javapearl

My school required us to have this to prep us for nclex while we were in transitions. We were required to do 200 questions a week at that time, and by the end of the course we did 2000 questions total. There were a lot of repeat questions. I did not use it to study for nclex on my own time beyond that. It does not compare to the nclex itself...so I am glad I made that choice. The best book I found that resembles nclex is the Maryann Hogan book. Someone had placed a 25 page study guide on this website that I copied and used that was wonderful. It was full of random facts and memory joggers... And it helped me a lot. I think I still have it saved on my computer. If you have the free access, play around with The prep u. It is great to do questions when you don't want to lug a book around, and have wifi access like while you are waiting for appointments and such. Best wishes to you!

This depends how great the teachers were who taught the class. We (as students) are only as good as the teachers who went the extra mile to make the absolute best of our time. We rotated through SIM labs, patient scenarios, played lead positions in which we anticipated meds/ amounts - according to the rhythm we saw on the monitor etc. The class was not based on reading a book and passing a test. Having the card is " not kidding" anyone by any means. I am confident I could go into a code and assist in any position. (I would not stand in the corner of the room to watch or observe, like some students are told.) Our critical care rotation was at a level one trauma (Pittsburgh,PA). Our students went into code situations and participated in CPR / codes almost daily. (ICU, CVICU, trauma -burn, and ER). Not one of our students ever acted "like a fish with a bicycle". If I was a patient and in an arrest situation.... I would chose a student with prior experience and knowledge versus someone who waited for someone else to tell them it was time to think about taking it. To the student with the original question....Get the experience if you can. It may just save a life. Do not wait for anyone to tell you it is the right time, - or pretend it does not matter. Take the class, especially if it is offered. It is offered to students for a reason. Be prepared in your career and take the initiative.

Esme 12... Just printed your documents.... thank-you for your time in making them, and for sharing. I think they are going to be helpful.

I just had this lecture and exam. My friend and I each made studyguides for this. I would love to pass them on to you, but not sure how. I see we are not allowed to give emails... and I am not sure I can copy and paste them here. So doesn't seem like I am very helpful. If you know of a way I can get them to let me know... otherwise I will see if I can highlight the important things.

Hello! We have all sort of been there, where you are now, and I can certainly relate. You are making the right choices by getting your ducks in a row. I am 40, and this too, is my second career choice. Mercy has always been my first pick, but you should not stop there, and pick close seconds and maybe thirds to apply to. It is very competitive and you may need another option, and waiting to the last minute to suddenly have to scramble to find something else is not doing to do you any good. Aim high, but be prepared to travel another road. Taking your sciences now are going to help a lot. It will also help with the PSB, as there is a science portion, and that may give you a leading edge in a higher score. When applying, be prepared to be on an emotional roller-coaster ride of emotions. There is time waiting, worrying, and wondering. Give it everything you have got, and have a lot of faith. The PSB is an easy exam compared to the TEAS. I am not sure how much weight is placed on the exam, but there are other addmission procedures like, a written essay, and professional references. I scored a 94% to an 88% on certain areas of the test. I did not study for the test. I found the information to be so broad and random, that you either had to know it, or not. The only thing I think you could study for is the basic algebra part. Chemistry and Anatomy you either know what they are talking about, or you don't. Those areas are so broad and vast - how could one know what they are going to even ask? In my situation I just came out of algebra 2 class, anatomy and chemistry all at the same time. That is what helped me. Relax. remain confident, and trust in yourself. Have faith and say a prayer. I think Mercy is fair in putting all the information together, like a puzzle and basing their decisions as a whole. My highschool transcripts were not great at all. I had family issues, and my college transcripts made up for that... so they can see how things change in people's lives. When you have time to think and reflect, start doodling your thoughts and ideas in regards to an essay. Things about why you want to be a nurse, and why you are choosing that school. I did not get all fancy, formal and fluffy - as that is not me. I did produce a well written, 2 page essay that spoke from the heart, as being genuine and sincere. I would suggest being yourself, and letting your inner soul and true colors shine in this part. It is a better chance for them to get to know you, through visualizing you, through your words. I am an organizer, and I am a visual person. I took great pride and detail in printing clearly on my applications and filling them out neatly and completely... not abbreviated address etc... go the extra mile, especially if that is who are as a person. After passing the PSB, that is when you send all the other request material in. I purchased a really nice folder and placed the requested items into high quality page protectors. I mailed them in a large postoffice envelope. When I called to confirm they had made it, the secretary was so impressed, she said she showed everyone in the office. The admission committee would not see it that way, as it was here job to reorganize the information to present to them. It all got mailed at once, clean, neat and organized... and not folded and shoved into 5 misc. envelopes. The point being, is go the extra mile. Stand out, as it your time to shine. You only really get one chance. So do it right the first time. That is what worked for me. Of course, this information may be of no help to you, once 50 other students read this and jump the band wagon. Good luck on the PSB... let us know how you did...and let us know when you get accepted! Best and brightest wishes to you! Let us/me know if we can be of anymore help to you. You are not alone in this journey!

