ViperJustin

UWorld (and the Mark Klimek notes) work. I just passed (after my third attempt) the NCLEX. I searched for the NCLEX Guide on AllNurses.com, rewrote all those notes, and used UWolrd. I also have a friend that gave me some Mark Klimek lectures. I didn't use those lectures, but I used the notes. This is exactly what I did. Long story short, I graduated school last winter (Dec 2017). I took the test the first time right after I graduated, thinking that I would be fine considering the predicted tests said I would do well. Well, I was wrong. I studied MAYBE 20 hours before I took the NCLEX the first time. BIG MISTAKE. I tried again in May. This time, I just found a set of notes (very similar to the Klimek notes and the notes on here-NCLEX Guide). I only used those notes to study for the test in May. I didn't feel like ponying up the money for UWorld because I used maybe 300 questions during the first test and got frustrated with their difficulty. They made me feel really dumb. (Thats mostly normal.... I may be a bit challenged.) I took the NCLEX again at the end of May and got ALL 265 questions. I just missed. It sucked. BUT, I immediately had a plan ready if I needed it. Third time, my final chance. In the state of Nevada, if you fail after three times, you have to take some sort of class and prove that youre ready to test again. Long story short, I just passed (mid September). Heres what I did: 4 weeks of: 1. Rewrote all the notes from the guide, spacing between each thing so I could add stuff I needed to. 2. Wrote out all the meds on that guide into flash cards (like 50-60). I would add anything to them that I saw on UWorld rationales. I am ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE when it comes to meds. Well, that was before this time around. Many of those cards just had the prefixes and suffixes for most meds. 3. UWorld. UWORLD UWORLD UWORLD!!! Thats the single biggest thing that helped. READ THE RATIONALES!!! So I studied for four weeks straight, averaging 4-6 hours per day on average. I averaged about 100 questions per day from UWorld, usually on 25 question quizzes. I SUCKED!!! I averaged right about 45% overall when I started. I decided to read the notes again and again until I had them memorized/understood them. I also memorized all the meds on my little med cards. I did 800 questions and did the first 75 question exam. I got a 49%. (Borderline). So I went back at it in UWorld as well working my notes more. I made sure that I read every rationale whether I get the question right or wrong. If I got it wrong, then I would read the ENTIRE rationale. If I got it right, then Id just read the last line in the rationale. I did all the UWorld questions and then did my second 75 question exam. I got a 64% (Very good chance). At that point, during the last 700 questions of UWorld, I was averaging a 56%. My overall average was a 52% when I was done. The most important thing is to just keep at it. Make a good study guide, make flash cards if you need to, and UWORLD UWORLD UWORLD!!!! IT REALLY DOES WORK!!!!

The CNA program in CSN isn't doing too well. They need more students to go through the program and pass. So to get into the RN program, you're going to need the CNA certification first. It's just another way to "help" CSN look better.

I'm lucky, because I'm retired Air Force. I don't need to work. On that note, I studied about 50 hours a week during the second semester and about 30 during the first. Lowest points was around 28 or so. They didn't say, but I know some alternates got in. The program schedule will be changing quite a bit in a semester or two. You will also be required to have a CNA or something like that. Long story short, CSN needs extra people going through that program to "pad" their numbers. Good luck and I recommend having all your science prereqs done before going in. There's just no way to do a 223/224 type class the same time as nursing.

I haven't signed on much this last semester. It was hectic, to say the least. I figured that after two semesters, I'll give anyone (who cares) a quick review of the first two semesters of the nursing program. First semester (Nursing 101 and Pharm) wasn't too bad overall. I had (who is considered as) the toughest clinical instructor in 101. You'll know who I'm talking about once you get there. Having a military background, I'm used to the yelling and harsher instruction style. It didn't really bother me that much. Pharm is nothing but memorization. Make flash cards for them. It was the best way for me to study. You'll continue to go deeper into pharm related topics in the second semester. So make sure you understand it during the first semester. Second semester: two words... It sucked! Nursing 115 (med surg) is difficult, but not terribly difficult. The hardest part is trying to understand NCLEX style questions on the test. You'll have at least two patients to watch over during shifts,which isn't that hard at all. Just learn to prioritize and it's a walk in the park. I was able to go into the ER for one clinical day and found the fast pace satisfying. I've found my niche (which I already knew). Labs can be difficult and I HIGHLY recommend going to open labs during the week to practice on things you've already learned. Keep practicing, because when it's time to do it for real, you have to be on point. Mental health was a disaster. The lecture was fine. The lab was ok at best. But the clinical was nothing less than a storm of cow poo backed by hurricane Katrina. We had four different instructors during the time of our labs (beginning to end) and every one of them wanted different assignments and schedules. Papers that were due three weeks from now we're suddenly due this week. Know your APA!!!!!!!!!!! You will get destroyed on APA unless it's nearly perfect. The writing styles and assignments are just giant wastes of time, but all mandatory. I can't remember even one assignment I had to do. Just get them done ASAP. They are horribly bad and just waste time. Regarding assignments, TRY to get all your assignments done for 115 clinical prior to midterm. Two people in my clinical class alone failed because they procrastinated too much and weren't able to correct their papers to a 90% by the end of the semester. Do yourself a favor and get ALL that done before midterm. I hope this helps out anyone who's just getting in or going into 2nd semester. It's been rough, but I've been told 3rd and 4th are much easier. Good luck to everyone going into the program.

