mzznurse

** This is kinda long, but i hope worth the read. They always say that “beggars can’t be choosers”, but I think if you really know what you want and your worth, you will land where you’ve always wanted to be all along. I also believe that God do have plans for each of us. To be honest, one of the many reasons I took the nursing path is because there was a nursing shortage back in 2008 when i applied for the nursing program. I thought that it will be an easy route to take assuming that when I graduate, there will be a job lined up for me. I was wrong. The class before us is probably the last lucky few who were able to get a job easily. I graduated last June 2011 and two classes graduated in my school due to a changed curriculum. Also, around that time, another college in town also graduated over 60 new nurses. More graduates= more competition. The economy has been down the drain over the years, and things has changed. When I did my clinical rotation at KMC (county hospital), I fell in love with it. I really tried to get the clinical instructors who teach at that hospital so I can do my clinical rotations there, and I succeeded. I like this hospital because it is a teaching hospital, and I like to be surrounded by people who are like me- willing to always learn. I know that I don’t know everything. There will be people who can be a great resource and help so that I can be the best nurse that I can and will be. So, during the KMC luncheon on April 2011 for new grads, I talked to the ICU director to learn more about the application. I have always wanted to work in critical care even though I did the POOREST on this class when I was still in school. LOL. I love total patient care and being able to see a patient improve from almost dead in vents, million drips, to smiling, moving and breathing on their own.Those things put a smile on my face. I also fascinate myself with complicated diseases and cases that I take the time to figure out and decipher. She told me that she doesn’t hire new grads, but she said I can start some other unit, and work my way to the critical care unit. My second choice and actually one of my favorite units is Med-Surg. I love being busy and doing something every second. I go crazy whenever I am idle and not being productive. So i had a mindset that I am just gonna work at Med-Surg. Come July 2011 after passing my boards and failing the DDI Assessment (personality quiz) in the application for Mercy (including other CHW hospitals), not getting my application to the directors at San Joaquin, the will to work in a hospital setting and the strong desire to really work in a critical care unit..I took the courage to print out my resume and meet with the ICU director. I went to the hospital, dressed professionally, and went to her unit. I was outside the door of the enclosed ICU/DOU facility, holding my manila envelope, thinking to myself “Should i do this or not?!” and suddenly a girl came up to me and asked “Do you need help?” I uttered “I am here to see the ICU director”. She said that she wasn’t there but she will be back in a few hours. I waited at the hospital lobby for over 2 hours.. After the long wait, I came up again to see if the director was there and i got on the phone with her. The ICU director asked “Do i have an appointment with you?”. I genuinely said “No, but I am here because I want to meet with you and hand you my resume”. You see, this gesture can be a make or break deal. I can be seen as someone who’s overly desperate or someone who really wants to work at this unit. Thankfully, it was the latter. She let me in the unit and interviewed me. She remembered me from the KMC luncheon 3 months before. She toured me around the unit. In the end, she honestly told me that she can’t hire me until formal interviews has been made. Since it is a county hospital, I had to go through the whole hiring process of the county. I waited almost 2 months to get the mail for interview. I still have to face a panel interview, but I know as long as the ICU director knows me, I have a bigger chance of working at this hospital. I never got a chance to EVER get into a formal interview process in my life. My parents has been so supportive all throughout my college life that I never had to find a job to get through every day expenses. I really believe that success is HARDWORK, WILL, LEARNING FROM MISTAKES, but most of all preparation (when you can). I really prepared myself for this interview like how I prepared for my board exam. The night before my interview, i catch myself even practicing how I was going to shake the nursing directors’ hands. LOL. It’s so silly! I went in the interview and surrounded by 7/8 nursing directors from all the units in KMC. I was asked only a few questions and found them more interested in telling me what the hospital is all about and how the orientation process will be. I left the conference room knowing that I did a good job. My gut feelings are usually wrong (like when I feel like I aced an exam but actually failed), but this time I knew it went really well. They kept on telling me that I will hear from them in a week or so.. but 2 weeks has passed and I haven’t gotten a call. Another tip: TRY TO ALWAYS ALWAYS FOLLOW UP. I called the HR every week to make sure. This will really show how interested you are with the job. Then on my birthday, I had a dream I called the HR and they told me I didn’t get the job. I was devastated. I woke up crying to myself (well ALMOST).. hahaha! Then i looked at my phone and saw a missed call. I jumped out of bed and immediately dialed the HR #. They are offering me a job at KMC!! I was so happy. God had to really pick this day to give me the good news! After so many bumps along the road, I realized that if you really want something, there will be a way… if there is no way, you make one. Like how this quote goes “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”. If you have the tools to make it happen, IT IS POSSIBLE. I feel so blessed, but I think it I owe this success more to my strong desire to really really work there and not giving up. PATIENCE and PERSISTENCE does pay off. It will not be easy.. but it will be worth it. This is a stepping stone for me to bigger better things in the future, but I am just living my life one step at a time. Every year, I make a goals list. Last year, this was my list: And I am happy and proud to strike one more goal in it. :) So for those who are unemployed, still searching..NEVER SURRENDER! Btw, i made a blog to document my first year in nursing.

