NICU:)

Congrats, I have a similar story! We rocked that stupid test this morning! Good Luck!

Hey all! So I just took my NCLEX for the second time this morning and got the "good popup." I am going to share my story with you. Hopefully I will give some of you motivation to pass the NCLEX! I graduated in May from a great nursing school. My school requires you to purchase Virtual ATI. So, after graduation I got started on that program to prepare for my first go at the NCLEX. After getting the "green light" from VATI, with a 93% chance of passing, I took my NCLEX for the first time. I had all 265 questions and failed. I had near passing in all areas except pharm. I was DEVASTATED! I literally went into a depression mode. I was supposed to start a nursing job a week after I took my NCLEX (a job which I didn't really want, but nursing jobs are hard to come by where I am at). I figured there was a bigger picture waiting for me. I had my preceptor from school call me and say there was an opening on the floor I precepted at (Oncology) and that I should apply. I did and I got the job! This gave me a new motivation to study again. I started studying a few weeks ago. I had a friend that had taken the Hurst review class and she offered to let me borrow her book. After reviewing that book, which made me feel confident, I did questions out of Saunder's daily. Keep in mind that I was working full time third shifts at the hospital- I still made time to study. Fast-forward to yesterday. I know that everyone says to relax the day before, but I have terrible testing anxiety. So I took some time to do relaxing things, but also did about 300 more questions out of Saunder's. This morning I woke up and ate breakfast. The testing center called and said that someone had cancelled and I could come in early if I wanted to. So I showered and decided to review. After about 5 minutes of review I started to panic. So I decided to just go take it. I got to the testing center, listened to a voicemail from my grandma saying that I can and will pass and got out of my car. I stretched in the parking lot to help me relax. I went and took the test in 75 questions. Then, I got the good "popup." Point of the story, do what works for you. You are the only person that knows how you function the best, stick with that plan. You are capable of passing-- you passed nursing school, right? Be confident in yourself and remember to keep your head high. Good luck to everyone taking the NCLEX. --A new RN

So I also took the NCLEX for the second time today. Here is my story: I took the NCLEX in June and used only ATI to study. I got all 265 questions and failed. I had at the passing level for all areas except pharm, which was under passing level. So I decided to take a new way of studying. About three weeks ago I started studying again. One of my friends had taken the Hurst course. So I decided to use her book and go through it. After that, I used Saunder's book for questions. I did about 1000 questions in the past week. Yesterday, I did about 500 of those questions. I had my sister take my dog for the past couple of days so I could have pure quiet. Then today, I got up, ate breakfast, showered, and then went to take my exam. I used the earplugs and the headset to make the environment purely quiet- just like when I studied. I took 75 questions in about an hour and walked out to the "good popup" of the Pearson Vue Trick. Practicing questions helped to come up with the different strategies of taking the questions. It isn't ALWAYS ABC's. Take your time and be patient. You will have success. Good Luck!

Hey all! So I am taking my NCLEX-RN for the second time on September 3. I have been trying to refresh on content, but am having a hard time concentrating. Any Suggestions?! The first time I took the NCLEX I got the "around passing" on all areas except pharm. Are there any tips on how to master pharm questions? I feel as though my goal for passing is not going to happen, and I am very discouraged. Thanks so much in advance!

I only used ATI the first time that I took NCLEX and I didn't find it helpful at all. You do a lot of waiting for your tutor to get back to you and so forth. I also felt that the questions were too easy compared to the NCLEX. Just my opinion though.

Yes, I used the online tutor. That is all I used. I still have all of the codes, so I may go through the tests again, but I am not going to follow what my tutor has said to do. I do not feel that ATI was worded the same as the NCLEX. I hope for the best for us both! Good luck, and when feeling discouraged, feel free to inbox me! I could use some venting too... As far as the review sheet, I haven't seen it! Would you be willing to send it to me?

Hey guys! I failed my NCLEX in June, I am still waiting for my ATT to retest at the end of this month or the beginning of the next. I am having a hard time getting into studying again. I need advice. The first time around I solely used ATI; I had a 93% chance of passing (yeah, okay) and after taking the test I didn't find ATI very helpful. I have multiple books and CD-ROMS; but I can't seem to concentrate on them very well. Is it better to do questions over and over, or should I work on going back through ATI. I know that I will just have to take the same assessments over again, and I don't think that will be helpful. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, any suggestions for apps for my iphone or ipad would be great!

Where I am from there is no difference in salary, either. The education includes leadership and public health nursing. Most of these courses can be taken online through a program. The only difference is where you can apply for jobs. MAGNET hospitals will not be hiring ADN nurses anymore. This may not matter in your state, depending where you live. Where I live, that only leaves 2 out of 15 hospitals where ADN nurses can be employed. I do not think you will regret going for your BSN. Just my opinion though!

I have digital textbooks. I just put them on my ipad and off I go. They are cheaper too. Maybe look into that?

I know for my program the "weeding out" semester is the second semester. This is when we have pharm, Med-Surg 1, and our skills become more than the CNA stuff. A lot of people had a hard time with the critical thinking questions. Many students were used to memorization.

Oh. And prepare for my LAST semester!! Ahh! So awesome! Cannot wait to see where I'm going for my preceptorship!

