Start Job or Wait and take Nclex 1st?

[nurseuback]

Hello,

I'm am a new RN-a. I wish I would have waited before I started this job and took my boards 1st. The managers put extra stress on you. I found out yesterday that my new grad manager and the manager for the floor have been checking the BON web site to see if graduates pass the Nclex exam. I think that is an invation of privacy. I have done nothing but test since I started this job and I haven't had time to study for the NCLEX exam much. We've have had a math test which you must pass to keep the job and they let you know up front that you must pass it to keep the job. I have had an EKG test in which you must know about 25-30 strips and drugs for that and you must pass it. We had 3 computer based test on how to put in orders and admit a patients. I have been so stressed its rediculous. I don't know how employers expect you to focus on the NCLex. Its my own fault. If I knew before, what I know now. I would have waited til I passed the exam. My boss is pressuring everyone into taking the test. My friend wants to reschedule, but my boss was telling her she needs to take it. The place I work have hired almost my entire nursing class, so when you see someone they are always asking that same old question. When are you taking your exam? I'm going to take mine, but if I wasn't ready I wouldn't let them be the judge of it. What's your opinion?

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Sounds quite stressful. I don't have much input other than good luck with your exam!

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

Personally I waited. I was financially able to take a couple of months off after graduation before I started working. I know not everyone can do that though.

I graduated, then studied for the NCLEX for 2 months, took the test and passed, then started working. That's what I did and that's what worked for me. But I know a lot of people started working and studied in the mean time. You just have to make that your number one priority, if you're working or not.

Ask yourself a few things. Are you financially able to take a few weeks off from work so that you can focus all your time on studying for the NCLEX? If so, then go talk to the manager/educators about it and see if they're willing to work with you on it ..... see if you can just start your new job once you pass the NCLEX.

If you're not financially able to take the time off, still go talk to the manager/educators and tell them how you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of testing they're expecting you to do, WHILE having to study for the NCLEX. Your peers are feeling the same way too. Your employer needs to be more understanding at a time like this.

Good luck to you!

[ukstudent]

I am sorry that you are so stressed. But I would like to point out that looking up the BON web site to see if people had passed or failed Nclex is not an invasion of privacy it is there job to do so. The legal responsiblity of the hospital changes as you change from a nurse graduate to either passing nclex and becoming a nurse (LPN or RN) or failing nclex and becoming non-licensed and no longer allowed to practice as a nurse graduate. And yes they want you to take the exam as soon as possible because it changes what you are allowed to do under orientation. During the time you have not taken the test you are practicing under someone else's license and you are not going to get the whole orientation, which means that when you get off orientation you could be behind someone that had a license during orientation. You could fail the test, in which case the hospital has spent a lot of money to train someone that will now not be a nurse for at least a month or so more.

Sorry to say this but hospitals are not very compassionate, it is all about the bottom line. It is not personal, against you or your fellow new grads, its about money.

[altus bulldog]

Some states are not letting GN's pactice until they Take and Pass Boards. I think that is going to be the new trend, and will spread across the US. I agree that as much testing as you are being required to do is too much. I know your employer wants to be sure you are competent to perform the required tasks, but you also need time to study for boards so they know you are competent as a beginning nurse. Does your hospital have a Graduate Nurse Support group at all? My hospital does, and my daughter, who is a new nurse herself (May 2007), feels it is a very beneficial group. She can learn from others and also ask questions and the feedback is tremendous for her. Of course we are a Magnet Hospital, and very Nurse satisfaction oriented. If your hospital doesn't have a support group like this, it may be something you can go to nursing administration or HR to inquire about getting one started. And if you can manage it, take a week or two off before boards so you can concentrate on passing. But also realize that the tests you are taking right now, can be looked at as a good review for boards-EKG's, meds, math, etc.