jenpstudentrn

I also liked the Saunders Comprehensive book. I took Kaplan as well- I was fortunate to have a great teacher for the class, found the qtrainers to be very helpful...didn't even use the q-bank. I did not like the course book Kaplan provides, however. Saunders was much better in terms of content review.

You will make it! It sounds like you have been studying pretty hard...maybe you need to step away from it, take a break, try to have some fun...maybe hang out with some friends or get some exercise? I tried to limit my studying to 4-5 hours a day max...taking multiple breaks in between. Once you've done that...do q trainer #7...do it in chunks- it took me 3-4 hours to do it. If you get questions wrong- who cares? Once you read the rationale and strategy then you'll understand why you got it wrong! I just found out I passed today- if I can do it YOU can do it! Take a deep breath and relax! Good luck!

Holy cow!!! I PASSED!!!! I just found out this morning...a friend checked the BRN website...I honestly didn't think it would be up today, and wasn't planning on looking at all. Amazing! What amazing news! I am so happy. Now I can just RELAX, enjoy my weekend, and start work Monday knowing that I am a NURSE!!! Thanks so much everyone for your support...Allnurses really got me through these last few days! xo Jen, RN !!!! :balloons::monkeydance::monkeydance::balloons:

Most of my friends have found out within a week via a link on the CA BRN website. 3 days at the earliest. My friend who took her test on a Wednesday received her results on the following Monday. We don't have quick results here in California. Thanks for all your continued comments everyone... on a bit of a rollercoaster still!

Hi Bunker, I know someone from my class who got 265 and passed. I'm waiting for my test results, too...so I empathize with your anxiety. My computer shut off at 75 questions, and I don't feel like I passed! In some ways, I wish I had had more questions...but regardless of the number of questions you receive, the NCLEX is the goofiest, worst test ever. AND regardless of the number of questions remember: about 85% of candidates taking the test for the first time pass the NCLEX! Try to do something fun to take your mind off of the test (easier said than done, I know), and stay positive! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Good luck! -Jen

Congratulations to you TutugirlBSN!!! ...You mean the happiest young NURSE in Boston!!! :yelclap:

Congratulations, Nurse !!! How wonderful!!!

Thanks everyone so much for you support...for those still waiting (tutugirlBSN and jessi1106) I will try to think positively for all of us! Nothing on the BRN website today...but I am in California and it takes awhile here...hopefully Monday or Tuesday? Most of my friends found out in less than a week. Congratulations nurseinthemaking!! You ARE a NURSE!!! ...I'm feeling much better today, even if things don't go well, I think I can handle it now.

Thanks norcalRNstudent! Your response helps and I appreciate it! I know that the odds are in my favor... But I just keep thinking "what if..." Gotta stop that! Thanks again!

Hi angelbiss75, I feel the same way! I just took the NCLEX yesterday as well. I can relate: my computer shut off at 75. I felt like...that was it? Are you kidding me? I was just getting started! I'm certain that I failed. I haven't felt this bad in a long time. Hang in there. You'll know in a few hours...like Tweety said- try to do something fun/ relaxing to get your mind off of it (thanks, Tweety...I'll try to follow that advice, too). Good luck to you!

Hi all, Looking for some words of encouragement please! I took my NCLEX yesterday. My test shut off at 75. It took me a little under 2 hours. Feels like a blur...I can't remember a lot of specific questions. I had about 5 select all that apply (which I rarely get right) One problem that had a med calculation. Lots of questions with meds that I had no idea about/ never heard of. Lots of who would you see first kind of questions. Only one question that involved lab values. I know I got some wrong (I was stupid and tried to look up answers afterwards...not a good way to decrease my sky high anxiety). I know I got some right. I did Kaplan (last 3 Q-Trainers: 62, 66, 64...my readniess test was in the passing range), answered every question in the Saunders comprehensive book. My ATI gave me a 95% probability of passing. BUT... I feel like I failed, which I know is pretty normal. I was doing okay until last night, when I became convinced that I would be the only person out of our class that fails (humiliating). I started thinking about if I fail, my employer may not be able to hold my job...I'll have to find another non-nursing job, and study again! It's only been 24 hours since the test and I'm driving my fiancé crazy. I feel so depressed. I have orientation on Monday at the hospital that hopefully I'll be working for ...which I can't even imagine being able to get enough of a grip to attend to right now. This waiting game is horrible. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Any words of encouragement, stories about your testing experience, advice on how you coped would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and good luck to everyone else who is waiting for their results! -Jen