I graduated June 10, took Kaplan classes for 8 days starting June 13. I took my NCLEX on July 7. I had 3 weeks of reviewing. I only used Kaplan and passed. :) Good luck!

I passed my NCLEX 2 months ago.. it has been that long not being able to find a job. I am not picky, but I believe that I can get hired at my dream hospital. I have always wanted to work in our county hospital since I did my clinical rotations there. I went to meet the nurse manager 2 months ago to talk to her about possible employment. She said that she will definitely consider hiring me and that she thinks I am a very diligent person. I have been exchanging emails w/ her and she said all i need to wait for is the formal interview. The interviews has been delayed over and over again. I don't know if i should still wait.. or should i just apply elsewhere. I am so tired of checking the mail every single day only to find out that there's still NO mail from them. It's getting really frustrating.. but i can't help but hold on to the hope and faith that she will infact hire me.

I will be praying for you! Keep your head up and think positive! You will pass this exam! :) You got through nursing school, nothing will get in your way to get that RN title! You can do it!

I agree with everyone else. I think you are making a bigger deal that it has it to be. You are the only person stressing yourself out more here. California takes a long time to post results compared to other states. There are people who took it from my class before you and still haven't gotten their results yet. According to BRN, results take 2-4 weeks to arrive. I suggest you give them a call and ask for your evaluator's direct # so you know what needs to be done in order for them to release your results.

Hi, we used ATI Predictor Exam for our school. Our passing grade is 74% and we can take it 3x. I failed 2 times scoring 70-71%. I was devastated. It was an eye opening experience that in order to pass NCLEX, i really have to study. I understand where you're coming from though, online AND standardized tests makes me anxious too. Haha. But if you know you studied and did your best reviewing.. feel confident w/ yourself.. i think you'll be fine :)

You're welcome. And if you are still going to take your NCLEX, good luck! You can do it!

