jaluo2014

Very excited indeed, completed ADN-BSN last Spring 2017, and currently on BSN-DNP that I started this Fall 2017. Its all in class public university. I work fulltime and on a 4 year program. This was my end-goal. I can't wait!

To OP, do not listen to anyone trashing Marshfield clinic organization if they have never worked there. I completed my Critical Care Nurse Residency in Feb this year (2017) and it was a great experience. Currently working in one of the ICU. As you know, Marshfield Clinic is in the process of buying out St. Joseph hospital, which everyone is happy about. When I applied for the Residency, I was called after 4 days and had appointment for interview. They are very good with calling candidates. My offer as a new grad was $26.50 base plus I was given $1,500 recruitment bonus. After completing my Residency, I was added $1.05 plus yearly increase of $0.40, I will be graduating this coming weekend and I am guaranteed additional $1.00. So basically as a new nurse, I am making about $29/hr. Typically, this area and around here, ministry is starting their employees at about $23/hr. Also, we have double dollar initiatives and single dollar. Clinic pays $20 in addition to your base salary if you pick up those extra shift specials plus you get your overtime pay after 40hrs/week. I live in a one bedroom spacious apt. at $450/month, water and electricity the highest I have paid is $18/month. If you like night-club lifestyle then this is not your place. I am not originally from here, I just moved to the area due to this great opportunity, I go back home on my off day. One thing that the organization should work on is health insurance. The best you can get is $3300 for single deductible, or $6000 for family deductible that changed since this year. last year, you were able to choose $1500 single and $3000 family for deductible. You cant have it all! There are other coverage but their premiums are steep. If you need more information. You can PM me. PS I just recruited two of my friends and one is interviewing tomorrow (she is on this site), the other is in July. Jaluo

Here I am, with no hospital experience, straight from ADN program to ICU where we have critically ill patients. I did go through critical care nurse residency though. But that's because I wanted to work in the critical care unit. My self-esteem is to the boiling point. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent - E. Roosevelt

In 2014 when I first joined AN, I was about to start my ADN but I had my eyes set on becoming a Nurse practitioner. Nothing wrong with that. Because of my long goal, I had to do ADN and BSN general studies at the same time. No summer break or any break from school. I Completed my ADN-RN in 2016 then transferred to State University to complete the remaining 30 credit for upper nursing courses and my graduation is set in May 2017. To wrap it up, today, I received a letter of acceptance to a DNP program within the state University system. I did it, you can do it! One thing that I can tell you, go through some of the posts in this forum and you will go far in your professional life. When I need advice, other than God, AN is my favorite mentor tool that I use. All the best!

I am planning to buy a house out of cash worth $80K, I completed my ADN and BSN with zero debt. Worked hard to pay my fees, I applied to all scholarships and grants offered. I will be starting my DNP in the Fall-2017 employer sponsored plus I have to chip in if needed. Never had a loan in my life before, I was brought up in a generational poverty background back in Africa and I see loans as a way to take me back to where I was as a child. Could there be a way you can take even one class at a time as you pay up. Or wait until you have some money to start-off with.

I used Quizlet for review. It took me 2hrs 40mins for 75 questions. English is my 2nd language, and it takes forever for me to understand this language, especially with NCLEX type of questions.

I did my exam also on 7/6 and it was the easiest exam I have ever done. I was afraid the questions were below the standard. I did PN-NCLEX last year and it was really hard and if I had to grade myself, may be I got a 30% but I passed anyway. This RN-NCLEX if I had to grade myself, may be above 90%. That was easy!!! Congratulations

Here is what helped me graduate with honors. I depended on NCLEX quizlet. I really did not open any text book to read. I recorded every lecture (attended all classes), some instructors will set exams based on what they teach only, some will set exam directly from power-point but in nclex-style. So, knowing your instructor's way of setting exam is key. About quizlet, as a new NS I didn't understand nclex type of question so I needed exposure and learn on my own how to choose the correct answer. Quizlet was my life-saver and it had been my life-saver. I used quizlet to study for my RN-NCLEX that I took 2days ago and passed. I was the only student in my class who could pull out 100% in an exam. Why? Because of quizlet. Just additional note, sometimes the answers on quizlets are wrong, so you need to think deep and smart for your answers. You can google my quizlet folder "DEE7772015 quizlet"

@Heathermaizey. Well done reply. I wish I was raised in a sugar coated environment.