kstec, You should check out a (long!!) thread I started a while back: Are you a nurse from a dysfunctional family? https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/you-nurse-dysfunctional-family-107089.html So similar to your questioning! It's funny how concerned I was about it back then. I think my experiences with my family have made me more compassionate...I've also had to watch myself closely, mostly at first during my Mental Health rotation in school- just to make sure that I was reacting to the client/ patient and THEIR needs, not mine. I wouldn't say it has been a problem per se...because I have been aware and careful of dragging my baggage into the therapeutic relationship. I haven't found that it is important to verbalize to the patient that you have had similar experiences. I let my empathy inform the process, but I have not ever felt it would be a good idea to get into specifics with the patient. I still want to go into Psych nursing (I'm a new grad as of this May! Woo hoo!)...I'm really excited about it! I love my family, despite all of our differences and difficulties.

Enduringfaith, There is an alternative therapies/ nursing forum...go to the Nursing Specialty Forum, and it is under the "Holistic Nursing" sub- forum. As far as whether you should go into nursing or not, obviously you are the one who ultimately has to make that decision. I agree with you that "western" medicine too often stresses surgery and drugs over prevention, education, and less invasive treatments. I think most would agree our current healthcare system is a mess. But, I also think it is a very exciting time to be in the field. Traditional medicine is starting to take alternative therapies seriously. Also, as Tweety posted...modern medicine is capable of some truly amazing things. I think the trend toward prevention and alternative therapies is slow moving, but it does exist. I also agree with Emma123 that the current system absolutely needs more nurses who are good patient advocates. It sounds like you would be excellent at that! Tough decision. I have also thought of studying alternative medicine...I'm about to enter an accelerated BSN program in a few days...but just today I had an acupuncture treatment for back pain. So, there are others like you out there. What ever you choose will be the right decision for you. Good luck.

That's okay! I appreciate all responses at this point. I'm sure I'm going to hear all kinds of info, opinions, good and bad...thanks Studentnursebean. Liked your additional info on the "lift teams" too, Haunted. Being a new student nurse, I'm anxious about a lot of things...one of them being a chronic back injury that I have. It's good to know that Kaiser has lift teams, (at least at the location you mentioned Haunted)...but if it takes them 2-3 hrs to reach a location when paged..... Also, not sure about the insurance question Tinyscrafts...seems unlikely that it would be mandatory. I did ask the rep during my interview about benefits, but wasn't thinking about it in terms of my "family"...my boyfriend and I live together, but aren't married....so he can't be covered by any insurance I may obtain. Like I said, I'm going to try to meet with the rep again...I will try to ask about more specifics. Thanks again guys for the input! -J:)

Haunted, Thanks so much for the input! Sounds to me that you are not so much the squeaky wheel, but rather a very good advocate (and nurse) for your patients! This is interesting. I'll have to ask the Kaiser rep about that... Good to know this as well. I really hope I end up in a workplace that is welcoming...I worry a lot about that. The whole "nurses eating their young" bit. I still have to start and make it through school, but I am accepting the $ from Kaiser, so my employment with them is (barring any mishaps w/ school) a done deal. Thanks again for your response...it was very useful!