Hello guys! As i was reviewing for my boards, i turned to allnurses for support n encouragement. I read threads about people passing the nclex, what they did, what they reviewed etc and found that it has helped me with my success. I am here to tell you tips and what i did to pass my nclex the first try. What i used: Kaplan Course Book, Kaplan Live Videos (content), Kaplan Qtrainers+ Qbank, my tumblr, allnurses, mom, dad & sister's support. How long did i study?: I graduated June 10, 2011, started studying June 13 when my Kaplan course started and studied until July 6. My test date was JULY 7. (haha. im so superstitious. it was 7/7 so i was like oooh it must be a lucky day to take it) I take breaks (a weekend or a day to unwind, relax n go out w/ friends). I study atleast 6 hours/day on the first week and less in the following weeks. The Plan: Week 1: June 13-June 23 (actually this is 10 days. this is how long my Kaplan course is) -i go to class from 9am - 12 pm. I go to Barnes & Nobles or Starbucks after because I am one of those people who can't study at home. -I took my diagnostic exam and looked at my weak areas and study them before my strong areas. for example, Day 1: I will be watching the live content video on Physiological Adaptation in Kaplan and reading the course book for 4 hours or so. -then i will do some Qbank questions (just 50 on that area) *i wasnt able to do this, but i suggest doing it to actually retain the content you reviewed. - once i am done with my goals (example: finish Management of Care video), i relax and watch TV or play videogames (yup i am a gamer) -This week i did QT 1, 2 & 3 and reviewed the rationales. *This week is mostly CONTENT review. I am a strong believer that you have to know content to pass. I wanted to have a strong foundation before i do practice questions. *To be honest, i didn't feel ready or confident to take the exam at this time yet. I was still very anxious. Week 2: June 23-June 30 -on June 23, last day of my Kaplan course, I was supposed to go to class but i haven't taken my readiness test. I skipped class and did my readiness test at home and got 69%. I think the score is also because I had a good night sleep, i was relaxed when taking it. -this week, i took the weekend off and went out of town. (i didnt bring any books because i just want to get out of nclex world for a day or two) -I did QT 4 & 5 and reviewed rationales - I did about 150 questions/day in the Qbank and reviewed and wrote down rationales so it will stick. Week 3: June 30- July 6 -I did QT 6 & 7. (got 54% and 57%) I was getting discouraged but I know that these are all passing level questions so I gave props to myself for answering half of them right. -Continued w/ 150 questions/day except for July 3 (I just celebrated w/ family and bf, watched fireworks and eat) *I feel confident around this time to take my exam. I was supposed to take the exam July 15, but i rescheduled it to July 7 because I just want to get it over with and don't want to deal w/ more stress and anxiety. Day before the exam: -Knowing myself, i knew i couldn't keep myself from studying. I actually did QT #7 the day before the exam. i did it in the morning and reviewed rationales until 3pm. Around 3pm, i went out with friends to get some tacos and just relax before the drive to the hotel near testing center. -At night, i just read my notes and the exam cram notes w/ basic lab level values and the infection control mnemonic (msg me if you want the copy) - i slept at 11pm and i slept good until 6 in the morning. Day of the exam: -i was less anxious.. but still scared. I prayed and prayed. -i ate Jack in the Box bfast (omg made my tummy upset. NO BUENO). Eat something w/ protein in it. ( I suggest omelet, eggs, toast and orange juice or water) -got to the testing area w/ packed lunch ( I WAS READY to take 265 questions lol) and my id and ATT -got to my cubicle and started the exam. -the whiteboard is a small piece of paper (kinda). i just put ABC in it. lol. i cant remember any lab values when i got there. and i put "God help me. Help me remember and make wise guesses if i dont know the answer" -I really thought i was failing the exam (i got some s/s questions) -I was almost crying and my tummy started to hurt. haha. i had to go restroom to take a break. I was around question #63ish at that time. -I passed question 75 and i knew for sure that i am going all the way to 265. -at question 78, it shut off. I knew i got the last 3 qs right, so I feel "okay" when i finished. My test consisted of: 6-7 SATA, 3 EKG strips, all the type of questions you can think of (exhibit, position diagrams, arrange). It is mostly who do you see first, priority questions, diet, infection and conference questions.. a loooot of discharge/teachings. - i had a feeling i passed but thought that it was sooo hard that i might've failed. -got back the hotel and did the PVT and good the good pop up. I was happy inside :) The Tips: * i studied content for a week. i think it's really important that you know core content. if you're close to your exam date.. do practice questions and review the areas that you are weak on. like read about renal failure if u keep missing q's about it. *try to get used to the slect all that apply questions. you will get those for sure. i got about 7-8. mostly about teaching tho. treat them like True/False question. *know what diet goes for meds/certain disease. not just: people who take MAOI should not eat tyramine rich foods but know WHAT food has tyramine in it. example: cheese, pepperoni *know infection control mnemonics and what to wear for each precautions (airborne/droplet/contact) *remember to breathe and relax as u take the test. do your best w/ each question. *Most of the time you will be left w/ two good choices. choose the BEST one and most likely it is something that a NURSE CAN DO for the patient and promotes patient safety. *you can never be truly prepared for the exam.. the best thing to do is PRAY PRAY PRAY and control your anxiety. relax and trust 4-5 yrs of being in school, ur capabilities, knowledge, ur hard work and effort & God. *know that YOU CAN DO IT and you will pass it. FYI: I was getting low kaplan scores (around 55-60%). There are days when I will get above 60%. but the real deal here is TO NEVER BASE your capability of passing on your kaplan scores. Most of the questions i got in NCLEX are not even in my kaplan qbanks. Just use the decision tree and go with your first instinct. *i made a blog w/ a lot mnemonics because i found that i remember better using them. http://ellainern.tumblr.com/ Click on FUN MNEMONICS on the side. I live in CA and took me 8 days to see my name in the BRN website. It feels surreal and i cried as i was jumping up and down. ‎”With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

