario based questions, Basic Skills questions, Select all that apply questions, Pharmacology questions, Fill in the blanks questions, Hot Spot questions, Audio questions…you see where I am going with this. If you are following me here, the key concept may seem to be questions. But guess what, it's not! The KEY concept here is P-R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N. How prepared are you? That is the real question. -Prepare yourself by prioritizing the time and effort you wish to focus on effectively studying and passing NCLEX. -Prepare yourself by taking as many (THOUSANDS) questions, which also include topics you know and really don't know, with more focus on the ones you don't know. -Review the rationales for everything!!!! Sometimes the question you answered correctly, may list the rationale to be opposite of what you even expected. -Prepare yourself to take the exam for 1 hour or for 6hours (which is the maximum allotted time) -Prepare how to meditate or the use of other techniques when anxiety hits you -Prepare how to tackle a question when you truly have no idea, because you can't click and go back on the exam. You answer and move forward. That's it. -Prepare how to trust yourself and not second guess All of these things you already know, or maybe you didn't. It's a lot to take in. I also want to remind you that when you've done these Kaplan and other assessments, at the end of the day, it's not an exact assessment of how you'll do on NCLEX. Those assessments are for knowledge only, in my opinion. They do not assess YOU while taking the exam. NCLEX assesses how you think. As you answer questions, NCLEX will give you questions based on performance. Answer a concept incorrectly. Did you notice how you can get another question that was almost like the questions 2-3 questions back? Or you're doing well on drugs, so it seems like that next 75 questions were all about drugs? That can be pretty draining on the mind. So to close, if you're going to take another swing at the NCLEX game, make sure you really come prepared to play. And after mulling over this information and any other advice you receive, if you decide you're done with the nursing field, don't think of it as a failure. I know that would be hard to believe, but everyone has a calling and if your calling is to be in corporate or culinary, the nursing track has definitely prepared you to take on stressful environments and situations. There are MANY individuals who couldn't get past their first quarter of nursing school before the nursing program ADIVSED them to quit. I'm sure many in the allnurses community had a classmate or two that can attest to that. So for you to have made it this far is still an accomplishment. Much luck to you!

TokyoRose!!!! Say what?!?!?!?! LOL! That is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!! :yeah:I must also say that I was totally emotional when I read your post initially. For you to say that my post changed your life is MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY. The entire process of being the success that has UNsuccessfully managed to land a job can be very disheartening. Especially when the defeat is consistent. But by being able to stay positive and have faith, the epiphany will surely come. I'm glad I was able to be that for you, as now you are also the same to many others. I can only apologize that I had not seen this earlier. By now, I hope you have settled well into the full swing of things at your workplace. Trust many more blessings are to come. As my mentor told me after passing my boards, once you become a nurse, its not the end but the beginning. Its been a little over a year for me now, and I still have jaw-dropping opportunities barreling my way. Kudos TokyoRose!!! BOO-YOW!!!! You got a job!! *does my happy dance* Aongroup1990- You sent me a message and I tried to respond to you but your inbox was full. So when you get a chance to clear your messages....I'm here.

sometimes i feel the system sets us up for failure with all the constant documentation. my facility has had some recent close call lawsuits for whatever reason that all turned up frivolous. b/c of it, administration has beefed up on the documentation campaign....again. something goes down and everyone starts swarming like flies. after it dies down, things go back to the norm. but this time nothing has ceased. so the mgr announced that we all must give full documentation (as if the patient is a new admit) in our opening notes, plus every hour on the hour and closing. ok....now let me get this straight. you want me to do a full note for every patient (7+), plus complete the already lengthy preset charting that's required almost on the hour as it is. and every hour write a full note. and give meds and do patient care, b/c either the tech calls off or the nursing supervisor decides to pull ours for a unit she favors more (which is 100% of the time). before this, we already had a time consuming charting process as it is. oh and no matter what, be off the clock at 7:15. riiiiiiiiggggggghhhhhhhtttttt............ so, a few days ago, a-not-even-jesus-could-make-satisfied-patient, went so above and beyond in complaints, he requested to be moved from our unit, and was later moved again.....and again. our manager was on vacation and returned to find out how it all started. called herself reviewing the notes our nurse has made about the whole ordeal and guess what???? she documented too much. the manager went on and on about how she documented everything but began to contradict herself along the way. and now they are finding it hard to decipher the what led him to leave our unit in the 1st place. here's a clue sherlock: he requested to leave. she also went on to say how she will help in anyway she can but will not jeopardize her job for mistakes on the nurse's behalf. at the current time, things are up in the air and her job doesn't look too much intact. in the end, this is why i go against the grain and follow my first mindset. i never switched to their demands. i make the full notes on admits and such, but i document only what's necessary, i.e. status changes, dressing changes, physician alerts, etc etc. i refuse to document in a zillion and one places every 2secs. cover your own a$$ but still leave some room for air.

