enfermera17

Hi guys, So I graduated from my BSN program May 8. We took the live Kaplan review through our school May 1-4, and then also did the Hurst review May 16-18. I went on a cruise May 20-26 but studied on the way to and from Florida in the car and a little here and there on the cruise. I did Kaplan question trainers 1-3 and the diagnostic during my program, and 4, 5 & 7 so far on my own. Here are my scores: Diagnostic: 65 QT1: 60 QT2: 58.7 QT3: 52 QT4: 63.3 QT5: 61.3 QT6: not taken yet QT7: 65.3 Hurst Q Review Exam 1: 81.3 (took this a few days ago) **I took QT7 last night from 8:44pm-12:15am! Not the best idea but hey I wanted to see how I could do and I have no patience. I would like to mention just for reference sake and not bragging rights that I graduated at the top of my class, was one of the 9/100 students that passed our exit exam with the highest score, and I test well. Of course, I have had zero test or nclex anxiety until I got my ATT and now I'm a little tachy at baseline. I know I know this information and I test well, there is just so much pressure to pass with a job waiting! I originally scheduled my exam for June 23 to give myself plenty of time, but after reading too many posts on this forum, talking to coworker RN's, etc, I moved it up to June 15th so I can get it over with and as I may not need all that time to be ready. Currently I'm doing lots of questions on Kaplan, the RN mastery app, remediating my incorrect questions and making flashcards off of that info I need to review more, and plan to review the Hurst book information as well as complete the other Hurst Q Reviews. My cumulative Kaplan QBank score right now is 62%. What's your advice? Will I be ready by June 15? Any other strategies for studying etc? Thank you guys so much!!

I am a second-degree college student (Spanish first) and third semester nursing student. Since the first semester I've been at the very top of my class in the theory portion, often getting the highest exam score etc. Blah Blah Blah. I also ace every skills check-off and usually get a perfect score. HOWEVER. In clinical, I am a BALL OF NERVES. And this is my third semester. I started our unit today for the semester in an ICU step-down, and felt awkward, uncomfortable, and unsure of myself. I'm great with my patients, and am a very friendly and warm person who loves to take care of other people. When it comes to taking initiative and being independent all day, a lot of times I don't know what to do with myself after I get everything done that I need to do, and have difficulty with some of the few skills I've had the opportunity to practice. Last semester, when removing a patient's IV, I didn't get all the tape removed and the catheter slowly slid out of the vein at a harsh angle and eventually popped out fully. Not great. Today, I was hyper-aware of my past mistake and did the exact.same.thing. I've been stressed ever since. I know this may seem like a small thing but I am a perfectionist and get very stressed when I make a mistake. If something goes wrong, I let it ruin my day. I know this isn't rational as I'm a student and in the learning process, but I can't seem to make myself relax. Does this say anything about my future as a nurse? How long did it take you to get comfortable in clinical and performing skills?

My interview was fine, I should have probably prepared better. They asked about my two greatest strengths, and my greatest weakness (the weakness question was the one question I did not answer well..) I think I did pretty well over all. They asked how my friends and family would describe me as a person. They also asked why I want to be a nurse, and what other medical experience I have, since I mentioned I have a few years' experience as a medical Spanish interpreter. It was pretty relaxed and the interviewers were very friendly. They also gave me an opportunity to mention anything else about myself I wanted them to know, but I honestly couldn't come up with anything else at the time, as there previous questions pretty much covered it. Not too terrible and very brief!

I just got a call 20 minutes ago and set up my interview for Tuesday. BUT I turned my application in a few weeks ago. I'm not expecting to get in, I have a 3.2, got an 82 on the HESI, A in API and a C in APII (horrible professor for Summer class). I feel ok though since I just got acceptance letters for Cumberland and Columbia state yesterday. Can't hurt to try though! Good luck to you!!!

Thanks for the info, that's really helpful. Now I'm reconsidering Columbia State, which I crossed off my list before as I wanted to stick with Bachelor's programs, because it's so much cheaper and I could still easily to an RN-BSN after and hopefully work some too. I appreciate the comments! Good luck!!

Thanks! Can I ask what your GPA and exam score was for Cumberland? For me right now it seems like it'll be the best option. Since I have a previous degree, I got screwed my Austin Peay and my transfer GPA is a 3.1 which is much lower than what I graduated with. I don't think I have a chance with MTSU either.

That's a good point. How long will the RN-BSN take?

Yeah, the entrance exams are a pain, but you can retake the HESI at MTSU as many times as you can as long as they are 30 days apart. The Science was the killer for me, as before this summer I hadn't had any science classes since 2007 my freshman year at UT. Math is pretty rough too. I was going to apply to Aquinas and Columbia state, but decided to only apply to BSN programs since eventually you will probably need to get your BS, and I want to be done with school now and not have to go back for an RN-BSN later. Plus, it's really expensive to apply, with the exam fees and applications fees. These things add up fast.

That's an issue too for me. Luckily I do have some money for school, but sadly the most expensive school is the easiest one to get into. I'm taking Micro, a US History that didn't transfer, Development Psych that didn't transfer, and General Psych this Fall. Good luck to you!! I've driven myself crazy with this whole process, and was surprised at how involved some of the applications are. At this point, I'm just hoping to get into any program, since I didn't expect them to be so hard to get into.

Thanks! Did you apply there? I just found out tonight I didn't know at the time I sent in my application I needed developmental psych and didn't put it on my app, but now I'm signed up for it for the Fall and need to note that on my application. Hopefully they will let me add that on since I already submitted it. I'm all nerves. Cumberland seems to be my only hope after hearing about all these other schools!

I have been reading threads for a while and am really hoping for some feedback on Cumberland University, and maybe even Austin Peay for the BSN programs for Spring 2014. I have a Bachelor's Degree, and have applied to both schools now. My transfer GPA with Cumberland is a 3.4 and I got an 81 on the Kaplan Entrance Exam. At this point, I feel like I have the best chance of getting into Cumberland's program from what I've heard. Is there anyone who has been accepted into Cumberland University's program that can tell me what GPA/exam score they got in with? It's hard to wait for the letters! I just heard back from my Austin Peay advisor last-minute that a couple of my credits from my UT degree didn't transfer, so now I've had to add more classes for this Fall semester at MTSU while taking pre-reqs, and just quit my job, in hopes of getting into one of the programs. I'm also applying to MTSU, but I have a 3.19 there after busting my butt in A&P II all Summer and got a C with a horrible professor and have pretty much no hope of getting accepted into their program. Any comments are appreciated!

I'm applying to Austin Peay for the Spring too! I've been having anxiety for the past two months, because I've been taking summer classes, and yesterday was just told by APSU that two credits didn't transfer from by Bachelor's degree from UT Knoxville, and now I have to add two classes to my Fall semester and quit my job in two weeks to become a full-time student, in HOPES of getting accepted. Plus, my transfer GPA decreased from my actual gpa, taking me down from a 3.25 to a 3.1! I'm very worried I will do all this and not get accepted anywhere. I'm also applying to MTSU and Cumberland, but by the sound of it, I really only have a chance with Cumberland and APSU. Have you heard much about how competitive APSU is? I'll be taking the TEAS soon, but I took it already at MTSU, and will be re-taking it for MTSU in September. Are you applying anywhere else for the Spring? Sorry for the rambling!