I believe being in the high 50's and low 60's is good.. but you need to review the content. I suggest going through your kaplan videos for areas that you are weak on. Look at your analysis for every qbank or qtrainer that you've done and see which ones you score 50 or lower. focus on them. read that part of the book or watch lectures online. I had lacharity also but I never really used it. Nothing really prepared me for NCLEX.. i found that most of the questions i had are not the ones i studied for. I just know for sure that infection control will be in the exam. Study the mnemonics. Remember that this is a minimum competency exam... just relax and learn how to control your anxiety. :) Stay Positive! You can pass this! You will pass this! FYI i also was scoring low in Kaplan... i was getting demoralized every time i take a qtrainer esp the last 2 ones. =/ Don't be discouraged.. but rather look at it as a challenge to do better. Good luck!

I just know you can cohort patients with the same infections. example TB patient w/ another TB patient. However, never cohort immunocompromised patients with another immunocompromised patient. Example: AIDS pt with another AIDS patient. As a general rule, dont cohort patient w/ infection (any of the infection mnemonics diseases) with someone who is prone to infection (immunocompromised patients. example: neutropenic, diabetic, AIDS patients).

I passed my nclex with these scores: QT 1 57 QT 2 64 QT 3 48 (haha was in a hurry to do this) Anyways, QT 1-3 are below the passing level questions so don't really pay attention to your scores and basing your capability to pass based on them. Just review your rationales and keep practicing questions. Kaplan is really good with test taking strategies but in my honest opinion you really have to know your core content to pass. I heard Saunders is a really good book to review your content. As you are answering questions in your Kaplan Qbanks or Qtrainers, go over those areas that you are weak on. Review them. I would also like to suggest not doing all the qtrainers at once. Do them once every day and really focus on your content. towards the last week before your exam date, just do practice questions and relax. Good luck!

Did you go to the credit card page?

Thank you! I took the exam yesterday and got the good pop up. I hope my name will show up on the BRN website on Monday. For now, i need to do something to keep myself from constantly checking the website and doing the PVT. lol. Congratulations!

most of my conference questions are about teaching.. for example: you're a nurse in conference.. which one would you include in your teaching about normal part of aging? something like that. approach it like a True or False question.. it's hard though if you dont know the content. goodluck! I suggest you do the QT 7 atleast. it's long, but it makes you used to being able to sit up to 256 questions. To be honest though, none of the stuff i studied were on the exam.. maybe only 10%.

suchababe. try to do some relaxation techniques. I think it would really help when you take the exam when you're calm (so you can think straight). You can do it! you got through nursing school... you can do this! Keep telling and believing that your hardwork, capabilities and knowledge will get you through this hill. I will pray for you! Good luck! keep us posted! :heartbeat