rdy2bRN

I really appreciate all of your genuine encouragements and suggestions. From still being inside the tunnel, it just seems like the light at the end is still very dim, but I'm so grateful to have this network of nursing colleagues, who with your personal stories/beliefs that you've shared with me, suggestions/questions that I can keep in mind, distant companionship offered; they've all become resources for me to pull from specially when I feel so alone in this journey and it truly gives me a boost to keep going.

Yes yes... anxiety has been 50% of it. I've been trying different ways to relieve my anxiety. I've just been learning to be confident when I study and when I take the exam, and definitely stay POSITIVE. And about not grasping basics of nursing, what do you mean? It would be difficult to have come this far, graduated nursing school without grasping basics of nursing content. So I'm a bit confused about that question.

Hi thank you for responding and sharing your sentiments. Yes it's been a long road in trying to pass this exam. I'm actually in Virginia, but the program your taking, is it available online? Also I am going to buy LaCharity, I've heard so many good reviews on it, just trying to find a cheaper place to purchase it (amazon.com has been the best). When do u plan on taking the exam again? I just took mine this month & failed so I have to wait 45 days into May and hopefully by early-mid June I can take it again. So I'm definitely back on the drawing board before I begin studying again soon.

Thank you so much for your input! A friend of mine had given me the NCLEX4000 CD-ROM awhile back ago and since I had so many books and have taken different reviews, I haven't bothered to take a look at this program. I'm glad I have it and I will definitely try it this time around. Thank you.

I've graduated a year and a half ago and with four tries, haven't had success in passing the dreaded NCLEX. I've tried everything, from Kaplan (twice), Kaplan tutoring, Kaplan NCLEX-RN book, Hurst, Judy Miller, study buddy, Saunders, The Point, Incredibly Easy-RN book. I've tried all different times of day to study; early morning, late evening. I've tried different places to study; my room, school library, local library, aunts house, Starbucks, Panera. I'M EXHAUSTED! I've been reading some of your blogs and have heard new study reviews (SIGH) like: Remar, Lacharity, NCSBN. I just don't know how much deeper I can 'dig' into my pockets before paying for more courses and books and on top of that the cost to apply to re-take the exam. And honestly at this point, I don't know how much deeper I can 'dig' within myself to keep going. I just... please please need some advice on whether to buy more books (eg Lacharity) and buy another review course (eg Remar, NCSBN)? And the inevitable question to 'dig deep' on whether to keep going. I would greatly appreciate any advice on books, reviews that I have not taken yet or a good schedule that's worked for you when studying.

Yes yes!!! Thank you. That's what happens when you've been starring at the screen and answering nclex questions for hours... "graduate nurse"... got it!

Do I know the life story or who this person is, I'm basing it on what they've posted.

It's really all the connections you have made while you were in Nursing School and the people you know. There is a difference between a student and an active student. I was President of the Honor Society and have worked on multiple projects for my school. Through that I've been very fortunate to have established connections in the medical field, receive a scholarship, get to personally know my fellow classmates, professors and faculty. In our state, a General Nurse right after graduation can be hired depending on how soon you can take the NCLEX and pass, that will secure your spot. Now if you don't pass the exam, that opportunity will go to someone else. Also, I'm fairly outgoing so I took the opportunity to network in the hospitals that I did clinical in. I would get to know the managers and supervisors and find out who are the recruiters in that hospital and get their email and phone numbers. A lot of my friends did the same thing when they choose to do a preceptorship in their last semester of nursing. The school I went to is also well known for our training in bed-side care and a lot of hospitals prefer to hire from our graduating class than among other universities and colleges in the area. I truly believe as a nursing student, you have to do more than just study and get good grades. I think we also have to be an "all-around" student (I know that's difficult to do while being in a rigorous program), but how else could you find a job in your field without getting yourself known in the community. That's why it fables me why this person can't find a job a year and a half later after school? During school everyone has the opportunity to reach out and gain experience by applying to be a part-time or even as a PRN Assistant/Tech or volunteering at a nearby hospital or clinic. And now instead, this person wants to go backwards after receiving their license?!? In any degree, not just nursing, you don't just get hired after being a hermit the whole time you were in school, then expect to get hired with no experience. You have had to have made yourself marketable for a future job opportunity- You don't learn that from Nursing School. It's called thinking ahead and being smart in order to move ahead in your future. You have that opportunity now as a student, that's good your applying now, but you have to make yourself known. Go to HR and follow up, speak to your professors, classmates who have connections in clinics and hospitals, write down numbers and take cards. Also don't limit yourself to your favorite "floor" there will be time for that later, just get your foot in the door of whatever offer comes up and get experience. Don't let them know also that you only want to do a certain side of nursing, if a Oncology Nurse Supervisor interviews you. You better act like, Oncology is the place you want to be in for a long time. No one wants to invest in a new grad who they know is moving on after a year. Hope all the best in the rest of your nursing program, graduation, NCLEX & getting a job as an RN!!! =)

I just have to laugh at this post, this is crazy. What a coincidence how is it that your dilemma is opposite of mine! I have TONS of nursing job opportunities, including an automatic job offer after graduation a year and a half ago. I have plenty of nursing job networks that's ready to hire me at a drop of a dime, yet what I want you have and what I have you want. You have AN RN LICENSE that you are WILLINGLY, EVEN CONTEMPLATING PUBLICLY to get rid of for a CNA position and I haven't passed the NCLEX after several failed tries, yet have JOB OPPURTUNITIES? I don't know whose worse of-YOU or ME!!! LOL At this point, I wouldn't mind to "honestly" work at McDonalds passing out fries while looking for a nursing job, but at least have the satisfaction and be PROUD that I've completed and followed through a difficult program and is licensed as a professional. You on the other hand, would rather trade your license that you worked hard to get, shadily trying to hid it, in order to get a job in your profession that your over qualified for? If your willing to do that, you really don't love nursing, you just want a job in it. Message me when you decide that you would like to trade places.