Don't stress the Kaplan scores

I graduated with my BSN in May. I just took my board on July 8th. And PASSED with 86 questions!!!!!

I decided to take Kaplan b/c they help with strategies, which is what I needed help with. Personally, I believe Kaplan and NCLEX are 25% content and 75% strategy. If you have no idea what they are talking about you should still be able to answer the question.

My advice to everyone taking it:

1. Figure out what kind of test taker you are and figure out your weaknesses.

2. Pick one study source and stick with it. (Some people like to have numerous sources and it works for them, others it may not. I personally have every review book known to man, but I didn't use a single one during my preparations. I get easily overwhelmed with too much info and didn't want that to effect my studying.) I only did the Kaplan questions and read rationales. I even bought the book but didn't use it. I also found the videos... Read More...

Should I do nursing or follow my dreams?

Nursing has many things that are important to me. Job stability, good pay, benefits. My only real concern are the 12 hour shifts or overnight shifts. I don't ever want my job to become my life. I want a family. I want to be able to travel a little. I want to be able to save money.

I also don't want to regret my decision to become a nurse. I don't want to regret not going for my dream career in journalism.

What do you think? Could someone maybe give me the pros and cons of being a nurse from a nurse's prospective? Read More...

Any tips on how to succeed in nursing school?

I think commitment and time management are the key to success. You have to be committed to what you want in life and you need to do it in a way that is manageable. What has worked for you? Read More...

First Day of Nursing School

I wanted to start this thread again. I've seen so many posts about first days and have lived vicariously through those posts. Now, with that first day steadily approaching, I'd like to start my own thread. I start school on the 21st of August, and I thought that I'd go ahead and start a thread so that it will be good and ready for that first day post. As of now, I have pretty much everything done except I have to have my second PPD read on Monday. I welcome comments from everyone. After all, we are all in this together! Read More...

The competition...

I've been a CNA for 5 years, 3 of them in a hospital setting, and I know this is what I want to do for a living. I feel like I have a better understanding than most of what nursing is really like, although I know it will be even more so when I'm actually employed as a Nurse. That being said, the school I go to won't consider my years as a CNA when I apply for the RN program. They base acceptance on nothing but GPA and high TEAS scores.... I hate it.

Here I am, with a willingness to learn and grow and darn near certain Nursing is what God put me here to do. I have worked along side awesome Docs and Nurses who want to teach me and sometimes even take extra time to show me skills because of the interest I show. And it counts for nothing. Ugh! It makes me so angry....

Then there is the new high school grad who is able to stay home with Mom and Dad and focus of their studies resulting in a great GPA. They aren't really sure what they want to do in life, but maybe Mom is a RN, so they decide to apply for nursing.....and they get in. Read More...

There has to be an easier way....

I was currently going to school for IT but that was terribly boring so I went to my second choice, nursing. I was thinking about taking the LPN program at Erie 1 Boces but thought why wouldn't I go straight for my bachelors to become an RN. I have completed a majority of my prerequisites so I mind as well go for the BSN right? What do you guys think about that? Read More...

Why the heck do I have to be assertive???

I'm an introverted agoraphobic! And I like being that way! Since I got accepted into nursing school, all I've heard is...."You HAVE to be assertive in nursing school and clinicals if you want to survive!" Why?? Are there no shy, good, caring nurses out there in the world?? This isn't my first rodeo! I was in a nursing program 2 years ago. And the feedback I got was....you are too shy....too soft-spoken! My reply to that was....why?? Shy people can become nurses too...right?....I never got a reply to that by the way! Quite frankly, I'm annoyed that I feel like I have to change who I've been for most of my life, just to survive nursing school! And I don't want too! Can all the quiet, shy, passive introverted nurses please stand up and let me know you are out there, and how you survived. Read More...

What should I do to get ready for Nursing School starting this Fall?

This June I got the dreaded rejection letter from the program I applied to, but I was put on the alternate list. Considering this school is the only (of a measly two) college with a Nursing Program in my area currently accepting students and is EXTREMELY hard to get into, let's just say getting put onto the alternate list didn't exactly give me hopes of anything. At that point, I started looking for jobs so I could work and take some of the extra point classes part time. As soon as I get the job, not even 3 days later the program Director calls me and says that they were offering me a spot for this Fall. Now don't get me wrong I was excited, happy, surprised, ECSTATIC, but I was also VERY, VERY scared. I had in my head it would be at least another year before I would get in, so knowing I now only have a month and a half has kind of put me at a stand still. I don't have ANY clue as to how I should prepare.

I want to know which books I should get, which materials I should have, what study techniques I should start learning, anything and everything about successfully getting through nursing school: I want to know. I figured the best way to find that out is through other nursing students and people who have already gotten through it. Read More...

What did you do the day before your test date?

Just wondering what some of you did the day before your test date. Personally, I plan to go to six flags, and wear myself out on roller coaster rides. After all this studying I'm excited to go out and do something fun!! My anxiety has been terrible this past week, and I think going out and loosening up a bit will help. Read More...

How to study the Content for the NCLEX?

I have Been reading books for NCLEX, but really I can't focus because I think I'm not yet prepared with the basics: Content. How can I study Content? Which books? How to start? Do I study systems first? I feel really dumb with the Q' that I'm asking. but I'm overwhelmed. Read More...

Working in hospitals

Hi everybody! Let me start by saying I know it is very tacky and unprofessional to discuss pay but I am really looking for advice and thought this was the best way to find it.

I will be starting nursing school next fall (finishing pre-reques now) in St. Louis. I know it is hard for new nurses to find jobs and I have been told to get a job at a hospital so I have an "in" when I graduate. I currently work as a dental receptionist making $17.50 I support my 2 kids and myself as a single mom. I own a home and must work. If I get a job as a unit secretary or PCT (after 90 days of clinicals) I am afraid I won't make enough to support myself. If I don't switch jobs, I am afraid I will not be able to get a job when I graduate.

What advice do you future nurses have for me? If you work as a PCT or unit secretary do you mind sharing your pay and years of experience to help me make my decision. Read More...

Best type of computer for school

I am starting the second year of the BSN program here in September. I am a mature student so had most of the pre req's from my previous university years. Sadly though, since it's been more than ten years, I have to do A and P again as well as intro micro(even tho I was a micro major lol). My question is this: my school is a windows os environment and I have purchased a Mac Pro retina 15.4 inch laptop. I love it but will I wish I had a PC? I have windows for Mac on boot camp, but I much prefer using the Mac side. What do you all think? I am not exceptionally computer savvy! Read More