YouSmellLikeCDiff

I remember thinking that my bank account had never seen that much money! ...and then it was gone after putting a down payment on my apartment.

That is awesome!! Congratulations!! It is truly an unforgettable experience. Enjoy!

I start October 7th! I can't believe it's only a few weeks away! I will check back often to see how things are going. We can do this! Eeek!

I'm sorry to hear that, RedNavy! Like many people have already suggested, I agree that choosing and sticking to one study source would be beneficial. It is easy to assume that the more sources you study, the more knowledge you will gain. This only makes things more overwhelming than they already are. Instead, focus on one credible source and wear it out! I would also suggest brushing up on your critical thinking skills. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Strategies, Practice, and Review is a book that provides excellent advice about how to take the test, how to analyze/interpret each individual question, and many other helpful tips and tricks. This book completely changed the way I tested. I highly recommend it. I am confident that you will pass on the next try! Keep your head up and best of luck!

Hi ej1104! Our stories are extremely similar. I graduated in May 2012 and passed the NCLEX-RN in June 2012. I have been working as a RN on a Pediatric Acute Care floor at my local Children's Hospital for the past year. I interviewed for a OR Nurse position last week and was offered the job today! I am ecstatic! I, too, have always been intrigued by the surgical process. Throughout nursing school, I had very few opportunities to observe in the OR. When I had the chance, I was too mesmerized by the procedures to actually take note of the RNs duties and responsibilities. I got a better sense of the OR RNs role when I went to shadow for a day 2 weeks ago. Still, I am somewhat clueless as to what should be expected. I was told that our orientation period is 6 months. During this time, I will learn both roles of the Circulating Nurse and Scrub Nurse, all while rotating surgical services (Ortho, Neuro, ENT, Plastics, General, etc.) I am also required to take Peri-Op 101. I know nothing about this process except that we must pass the course before we can be declared off of orientation. As for hours, I was hired for the Monday - Friday (0645 -1515) shift with 1 weekend on-call per month. Other shifts are offered but are obtainable based on seniority. Honestly, I have no problem with rarely working weekends/holidays! It is comforting to know that someone else will be going through the same experience that I will be. Perhaps we could rely on each other throughout the orientation process! I can't wait to get started! I wish you all the very best with everything!

First, congratulations! This is a very exciting time in your life! Now is where the fun begins! I have been a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse for over a year and I can honestly say that accepting this position has been the best decision of my life. The floor I work on is a Med/Surg unit, meaning we care for MANY medical conditions on kids of all ages. Whether it is a 5 day old neonate with hypoxia or a 20 year old with CF, we are responsible for their care. The Acute Care setting provides excellent opportunities to gain knowledge and experience (procedures, labs, medications, etc.) all while learning to communicate with children in every developmental stage. In my opinion, Acute Care experience sets the perfect foundation for the rest of your nursing career. I hope your experience will be as wonderful as mine has been! I wish you the best of luck!

I commonly see students working as Clinical Assistants (aka Nurse's Aide), who obtains patient vital signs, records intake and output, changes linens, restocks unit supplies, & assists in any way possible. I have also seen students working as Unit Clerks (Secretary), who mainly deals with patient paperwork, admitting/discharge, ordering supplies, answering calls, etc. These jobs are good options for many reasons: Working closely with the nurses, patients, and staff on the floor gives you an excellent opportunity to learn and experience things first-hand, which could help you throughout nursing school. Also, a job in the hospital of your choice before you graduate greatly increases your chances of scoring a nursing position after you graduate. Hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff is needed during all hours of the day, including "odd" hours. Many hospitals offer several options as far as shifts. Where I work, they offer some 12-hour shifts, some 10-hour shifts, and some 8-hour shifts ([Days] 0700-1500, [Evenings] 1500-2300, [Nights] 2300-0700). This is based upon the rules and regulations that specific unit provides. Also, some employers may be willing to work with you and your busy school schedule/home life. As long as you share your weekly class/clinical schedule, it is simple to make a work schedule that does not interfere with school. It is not impossible! I honestly believe it could be beneficial. I wish you luck with everything!

