RN_Incredible

anyone?

Hello fellow readers, I began my first job a week ago. I am so excited and yet so anxious. So far, I have been only in a classroom setting for my orientation (Going over the new software for nursing documentation). I have not been on the floor yet, but I will be in a few days. I was practicing my documentation through the software and I realize I really need to practice. I would like to receive advice on how to improve my documentation and organization skills. Other tips and advice based on starting the first nursing job in a psychiatric unit re welcome!

I am sorry you are feeling that way, but don't give up. I understand that it gets very frustrating. It is good to just vent and continue from there. Maybe it's test anxiety? I had the same issue. The key is to study questions 75 to 100/day. Do your best to not worry about what other people are doing, focus on yourself. You are going to pass the exam and you will see the words "pass" written below your name. If you need any advice or guidance let me know. I have a study calendar I used that helped me pass my exam. Perhaps it can help you. PM me if you wish

I mostly used Saunders, used the 30 day calendar that was on the Saunders CD. From there I actually used the kaplan program and the kaplan book. I used other books such as Davis and Lippincotts but not as much. I had two months until my exam date so I did about 75-100 questions a day. I studied minimum 4 hrs/day. The day before the exam, I did not study at all, it was a day off from anything nclex so I can feel refreshed for the next day. I made myself take 265 questions from kaplan only twice just to get in nclex mode (I did this a week before.) Be sure you understand the rationales of every question you review after you test youself each day. Review why a choice was wrong and why another choice is right. I think that is the end of my rant for now. If you have any other questions just PM me

I saved up on some soundproof headphones. My main spots to study were my school library, coffee shops, and my kitchen. I woudl be sure I would have almonds on the side (any type of snack), it became a habit. I decided to take out chapters of my textbook and made my own booklet that was organized the way the chapters on my syllabus were set up. On my way to school and back home I would read on the train/bus or a few minutes before school. I would also record my classes and listen back to the recording immediately after class and jot down anything I might have missed during lecture. Prior to my last 2 semesters of nursing school, I had the worst test anxiety and I couldn't focus at all. However, after a few days of organizing myself before my semester started, I would organize myself to make sure I really am focused on what I am studying for my classes. Eventually, I found a way to study that really worked for me :)

I don't think so. I say the earlier you study the better. Just be sure you are aware of what portions of the HESI exam the school you are applying to will focus on for example will they emphasize the math and english portion more? What's the minimum score they will accept? etc. I used the Evolve HESI study book, that alone helped me pass my exam to enter the Nursing program in my university. Good luck!

I would say using Quizlet, using a recorder (there are apps that you can download on yor ipad or phone to record a class), going over notes after class, flashcards and be sure you are on top of your syllabus day to day. Adding a tutor will definitely help as well. Good luck!

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH! For your advice =) I really needed it. I will definitely keep this in mind everyday! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hello everyone! Well first I like to provide the good news that I obtained my first RN job in the psychiatric unit a few days ago. I am doing the paperwork necessary to submit in order to begin my job sometime next month. I also decided to go read my Saunders book and refresh myself with the psychiatric drugs I will most likely encounter. However, I really like the way I am preparing myself is not enough. Therefore, I have three questions/concerns that have been on my mind lately and I would love to hear feedback from anyone. 1. Are there any resources or tips that anyone can provide me regarding the psychiatric field? For example, what are a few ways you would recommend me to prepare myself in order to prepare for any type of psychiatric emergency? 2. I hear often that a nurse would "lose his/her skills" in the psych unit. I don't really have those skills to begin with, but I would like to know, exactly how should I focus on obtaining theses skills (e.g. Inserting an IV)? Would it be a good idea to ask my Nurse manager/supervisor for help pertaining to this? 3. I want to really improve on my assessment and documenting prior to beginning my job. Are there any resources or tips available that can help me with this? I hope to hear from someone soon and I apologize if my questions sound kind of silly, but this is my first job within the nursing field. So please have patience and bear with me . Thank you in advance and happy holidays!

