nivek21

I'm looking for the same thing, because it seems that on-line courses are more expensive than your traditional classroom. I wonder with us being nurses if that would effect us a lot with getting financial aid.

Menetopali, I was thinking about taking Jacksonville's on-line program. So how do you like it? I figured with any on-line course it will require a lot motivation and dedication. Do you have anymore views on Jacksonville's on-line program?

I think that my first time around I didn't really understand "WHY" this and that happens, I didn't understand how to answer the questions, and I really don't feel like I was fully prepared. Also, I was SO NERVOUS when I took my test the first time that I couldn't concentrate. This time around I did atleast 3000 questions from my Saunders CD-ROM, and I would look up things I didn't understand. Also, I really wanted to concentrate on the question why. There is really no way of knowing everything, but I wanted to atleast know the patho & Phys of my major diseases. I stayed focused, positive, and used a daily study routine. The day of my test I tried to stay as calm as I could and I would continually tell myself "I can do this." Because of all my studying on the computer I was at ease while taking my test. These are things that helped me the most and I passed with 75 questions. Good luck Dawn. I can't tell you to not have anxiety because I think that it's impossible not to when studying for the NCLEX. :rotfl: :chuckle

I pray that God blesses you with the result you want: PASS!!!! Keep us posted :)

Saunders was incredible!! I basically did all my questions from the CD-ROM because I wanted to stay equipped with computerized testing. It was the perfect choice for me. I would recommend it to anyone.

Wendy, Britt, and Rikomama those are all normal responses of anxiety that you all are feeling. I felt the same way when I took my test. When I would study and I would miss a question, I felt like I wasn't prepared. To tell you the truth I don't know if anyone has ever felt they were 100% prepared to take the NCLEX. I constantly felt like I needed to go over something because I never felf completely prepared. When I went to take my test, I went in there confident (tried to be), prayed up, and calm. I passed with 75 quest. But what got me through studying was that I focused on understanding "WHY" this and that happens. Once I had that concept down I was pretty much able to talk my way to the answer. One thing I had to tell myself was that I CAN'T KNOW EVERYTHING!!! There is no way to know every diagnosis, patho, drug, etc., etc. I felt the exact same way you all are feeling now. Some advice is to try and stay calm (even though is hard) , stay positive, and continue to tell yourself that you can do it, because you can!! Good luck you guys and keep us posted!!!! :) :)

Hello everyone. I'm a RN with my ADN, and I have decided to go back for my RN-BSN in August. My initial plans were for me to go back in August 2004 after I graduated in May 2004, but unfortunately I didn't pass the NCLEX on the first try. I was devastated because I was already enrolled in the BSN program, and my classes were already set up. I ended up moving to another state in Jan. of this year, and took my boards there (I passed!). I'm now settled and think that it will be a great time to go back for my BSN, because I don't want to wait any longer!!!! The only thing is that I'm planning on getting my BSN from online. Does anyone think this will be a great path to take considering I will be working full time 12 hour shifts? We work 3 days a week so I will have 4 days to do any school work that I need to do. I've considered this path because I think it would be great since I'm working full-time. What do you all think???

I used Hurst when I prepared for the NCLEX and I think that the extra material she gives you is very helpful. I had a couple of triage questions on the NCLEX and I was confident in answering those questions, because I had reviewed the ER Triage info. that Marlene provided. I went over every sheet when I studied and I'm glad I did because it helped me a lot, and now I have my RN license to prove it.

Hey Stacy, I think that Hurst and Saunders is a great combination when preparing for the NCLEX. I had a consistent study routine, which I think this is important when preparing for the NCLEX because it keeps you focused. I did atleast 3000 practice questions from my Saunders CD. That's what prepared me overall, doing all those practice questions. Hurst helped me as far as a content review, something I needed. I reviewed lab values, major drugs (i.e., digoxin, nitroglycerin, B-Blockers, heparin/coumadin, etc.), and how to answer NCLEX questions also. I studied daily, stayed positive and determined. When I took the NCLEX, I passed with 75 questions. I had tons of priority questions, couple delegation, couple check all that apply, and who will I discharge first. Everyone I have talked to that have taken the NCLEX had been given a lot of priority questions too, so I will make sure I have a pretty good grasp on how to answer those questions. I think that when preparing to study, you should first identify where you're weak at first. Then you can go from there. I just want to stay, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. What I mean by that is that I have heard both negative and positive things about Kaplan. Mostly negative though. I think that it all depends on what you lack in. Kaplan deals with test-taking stratergies while Hurst deals with content. Hope this helps!!!

Janetrette, you and I are in the same boat. I'm currently looking and applying to several hospitals in FL. I don't know how true it is, but they say that it's better to work on a med-surg unit first to get the experience, and then transfer to a speciality floor. I'm going to try med-surg first, I guess because it deals with pretty much everything and it's well-rounded. I want to work in the ER also, I like the fast-paced, quick thinking enviornment. Well, either way, it shouldn't be too hard to find a job.

CONGRAGULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :balloons: Have you already found a job?

Thanks to everyone for your continous support and encouragement. I'm still on cloud 49. :wink2:

I did a lot of things different this time around. I told myself that I was going to give it all I got in order to pass the test this time around. I was devastated and miserable the first time I failed. But I told myself that I didn't go through years of nursing school to let one test keep me from getting R.N. behind my name. 1st. I want to say that everyone has there own study habits. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. I had a consistent study routine that I would follow everyday. I would do 100 questions from my Saunders cd and I would review notes from Hurst. I didn't take Hurst but a friend let me use her outline to study, and to be honest, it helped me a lot. I didn't have the money to pay for a review course. I focused a lot on "why" this and that happens instead of merely trying to pin point the answer. That helped me when I was studying because I was able to talk out the answer. Saunders and Hurst combined was great!! Although I wasn't in an actual review course, the notes alone broke everything down to where it was easily absorbed. Also, when I would study from Saunders, if there was something that I needed a little more understanding with, I would look it up in my Med-Surg book from nursing school. I always kept reference books around my study area. I also studied all my major drugs, such as B-Blockers, Digoxin, Nitro, coumadin/heparin, etc. I quizzed myself on my labs too. I also practiced different stratergies and I would use them when studying from Saunders, and when I found one that worked, I stayed with it. You have to stay at it. There were many times that I didn't feel like studying, but I would push myself anyway and look..It paid off. To everyone who's taking the test for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th...... time, just stay at it because you can do it. Just keep telling yourself that you can do it. I would put little post-its around my computer with sayings like "I will pass the NCLEX-RN" to encourage me. STAY POSITIVE!!! :rotfl: I hope this will help.

I passed everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :balloons: I took the test last Thursday like I said before, but I didn't see my name on the BON website. So I got sick of waiting and checked my results on the Pearson site. When I saw that my grade was: passed, I started running up and down the house thanking Jesus. I truly know that I couldn't have done it without him. God is good, no scratch that, GOD IS GREAT!!! I am so excited guys. It feels so good to finally be an RN, especially after failing the test before. I made it guys and my friends and family are going to be so excited. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support. You guys really helped me get through this and that's why I love this site. It was well worth paying 7.95 for my results because I couldn't wait any longer, and the anxiety was taking over. Now I can breathe again and maybe get some sleep for the first time this week. I am finally a REGISTERED NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :balloons: :balloons:

I used Saunders and I found it to be very good.