New Beginnings

This month of July has been more than a blessing to me; in fact, this year has!

You recall that I took my boards on July 3rd. My official result was sent a week after that. 

I've been at my parent's for a week now and I've spent my days here chillaxin.

Two days ago, I got desperate as I thought I should resume my job hunt as my post-nclex-break came to a halt. I reached out to a nurse friend of mine who told me to apply at a facility. I immediately got on Google, called the healthcare center, and thereafter, was told to come in the following day-- yesterday.

So yesterday, I walked in with my resume, filled out an application, and took a short readiness nursing test, after which I had an interview with the nursing supervisor/hiring personnel. I thought it went well as she eagerly congratulated me for passing NCLEX.

 Today, I got a call that I got the job and I'm to begin next week! Say whaaa? 

Now I'm left with no choice but to speed up my moving process. Because I've already made plans to look for an apartment and celebrate my birthday this weekend (my birthday was yesterday..yes, I was out job hunting on my birthday), I'll go the following weekend and will only have TWO DAYS to move!

This has got to be one of my favorite birthdays ever!

I got my first nursing job in my city, and downtown Chicago at that! 

Time to start my "big girl" job.

Can't lie, I'm super nervous...as I should be; but I'm very excited for this new chapter of my life!

I'll definitely share how my first week goes. 

Can't wait to sign off as: CUmesegha, RN ;)

xxxo

I Passed NCLEX!!!

I am beyond ecstatic and grateful to God for seeing me through boards.

I received my Authorization to Test (ATT) on the 11th of June and I didn't know what day I wanted to schedule to take the exam. I knew I wanted to be very prepared and so I stalked the Pearson website and changed my test dates 3X! I studied intensively for 3weeks and tested on July 3rd.

As requested, here are the resources that I used to study.
Note that I did not study every material in and out. I certainly did not have the time to do so.

1. Kaplan. I registered for Kaplan the following week after graduation. I took the 4-day review class (which wasn't all that beneficial, in my opinion) and did all practice questions; 1000+ q-banks and 7 question trainers. I reviewed most wrong answers, and rationales. I also watched some of their LOC videos. Watch all of them if you can! I bought Kaplan for $500...you may be lucky to get a discount of some sort.

2. Hurst. My good friend Vanessa gave me her Hurst review book. That book deals with a lot of content but I mainly focused on Peds and Orthopedics. My weaker areas.

3. Kaplan Content Review, Kindle App. This is the review book, but in kindle version and free! I downloaded the app on my iPad from Amazon, skimmed through, and found very helpful information. You can bookmark, make notes and highlight important points. If you want the book itself, it sells for about $40.

4. Saunder's Comprehensive Review, 5th Edition. This has a lot of info, from OB to Peds, to Med-Surg. I didn't get to read the book at all; the sight of it scared me! However, I did some of the practice questions on the CD, though they seemed a bit too easy! Not very helpful in setting standards, but I highly recommend the CD for practicing SATAs(select all that applies). Again, I only did a couple questions.

5. Lippincott's Prep-U. I initially bought this back in March in preparation for my exit HESI exam for about $90. It has lots of practice questions and recommends you reach a mastery level of 8 in all areas to be ready for boards. This was actually the most helpful of them all. [And to think I once took it for granted!]

6. Apps and Google. In the beginning stage of studying, I searched for free apps on my tablet and did some questions and read everything therein. Also, you'd be surprised what you will find on Google, especially allnurses site.

I also practiced the SATA questions found on Kaplan review. I made sure to use every bit of information on Kaplan, only because I spent a good amount on it. Meh!

I had roughly 3 weeks to study, and I did so intensively!..OK, kinda. But the last week, I gave it my all. Went MIA on my social life and I'm glad I made that decision.
You've got to minimize distractions, people!!!

I can't say all of these helped me. Some people have used other resources, or only Prep-U or Hurst and have passed. And on the other hand, unfortunately, many have had to retake the test. I'd say use what works for you. For me, it was Kaplan and Prep-U.
Personally, I think Kaplan questions are a lot harder than NCLEX, and that is why they recommend you reach 60% on the trainers and cumulative q-banks.

Don't forget to pray. I very much believe in the power of prayer!
If you're not religious, do what works for you--yoga, retail, exercise, beer?

And no, I did not take the day before the test off. Studied all night, as per my norm...

Well I hope this helps some of you.
Best of luck. You will do fine!

xxxo