Did your colleague have anything in his resume that stood out? Did he have any relevant experience? Just wondering. I just found out about the fellowship today, according to the onlinepost the deadline is tomorrow so I hope it isn't too late. I spend so much money on certifications and did so much volunteering that I don't know what else to do. No calls...nothing. I am hoping maybe this fellowship could give me some luck. I wish the best for everyone though

Oh okay OB health assessment and psych. Best advice I can give you is to use as many nclex resources you can. For psych, you could memorize the slides and you will be fine. Health assessment, I can recall relying only on what I learned in lab which helped me feel less confused for the HA exams. For OB, all practice questions. I believe med surg success for maternity nursing really helped. I borrowed the book though. SO if you can find someone who can let you borrow it or scan the questions at least it should help. If you need tutoring let me know.

what level are you in right now if you don't mind me asking?

As a fellow alumni myself I can definitely agree with you that the administration is very difficult to get by. Don't let that stop you from graduating though. With my experience, I can definitely tell you that it is possible to graduate there and (in a month or two) begin your career. There were some occassions when I had to teach myself and give myself NCLEX questions. If you seek any advice or guidance on how to prepare for the NCLEX, exams, etc. Don't hesitate to PM me

I was told that it is more difficult to transfer to med surg if I go straight into psych, that's why I was so unsure. But, I am already finishing my application process. It might be difficult but maybe it is not impossible.

I am a New Grad RN. I was offered an interview at a hospital for a nurse position in the psychiatric unit. After having the opportunity to see the unit and be acquainted with the unit staff I might work with, I really felt that this might be my "home" unit. I am looking forward to working there. However, I was advised by someone else that maybe I should not take the offer and keep looking for a medical surgical position instead. Nowadays, not many hospitals accept New Grad RNs, which is part of the reason why I want to accept the position. Also, psychiatry is a specialty I had in mind for the future as a nurse. (I even have a plan to work for a year in the unit, apply for a medical surgical position elsewhere afterward and return to the psychiatry unit after a year or two.) Should I accept the position or should I not?

@dafishman I actually just PMd it to you a few minutes ago, didn't see this post.

don't forget to memorize lab values, and you got this. a month of studying should help you pass the HESI with the right way or ways to organize the studying time each day

Oh wow I wish I found out about that. It can be a 50% chance then. I did the new PVT, got the good pop up and passed. I guess i am one of the lucky ones

This is just advice I can give you. Depending on when you have to take the exam. I would say do questions, get a HESI review book. Study a certain amount of chapters each day and do questions to test how well you understand the material. You can try the allnurses study guide which I have available in my nclex post. I wish you luck and hope my advice at least gave you a good direction on how to begin studying

Congratulations! It is time for a new chapter in life =D

It is okay to feel stressed out. You have a second shot! you already know the level of difficulty on studying for the exam. You have a better idea of what is expected for you. Since you have Saunders you can try looking up "Suzanne's plan" and see if it works for you. If you wish I can send you my 2 month study calendar. Something to give you at least a guide on where to go from here.

Good luck @mkcab! you got this! check out the study guide I linked on my first post of this forum. Some mneumonics can really help you in case you need it. Let me know how it goes!

I am having trouble navigating to see how to edit my post but it looks like I cant. So i will add an updated message. I do not do emails anymore. I will PM through allnurses on the study calendar. Also if you all can return the favor and like my post or page before you request my study calendar, that would be great!!!

I agree with Okami. Also check youtubers such as nursenacole, mikelinares,etc. There is also this website that goes by nclexcram (I think that's the name, I kind of forgot). Hope this helps. Good luck!

For fundamentals, it takes a while to understand the concept. I understand that it might be your first time being exposed to this type of thinking. This was my way of studying. Depending on how well your teacher teaches I would record the professor, then after class I would review my notes for a few minutes. Later in the day, I would review my recordings (I used a random app for my ipad to record the class), at the time I took fundamentals I had Saunders and Fundamentals success. I practiced questions as much as possible related to my topic being taught that day. Definitely do practice questions using those books. I also used NCLEX 4000 and some other programs. If your school has a computer lab stop by and browse the programs. And since this is fundamentals, to avoid confusion, just do questions based on the topics you went over in class. Good luck!