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I personally, don't see myself ever being lax with drug administration. But so many times in clinical, and sometimes even instructors, would tell us that "that's how the book says to do it, but it's not done that way in practice". Which leaves the question, How can I know the difference? Personally, I try to look at the "why" behind the procedure as opposed to "this is how they told me to do it" and I think focusing on the theory behind it will help me to, hopefully, identify poor practices once I am on the floor working and not harm someone. But I do worry that I'll make a mistake and not realize it, because we are given so much conflicting information.

I'm so glad that the responses confirmed my initial thoughts. I've only been a nurse for a week, but I read the OP thinking "OMG, s/he's going to kill someone..." Glad to know that not all nursing school knowledge is useless! It is hard to know the difference between what is "text book" and what is "real world" sometimes.

I had pretty much the same experience as you! Anyone wanting to know what to focus on, priority is a big one. 80% of my test was focused on that. Congrats! Passing NCLEX is the most amazing feeling! =D

OK. So I took NCLEX yesterday and confirmed I passed this morning....don't use this program!!!! Questions are WAY too easy compared with NCLEX. This program could easily give someone a false since of security and then they'll be shocked once they start taking the test. It's complete crap. Glad I had other sources, or I'd have failed.

My SATA were pretty mild compared to what I had on tests in school. The priority is what was incredibly difficult, and I'm usually really good at them. The ones on NCLEX were way harder than what I'd had in school. Having to pick who to see first when both patients are having serious life threatening issues. So glad it's over and I don't have to do it again!

Took my Nclex yesterday. 130 questions of pure hell. Only about 10 of those were SATA. I walked out believing I failed because I didn't have enough SATA. Did PVT, got good pop up, but still wouldn't believe I passed until this morning when the FL BON updated their site and I got my license number. I'm over joyed. I cried so hard when I saw that I passed. It was like all the stress from years of school and all the problems associated with it came out. Don't listen to what others say. YOUR Nclex experience may or may not be comparable to stories you heard. Take a deep breath. You can do this!

Last two Practice NCLEX tests I took on there gave me level 8 in all categories. Still seems way easier than questions I've seen with other programs. Just scared it's going to give me a false since of security going into NCLEX. But thank you for your feed back! =)

While I hear what you're saying, I'm still not seeing why public humiliation was necessary. Why not dismiss him from clinical? Why not fail him for unsafe practice? These are all standard rules of being in a nursing program. As said, surely this has been a documented issue. Why not end it without lowering the professional standards of the instructor, and quite possibly causing the entire nursing school to look bad? What if a patient had seen this display? Nurse managers? Surely they wouldn't want a school who allows such things (both the poor behavior from the student and verbal bashing from the instructor) to continue to have clinical in their hospital! I just don't see how this display helped anything, or how it was professional. But maybe that's just me.

Also, they can't be "overloaded with fluid" and have a fluid volume deficit as you suggest. Look at your labs and determine which it is. Nursing diagnoses aren't as difficult as people sometimes make them. A few rules- -Don't use a medical diagnosis as your AEB or RT -Look at your pt as a whole, what's most likely to kill them first (great for answering priority questions on tests too) -Risks don't have AEB, because the problem doesn't actually exist yet

Risk for impaired skin integrity RT immobility is all you need. You could say RT traction and immobility if you wanted. No AEB, because it's a risk. There are actually a lot of diagnosis possible with this pt. How long have you been in nursing school? Are you required to pick the highest priority, or just any acceptable diagnosis?

I'm really happy to hear that. I just took the NCLEX practice test on there and got all 7&8s I expected the questions to be way harder than they were. Do you feel this is a good NCLEX pass predictor?

I'd already told everyone I will not say when my test is scheduled, exactly for the reason you posted. I didn't want the added pressure. I'm glad you passed, I hope I do too! CONGRATS! =)

You aren't a "bad nurse", you aren't a nurse at all. You were just studying to be one. I admire your persistence. Whatever you do, remember that while you might not consider your GPA to be important, the school/program will. There are schools that use a wait-list option, and don't focus on GPA alone. The real problem is the 2 failures. I looked at several schools, in a lot of different states (my ex was military and I didn't know where he was getting orders, so I wanted to have options regardless where we moved) and EVERY single one of them stated that you were ineligible if you'd failed 2 nursing classes, and even for LPN-RN you have to meet all regular admission requirements. I'm not saying you can't be a nurse (LPN is a nurse, and their scope of practice is more clinically based) I'm just saying that you might not find an RN program willing to take a chance on you. Something you need to look at also, even if you did find a program and got through, do you feel you could pass NCLEX if you cant pass your theory class? Unfortunately, that's what all of nursing school boils down to. ONE test, covering years worth of information and unfortunately clinical performance isn't considered. Try to get into an LPN/LVN program, get your license and get some experience, while working to improve your GPA (this will show potential RN programs that you have been working to improve yourself) and do everything you can to get A's. Then after you've done these things, someone might be willing to allow you another chance.

