medman1025

Hi, everyone. Just wanted some information from Float Pool RNs that are in the LA area (or surrounding counties) as to what the salary and benefits are out there, as I'm thinking of moving. I'm currently an Atlanta-based Float Pool RN with several degrees and certifications - I'm happy to give similar information about Atlanta Float Pool RN pay/benefits as I work for, or am deeply familiar with, the city's big health systems and their float pools. Cheers.

As others have stated, you have to do what you feel most comfortable in doing. Everyone's test preparation, test itself, and test afterthoughts will be different...this is the beauty of everyone's individual posts - it gives you several examples of possible scenarios for you. Though studying didn't immensely help me individually, I would never say studying "won't help" because it may for others including you. The big point I was trying to make is that I probably would advise you not kill yourself with a crazy amount of study material, because cramming will not equal success on this test for most people. Prepare with the materials you feel comfortable with, believe in yourself, and go in with confidence! Good luck to all those about to take NCLEX, congratulations to those who have succeeded, and my condolences to those who did not succeed...it is a hard exam, so you are not a "failure". Cheers to you all!!

Awesome!! Congratulations to a well deserved passing!!

For me, I wish I'd just gone and done it ASAP upon graduating while a lot of info from school was still fresh. I used LaCharity's PDA, NCLEX 3500, NCSBN 3-week course, and ATI and none of it had a huge impact when it came to my exam. This is just my opinion - studyng a lot may work for you...just saying, for me, I was just as well off to just go do it.

Congratulations to you!!!

I totally agree - I wasn't able to apply nursing process, Maslow, or ABC to almost any of my questions on NCLEX.

You're ready! For me, personally, the PDA and NCSBN didn't end up helping me much, so I wouldn't stress too much about that. You'll do great!

You will feel stressed no matter when you take this test - just go for it. Also, remember...starting April 1, the 2013 test plan takes effect, and the passing standard will be raised a little bit. Stay positive - you've got this!!

Thanks! Everyone's post about NCLEX is going to be their opinion based on their individual exam, which is why I said an excellent content base is the best bet to pass, and pointed out what my personal exam was like along with my opinion that studying didn't immensely help me personally. I still don't necessarily regret studying because I got the end result I wanted :) - congrats to all who have passed so far, and best wishes to all us future nurses!!

Good luck to you! - I'm sure you'll do great. Stay positive and slay that beast once and for all!

Took boards yesterday on March 6, 2013, and PASSED on the first try!! Graduated in December with a BSN, and have a job that starts this Monday!! My test was at 2pm..I got to the test center at 130, and had my picture taken along with my palmprint, finger scan, and signature. I was then led into the computer room and the test began. There was a short tutorial on what alternative form questions would be like..took about 5 minutes. The computer then asks if you want to repeat the tutorial or if you want to begin the test...I began NCLEX-RN. My test had 4 EKGs, 5 exhibits, 5 drag and drops, 1 calculation, several SATA and the rest were multiple choice...no hot spots or audio questions. Tons of priority, no delegation or assignment, 5 infection control questions, lots of OB and Peds, no psych drugs, no fluid/electrolytes, no lab values, no insulin, some questions about diet/food choices, and all but 1 of my pharm questions were on drugs I had never heard of before. I had the good popup for the PVT, and this morning my license number was on the state BON website and I had an email where I could print out my license. I studied a ton for over two months and I'm going to tell you the truth...it didn't help. I've asked all my friends from nursing school about it and they all agreed. ATI...nice review, but didn't help..this includes the live review, the video version of the live review, and all of their practice questions. NCSBN review...nah. I did every single question they had to offer, and read every single module...the questions sort of looked like the ones on NCLEX in terms of wording, but none of the content or rationales from this program did I see. PDA by LaCharity...again, nah...the priority questions on NCLEX are so vague that no strategy from that book helped, and I didn't have any delegation or assignment questions. The questions on NCLEX are so random and vague that, for me, I feel like I would have performed the same doing it straight after school without much review...all my friends said the same, as well. I think an excellent content base learned from school will be your best bet to pass. I felt that I guessed on the majority of my questions, and like everyone says...I did feel like I totally failed it when it was done. The questions on NCLEX are not like any you see from any study material. Don't kill yourself studying...several of the questions will leave you speechless no matter how much you studied. Do your best in school, be positive, take each question at a time, rationalize it the best you can, pray, and be confident! I was not stressed at all during my test and was very focused...this helped. Good luck to you all and believe that you WILL pass this test. If you have any more questions, let me know.

i am about to post a new topic about my experience..i passed!

Thanks! I feel as prepared as I could be, I guess...the NCSBN ?s were good practice. Everyone from my class I knew has already taken it and passed. I have a job on the line, too, so I HAVE to pass the 1st time..lol.

Hey everyone - great community here for nurses! Graduated in December, and taking NCLEX-RN tomorrow! This is what I used for prep: ATI Live Review with book that I read cover to cover, ATI Video version of Live Review (watched the whole thing), PDA by LaCharity read cover to cover, NCLEX 3500 - all 3,600 ?s, ATI Practice tests - every one, every question, and the NCSBN 3-week course with all modules completed and all 1,300+ practice ?s done. My scores for PDA, NCLEX, and NCSBN were always pretty high, and then I went back and revisited the ?s again once I understood the rationales. Just wanted to say good luck to those of you taking it along with me, and wanted to share what my prep steps were! I'll let you know how the test went tomorrow.