That is a very tough decision. I had a friend in an ENTIRELY different field do that and was VERY UNSUCCESSFUL. When I was looking for work...back 2010/2011, I seriously considered relocating without a job. I figured the hope of finding something AFTER I had moved would be more promising. But when I did the math, it wasn't worth the trial and error. And I'm not a single parent. So for you, I would say more so to stick close to home until you have a job in the bag. Be motivated and keep searching. Your best motivator should be your son. And believe me...100 job applications doesn't even come close. When you get a comma between your numbers, then we'll start talking. Here is a link to my success post and the response to it was more than I ever could've imagined. Good luck to you! https://allnurses.com/success-stories-nursing/i-got-job-532817.html

I have no clue about the job market in Denver. However, I feel that it should be much more urbanized than the town you are from in WY. But as far as experience is concerned, you have 1.5yrs RN experience. That's more than enough to get a position on a med-surg floor or even mother/baby or labor and delivery. I would still apply for new grad positions but IMO one should never limit themselves to ANY opportunity. However, technically you are no longer considered a new grad because of your experience at the RN level. Do not let the fact that your experience is not "clinically based" deter you either. You have patient care experience REGARDLESS. I also graduated in May 2010. But never found a job until March of 2011. After only 7months of experience in, my Chest Pain Unit is closing. They decided they are moving the beds for more med/surg floors space. Instead of merging with the med/surg staff, the ICU manager wanted to take a look at me. She recognized that I worked for 5yrs in an ICU as a clerk. She was willing to give me orientation of one month and half. If more is needed, than I will have that option as well. So starting next week, I am an ICU nurse. In closing, apply, apply, apply and when you bag an interview, walk in there with the most confident attitude. If they try to question you as being limited in experience, then you sell yourself. Four years with a practice suggests longevity with a company and invested passion for OBGYN care. If a manager/interviewer doesn't recognize that, then you probably wouldn't want to work for them anyway. Good luck in your search!

Sooooooooooooo.....what you're indicating to me, is that HR was on Facebook on company time:confused:????

Not from FL, but I did the trick and it seems to be true. Also, a group of classmates (4), all took it the same day. They did the trick. 3 got the records response, and 1 asked for her credit card info to pay again. When they reviewed their results, the 3 passed and Ms. Credit Card, indeed failed.

1 - NOW!!!!!!!!!!! 1.1 - YES!!!!!!!!!!! 1.2 - BUT, OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 - APPLY FOR ANYTHING AND ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But in your efforts in finding a job straight outta school, don't forget to do what it takes to graduate. I had friends that were so consumed with not finding a job, and can't pass their NCLEX. A few failed our last semester. So prioritize accordingly! Good Luck! Here is a thread I had posted recently, with helpful tips! https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/i-got-job-532817.html

Definitely apply! Even though programs require it; as long as its furnished to them before it starts, you're in the clear. If they ask for it beforehand, you can state that you are NCLEX-eligible, so that they won't TOTALLY disqualify you. HOWEVER, don't willingly lurk for information, or volunteer it for that matter, if it is not being asked for. Meaning, you let them know you are eligible to test, and then your application is conveniently downgraded to the pile of "applicants to refer to, if no one else accepts an offer." No one wants a missed opportunity!

But of course!

You know, that is not the 1st time I have heard them commend us. They are really good about that. Now, I wanna know...what does Dr. Oz think???? Lol!

I think it's safe to say we are all in agreement here. These co-workers that looked sso shocked could just be saving face. See if one of them doesn't stay on the clock to finish their work. My manager would never expect you to clock out and return to "just chart." However, she would dock your time if you were conveniently always on the clock past shift. So, continue to stand your ground. Majority doesn't rule all the time anyway!

I would have acted or thought to act in the same way as you. When you come along a patient, and you DID NOT see them hit, but see they have been. YOU DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON. Nursing knowlege is not even required. Seems to be pure common sense. And as far as the old man, was he also hit? Why would he be "out of it?," and "not in the mood for your help.." Really??? Don't let this one situation make you feel that you couldn't have successfully done your job. From what happened, maybe he knew enough information that all of that wouldn't have been necessary. But with that being said, why respond to you in that manner, is beyond me. Some people just cannot and will not be helped. I commend you for even stopping. Take it as a lesson learned in this chaos we call LIFE.

:yeah:LOVE IT!!!! In a way, I'd root for living on the beach lol. Fabulous plan either way it went. But since plan A worked out in the end....CONGRATULATIONS!!!

As soon as she had finished blowing hot air, I would've responded so cooly: "Girl, I hear ya! Not all of us can get into nursing school or medical school. I guess for you it was both. But hey, look on the bright side. At least, you got in somewhere. Congrats to ya. Hey, could you put so and so back on the line?" Then have a side convo off the phone, telling a random in the grocery store how the "poor thing" was venting, and you're glad she FINALLY made it in life. Making sure BOTH of them caught the side convo. And if they hadn't hung up by then, then you immediately say how you'd love to chat, but the produce section requires your focus. As you trail off a "goodbye, talk to you later" and hang up yourself! GOOD RIDDANCE!