8 yrs post nursing school

dream'n, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

I very politely asked in the nicest way possible, only because I was curious, why its been 8 years. I was not judgmental or argumentative with you. I was only trying to get further information and start a positive dialogue. Now I will say that I am honestly offended by your attitude towards my remarks and personally don't see the maturity level you will need to be a professional nurse. I would not want to work with or around you. I will add nothing further as I am seriously irritated right now. Good-bye

Horsebytes · Jun 29, 2015

Wow just wow is right!

I read some (not all) of these posts and am appalled and ashamed for the profession of nursing! You people surely don't represent the nurses I know and love! I see someone being rude, another being passive aggressive, another just being a *****, another being judgmental, and another thinking she is entitled to an answer to a question that she specifically said was none of her business! How dare you judge someone's education and level of care by a post - for all you know the OP may have been studying brain surgery for the past 8 years but may have decided she likes nursing better. But no, just jump to the conclusion that she's forgot everything she ever learned in school... sheesh! If you are going to ASSUME something, why can't you assume the best instead of the worst?

Nurses eating their young - bad etiquette!

For the polite encouraging response posts, I thank you!

dream'n, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

Wow just wow is right!
I read some (not all) of these posts and am appalled and ashamed for the profession of nursing! You people surely don't represent the nurses I know and love! I see someone being rude, another being passive aggressive, another just being a b*tch, another being judgmental, and another thinking she is entitled to an answer to a question that she specifically said was none of her business! How dare you judge someone's education and level of care by a post - for all you know the OP may have been studying brain surgery for the past 8 years but may have decided she likes nursing better. But no, just jump to the conclusion that she's forgot everything she ever learned in school... sheesh! If you are going to ASSUME something, why can't you assume the best instead of the worst?
Nurses eating their young - bad etiquette!
For the polite encouraging response posts, I thank you!

I certainly did not feel ENTITLED to any answer from the OP about her personal decisions. I even stated I understood if she didn't want to answer. What I did not expect, was to be treated so disrespectfully. She did not need to be rude and condescending to me or others. She simply could have stated that she had been very busy with other matters.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

But no, just jump to the conclusion that she's forgot everything she ever learned in school... sheesh! If you are going to ASSUME something, why can't you assume the best instead of the worst?

Well, she does state that she failed NCLEX RN "after a few tries" and is "so overwhelmed with all the books and review courses available". Of course people are assuming that it's going to be difficult for her. That doesn't mean she can't succeed, but it won't be easy.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

OP, others have stated very well that your extreme defensiveness will not serve you well. In your predicament, assuming you overcome the challenges which face you regarding becoming licensed and getting a job offer, you are going to need remediation and some very kind, patient, and caring preceptors. However, if you cannot handle constructive criticism (which every new grad understandably earns every day for a while), you are going to alienate others in a position to help you. I hope you can bring a humble and positive attitude to your first job as a licensed nurse.

That said, you have tremendous potential to make huge contributions to the world with a nursing career. You background in international service will serve you very well as a nurse if you consider taking those skills back to areas of tremendous need. I could totally see you being a huge asset to some of these organizations, like Doctors Without Borders or other similar endeavors. Or perhaps closer to home, community nursing or something along those lines.

Good luck, and I'd be interested to hear how all of this plays out for you.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

I'm clearly not here to be judged or be put down by anyone... I have read plenty of reviews from other students that were out of school just as long and even longer (18 yrs).... I'm not here to share my life story, but clearly life isn't always as you plan it to be. Some times things happen in life unexpected, such as kids, death in the family, divorce, physical and mental abuse, some sort of health issues, and such. Don't be so quick to judge if you haven't walked in my shoes. All I asked for, was some positive advice, if you can't give me such, than don't say anything at all. Thanks

Actually, you said "I'm open to any suggestions! I'd really appreciate it and be forever grateful!" Then when dream'n very politely asked you a question, your bite back said a lot more about your negativity than anything you've received from the people here trying to understand your problem.

Why someone would wait 8 years after school and what were they doing during that time has a lot of bearing on what sorts of suggestions to give you. This sort of problem analysis is part of the nursing process or have you forgotten. We ask questions like this all the time. "Why did you stop taking your blood pressure medication?" Finances, transportation, don't believe in taking pills? These answers have very different solutions.

You came to this board to ask a bunch of problem solvers to freely give you benefit of their wisdom. If you can't say thank you or be grateful that someone cared enough to respond to your self-imposed dilemma then don't say anything at all.

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

I think you are going to need a refresher course because a lot has changed from when you were educated 8 years back.

You will probably need to purchase a review course of some kind because you may need that extra support

with taking the exam because the exam is a lot harder than 8 years back.

Some good resources after you have considered the first tips above for NCLEX-RN:

Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN 5th edition book

Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment for the NCLEX-RN by Linda LaCharity

NCLEX-4000 CD software

NCLEX mastery app (for Android or Iphone)

OCNRN63, RN · Jun 29, 2015

I'm clearly not here to be judged or be put down by anyone... I have read plenty of reviews from other students that were out of school just as long and even longer (18 yrs).... I'm not here to share my life story, but clearly life isn't always as you plan it to be. Some times things happen in life unexpected, such as kids, death in the family, divorce, physical and mental abuse, some sort of health issues, and such. Don't be so quick to judge if you haven't walked in my shoes. All I asked for, was some positive advice, if you can't give me such, than don't say anything at all. Thanks

I was wondering how long it would take til there was a post like this. OP, you did say in your first post that you were open to any suggestions, for which you would be forever grateful.

I didn't see anyone giving you a hard time; rather, people were being helpful but letting you know that you have your work cut out for you.

Also, it's not up to you to judge why someone is a nurse. IME, the people who walk around cloaked with the aura of a celestial "calling" are the ones who either burn out or wind up being miserable and making life miserable for everyone at work, patients included.

I hope you pass the next time you take the test. You have a lot of good experiences which would make you an asset to many departments. But you need to be prepared for the test. NCLEX won't care about your missionary work, and neither will the BON in your state.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

Dreamn very clearly spelled out that she was curious about the gap between graduation and now and furthermore went on to say that if OP didn't want to answer, that was cool too. You've turned it into "Dreamn thinks she is entitled to an answer". Talk about stretching the truth.

Wow just wow is right! And then to go on to call posters beyotches?! (yes, I see you've edited your oh so eloquent verbage). The "wows" that you're using are certainly misplaced...
I read some (not all) of these posts and am appalled and ashamed for the profession of nursing! You people surely don't represent the nurses I know and love! I see someone being rude, another being passive aggressive, another just being a *****, another being judgmental, and another thinking she is entitled to an answer to a question that she specifically said was none of her business! How dare you judge someone's education and level of care by a post - for all you know the OP may have been studying brain surgery for the past 8 years but may have decided she likes nursing better. But no, just jump to the conclusion that she's forgot everything she ever learned in school... sheesh! If you are going to ASSUME something, why can't you assume the best instead of the worst?
Nurses eating their young - bad etiquette!
For the polite encouraging response posts, I thank you!

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2015

.......... Nurses eating their young - bad etiquette!
For the polite encouraging response posts, I thank you!

1) OP is not a nurse, young or otherwise.

2) Inappropriate usage of NETY on this board is VERY bad etiquette.

3) Your posts don't set the best example of polite posts.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 29, 2015

We wish the OP (original poster) the best with the NCLEX. You have received some very solid answers as to how to review. Best wishes.