Lots of stuff...and it does vary from school to school.... here is my list: 1.Physical 2.Shots: 2 PPD's at least 2wks apart, Varicella titer for immunity, Hepatitis B titer for immunity, provide proof of other vaccinations (MMR, polio, tetorifice). 3. CPR certification 4. Basic first aid certification 5. Math test 6. Apply for financial aid! 7. Background check 8. Registration 9. Purchase malpractice insurance Whew! Then there is still buying books, supplies, uniforms.... I wonder how many schools require drug screenings? Mine didn't...I was (kind of) surprised to see that in Nursecadet's post....

Gahnosah, This is the website I used to help me find a school when I moved from WA state to Cali: http://www.allnursingschools.com. That, and a little google-ing...helped to narrow down my options. It is good that you have some prereqs completed. Once you determine what schools are best for your needs, check with each school in terms of what they require for pre-reqs. It varies here...depending on the school, and what type of degree you are seeking. Some schools require chem, nutrition, gen ed stuff like sociology, etc. while some don't. CC means community college? I wouldn't worry about that...I found that colleges, universities are pretty accepting of prereq work done at jr. colleges. Programs are so impacted here, they realize that students don't really have much choice! Try as best you can to get your GPA as high as you can...that will help with entry into most programs. If tuition and living expenses are not a problem, then the above suggestion is an option. Also, maybe you could finish your pre-reqs at a jr college, work for a year...then you'll be able to get resident tuition at what ever school you end up at. Maybe take a CNA class and get certified as a nursing assistant...it's good experience, and sometimes helps with getting into certain programs. Hope that helps. The most important thing is to not let the frustration impede you. DON'T GIVE UP. Sometimes it seems like nursing school is a faraway dream, but be persistent, and you will get there! Good luck!

Hello, Thanks for the congratulations and continued responses! It's funny...I'm a t.a. for an intro to microbiology class, and I found out one of the students worked as an EMT at Kaiser facilities...she loved it there, and is now trying to become a nurse, and find employment with Kaiser as an RN. Info right under my nose...didn't even know it until yesterday. When I was being interviewed by the Kaiser rep for the scholarship, she offered to give me a tour of Kaiser HR/ Regional offices in Pasadena (I live nearby in Eagle Rock). I think I'm gonna take her up on it. Should be interesting! I'll try to post any impressions I have.... The countdown to nursing school is upon me....can't wait! Less than 1 month away! -Jen

Irene Joy, This thread might help you : allnurses.com/forums/f8/what-freaks-you-out-2717.html?perpage=20&display=&pagenumber=1 (Do a search for the thread titled: "What Freaks You Out" if the link does not work). Blood may bug you, and not others...but don't worry! Rest assured that everyone has something that make them feel a little sick or faint! For me it is thick saliva. Go figure! -Jennifer

Don't know if anyone is even viewing this thread anymore...but I found out today that I am one of the scholarship recipients! What a HUGE relief! I was getting tired of waiting to hear! I'm very excited, and this will be a big help with tuition. Thanks again for all the info/responses to this thread...In about a year I'll be able to tell you all myself what Kaiser is like! :balloons:

Hi all... Thanks for your responses so far they are all VERY much appreciated.Good to know about the ratios, and the info on the Sunset location. Just found out today that if accepted as a finalist...you must work in inpatient, no outpatient or ER allowed. Which makes sense I guess... The scholarship is the Kaiser Permanente Nursing Opportunity Award...$25,000 to be used toward tuition, etc. at Mt. St. Mary's for their Accelerated BSN program (which I start in May). I found out I made it to the interview stage (my interview is this coming Thurs) for the scholarship! I would still love any input...I feel like the more informed I am the better. -Jennifer

Hi all! I am applying for a scholarship (that would cover the bulk of my nursing school tuition) that is being offered though Kaiser Permanente of Southern California. In exchange for the award, I must commit to working for Kaiser for at least two years after graduation. Just wondering if there are any Kaiser nurses out there who would be interested/ willing to offer some insight as to what it is like to work for Kaiser? Do you love it? Hate it? Is this a deal with the devil ?!? What are your shifts like? Ratios? Do you feel your wages are fair? Are you able to work in your area of interest? How long have you been with Kaiser? Not even really sure what to ask- as I am just a student. Any input is always appreciated! Thanks alot! -Jennifer P.S. Sorry if this is a repetitive thread...tried to search past threads, but I never seem to have much luck.. :)

