Charly

You know, I just wrote my NCLEX & CGFNS exams 2 years ago (I have been avoiding this for 10 years by working in states that accepted my Ontario license by endorsement status). Needless to say, I was quite nervous about writing as I would be mortified if I failed and I would have had my temporary Michigan license revoked. I got used study guides for the NCLEX from a new graduate and remembered what a fellow nurse suggested: Answer all the questions according to the "nursing process"...He was absolutely right. You know when you look at the multiple choices and 2 are very possible? Under the "nursing process" you'll pick the correct one. As far as drug questions went, I tried to get to know categories of classes I knew I was clueless with like oncology meds. I'm a cardiac nurse and so very rarely see onc meds. I take care of onc patients that have MI's or have pulmonary edema, but I call the onc unit if I have a chemo med. Anyhow, we all had to test out, so don't stress out too much. By the way, when I did the CNATS, it was heavy in psycho-social stuff back then. The NCLEX and CGFNS exams were very similar to each other. I wrote the NCLEX for the state of North Carolina. Good luck!!

:roll After several years living and working in the States as an RN (in states giving reciprocity to my Ontario licence), I have returned to my hometown for the sake of family. Until now, Michigan state required a CGFNS and NCLEX certification which I finally did last year under a temporary MI licence. As of April 1, 2002, due to shortage, Michigan recognizes Ontario licensure with reciprocity. Sucks badly for our already suffering Canadian health system short of docs, nurses, techs, dentists, chiropractors, etc. as this reciprocity extends to such professions. Both sides of the border hurt for health professionals. Last week a big job fair advertised $4000 - $10,000 sign-on bonus at a couple Detroit hospitals. I have commuted to a CCU over there for over a year now, grossing last year $64,000 US ($101,000 CDN) as a contingent/per diem 12-hr nightshift staff nurse. I have an friend working in ICU at the same hospital who is regular, full-time 12-hr nights who has a highly-proficient bookkeeper (I now use his services) and has no income tax owing to either side of the border--now THAT is a miracle. The commute is worthwhile for now as the exchange allows me to work 36 hours a week facilitating my husband to be the domestic parent for our children. I'm thankful that nursing is a portable job. Travel contracts were great and when my kids are college age, we'll travel again. No one can take away the fact that I have my NCLEX and that I have proved to be English-proficient!:chuckle

Hey spitfire: Congrats on getting this far. Orientation to your craft isn't easy, but it sure does teach you things about the subculture of nursing. Even the shifts carry different personalities themselves. I recall finally transferring to the ICU a few years back and how giddy and intimidated and feeling "what was I thinking???" coming over me. Remember we all had to orient to our specialty and sometimes we have to orient often (I'm a traveller). Having only a couple days to orient, despite knowing basic skills in the area, every place, every state can do things completely differently than what you've become used to. I find out sho seems (often times it's the preceptor) to be the most approachable, ask my questions humbly but assertively and forewarn them that I will always have more questions to clarify other things. We always learn new things and nurses dislike boisterous-cocky-know-it-alls. It's that CYA rule because, bottom-line, you stand alone with your license in a court of law no matter how anyone empathizes your actions. Offer your help with even little things, never look like you're too comfortable being a part of the group because you never are till you're hired. And when you're hired, you're ripe to be the topic of gossip (good and bad). It's simply the politics of the workplace. You sound like a conscientious nurse. It isn't always easy. None of us are simply just nurses. Most times the hospital is the last place we want to be in when personal life stressors are on-going. Good luck, spitfire. That's a name with a positive connotation.