Pick01

I suggest no more than 4 people for a group, any larger is too much. Make sure it's to study, and everyone needs to be prepared ie... have read the material, listened to lectures etc... and have notes ready. The benefit actually comes from one person being stronger in areas than the others, and you assist each other for understanding. Get a recorder for lectures and listen to it when driving, helped me. This would be good for the person that said they live a 1/2 hour away from others, as I drove 45 minutes to my study group, and it worked well for me. Like prevoiusly said, it doesn't work for everyone, but if the group is prepared, it can increase your understanding alot. It happened to work for me, and I graduated with honors, but just as a side note, I also studied alot on my own, the study group was NOT the only studying I did, just so that is understood. Now, the hard part........if a person or persons are not participating, or doing the notes, in otherwords their part, you need to cut them out, or drop from the group, because it WILL draw you down. This is not to socialize or being best buddies, it's to learn, and if done right will help the whole group excell, it did for our group, and we all passed NCLEX first time. I hope this helps, and good luck to you all.

My is 1. If you can do a study group-limit it to 4 people, and it is to study, not socialize. 2. Buy the book "Electrolytes made Incredibly easy"- you'll love this book, and you need to know the information forever. 3. Go to clinicals prepared. 4. be organized. 5. Study completely, know your material, tape lectures to relisten to. 6. If you have questions-and you should- ask them. Good Luck!

They are more of a way to see what kind of person you are. Loyal, team player, or loner, so they can see if and where you will fit in. I think they would still interview you. Hope this helps.

The nerves will be there every semester until you get going. Orientation may actually get them going more, as you anticipate the start of the new semester. The nerves will also get worse getting ready for the NCLEX, and then again getting ready to start your new job, then everyday before I start, but they settle down as you concentrate, so just think of it as your engine (brain) revving up to get going. Remember to keep breathing and it will be fine. As far as afraid of failing-tell yourself you CAN do this, you'll have to work at it, but if you want it, you will get it done. Try to maintain a positive attitude, remember a negative attitude, or lack of confidence shows, and when your with a patient, you want them at ease, even though inside your all jittery. I remember an anology I heard somewhere of being like a duck on water. On top the duck looks all calm and poised, but under the water his feet are going a mile a minute. Enjoy school, and get everything out of it you can, and if you have a question-ask it! Good luck to you all.

Don't be competitive, be friendly and helpful. Karma works both ways, and it can pay dividends. Avoid drama, and start great study habits and stick to it. Do your studies, unfortunately you will have almost no life other than studies, but look at the big picture. The good habits will work for you when you become a nurse, and also be organized don't have to always be looking for something, know where it is, this will help with time management more than you can imagine. Buy the book "Electrolytes made easy", it will be a big help to you from now on! Congratulations, and good luck.

One thing I will throw in.... buy a pocket recorder, to record lectures. That way you can listen again to the lecture, it clears up questions you may come across in your readings, at least it worked for me, and you can listen to them when your driving.

My program was excellent, and we all had to take the ATI test in last semester which was the majority of my grade in one class. We also did the Kaplan program after graduation, and I passed first time, with 75 questions. The main thing to me was ATI seemed to check knowledge, but Kaplan taught more critical thinking, and question breakdown. I studied just as hard everyday after graduation as I did during school, up to 6 hours sometimes, but then day before NCLEX, got a hotel room close to testing site, had a nice dinner, and just relaxed with friends also taking the exam. The next morning went to site, and just did it. Came out thinking I failed, but recieved good pop-up, and two days later found out I had indeed passed. I am now a working RN. So, study hard and have a positive attitude, because you CAN do this. Good Luck to you.

5-10 minutes early, no more. Earlier you seem desperate, and force them to be uncomfortable making you wait which can work against you. On-time is too close to late, which makes them wonder if you wait till last minute to show up to work.

Go for it! I'm 58, and start my job on Monday as an RN. I just graduated in May, and passed NCLEX on the 6th of this month. It's never too late, if you don't let it be. You CAN do this, just study hard, and remember no matter how hard it may seem, it IS doable. :)

I will only throw in, it is better to be happy in your career. If you are as unhappy as it seems, your health and wellbeing will suffer in time. On the other side, I would really look into whatever field you may be interested in to make sure you don't fall into the trap again. The money issue is, you might not make as much, but if your happy it will make up for some of it, and you'll want to stay with it.

I wouldn't put it on your cover letter or resume'. It will ask you if you have ever been arrested on the application. They will ask you for the backround during the interview if they're interested in knowing. The intent of cover letter and resume' are to sell yourself, as previously mentioned. Hope this helps.

I am 57 and graduated May 10. Waiting to take NCLEX, still waiting on ATT.

I gave a big old yell for joy, I'm sure my whole neighborhood knew. Now if I could recieve my ATT, I could set-up to take my NCLEX and get back to work. I so look forward to finally working as a nurse.

Good luck on your results! How long did it take you to get your ATT, and was it e-mail or through post office?

Just to throw this out there, you said you like to teach your patients. Med/Surg. would give you the best opportunity to do that, get you experience, and allow you to broaden your horizons later. Just a thought, but I would look at option 1 or 2. Option 3 would be ok if you want to go Corrections, but if you wanted back into acute care, would it be as accepted everywhere? Also, would the patients be as open to teaching, that you said you like to do? Just being the devil's advocate....

I wonder if those nurses are PRN?

Hi, congratulations. I have recently graduated, and I know how excited you must be. A book that helped me out a lot and I recommend to get ahead is the "Electrolytes made Incredibly Easy". You'll need to know this from now on, so this will get you started. They have several other books (Incredibly Easy), but I feel this is one you can start now and do some good. The others if you feel you want them later. Good Luck!

Ok, I just graduated, so I am going to pass on one really big help-buy the book "Electrolytes made incredibly Easy". Read this book from cover to cover, more than once if needed, but read this book. You need to know these, and they will be with you for the rest of your career. Learn them now, and alot will fall into place-trust me. Good Luck to you.

I have tats on both arms, and one on my hand. I wear long sleeves, and yes for interviews, too. The one on my hand hasn't stopped me yet, it gets covered by gloves, so far no problem. Don't roll up your sleeves, and it shouldn't be a problem. It does get warm in some situations, but you can survive it. If you truely want to be a nurse, adapt and overcome. By the way, I just got hired also. :)

Hi, I'm 57 and just graduated. It's my second career, and really wished it had been my first. I am waiting to take the NCLEX, and then I can start my career. It is definately doable as you can see. I took a long time to decide what I really wanted to do, but I found it. I wish all of you luck, and remember no matter how hard it seems, you can do it!

I too, am one of the older group. I just finished school and have graduation next week. I got in first time (Two years ago) in an ADN program. It can be done, GPA is the important part, also put in all of your community stuff, it won't hurt a bit. Good Luck to you. With luck I'll be an RN by the end of June, and I can't wait.

I think your golden. It is an old opening, and hasn't been filled yet. Relax and if you don't hear from them, call next week and get the good news.