These are your words," I don't smoke much" Well, what do you mean by I don't smoke much? If I were in your shoes, I would not talk about completing nursing school rather take responsibility and search for help on how to stop marijuana use or anything that will hinder my schooling. You have to think about the people who will be in your care. Go back to the school where you were expelled, asked them if there are resources for you out there for therapy. That way, the faculty will see your interest in changing your situation and feel your helplessness situation. You never know, you may be given a 2nd chance if they see a big change in you. You cannot change from outside in, it has to be inside out. All the best.

I will be done with my 3rd semester on 15th this month. 6 students in my class broke up with their husbands/boyfriends, 5 of the six failed to make it to the 4th semester and only one made it through. There is a better road besides a bridge, you can cross over to the other side. God bless!

Before I open my mouth to speak or dwell in the oops! situations in my life, I would fill the room with positive things about me and what I can offer to my new employer. Employer would like to know somehow your weakness, but how you overcome it means a lot. Anyhow, your employer is desperate to hire just like you are desperate to be hired. Its a 50/50, I am yet to meet an employer who will tell potential hire how they are short-staffed over the weekends. All the best, your job is on the way!

@Olgachikaka. Congratulations for your accomplishments. I know how hard it is for nurses back at home (Africa) to find a job. Having a plan B is important for your future career but it comes with variables. I have several friends in Dubai but they say it is a long process to get license. In addition to minimum requirement of 2-5 years of practice. Again, life there is very expensive and rate of pay is based on your nationality. I have never heard of internship for foreign graduate in the US "unless I don't pay attention to news". Have you thought looking up agencies that hire nurses to middle-eastern countries? Other than middle-east, have you thought of working for NGO's like WHO in your country? You can volunteer as you gain experience working with people in the community. This is just to add, I am originally from East-Africa and I lived a bit in Botswana and I met many nurses happy with their jobs, in fact so many of my country people moved to Botswana to take up some jobs over there. would it be easier to cross the boarder and get experience before you go international? Lots of hugs and prayers as you make decision.

For those who are preparing for this exam, here is my amazing journey experience. I graduated in May 2015 and right away I started preparing for this exam. I had NCLEX-PN by Saunders 6th ed., Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment by LaCharity and exam Cram that was not of good help at all, it actually made me depressed. I set my goals and did upto 500 questions each day sometimes more. After I was done with the above study materials, I started going through flashcards and quiz-lets online particularly on my weak areas (I hate SATA type of question) so I basically put more efforts in understanding how to answer SATA questions. I can't put in words how I did study for it but I was good at it. I did more practice SATA type of questions on Elsevier Evolve website (My school is using Elsevier and we have access to its free books and practice tests) The questions are content based. Knowing the content is important. You can't answer a question that you have no idea of what it is asking, so know your content. I arrived at the center one day early just to get used to the place. Got a good hotel nearby, did not sleep because of anxiety. I reviewed all the labs until 1am, went to bed and slept till 7am. My hubby said to me that I talked through the night (I sleep talk when I am stressed) At 7am, I felt like reviewing dose calc for an hour. Then got ready for a good breakfast. I hate eating in the morning but I had to. I hydrated myself by drinking pure water. My stomach felt empty despite the fact that I ate. My stomach was hurting and I had to visit bathroom like 4X before the exam. Well, my exam was to start at 11am but because I was so stressed, I thought waiting was not the best option. I went in at 10:15 am and right away after security checks and biometrics, I was showered into the exam. I would not go into details, the exam was really hard. My 1st exam was a multiple choice then from the 2nd question till 25th question it was SATA's. I felt like throwing up at some point but I kept my confidence up. One hour passed by and I was in question 37, that tells you how slow I was. I wasn't worried about being slow (That's how I am, English is my 2nd language” I didn't care about the pace but I cared more about how I answer my SATA questions. I was convinced that incase I ran out of time and my last 60 questions were all right then I am good. By the time I was at the 85th question, before I submitted, I said a word of prayer and talked to God. Then it shuts off. I was happy the screen turned blue because I wasn't sure what I was doing. I am a straight A student, and I don't study the recommended text book to get high scores but I study through questions. This exam was not close to my straight A. I would say, if it was scored, I got a 40% or below. In all the 85 questions, 60 were SATA. I literally counted as I go. When they say that NCLEX is not about how many questions you get right, from my experience, I believe in that theory 100%. Now, go there and shine! All the best to candidates.

you can work as nurse assistant but not CERTIFIED nurse assistant at least in my state. You can easily get hired at assisted living but not a Nursing home. you don't need certification to work in assisted living but you need certification for a nursing home and hospital. Hope this helps