astarrh1

I got my RN from a Technical College, and every one of my credits transferred to the 4 yr University toward my BSN/MSN. :w00t:

Just as an update....I took NCLEX on December 12 after studying ATI. I passed with 84 questions in 30 minutes. 75 of my questions were SATA.

I waited to take NCLEX because I had no choice. The day before graduation, my husband got laid off. With 3 kids, his last paycheck had to go to stretch as far as possible. That wouldn't have been possible if we had spent half of it ($320) for my test, fingerprints, and background check. Believe me, it isn't that I wanted to wait. The one interview I had, it never came up. All they wanted to know was if I had my license. On another note, with so many nursing schools in the area graduating all at the same time, the majority of my class had to wait up to 3 months for a test date. That was after the BON took over a month to approve testers to take the NCLEX. I don't think the length of time between graduation and boards should make a difference, especially not in this economy where people are hanging on by their fingernails just to survive. I have my license, I am an RN, that should be all that matters.

Congrats, you passed!!! I was the same way, I wouldn't believe it until I saw my name on my BON website. Congrats again!!!

I am applying to an online program to get my BSN and MSN. There are so many options now. Many 4 yr Universities now offer an online RN-BSN/MSN program, and many many many are less than 20K. There are several who offer the RN-BSN for around 7-8K. It just takes a little research and willingness to do the online channel. Best of luck to everyone who is making their way down that path.

As an older "new grad", I'd like to put in my two cents here. I graduated in June, took boards in December. I followed my instructors' and preceptors' advice, and began putting in applications the month before graduation. Primarily at the hospital system where I did 3/4 of my clinical time. Here it is January. I've submitted over 60 applications to various facilities. I've gotten one interview, still no job. There are brand new grad RNs who graduated earlier this month and have yet to take NCLEX who are getting hired at the same hospital. I am willing to work any unit, any shift, though I prefer 7p to 7a. I will gladly work weekends, holidays, anything. I just want to get hired. I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I was a little girl and went to work with my (now former) RN mother at the local Health Dept. That being said, I'm not looking at this as being a curse. I decided that as long as I am unemployed, I will utilize this time to further my education. I'm applying to a RN-BSN-MSN program so that I can use this 'stumbling block' as a stepping stone. As for CNAs, I have the utmost respect for CNAs and LPNs. I have been fortunate enough to work with wonderful ones who were happy to share their experience and knowledge with a nursing student who wanted to learn. Each of us has a role in the health care team. Some of the best nursing knowledge was shared with me by a LPN with 35 years experience. I learned the best and most efficient way to give a bed bath from a CNA who had been at the same facility for nearly 30 years. We all have knowledge to share, and we can all learn something new from someone else. To sounappreciated: I'm sorry that you seem to have had bad experiences dealing with other members of the health care team. Unfortunately, sometimes in life we have to learn to deal with the bad situations and the difficult coworkers. Please, do not make the mistake of painting all nurses with the same tainted brush. You wouldn't want to be lumped into a category with "those lazy do-nothing CNAs", so please have the courtesy not to lump all nurses together in the same pile. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thank you all for your understanding and for allowing me to vent just a little bit.

Best of luck tomorrow!! You're going to do fantastic!! If it makes you feel any better, I did all the ATI stuff as well. I scored in the same percentages in the same areas as you. I took NCLEX in December. 30 minutes, 84 questions, 75 were SATA. I honestly didn't feel the least little bit prepared for boards, but I made myself remain calm by saying, "It's only one test. IF I don't do well today, I'll come back and take it again. I worked too hard to stop now." (I will admit that once I got back out to the car AFTER the test, I boo-hooed all over my husband's shoulder...lol) I recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and a hooded sweatshirt over a tshirt. You won't be allowed to wear a jacket into the testing area, but a hoodie is okay. I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are, but since the testing facilities may be cooler or warmer inside, I'd wear layers that I can remove easily if it gets too hot. Other than that, relax and during the test don't forget to breathe. You made it through NS, you can do this too!!! Good luck, God bless, and sweet dreams tonight.

If you got the good pop up, then you passed. I know it's hard to believe that little trick when so much is riding on it, but it hasn't failed anyone that I know of. I took NCLEX in December, 84 questions in 30 minutes. When I got out to the car and my hubby asked how I did, I burst into tears feeling certain I had failed. A good friend texted me and called me while I did the trick. She swore I passed, but I was afraid to believe it. A couple of hours later, I got a call saying the Dean of Nursing from my NS had announced to the class that the last student from the previous class (me) had taken NCLEX and passed. I refused to believe it until I saw my name on the BON website the next day. I think 75 of my questions were SATA...lol CONGRATULATIONS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

makeitwork how did you do chemistry online with the lab component? I'm curious because I have been avoiding applying for a RN-BSN program because I absolutely hate chemistry and I don't have the time to take classes on my local CC campus two days a week.

UTA is one of the colleges that made it to my top 5 for RN-BSN. Please keep us posted on your journey to help those of us "on the fence" to make a decision. Thanks!

I pulled up the info on Georgia Southern RN-BSN/RN-MSN online program. In their application packet is curriculum checklist. It says on the checklist that Chemistry with lab is "required for this degree". Thought you might want to know.

Good luck on NCLEX!!! Remember to relax, breathe, and don't second guess yourself!! You're going to do great! After 30 minutes of testing, my NCLEX cut off at 84 questions, and I came out terrified! My license # was posted on the GA BON website yesterday.

Expect it to take anywhere from a week to 6 weeks to get your Authorization to Test letter. Then, depending on where you test, the first available appointment may not be for several weeks. I paid all my fees the 10th of October, went for my fingerprinting on the 11th. I received my Authorization to Test November 14th. The first available test date for Atlanta was December 12th @ 8 am. Just to give you an idea.

I'm getting ready to take my NCLEX exam in a few weeks. I have been using the individualized study plan created at the ATI Live Review at my school. I have also used a few other study materials, but I have primarily focused on my ATI study plan. Those of you who have utilized the ATI study plan and have taken NCLEX.....was ATI helpful or not? Were you prepared for the exam? Did you pass on the first attempt? Thanks for any responses and any suggestions.