Hesi entrance exam, most everyone in my cohort (we graduated in OCT) have scores in the 90's and A's on all the sciences. And actually, I'm pretty sure they are going to a 4 semester program instead of the 18 month setup we just finished. So if that's the case. if you start January '15, you'd be done May '16.

I agree with RNsRWE. Unless you had a major life event, no REPUTABLE school will let you in. It's standard knowledge when you go into an RN program. You fail twice, and you're out. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. You have to see what the admissions department will see when they look at your case. You only got B's in sciences (most schools you're required to have all A's just to be competitive) you failed 2 classes, and now your GPA isn't even considered to be "good standing". Why should they give a spot to you in their RN program, knowing how sought after those spots are, when they could give it to someone who has a much higher chance of succeeding in their program and passing the NCLEX? I'm sorry, but I don't see this turning out for you to be an RN. LPN/LVN, maybe. It definitely can't hurt to look at those options. I know this isn't what you want to hear. And I'm truly sorry.

He sounds pretty horrible, and incompetent. But NO ONE deserves to be reprimanded in the presence of an audience. This was very wrong on behalf of the instructor. She should have called him aside and spoken to him without an audience. Also, many have already spoken about wishing him dead...imagine if he were to die. You may not like him, but there is someone who loves him. When you wish someone dead, you wish pain on those people. And while I get he's annoying and incredibly obnoxious, there are worst people out there (pedophiles, rapists, serial killers ect). You have only a few more weeks to deal with him. Take a deep breath and focus on yourself. Get ready for your NCLEX and ignore him.

I just saw there was a 2 week free trial open and it's suppose to give full site access for that time. It look pretty cool, I'll provide feedback once I complete the trial. =)

Thank you so much Cayenne!!!! I appreciate your help!

That sounds fantastic, Cayenne! I'd totally drive that far! Any particular salad dressing I should be getting? I'll have to see if I can find some info on their program and requirements online. Strangely, I think I remember looking up that school, and I couldn't find anything about midwifery there, but knowing they have it, is super exciting! Thank you!!

I graduated in October, and yes we were taught IVs. I even started one in clinical on an adult, and I did a venous draw on a 3 hour old infant in preceptorship. Got them both on the first try. We were not allowed IV push of cardiac/high alert drugs but other than that we were allowed to do whatever skills we were able. Something about doing IVs made me feel like I was finally doing "nurse stuff" and I'm very glad to have gotten the opportunity in school!

Awesome! Thank you for your feedback! I feel really uncomfortable "selling myself" on paper. It always makes me feel pretentious and like I'll come off as a know-it-all. I know it's what's required, but it doesn't come easily to me. In person, I'm feel more comfortable, because I'm confident in my ability to convey my meaning clearly. I really wish we had been properly educated on how to do this...it's been a complete mess. If you have any further suggestions, please share them!

I'm not *COMPLETELY* opposed to moving, but I have 3 kids, am single mom and I just moved to Jacksonville less than a month ago. I wasn't planning on any more moving unless it was for marriage purposes or something. I have connections (through other friends) to a midwife in this area that I could work with when I get to that point if finding my own clinical site/preceptor is required. I honestly think I would feel comfortable going straight into midwifery, I have a very firm grasp on the process of pregnancy/delivery ect, (this is not meant to say I don't still have a lot to learn, only that I'm probably a bit ahead of the curve compared to many/most other new grads in this area). However, the experience in L&D could only help me prior to becoming a midwife and honestly I loved the experience in precetorship and clinicals. So, I'm open to either option. I know I still have a lot of work and research to do, but it helps to have some prespecitve from others so that I can gain a more realistic view.

As was said above, you could have very well just gotten lucky. This isn't a regular test where everyone gets the same questions. Also, perhaps you were blessed with a school that better prepared you for your exam. Currently my school's first time NCLEX pass rate is hovering in the mid 70's... I did well on the HESI exit exam and I'm planning to take NCLEX next month. I hope I'm lucky enough to find the test too easy, but who knows? It's a crap shoot. There are over 10,000 questions that I could potentially get and if it's something that wasn't covered in my school (which looking at the pass rate...is quite possible) or I could get stuff I know. Honestly, I'd like to see what would happen if you were to take it again with different questions and see if you still feel the same. Not saying you wouldn't, I'm just curious...

Just out of curiosity....what was your HESI exit exam score? I was feeling pretty good about mine (945) and was hoping that it would actually give me a good indication that I was going to be OK for the test. I still plan to study, and do practice questions ect, but I don't want it to give me a false since of security either.

I'm working on my resume to send out and hopefully get some interviews lined up so I have a job once I pass NCLEX (again, hopefully). I've been a stay at home mom for 10 years and other than a few temp jobs to get me through a tough patch, I have no real work history...none that would make me appear "special" anyway. I've included my cover letter also, as we were told that's what you're suppose to do, but to be honest I have no clue what I'm suppose to do with the stupid thing... PLEASE be brutal! Anything that isn't great I want to change, and honestly I kinda hate it right now... TIA for your help and assistance! RESUME_2014_anpost-2.docx