Smilty

Congrats!!

I wasn't able to download, but if you google it you can find them in slide form.

I did my BSN in Adult Nursing. The common foundation year (first year) included some Peds/OB/Psych theory hours, so when I came over here I just had to take clinical classes - one semester.

I don't think they are mandatory. Most people use them so they don't hear everyone coming and going etc. There is another set of headphones for audio. Good luck

I had an iPhone app called 'NCLEX QB' which was quite good. Then I used the CD that came with Saunders and NCLEX 3500.

I don't think anyone ever feels ready for the dreaded NCLEX. It's entirely upto you if you want to reschedule, however, if you are still gonna feel the same in a few weeks - you should just go ahead and take it, it sounds like you are getting decent scores. I'm not gonna lie, when you get the testing center and sit down you probably are gonna feel like you're gonna puke. Take a few minutes to compose yourself before you begin and even before questions if you need to. Be aware that when you have the ear plugs in you can really hear your heart beat! This may add to your anxiety. Good luck :)

Angel 20 - I really found the SATA on the actual test easier than any I had practiced. I even found myself hoping for them coz then I knew I was doing well!

Thanks, I'm really happy. Now to find a job.....

I wouldn't recommend just using Saunders. The questions are easier than the NCLEX and the book really lack priority/delegation questions. It's good for content though.

It sounds like you need to take a break and try and relax today. No one ever feels ready and I'm sure you will surprise yourself about how much you do know. Good luck :)

Thanks guys! I am from the UK and have nursed there since 2008, so that really helped with the prioritization/delegation questions. Also, I have probably done thousands of practice questions from multiple sources - iPhone apps, Saunders, PDA, NCLEX 3500, I found slides of Kaplan questions online, and I signed up for 3 week NCSBN course. For content I used Saunders - I read all the Peds/OB/Psych chapters as that's not something I've done much of until I came to the US (I only had about 1 question from each of these areas). I reviewed the major systems - cardiac, respiratory, endocrine - I'm a renal nurse so I was all good on the kidney front. Obviously, having a good knowledge of the basics is vital - Lab values (and risks of abnormal results), precautions, infection control, cranial nerves, hypo/hyperkalemia, drug calcs. You have to practice the alternative format questions!! Although, I was relieved to find that the NCLEX SATA/drag and drop were not as hard as some of the practice material :) Ummm, I studied vaguely since about the beginning of June, but only got really serious since I got my ATT, about 3 weeks ago. I study in 2 hour blocks, about 4 - 6 hours a day. Don't become a prisoner to your studying!! To pass this exam you have to be able to critically think and decipher what they are actually asking you! I truly feel that about 2 things I had studied were on the test - the rest was me having to think like a nurse and make the right decision. For pharm, try and learn groups of drugs, normally similar mess have the same ending, so that helps! So all in all I had, about 25 - 30 SATA, 2 drag and drop, 1 drug calc and the screen went blue at 75 :)

I just checked my quick results, and I passed. I'm super happy.

NCSBN is all reading. I didn't like the content too much, but the questions were quite good. If content is your problem Saunders is good, but bear in mind that the Saunders questions are easier than the boards Good luck

I reviewed some notes etc, but honestly none of it even came up on my test. I wish I hadn't bothered!! I think six flags sounds like a great plan :)

Congratulations! I'm international too, I certainly is a long process. I test tomorrow.

Thanks guys! Especially GrnTea :) I'm sure I know enough to pass, I just want it over with already! I came from the UK, I've already been a nurse for 4 years, my husband stayed in the AF an extra year so I could sort all of this out. All of this is adding to my anxiety. I think I'll go and get some ice cream :)

My NCLEX is tomorrow at 10am. I know I'm supposed to relax today but I totally can't! I keep thinking about possible test topics and then I have to read up on that topic!! I know it's impossible to know everything and I don't think anyone ever really feels ready, but I am convinced I'm gonna get a bunch of questions about obscure diseases and drugs I've never heard of! Just venting really! Wish me luck ?

Alicat23, Your post is about the only thing today that has not made me want to puke on my study material. I test on Friday!! Thanks for sharing :)

Well done! Mine is on Friday and although part of me just wants it over and done with the other part seriously thinks I need more time to study! Arrgh!

Thanks for your advice. It's kind of hard not to get caught up in scores etc. One of my problems is that I often second guess myself and then my first instinct is usually right!! Anyway, I just did Kaplan Test 7 and I got a 65%, which is not as high as I would have liked

Thanks guys! I'm nervous, I really need to pass first time. Plus, I have been a nurse since 2008 in the UK, so fairly embarrassing if I fail

I think you should be able to get it done in your home country. You have to have it done at a police station or somewhere official. They send a form that you have to get the official to sign. Good luck

The scores of from the NCLEX 3500 program.

Hi guys, I'm testing on Friday, eeeek!! I have been doing practice tests of varying lengths to try and get an idea of how I will do if I get 75 vs. 265 questions. Well, my average scores are 75 - 78% I was quite surprised that I managed to get a 78% on a 265 question test. It sure is a lot of questions!! I really hope my test isn't that long! Anyway, does it seem like these scores will lead me to a pass?! Any advice for last week of studying will be much appreciated :)

CPR certification is different in the UK, it is done as part of your course when you are at university. Then when you get a job they all do in house CPR trainings, usually yearly. As for drug testing etc, they didn't do it when I trained 2005 - 2008 and I was never drug tested in the 4 years I nursed in the UK. You have to obtain a criminal background check to get a place on a nursing program and for each subsequent job. They will obviously check your immunisation status. They also took blood from us to check Rubella titer. I had to have blood drawn for HIV/HEPB but that was because I worked in Dialysis which is considered high risk. I would imagine that the diploma is very similar to ASN, it is 3 years though. They have been talking about going to all BSN for a while now, i'm not sure when that is taking effect. Hope this was vaguely helpful. :)