tytkhat

Hi AN!! This is really intended for the COB club, but anyone can chime in... I came across some review material from back in the day when the NCLEX was still a paper/pencil, 2 day testing deal. Just for kicks I went further and tested myself with current review material in OB and PEDS, two areas that I have very limited exposure to albeit working in ER. I was nervous but actually did pretty good at 85 and 93% My question is, especially if you have been in HH or a clinic setting for a long time, how do you think you would do with todays NCLEX? Cut off at 75? Run the clock down and still wonder? Todays NCLEX is supposedly more challenging with graphs/math/SATA, etc. Compared to the area you work in now, what area do you feel you would need to brush up on to pass it today?

I knew I would see something like this soon. For any travel related inquiry I can count on NEDRN to give his expert advice, I love anything written by TheCommuter, ESME, Grntea, and Ruby Vee, because quite often, the responses are indeed thoughtful and thought provoking in a positive way. There are many others of mention, offering advice and opinion that doesn't raise the hackles of my neck. For me, it is all about a response that is understood and does not come off like you are a total tool. I like how we are able to share personal experiences to help lighten the path for those of us bumping about in the dark.

OP, your situation is not uncommon. I highlighted going back to school with dreams and aspirations to further my learning and build my family. I had to do this constantly, not only to stay on task, but to assure my insecure husband that I was doing this to better our family. I also stressed to him that we were to grow TOGETHER, not one party edging out the other. It did not help that he made twice my salary in a WEEK, that I was going to 2 schools and held 2 jobs, did not matter that my young son needed 2 parents to raise him. All that mattered was that he knew what the end game was, and that was to build up our family. What I did not realize at the time was he had no intentions on supporting me and , in fact, was jealous of our son. It was a great day when I finally "woke up".

No, but I wish it would happen soon. I'm sure the state is resistant because of changes in revenue. It's always about the $$$. These fees are nuts and add up quickly, too.

Hello, everyone! I recently noticed that IL has got on board with the NURSYS system. I have no idea when it happened, looked like just a few months ago I checked and that was not the case. I entered my info, and PRESTO, the information was present and accurate. However, when I went to put it to work on the endorsement side, it was as if IL did not exist, no info at all. I am hoping this is ONLY due to the holiday and I am not experiencing visual hallucinations. Has anyone else noticed this? Any IL nurses know how long the join time has been? Now if they could just get with the compact, we would be that much closer to "One Big Happy!"

I have a future daughter in law taking prereq. for the nursing program at the local college. We recently had a conversation where she expressed doubt, fear, anxiety, etc. and needed to vent and get some words of advice. I told her this: For every class you take, you will have to build and break down. Study the material as presented, then tear it apart, putting it back together so you understand it. Accept that there are only 24 hours in a day, but you have to determine what can be eliminated or modified in order to knock down your short and long term goals. Movie night, shopping, hair, nails, dining out, these things are not vital to you getting the material and passing your tests. Good note taking, adequate rest, and great study habits (group or solo), will take the place of all that. This journey will be difficult, yet possible. I joked with her that I may end up an instructor in one of her classes, as I finished a post masters in nursing education recently and would love to mentor and motivate student nurses. At the conclusion of our conversation she felt better, but still anxious. I know that if you want it, you work for it, and get it.

I thank all of you for your replies. I think I will go in with Mr. Bob and Ms. Jane if the person is older than me. Otherwise, me using the first name is fine. Esme12, I completely understand about the last name on the badges in an area where prisoners frequent the hospital. My previous employ was rather transparent, in such, you could go online with a persons name and all sorts of stuff pops up (THANKS GOOGLE EARTH)!!! I Googled myself, found my house before and after I did some updates on it, read my plates on my vehicle sitting in my driveway too. Heck, if I looked closer, I may have seen my kitty sitting in the window!

...I was being shown the run down in the ER, and when the nurse with me came across our patient, a lovely 88 yo, she addressed her by her first name. I was mortified! I grew up addressing my elders as 'Sir', 'Ma'am', Mr. Soinso, etc. I would be sporting one heck of a nugget from whatever blunt object my grandmother wielded if I addressed otherwise. Apparently, this is how the patients are addressed...I asked...first name only. I am a tad uncomfortable with this (no, more than a tad). Also, the employee IDs show our first name only. It is weird for me. Has anyone else experienced this at their facility? How do you feel about addressing the patient by the first name only?

smartnurse1982, how would it be known how many tries it took one to pass the NCLEX? I have never seen that asked on an app...

I agree with pp, it depends on what you've got going on in other areas. When I took my math classes, they were with a full course load. However, realizing that it was a weak area for me, I attended all sessions (4 days) of this class so that I was comfortable with the content and could grasp what was being taught. The instructor was supportive of my decision. In the end, I did better than the top student in my original class, and I was just hoping for a 'B'. I was working 2 jobs and still had other responsibilities at home. I made the Dean's list, for what that's worth. I would recommend taking sciences and a/p classes separately to devote time worthy of an 'A'. It was rough to juggle all these things at the same time for me but I did it. Classes that require a lot of writing content sometimes merge well together and can cluster (English, Sociology, Psych). You just have to see where your strengths are and make it work in your favor. Good luck.

I'm inclined to think you are already overqualified for this position and once you are finished with the present goal, you would seek a position more in line with the education you have. I am sure management has thought about the possibility of having to do this over again, too.

Freedom and flexibility VS responsibility (24/7) and accountability, plus 15K. For some of us the choice would be cut and dry, but for you, a real evaluation of where you want to get out of the next few years is in play. I agree with PP, map it out with the pros and cons, and take the plunge (or sit poolside)!

I still recall fond memories of working in a NH as a CNA. We worked hard as a team and those residents would shine like new pennies after bath, hair, nails, and skin care. There were few episodes of incontinence, as we had them on a pretty predicable toileting schedule. We actually looked forward to inspections from the state, and passed with flying colors. We had a four or five stars for several years. Sadly, I had to leave shortly after becoming an LPN. As an RN, when I could catch a bleed with a blown pupil, or newly DM pt going into DKA, it was memorable.

Ruby Vee, I am familiar with the way you respond to posts. I agree with you. You are forward yet informative. I have always thought that we as nurses can offer advice, solutions and respectful criticism when the need arises. If the poster is not of that specialty, that decree usually preludes the suggestion so that it is not assumed that we are of a particular specialty. We usually see more than one type of nursing in our own specialty. Take psych, for instance, even though it may not be your specialty, you will inevitably see it in med-surg, peds, L/D, and other areas as well. You may have a question and have something to offer or need clarification with something you experienced. We need not be so "joined at the hip" with our nursing areas. SHARE/LIVE/LEARN

OP, I am having some difficulty following your post... Who is the CNA or LPN here? What background does your friend have? Is this an already set travel deal? It sounds great in a perfect world, but this seems drawn on an etch-a-sketch...too many variables.