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I PASSED!!!!! Thanks to all that responded and good luck to everyone!

Took my NCLEX today and feel scared that I wasn't thinking straight. I had no SATA Q's and no calculation questions. I think that I may have answered some of the 'easier' questions wrong because I was over-analyzing them, so I'm afraid I may not have even got to the 'harder level of questions. A lot of the questions were "who do you assess first" and "which patient statement signifies teaching was effective/ineffective" types. The thing that I am most scared of is that when I was doing practice questions, I usually got more of the so called "harder" analysis questions right more than the supposed "easier" ones. I'm so afraid that I messed up the easier ones and never even got a chance at the harder ones.. even though none of them seemed to have clear answers to me. Also, a friend of mine who just took the exam said that a lot of the questions he got didn't specifically give you the name of a disease or medical state in the question, but instead gave you more of the symptoms and you had to figure out for yourself what they were talking about. I am worried because almost all of my questions had an exact medical condition named in them, making me wonder if they were easier level questions. My only hope that I did well is that I graduated top of my class, passed all of the ATI tests on the first try, passed the comprehensive ATI with a prediction of a 98% chance of passing on the NCLEX and had a good mix of questions. My test did not seem to stay focused in one area. I also finished the test in under an hour. I am a fast test taker, but am worried that my nerves may have caused me to rush and overlook things? I have no idea. Right now I feel completely ill and can't stop thinking about it. Just needed to vent. Thanks all for listening, and if you have any input it is much appreciated!

Question about SARS: Saunders has it listed under contact precautions. A question I was asked from the Lippincott test bank said that airborne precautions are necessary. And so the confusion sets in as I wonder "what does NCLEX say?" 5 days away and panicking...

From the CDC website: PPE donning: 1. gown 2. mask 3. goggles 4. gloves PPE removal: 1. gloves 2. goggles 3. gown 4. mask Good luck all!

Thanks for the replies... I know that SATA questions are missing, but is anything else different? I started reviewing the questions and just felt like they were easier than what I am used to - are the questions still good or do you think they might be too easy? I'm so upset that I have 40 dollars down the drain...

I just purchased Saunders Q & A review for the NCLEX-RN Examination and noticed that it is dated for the 2004 test. Is this book outdated our will it still be a helpful study tool? PS: I can't return the book because I took out the disk Thanks

More like the Anti Tom Cruise Foundation! Ha ha! He's the one that needs some perspective, jeesh.

Here are some I came up with: Bright Futures A Better Tomorrow Tears to Cheers I post more if/as I think of them.

I just want to say THANK YOU! to all that have posted so far - you have made me feel so mcuh better. I think my largest concerns revolve around the fact that I am going to have to learn so much in such a short period of time (accelerated program) and I worry that I won't retain any of it when it comes time to study for and take the NCLEX. Daytonite - thanks so much for adding the links into your great reply - I'll be sure to check them out. You have all reassured me (once again) that I am putting way to much pressure on myself. Warped perfectionism can do that to you!

Here's me: I've always pretty much been a 4.0 student. Got a 4.0 in all my pre-requisites and can ususally apply material in a critical thinking manner, but . . . . . I am worried that I'm not really retaining any of what I "learn". I think the biggest reason I do so well in school is because I have a great short term memory, but it seems that a lot of what I learn doesn't really stay with me. For example, I took A&P last fall, and I'm sure that if I was now asked to name all the muscles or parts of the brain or what certain hormones do . . . I wouldn't know a lot of it. And that scares me. How much am I really retaining? I plan on starting an accelerated program and am worried that it will be so fast paced that I will hardly retain any of it, and have to completely re-learn everything for the NCLEX! I would really love some feedback on learning styles and what you all think about this learning vs. memorizing thing. How much do you remember from classes? If you had to take a test right now from say, Micro, how well do you think you would do? What can I do to improve my real learning as opposed to just memorizing this stuff? It just seems that I cram it all in and then most of it filter on back out after awhile :uhoh21:

Is this supposed to be "beating a dead horse?" Because it looks like they are feeding on it! :deadhorse And this barfing one is complete with dribbles on the chin! Is it just me that finds these little guys so funny sometimes? :biere: He he he he . . .

Hmm, this is a toughie becuase you are going to be dealing with demanding and stressful situations in either postion. In the school it's the kids and their parents, in the hospitals it's families and doctors . . . you get my drift. I guess you could 'pick your poison' based on what you have the most passion for. If you really truly want to do something, you will eventually learn how to deal with the downsides of the job. But I wouldn't expect nursing to be any less to deal with than teaching. Hope that helps.

Thanks to all who replied! I was worried there for a second!

Hi all~ I was just taking with a friend yesterday who is also going for her BSN and she said that nurses with a bachelor's have a harder time getting a job than nurses with an associates because they are required to pay those with a BSN more money (I live in Michigan - not sure if this varies by state?) I didn't think pay was that different, and that nurses were just needed regardless of BSN or ADN. Anyone with some insight into this? Perhaps I will cross post in the Michigan forum. Thanks!