Funny! I didn't think anyone was looking at this post any more...then to find a bunch of new responses today. Cool! A few people have asked what is normal/ functional? I don't think that there is such thing as a "normal" family anymore...maybe there never was! But I DO think there is such a thing as HEALTHY behavior in families- even though I have also said that every family has it's dysfunctional behavior. I rarely observe healthy behavior in my own family- mostly seen it in the families of friends. I tend to end up dating men who come from very supportive families. My current boyfriend's family is no exception! They are wonderful people. This is what I think is healthy: parents who respect their children as intellegent individuals, who support their children- EMOTIONAL support being paramount--parent's who ENCOURAGE their children. Parents who have healthy boundaries with their children (for example,would never suggest the following : "We can't deal with your heroin addict brother any more...why don't you let him come live with YOU." !?!) Parents who lead by example- they don't abuse themselves or their spouse/ partner. And as many of you have stated in this and other posts- OF COURSE there are nurses from healthy families- nurses are diverse! Just thought I'd add that! Thanks for reading and for your responses! Jen

What is the #1 healthcare problem in the USA? A lack of affordable healthcare/ health insurance. As of 2004 there were 44 million uninsured Americans living in this country.That is equal to the combined populations of Oklahoma, Connecticut, Iowa, Mississippi,Kansas, Arkansas, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, West Virginia, Nebraska, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Hawaii,Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming. 8.4 of the 44 million are uninsured children. Sure, some of these people can afford health insurance, but choose not to be insured. The bulk of the 44 million uninsured, however are uninsured because the price of health insurance is too high. It effects individuals health and public health, it effects the economy. Whenever you hear about layoffs conducted by by big companies (like the recently proposed layoffs announced by General Motors last week...) the companies conducting the layoffs cite rising healthcare costs for their employees as one of the primary factors for the layoffs. Social security in crisis? HA! It's the lack of affordable healthcare that should be on the front burner of the Bush administration.

Hi, Just want to say first of all, thank you everyone who has responded to my post. Been reading through them carefully this morning! I think it is remarkable that people can come together and share ideas and experiences like this. Thank you to all who have shared your personal experiences! I know it is not easy stuff to talk about..... I wanted to say also, of course all families have some dysfunction. And of course some families are more dysfunctional than others...both comments from other posters earlier on in this sequence. Totally agree. I'm new to this whole online forum thing, and it is difficult to come up the right words and questions sometimes. I've been looking at other threads that discuss why nurses become nurses. Many, many people say it's because they want to help people- which makes sense! Being a human being, I think most people really do want to help other people- contrary to what we see on the nightly news! It is the right thing to do! And as another poster said- what profession doesn't serve people, even if it is in a small way? I've just been thinking about why I want to be a nurse. My reasons are complex and many, as I am sure everyone's are. A fascination with the biological sciences, financial stability, job security, and wanting to help others by contributing to their health and well being. I just know for me, coming from an abusive and dysfunctional background completely informed that decision. I guess I've just been looking into that impulse of why I want to help people. Aside from it being the just or moral thing to do...(which I am not discounting)! So naturally I just wondered how many other people there were out there that also came from abusive backgrounds felt the same way. It's not something you really get to talk about that often with people. There is a time and a place- not light or easy conversation! My background/ family is not something I discuss with everyone!(Just anonymously on this forum-haha!) As a student who is still working on pre reqs and battling waitists, you don't really talk about that sort of thing with fellow students too much.We're all too freaked about the upcoming A&P test, etc! This is too long already- wish I could respond to everyone individually- again thanks to ALL for contributing your thoughts! -Jennifer