dowde

I am only a week behind you in orientation as a new grad on a Med/Tele floor, and I am feeling the same way. The charting/computer system (Meditech) has completely overwhelmed me, and I am really afraid that I'm missing things. I felt like my preceptor was getting a bit frustrated with me by the end of the week but, I don't know overall, she's been pretty receptive to my questions even if I feel like I repeat myself/or they're dumb. Furthermore, I'm currently orienting on nights when I will be working on days *facepalm*...(and we all know how different nights are than days!!) I'm just trying to keep the faith that it will all work out, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death.

Now I know besaangel, CNA, said not to quote her on those questions, but does anyone else out there agree that that is about how they were? I just woke up to an email for a video/digital interview this morning, and quite honestly, AM PETRIFED! The Metro Denver new grad market is a nightmare and I understand that it's not good to put all your eggs in one basket, but I am in dire need of employment. Anyone's additional advice would be graciously appreciated. (but this was great info too) (...and grrr:banghead: about the salary question)

Update: I was able to get the score I needed to move on to senior year (Thank God!!). Fortunately, my school only requires a score of 800 to move on...well technically it's an 850, and if you score between 800-850 they suggest a remediation which, no one does. Anyhow, I ended up improving my score from a 745 to an 845. Yeah, I agree with the strategy method to a certain point, but I also am of the philosophy that if you know the material well, the answer will also just scream out to you and you won't have to worry about "breaking down a question". This is how I did it: #1 Michael Linares. If you haven't seen any of his videos on You Tube, I HIGHLY recommend them! They are great for breaking down the concepts and making it all much easier to understand. #2 The HESI Illustrated book. While I tried to look at the Saunders Yellow, I found that it's just flat-out too much, and too overwhelming. However, I DO like the questions that come with the book on disc. But when it came to reference I just found the Illustrated a better book for "cutting to the chase". This summer I think I may still try to look at Saunders, but so far, Illustrated hasn't led me astray. #3 Test Taking Strategies for nursing students. (It's a purple/magenta-colored book) I bought this book for $3 off Amazon. It's a requirement for our HESI remediation class. Again, like the Michael Linares videos, it does a good job of getting you to understand the big picture instead of feeling overwhelmed about the details. #4 LOTS of study groups, and LOTS of questions. Fortunately, I had an entire semester to study for the retake. I understand that some of you out there may not have as much time until you take the test again. That being said, I met with study groups at least 2x a week and a tutor once a week to go over questions. This way you understand the different methods of how people are thinking when they answer the questions. You begin to teach each other, and you begin to see not only the same questions in repetition, but you begin to understand how to properly read the question and what it is asking. #5(Kind of a continuation of #4): I definitely met my goal of 6,000 questions. It was all about PrepU. You can buy access for around $35. I really like that you can't do more that 50 questions at a time, which, really is a good amount. Too many and you feel burnt out and overwhelmed. Too little and you don't get the feel of a rhythm for an actual HESI/NCLEX test. I also think showing how well you progress is great for building your confidence when the "big day" finally arrives. All in all, I figure I did closer to 7,000 questions. over 5,000 on PrepU alone, and then another 1,000 between Illustrated and Saunders. #6: READ THE RATIONALES. I know every on here says it, but seriously, do it. You learn so much when you do. PrepU saves all of your quizzes so that you can see the questions you miss, and the areas that may need some work. #8 Following the HESI/NCLEX study guide posted on this forum by some other previous students. I'm sorry that I can't recall who it was, but I'm sure you'll find what I am talking about if you search through the "HESI Exit Help" forum. My class and I all agreed that if you know/understand all of the points on that guide, then you should be pretty good to go whether it be the HESI or the NCLEX. It was also a great confidence builder to be able to read through all of those pages and understand all of the concepts. I guess I'll give honorable mention to Khan Academy videos as well. There were a few posted on YouTube that were also helpful (RAAS system, for example). If you're struggling with trying to pass, keep the faith. Yeah, I know it's easier for me to say that now that I'm on this side of the HESI, but again, like I said, the more you understand the concepts the better you will do. Hang in there!!

I used hesistudy.com and saw every single question. I honestly have no idea how this program helps because I got a 745 and failed. My new plan of attack is: to read the Saunders Comprehensive 5th ed. (the yellow book, especially in areas where I feel weak), the thin HESI blue book, and complete 6,000 question by the end of the semester when I have to take it again. It seems that quite a few folks here have done well with the yellow book, so I'm going with that. Good Luck to you!

Honestly, I'm scared to death of not passing my HESI for the second time. My school holds you back a semester if you don't pass with at least an 800 (we have to take this between our Junior and Senior year, nice eh?). I just took for the first time a few weeks ago and got 745. I'm devastated, and again, scared because if we don't pass it a second time we are kicked out of the program. I just purchased the Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX (the yellow book), since hesistudy.com did NOTHING to help. How did anybody else do with the Saunders book? Any reassurance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.

Although I am just starting nursing school, I can't say I had a more crippling fear than this test. I've moved out of state and will face student loans in the area of 100K. I want nothing more than to be a nurse, but I'm hearing so many around here not make it though, let alone, in one shot. I can't say I've ever experienced pressure like this, and I want nothing more than to drive home in two years with this all behind me.

I would greatly appreciate ANY reassurance that I'm overreacting...however, at this school, there are so many that seem to not pass this program in one try, it's almost as if it's not a big deal. No, no, no! I'm at the point where I am crippled with fear of not passing in the 18 months I had originally planned for. I don't account for the difficultly that lies ahead, and I am fortunate in that I don't have a family to worry about (I don't know how you ladies with kids do this! Kudos!), but I've never wanted anything so badly in my life, and simply don't have the money to repeat anything. It's taken me so long to get here, and at 34 years of age, I'm more that ready to become a nurse. The big obstacles that frighten me are #1: the HESI. and #2: how hard everyone says Psych is. I would just like to know that since I don't have a social life, and I stay pretty focused that this isn't as impossible as I am beginning to think it is. Granted I don't need straight A's, I just want to peace of mind that I will be able to drive back to Denver in 2014 after some hard work.