Like others have said, it's all about priority. Because working out has such a huge impact on my physical and emotional health it is a huge priority for me. Right now I am currently taking pre-requisites (Micro and Oranic/Biochem) and working about 30 hours a week. I still manage to work out 6 days a week for an hour at a time (training for a marathon!)

Waitress or bartender. I did this all the way through my first degree (BA) and will continue until I start my accelerated program. If you get into the right restaurant you can make $100 a night easy. It sucks because I am always working weekends, but I gotta eat, too!

I also got my BA in English. I am now taking pre-reqs so that I can attend an accelerated BSN program. I say go for the BSN - more opportunitues. I know that there are some direct RN-MSN programs, but I think it helps to have the BSN.

With an RN-BSN program, you are aiming to complete the Bachelor's degree part of your education and not the nursing part, as you already hold and RN. This mostly involves non-nursing courses aimed at rounding out and education as opposed to strictly nursing courses. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't involve clinicals. In most traditional BSN programs, you complete most non-nursing requirements before you get into the nursing part of your schooling. Doing the RN-BSN is basically doing the same thing, but backwards. Hope this helps.

While I don't agree with the decision that was made in regards to allowing alcohol at your party, I don't think the waitress is to blame, and she should should not be knocked for it. If you were treating her for an illness in the hospital and said something like, "Well, I certainly hope your not going to wait on someone I know while your sick," it would be about the same type of comment. I am currently a second degree nursing student (first degree BA in English) and working as a waitress while in school, so sorry if I'm a little bit defensive of the waitstaff. It's the only proffesion I have worked in that has to put up with as much crap, if not more, than healthcare.

Why not leave an anonymous letter stating that you are sure that she is aware of her problem and that you think you may know the cure and that it is something she should look into. That way you don't have to get involved personally and she will learn about the possible solution to her problem. I can't imaging having something like that - it must be hell on earth. I'm sure she would be grateful for something that could possibly cure her of this problem. If you have trouble with tact, this is a great way to go. You can sit down and carefully write out a letter of care and concern.

Oh my goodness . . . I have never gone through what you are going through, but I know a lot about programs and services that are out there to help people in your shoes -and there are many of them! First off, you say that you do not want to get a divorce, that you want to make it etc, but I think it is obvious that continuing to live with this man is endangering you and your children. You say that you are Catholic, and from what you have posted I believe that you will be able to get an annullment from the church. Remember, you are not the one who 'failed' here, he is. I encourage you to gather all your resources and make the move to sever ties as fast as possible. Talk with a counselor at your school. They should be able to steer you in the right direction. You are very young and you have many years to put this gloomy part of your life behind you. I don't think you have to worry about your husband getting custody of your children. If he tests positive for a drug screen it will not happen. If there is evidence that he had sex with a fifteen year old (underage) it will definately not happen because he will be listed as a sex offender. Please, please, please seek help. There are many wonderful, free of charge organizations out there. I know this is going to be very very hard to do because it means moving out of your comfort zone, but right now staying in your comfort zone could result in your life or one of your boys. I am not being to dramatic in saying that either. The violent behavior that your husband now displays is only a pre-cursor of things that could be yet to come. Good luck and God Bless!

From what it sounds like this family is very poor - so I wonder how it is that they can keep making all these visits to the ER for ridiculous reasons. This infuriates me because I, at the moment, can barely afford health insurance that will only cover me if I am lucky, and I'd still have to end up paying a huge percentage of it. These people using the ER like that is one reason why health insurance is so ridiculously unaffordable. I do not think that you are being judgmental at all. If people act dirty, look dirty and smell dirty, it's pretty safe to say they're dirty. Perhaps I am being a bit harsh, but I'm just trying to tell it like it is. When a persons hygeine is so bad that you have to clean a room after they've been in it, something needs to be done. I'm not sure what would be the best way to counsel this family reagding their behavior and hygeine, but I probably would advise against inviting the woman to your house. Keep things strictly professional and get the help of your colleauges and superiors. These people are simply clogging up the ER when there are real emergencies to be handled. Yes, they need help, but not the kind offered in an ER.

Thanks to all who have replied here so far. Just reading some of the posts made by the first year RN's has got me a little nervous - so I didn't know what I should expect becoming an RN after an even shorter period of schooling!

Hi all~ I'll be starting an accelerated second degree program soon to earn my BSN/RN. (My first degree was in English) Anyway, I was just hoping to hear from some second degree students who are in their first year of nursing and what your experiences have been thus far. My main concern is the fast pace of the these progrmas - I mean, if nurses in 'normal' programs are going through stress and struggles and not feeling as if nursing shcool prepared them as much, I'm wondering how those who who earned the degree in 12 months feel? I'd love to hear from you, or any stories from anyone you know who may have done this. Thanks all! Have a great day

You don't by any chance go to Schoolcraft, do you?