I will be sleeping, working on my nursing portfolio, working at my job a ton, and spending time with my family. Best of all.. I will spend time with my boyfriend. We may live together, but I never see him with my crazy schedules!! Cannot wait!!

I had a similar situation last semester with my Med Surg I class.. I needed to get a 76 on my final to pass.. seems low, but my classes averages were in the low 60s on ALL of the tests, I was better off than most! Our teacher wanted it that way. She is something else... BUT, I studied my butt off and came out with a 78 on the final. Yes, I was a straight A student before nursing school. And yes, many of the class failed and got set back a year. This instructor is just ridiculous. She thinks if she gives anything back she is cheating us of our "earned" grade. SOOOOO.. what I am saying is.. you can do it!! This was the first B I have ever gotten, EVER. To tell you the truth, it opened my eyes to the real world. Nursing school is not about grades, it is about learning skills and critical thinking. Do not focus on your final grade in all courses, just try to pass. If you haven't opened your textbook yet, it's too late now. Go back through your notes. Study from an NCLEX book. Anything but trying to cram reading will help at this point. Also, remember to breathe! Good luck! I am rooting for you!

I also have a Littman classic 2. Just remember when ordering that your scrubs and shoes (Down to your underwear) are decided for you in nursing school. So choose a color that fits your style if possible. I got a pink one. And nobody else has one. Makes me feel different than the other students. :)

In some ways I agree. They should not be taking a test together. But writing a paper can be confusing. Especially when, like me, you write MLA for so long and then switch to APA. I do not think looking at another's formatting is cheating. If the teacher told me to take the test together then I would have probably taken the test together. I tend to do a lot of communicating with teachers. Many of them are still vague with their vague directions. It gets frustrating and confusing. I do not think its morals. I think it is what the teachers say it is. Personally, at my school, we would have had a proctored test. If they DO NOT want people taking it together than they would have had it proctored. Just my opinion.

I started a thread very similar to this a few weeks ago... If you can go back and find it I got some very helpful replies.. They were very encouraging!!! I am going through the same thing with my group that I have for the semester. I tend to be the leader for all of the projects because I write down EVERY DETAIL that is said in class, including examples at the beginning of the semester when we have no clue what we are getting into yet. So, somehow, that doesn't help me except for my ending grade. I wish you the best in school, I am done in May and cannot wait to get away from some of the lazy people I have been stuck with for group projects so far.

This is a very common thing. I wish my boyfriend would have tried this, as our relationship has had it's rocky points the last couple of years. We are also both in school, and live together. We have opposite schedules and no time for each other. I have had a hard time getting him to realize that I am physically and mentally drained at the end of the week. Be supportive, communicate your needs, be respectful of hers, too. Remember that she will be done and you both will live happier lives because of it. One thing that has helped us is that we take one night a month (yeah, that's all we have time for) to go out and have supper, talk about subjects not including school, and remember why we are together. Try to be understanding that her schedule is very selfish, nursing school is a way of life. It is completely different than going to a University for some other major, and a full time job. Be patient. Good luck and best wishes!

I took it two weeks ago.. you need a 65 or 66 for a level 2 (I cannot remember which). I would recommend stop taking the practice tests, as many of those meds are not on the test. Along with the previous poster's recommendations I would recommend the diabetes medications too. Side effects are most of the test. I went through the whole book and I still felt like it was a huge guessing game. Most people in my class have to retake it. Good luck and keep studying!

Honestly. I have bought the online version of all of my books and do not regret doing so. In my program we use all of the books every semester, so maybe that's something you need to consider. Ask the class ahead of you. Or even your teachers! Not to bash renting books, as that is what I did up until the "nursing school" part of my education. But you'll end up spending more money re renting stuff rather than just keeping it. Hopefully this helps!! :/

I am from Nebraska.. and the Children's Hospital in Omaha is a magnet hospital. As of August 2012, they will only hire BSN students. Also, they are now implementing a nurse residency program, which is two years long for all new graduates. Needless to say, I would go with a BSN just so you can go wherever your heart desires for peds!

Support. Not supper. Haha. I must be starving.. Typical nursing student you could say.

I have a 32 gb and have found that my iPad is my best friend. We are required to get online textbooks through elsevier and when I started my program they only support apple products. Now they supper almost any tablet. I also use micromedex. I love it and you can find a bunch of free apps!! I have a sticky notes app that I keep my to do lists on and I have all of my important events in the planner. I also love how my iPhone,iPad, and MacBook Pro all sync.. So all of my stuff is on all three devices. Very handy!! A plus is also having my music for studying or drowning out people during studying or lunch!

It just depends on how flexible you are. Yes it will be possible. But clinical can be really early in the morning.. Our bus system is t even going at that time. Make friends fast. And be prepared. I honestly wouldn't be able to go without my car. As I travel all around town for clinical

I'm also from Nebraska. I'm in Lincoln. And there are no jobs here. Yes unemployment is low.. But being a new grad is going to make it hard to find a job here. I want to go to Omaha when I graduate in may. But idk if that will be possible because there are no jobs!! Ahhh!

50 questions. Average 75% on all tests to pass. Get a 74.9% average on all TESTS (not projects or participation or whatever else) and you fail the program.