You must attend all three. With 34 points, you should be just fine getting accepted. Acceptance calls happen within a few weeks every year, it all depends on applicants. The best thing to do is get accepted, see when the orientations will be scheduled, then make an appointment as soon as possible if it interferes with your trip. Good luck.

Oops. The first paper is based on a person of your choosing. But the person must be at least 70 years old. The second paper is based on one of your patients at the clinical site.

Yes. All of your clinical worksheets are based off of your actual patients. Same with both of your papers. So that's why you can't get ahead now.

Lastly, NEVER be late or unprepared for clinical. So prep your information and all your supplies the night before so all you need to do is grab the bag and go.

It depends on your instructor. But, this is how it worked for me... First three weeks of clinical are ACE. It's a just like lab, but 6 hours long. You learn some very basic things there. But it's still a lot of work. Then in the first four weeks of clinical after ace is long term care. You will be assigned a patient as a group of four or so in the beginning. There, you will learn to give meds (the 6 rights) and do some vitals. You will also be assigned a couplet patient (2 people to one patient) where you will do more assessments and stuff with them. Your first written paper will be due around this time. After the four weeks of long term care, you continue on to sub acute care (kind of like long term rehab). You will be assigned a patient every week or every other week. You will continue to fill out your clinical worksheets every week. My instructor made us type them up. You will also learn how to write out all your assessment findings. You will be tested on how to do your clinical assessments, then do a head to toe assessment. After awhile, you'll also have to complete your second paper. Another thing about sub acute was that we were required to go in a couple days before clinical and complete our clinical information worksheets. At the clinical work site, you will do basically everything from wiping asses to feeding, showers and baths, patient care of all kinds. If you're skiddish about being around another naked male or female, you'll have a difficult time. Also, during this semester, learn how to control your emotions. Especially around patients. You'll see stage 4 ulcers and I've watch classmates throw up in their mouthes from it. You need to learn how to be stone faced and calm in those situations. Hope this helps. (For whatever reason, autospell on this website blows. So if there's weird words or misspellings, it's that.)

There's no study guides in fundamentals. You get one in pharm, depending on the instructor. Everything in Nursing 101 is testable, including stuff you learn in lab and clinical. BUT, the clinicals, labs, and lecture correlate with each other more often than not. Youll figure out out what you need to do after the first test. I will say this: -One instructor says don't read the books, just study the slides and info online. -The other instructor says read EVERYTHING.

For me, pharm was the hardest. I had a difficult time with it. Then fundamentals. Get used to using the questions from your book (and the quizlet app) Those are the kind of questions that are in the tests (NCLEX style). I had a very tough clinical instructor (those that are in know who she is) but she prepares you more than any of them. Just be prepared for clinical. Lab was really easy. I would look at the lab info the night before to see what we were doing and that's it.

The only thing your points and GPA are good for is entry into the program. I entered with a 3.3ish (3.4, just looked at my papers) GPA and 38 points. It means nothing when choosing your class schedules or anything else. So as long as you have 30+ points and the minimum grades, you're in. But for part time, you'll need more than 30. I've heard 36+. It probably makes a difference in continuing education. But literally any college will pick you up to finish a BSN program if that's the route you want to go.

All tests are multiple choice with a math problem thrown in (usually just one). I did not work, but I have two kids that I watch when my wife works. I find it nearly impossible to study with them. I spend a LOT of time at the library studying. You get at least 3-4 weeks notice with your papers. They aren't too difficult, just time consuming. There are guides for those papers, and you just answer the questions on those guides. Also, there are tables and charts that you'll add from your clinical worksheets. Those take up a few pages here and there.

Well that's over... Grades are in, and I passed. I SHOULD have a B, but the extra credit points are all jacked up. I'll have to talk about it at my advisor meeting tomorrow. Second semester is just five weeks away. Gotta start looking for more uniforms and books for that. Any questions?

If you have around 32 points, you're guaranteed to get in. Every person got in for Spring 2016.