Billy11

Hey there. I understand it's frustrating. I graduated in Jan. 2014 and was already working as a nursing assistant on the floor I work on now. I honestly wish professors would stress the importance of getting a job as an NA before graduating. But needless to say that has past. Just a few thoughts...are you close to any of your professors? Meaning can you reach out to them to ask if they know anyone that's hiring? Secondly, have you attended any career health fairs in the area or the surrounding area? Thirdly, do any of your friends from school have jobs? Can they recommend to you any units that are hiring in their hospital? Can they speak for you?

I'm very sorry to hear about the trouble you are having regarding the exam. I just recently took the exam in Feb. and passed in 75 questions. I graduated this past December. I took the Kaplan live online class over a four day period one week after graduation; the class consisted of 2 sessions per day each 3 hours in length. I know you mentioned that you took Kaplan as well. My trainer scores were fairly consistent and needless to say I did NOT score above 60% on any trainer. My scores were as follows: T 4 = 54% T 5 = 57% T 6 = 54% T 7 = 59% I finished 100 % of Qbank questions which I believe comes to approx. 1200 questions. My average for the Qbank was 59%. And I was all over the map with my averages on the qbank questions, one day I would do 50 questions and get a 78% then the next day do another 50 with a score of 55%, it was not consistent by any means. I did not study content from Kaplan's website, yes I did download the e-book but (although very thorough) it was overwhelming for me. So as a recommendation from a friend that previously passed, I purchased Saunders 5th edition Comprehensive (the yellow book) for content, and LaCharity for "who do you see first", "what takes priority" and "what can I delegate to UAP's and LPN's. And that's all I used. I covered both books cover to cover; I gave myself a 5 week deadline until the exam. To start I would review content in Saunders in the morning for maybe 2-3 hours (of course with mini breaks) along with the end chapter questions then break for lunch then in the afternoon I would do a chapter of questions in LaCharity then I would finish up with 50 Qbank questions (along with reading each and every rationale). One week before the exam, I ran out of Qbank questions so I re-reviewed the qbank questions I got wrong. But still continued with Saunders in the am and LaCharity in the pm. Can I ask what your study plan consisted of each time you took the exam? And also what transpired on the actual day during testing, i.e. how many questions did you take each exam, any breaks taken? How did you feel while taking the exams, anxiety and/or fatigue level? I have to admit that in the past I did have terrible anxiety throughout school and during test taking times. I actually fainted in the first semester of school during lab once! Talk about embarrassing! But once I got a handle of it, things got much better. The day before my exam I took a dry run to the testing center to familiarize myself with timing and my surroundings (to negate the anxiety haha). The morning of the exam I had a nice breakfast (protein) and drove down. I already knew where I was going so I felt okay. I got there, began the exam and literally kicked my shoes off under the table (the testing people probably thought I was a weirdo or something but I didn't care). I did NOT rush at all, at some points I put my head down and stretched in my chair. I finished in 2 hours with a 10 minute break.

Hello anh_thule, Thank you for your post. I will be taking the nclex in February and have similar trainer scores. I know you mentioned that it was your second time taking the exam. May I ask what you did differently from the first vs the second time around? Many thanks.

Hi, Thanks for the info. Did you receive an actual certification after taking the CCM course? Because I registered but want to take sure it's an actual certification. Thank you.

Hi Chelsea13, Thank you for your post! For my nursing program we have teacher written study guides pertaining to each unit/lecture; in your opinion would you recommend completing the study guides prior to the lectures?

Hello Everyone, I am currently working as a PCT at a hospital, just started actually. I was wondering if anyone has started as a tech. and transitioned into an RN on a floor they were working on after graduation? I still have 1 year of studies (A.A.) to go but would just like to get a better idea of the chance of hire if anyone else has experienced such. Many thanks!

I think I posted by mistake twice!

I have to say I really wasn't interviewed interviewed as one is usually accustomed to. The HR recruiter initially called me for the phone interview and asked me some behavioral questions and just confirmed some details regarding my availability. I then went in for the actual meeting and meet up with the recruiter then met with the nurse manager on the floor I would be working on, it was more a description of what the job/responsibilities consist of and what types of hours would be needed. It wasn't your typical interview so I was surprised but of course prepared for anything at that point. She and I then wrapped up our conversation, I then proceeded to ask her when I should follow up regarding the position and she said that she wasn’t sure but to follow up with the recruiter in one week. I then emailed the recruiter to thank him that afternoon and received a phone call shortly after with the decision. It happened very quickly for me. Regarding what I wore, I just wore black dress pants, a button up blouse and nice flats, very preppy. So I finished with my pre-employment testing and have orientation coming up in which I’m assuming I’ll receive my schedule at that point. I will be working per diem every other weekend. I'm excited but very nervous all at the same time.

Thank you both for you reponses! I got the job and am currently going thru pre-employment testing! Woop Woop!

Hi Jenniferasch, What semester are you currently in? I will be working approx. 15-20 hours at my first job (I cut back during school) and will be working every other wknd at the hospital come school in September. How do you handle it? I'm thinking eventually something will have to give for me.

hi everyone, i just got a per diem job as a nursing assistant at a localhospital! i'm excited and nervous all atthe same time! i applied online in juneand received an email from the recruiter a couple of weeks thereafter. i then had a phone interview and then wasasked to come in in person and poof they hired me! i still have to go through the employmentprocess but i'm thrilled to gain some experience. i do still currently work a regular officeposition and will be working at the hospital every other weekend. come sept. i will be in n2 and will cut downon my reg. office hours but to maintain my medical coverage i will still beworking in the office. so come septemberi will be working 2 jobs and going through n2. oh boy i guess we'll see how this goes! anyone working 2 jobs?? good luck to all.

hello all, i will be in n2 come september and during one of our labs in n1 i totally passed out. we were practicing bp at the time and i'm not really sure if it was the temp. of the room, the fact that i didn't eat for 6 hours prior or the fact that we were having difficulty locating my pulse (the cuff was inflated twice on my same arm) i started to get tunnel vision. the whole room was packed with people and i'm the kind of person who doesn't like to make a spectacle of myself so i remember standing up, then literally staggering outside the lab and sat on a chair outside the room. then i hear this little voice asking me if i'm okay - it's my clinical partner (of whom i just met two days ago, kinda embarrassing yes) and then i come to with one of the profs taking my blood pressure and asking if i'm a diabetic! i literally passed out in the chair and was slumped over. it basically felt as if i took an instant power nap. of course i was fine after that and after having a little snack but after that day i was terrified for anyone to take my bp. i would run for the hills when i saw another student coming for my arm. that feeling has passed since then but i have to say i took away a great friend from the incident - my clinical partner in crime!

Congrats MissyMango! That's great. I had a phone interview the other day with a hospital and was asked to come in person next week. This I'm assuming will be a second interview if you will. Do you remember what was asked of you when you interviewed? Any tips? Many thanks.

Hello lyfhckr, I have a phone interview coming up for nursing asst. positions at a local hospital in NJ, did you have an initial phone interview and if so do you recall what was asked? Many thanks.

Dear Lilliben1, I understand that this thread was posted back in March...but I read your post stating that you left your office job to work as a PCA. I am in a similar position where I currently work in an office and will be in my 2nd semester come Sept. I have a phone interview coming up for nursing assistant positions at a local hospital in NJ. I was wondering if you had a phone interview initially for your position and if so do you recall what was asked? Thank you.