Thank you for your reply... there are alot of us in the same boat! It does ease the anxiety to meet some people before hand. There are several of us that have joined the facebook page that Aubie so generously created. There is so much more talk there, and I think we all feel a little more at ease and prepared. You are always welcome to stop over and join us! I have got to get serious about the clep... great job in getting things done! I will check out the clep website for sure. It would be a blessing to have those taken care of. Nice talking to you... hope to see you on the facebook page..... http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_194574467244983&ap=1

I have the study materials to CLEP the psychology and human growth. I was going to do the psych, first. I was wondering where you took the test at, and how far ahead did you had to schedule in advance. Was the exam hard? Did you study a lot for it? I have sociology to do too, but have some time over next summer to worry about it. I just took English II, at the college, and she said that will work, so I won't have to Clep an english. I too would like to have as much done as I can. I am taking micro this summer, and hope I can squeeze in my cleps... just have to stay focused and get through it. Nose to the grind! Hard to do when there is so much going on for the summer, but might as well get used to it... it is going to be our lives for the next 2 years! Good luck to you!

Thanks Annie for the advice! It was nice of you to offer us some suggestions. Come and join the FB page, if you can! We are all so new to this.. and curious about everything! We wondered what days the clinicals were, and the hours... like an average schedule... things like that. :)

phlowtey... my above reply to this thread, were my opinions, based on my experiences, and my communication with my advisor at BC3. I never accused the school of unfair and negligent methods of choosing it's nursing students for the program.... I stated they didn't care. I also stated they do nothing other than look at your GPA, and it is the truth. - compared to other schools who try to make a serious effort. I have had friends go through the program and none of them know how they got in, other than their grades. (Where you given any special treatment?) No pre-entrance exam...no written essay... no professional references... no interview. BC3, thus knows NOTHING about you, other than a NUMBER...a GPA. It does not take a nurse with a master's degree to look at a number. BC3 would have no other information to base a sound decision on... what are they going to look at... my address... my student id number. really? There is NO OTHER professional or personal information they would have on me, to choose me as a nursing student, or not!!! I know interviews and references can be swayed.... but knowing the school I am attending, cares about me and my education enough, to get to know me, speaks volumes. I am not just a number. Interviews happen everyday at jobs all across America. If they weren't useful, why are thousands of people wasting their time everyday? I, myself would not hire anyone who I have never met. (have to ask... would you?) I would ask for a professional reference to aid in my decision. Does the person have a strong work ethic.. are they notorious for being late? In a legit reference, and interview a lot could be revealed. It is a chance, like everything else. BC3, in my opinion is taking huge chances and risks, by not getting to know it's pre-nursing students. ALL, they care about your number, your high gpa, so at the end, they look good when you pass the NCLEX. (wonder if it isn't time that the word has got out, and LOCAL employers have caught on?) There is another thread on allnurses, worth reading. Someone (bizmom?) posted, that upon graduating BC3, they filled out 80 applications, and has yet to be called for an interview. They stated that they think BC3 is a turn off to employers. Again, not to openly offend, but another perspective. We each are entitled to our own opinions, and at this point we will just have to disagree. I don't care enough to waste anymore time on the matter. I know what I have experienced and nothing is going to change my mind. BC3 is a great place to start a career, just not a nursing careeer. I do beleive that all schools have their own ups and downs, and, in the end it is what each of us chooses to tolerate and / or accept. I wish you all the best, because ideally, it does not matter where you get your education, as long as YOU are happy and proud of it. It is a free country, and All that matters is what YOU think of the program.... Not what I think of the program.

ok....No problem... and no hurry! My name has always gave me problems.... I even got put in the boys gym class, in middle school! Ha Talk soon!

Aubie... I too sent a request, to join, but maybe I didn't do it right? I will go and double check after this. My real name is unusual, (for a girl) and most would probably think I am a boy.... which is what my parents wanted! I wanted to let you know, incase you thought someone was creeping around! My profile picture picture is of me and my fiance, so you could easily think HE is the one trying to be friends, based on MY name! haha I am probably confusing you... but anyway, I am going to request now.... thanks!

Me too! Me too! Glad we will be able to put faces to our names! Glad you were able to create something!

Aubie... I read another site where the group started their own facebook page, so the whole world didn't have to read everything. Is this somthing you know how to do, or would even be interested in doing? It may be a better place to be more private, and would be nice to share and do study material like you mentioned ? Then again, we all know how facebook is... so maybe not? I guess nothing is private anymore! Anyways, just sounded nice that they had their own page, just titled it something like UPMC Mercy 2013 or ???? I think you had to be requested to be able to be included and read the posts? Anyways, that sounds like a lot of work too! haha Congratulations on your boyfriend for graduating soon! He has got to have good advice and guidance for you. whatever he says, I am going to believe! (He was our guinea pig, and didn't know it!) hahha He could also be known as (aka) "Our Fearless Leader!" ha... OFL for short! Just having some fun... but if you say OFL says ___________ (blank)... I will sit up straight and listen! Have a nice day!

It is funny how we are all "hurry up and get here".... hurry hurry.... and then come September, we will all be like... "what? Slow this train down!" hahah Well I hope not, but I have visions! Glad someone else is going to the test thing first. Because if it were me, you would all be lost anyway! I would be the one, saying, "Take 20 steps, turn left, or was it right?... you know... at that thing-a-ma-jig, go up 15 steps, then you turn yourself around .....ok everybody... lets do the hokie-pokie!" oh geez! Anyways... glad there is a guinea pig amoungst us!