Although it is convenient, applying online can have its disadvantages. Between the positions being filled internally, hundreds of applications coming in for one job, and the lack of personal communication, it seems like a lost cause. Here are some things that may help: Read the job description for the position and try to incorporate those skills in your résumé. The computers that process these electronic applications filter for certain words of interest. Research "key words" for online applications and apply them to your résumé. A cover letter sent to the hospital nursing recruiter or department director shows your interest in the job. Furthermore, meeting with or introducing yourself to him/her could increase your chances of landing an interview. These people only see words on a screen. Making an effort and speaking with them personally adds a face to the words, often leaving a good impression. Keep trying and don't give up! :)

YAYY! Now we wait for corrections to be made. Clinical is the MOST important part of nursing school. It is necessary to have adequate clinical hours to help build you a firm, basic foundation in nursing. Before long, you'll be packing your own 50 cc syringe of Insulin to defend yourself... and you'll actually know how to administer it! I hope things get better soon. Please keep us updated!

Several people were failed for ridiculous reasons in my class, all by the same instructor. Technically, they weren't "thrown out" but it felt like they were. One student was given a 0 for an entire clinical day because she forgot her scissors. She was unable to bring up her clinical grade and failed as a result. It was such a shame because she was great with patients and would have made an excellent nurse. The same instructor also gave a clinical grade of 0 to a woman who was caught smoking in school scrubs on her break (not saying that there is nothing wrong with that, but a 0 for the entire day seemed a little harsh). Multiple people failed out because of this instructor. I am so glad I made it out!

Thank you! I will definitely check them out!

I am so sorry about your loss. It is easy to get distracted after such a devastating experience but mistakes happen. Some important facts to consider regarding incident reports include documenting known relevant facts in an objective and concise manner, refraining from criticism or placing blame. A medication error is just that.. an error, regardless of the reasons why. Placing blame on yourself is not necessary. When you fill out the report, explain the error, describe interventions/actions taken, and the patient's condition after the occurrence. Personal reasons should not be documented. Good luck!

Wow. Great advice! Thank you! I'm afraid that learning to communicate effectively with patient families will be my greatest challenge. I completely understand their concerns. After all, I am caring for their most precious loved one. Thanks again! I will have to remember these. :)

I know exactly how you feel and what you're going through right now. I had to take my exit exam 3 times before I passed, which was the day before graduation. It's extremely important to just relax. You obviously know the nursing material because you have passed all your classes. You're done! I realize that it's difficult to be calm during this time, but it is imperative to put up a mental block on all thoughts except one... The question right in front of you. You should be 100% focused on the current question. Allowing thoughts of previous failed attempts, whether or not you will be able to walk, or how stressed out you are just clouds your mind and impairs clear thinking. So just let go of all your inhibitions and focus solely on what you're being asked. Take the exam one question at a time. Don't allow yourself to dwell on previous questions/answers or how much time is left. Read the question carefully. Imagine the situation in your head. If necessary, reword the question in your own words. Determine what the question is really​ asking. Don't assume or try to predict the correct answer. Consider each option thoroughly, eliminating incorrect options and choosing the one that BEST answers the question. Select it and move on. Don't second guess yourself or change your answer. Just move to the next question, forgetting all about the previous one. You have what it takes because you finished nursing school! If you can mentally isolate yourself from all that is going on in your life just long enough to take an exam, there is no reason why you won't be walking at graduation with all your nursing classmates. You got this! You are completely competent. Just have some faith and kick some exit exam butt!

Oh boy... There is always that one classmate that drives people insane with attention-seeking behavior. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do. Ignoring/avoiding her is probably your best bet. First of all, Florence Nightingale couldn't have even had a 100 average in a modern day nursing class, so I'm positive she is exaggerating her grades. With her not coming to class and missing tests, I'd say she probably has the opposite of a 100 average. I know all schools are different, but is there not a limit on the number of absences you can have? We were allowed 1 EXCUSED absence per semester. Any more or failure to provide a legit excuse resulted in a failure. This is just your first semester. As each semester passes, your class will get smaller and smaller as a result of dropouts, transfers, and failures. Hopefully, Miss Obnoxious will be eliminated soon, which seems likely. Just hang in there and focus on nothing but you! Good luck with everything!