Nursing 101: Prereqs, admissions process and tips
So someone convinced you to go back to school or major in nursing huh? I know there are a ton of information about nursing and even bloggers and influencers describing their unique experiences but I found there was a lack of resources available to the nontraditional nursing student. By nontraditional, I mean married, have children, older than the average college class age, starting a new career or already have careers and/or working full time. Most nursing students are recent high school grads, able to afford their education through grants or loans and don’t really have other responsibilities to take away from study time. And nursing is a very rigorous degree. You will need to sacrifice countless hours to your studies, especially if you are in an accelerated program. I was a young mother at 17, and refused to think that the mistakes I made in life would prevent me from becoming successful. So I did what I had to do and I want to guide anyone wanting to continue their education without thinking they can’t do it because of so and so.
1. Establish a support system.
First things first. Get your affairs in order. Figure out who is on your team and who is willing to step in and help with your kids, finances or whatever need be. Let them know your plan and your goals to become a nurse. Get on welfare or start getting on waitlists for government subsidized housing, food and childcare. Research programs in your area. They are out there! Speak to your employer about going part-time or reducing your hours, IF POSSIBLE. Let them know you need some flexibility because your going back to school. If you are not already in a healthcare field, there are several positions you can “try out” to determine if nursing is really what you want to pursue. These include CNA ( certified nursing assistant), medical assistant, phlebotomist, caregiver, home health aid, EMS tech and dialysis technician. Programs for these specialties are usually less than a year long and result in a certification. I got my CNA while simultaneously attending university and completing my prerequisites for nursing school. It was hard but I did it, and so can you.
2. Research nursing programs in your area.
Nowadays hospitals and healthcare facilities want registered nurses to obtain a bachelors degree. There are also license practical nurses/ licensed vocational nurses ( LPN/ LVN) who work directly under the RN. Most LPN/ LVN work in rehabilitation centers, long term care and home health care. Schooling is usually 1 year and results in a diploma. Associate degree nurses are beginning to phase out but there are still schools who offer ADN ( associate degree in nursing). Find programs that best fit your situation. Private colleges usually do not have waitlists and less competitive guidelines than public colleges and universities, but they also have higher tuition rates. Some schools even offer accelerated programs where you can finish in 15-18 months for the entire program but usually these are more rigorous and fast paced. Make sure you always check for the schools accreditation that is the most important. You will not be able to practice as a nurse if you did not graduate from an accredited nursing school. Their website should have an accreditation page. You should look for ACNE and CCNE. Google can tell you what they mean. If it’s a fairly new school, they might have provisional approval for accreditation as their first graduation class has not yet passed the NCLEX. I believe at least 80% of the students should pass their first time. (I didn’t).
3. Determine minimum qualifications.
Community colleges and universities usually have specific prerequisites courses before applying to their actual nursing program and usually have competitive guidelines due to a high number of applicants. Some require a minimum GPA, minimum scores on entrance exams such as the TEAS or HESI and some may even add points for work experience. Depending on the program and your commitment level (full time or part-time) it can take up to 2 years or more just to complete all your prerequisites. It took me almost 4 years. I ended up retaking classes I had less than an A in just to be more competitive. After realizing the university I attended considered themselves a prestigious nursing program, I began to search for other programs that would increase my chances of being accepted. I ended up being accepted to a program 2 hours from Vegas, in another time zone and in another state. I took what I could get without having to take additional prerequisites and retaking entrance exams. If you really want it you will make it happen. Meet with a health careers advisor to determine what you will need to accomplish and track your process. Private nursing schools can have their prerequisites embedded in their program , eliminating the need for waitlists. The school I went to was like that. They just had their own entrance exam which took me 3 tries just to pass the math portion. Since I had already taken my prerequisites at another college, they just transferred over and cut the total price of tuition down.
Prerequisite courses MOST programs require:
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II ( with lab component)
- Biology ( some programs may require a specific biology course)
-Psychology
-Microbiology w/ lab
-Chemistry ( may include biochemistry)
- Gen Ed courses * General Education which most colleges and university require in order to obtain a degree. These include math, English, social studies and elective courses. Elective courses can be anything from philosophy to women’s studies as long as you meet the minimum credit requirements. Most college courses are about 3 credits, higher level math and science courses can be from 4-6 credits. If you take 4 courses and each course is 3 credits that would give you 12 credits for the semester which is considered full time. Keep this in mind as financial aid would want you to be a full time student. Grants can be given for part time students (<12 credits a semester) but probably not as much as full time.
The type of Math and English course you take depends on what level you are placed in (entry, intermediate or advanced). This may require you to take a placement test, especially if it has been a while since you have been in school. Most science courses are only valid for 7 years. You might have to take a refresher course in order to be placed in the course needed for your program. I was placed in English and Math courses based on my SAT scores. (ACT and SAT are exams that colleges universities use to determine gen ed placement, and even enrollment eligibility). My math score was low and I was placed in a refresher course which did not count for credit. It would have taken be 2 semesters (1 year) in order to be placed in the correct math course needed for the nursing program. Being impatient and stubborn, I tried to bypass this route which ended up adding more time for me complete my prerequisites. I took an online placement test (several times) and finally got placed into the math class I needed for nursing school. I ended up failing it the first time, withdrawing the second, and getting a D the third time. When I transferred schools, I was able to take a math test to opt out of taking another math class since I received credit for it ( which I took 3x before passing, math is definitely not my strong suit). Although I received a D, it still counted as credit that I took the course. If I would have gotten an F, I would have not received credit. Usually a C is a minimum requirement for most courses in nursing, some have a minimum of B, so check with your program advisor. As and Bs are preferred due to competitiveness. If I had just taken the refresher course as planned I would have saved myself a shattered GPA and a semester.
*GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It is a measuring tool for college and universities. Straight As (having all As in your courses) will give you a 4.0 GPA which is the highest you can obtain. Most nursing schools require at least a 2.5, some even higher like a 3.0. So study, study !
4. Apply for financial aid.
FASFA is your best friend. Apply as soon as you can. Create a profile and make sure you have your tax information handy. If you are married and/or have children and/or above the age 24 you are considered an independent student and will not need to include your parents tax information. You will also need the schools you plan to attend’s FAFSA code, which is usually on their website, emails sent from them or you can also search them up on the FASFA page. When you are done they will let you know what grants and loans your eligible for. You do not need to accept all the loans they offer. Only the ones you think will cover your total cost of attendance. You can always go back and accept them later if you need more cash.
*Just as a refresher: Subsidized federal loans = Interest incurs while your in school and subsidized federal loans = interest incurs after you graduate.
5. Congratulations you’ve been accepted!
The moment we’ve been waiting for! This where the real learning begins. This is also where you start clinicals. Clincials are usually 12 hour shifts and you shadow a nurse in different specialties. Make sure you are prepared with study materials and equipment if your school has not yet provided them. You will need a stethoscope, penlight, good running shoes and scrubs (colors and style depend on your schools policy), a laptop if you don’t already own one (try to refrain from the little cheap ones with no storage that are designed only for internet browsing ! - trust me I have bad stories i.e entire essays getting deleted due to low storage), wouldn’t hurt to have a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter for your own use during school and when you become a nurse, nursing scissors, pocket notepad and lots and lots of PENS! Sharpies and highlighters are good for note taking and labeling medications as well. Also update your Instagram profile to “Student nurse”, “RN in the making” or Future RN!”. Your school might offer a student nurse kit with some of theses items already included.
6. Budget, plan and study!
It is imperative to have a study plan or habit formed. If your like me, then you are what we a call a procrastinator. The study juices don’t kick in unless it’s less than 24 hours until your assignments are due. If anything, my advice to you is to READ, READ and READ. Make sure you understand the concepts and if you don’t, seek out other resources. Following nurse influencers helped me when I took “study breaks” and was scrolling through social media. Some have NCLEX style questions with rationales, study tips and on the job training techniques. If you want to follow the ones I follow on Instagram here are a few off the top of my head: _futurenp, iamnursemo, FátimaFrancesa, yournursingeducator, thekatiesduke, aishasrna, intravenousqueen, and my best friend asnippetofsteph. Follow me too! @nursebogus. Taking notes in your own words also helped me a lot. Podcasts while your multitasking or driving have been helpful and I know NRSNG has really good podcasts. I have also listed some more resources in the NCLEX prep below. Some require a monthly subscription or price but most offer a limited number of free study hours per day. Take what you can get !
7. Keep that same motivation.
Your going to feel like giving up. Your going to have a bad grade here or there but do not let it discourage you. You might have a bad day in clincial or something comes up where you have to miss class or leave early. It’s okay. Talk to your instructors, let them know your situation and make it up. Some might be more understanding than others and that’s ok too. It is hard to be a student, wife, mother and employee. That’s a lot for anybody to take on. Pace yourself, get a journal and planner ( I highly recommend Passion Planner because they have a goals and aspirations section). Most of all,
remember why you want to be a nurse and push through! You can do it!
8. Graduate 🎓
You freakin’ made it! Pat yourself on the back because you have completed one of the hardest degrees out there. Pop the champagne ! If you are going to graduation make sure you order your cap and gown with enough time for shipping and cap decorations. I recommend Pinterest for cap ideas. Walk down that stage with pride! Don’t forget your waterproof mascara!
9. Take the NCLEX.
Now your an official nurse and just need to be licensed in your state of choice to begin practicing as one. Some states offer an interim permit for 6 months so you can start working before you pass the NCLEX. Nevada is one of those states. However, if you do not pass it will expire before the 6 months ( happened to me). It costs $200 to register and you go to pearsonvue.com to register. In a couple days (or weeks) you will receive what is called an authorization to test (ATT). This is where you select your date and testing location. Now, depending on your state there might be a website or portal where you register for your initial license or endorse one. For Nevada we have a Nevada nurse portal where you register for all nursing related licenses. For registered nurses you pay $100 for the application fee and $40 to submit and process your fingerprints (if you are mailing it takes FOREVER so plan accordingly!). You can also send in your fingerprints electronically via fingerprint scanning which is more expensive but also quicker. I recommend you do your fingerprints during your final semester of nursing school so your not waiting. I’ve listed some NCLEX prep programs I’ve heard to be successful with uworld being the most common. I failed in 75 questions and I used uworld. However, I did not use the entire question bank. In fact I only used a small portion of it and didn’t study as effectively as I needed to. The most important thing is to practice as many NCLEX style questions as possible and read the rationales. There is also the Pearson vue trick after you take your exam to determine if you passed or not. It’s been proven to be highly accurate. The trick is to try and register to take the exam again using the same process except if you do not want to be charged the $200 again change the expiration date on your debit or credit card. If you get an error message saying your "card information is incorrect" or something to that aspect, you failed most likely. That is the message I got the first time I took it. If you get a message saying “Our records indicate you have already scheduled this exam” or cannot continue with the registration process that is considered the “good pop up” and means you passed!
*there have been people who received the "bad pop up" and have actually passed so don't be too sure until you get your unofficial results!
NCLEX prep programs :
1. UWorld ($120+)
2. Picmonic ($12+/month)
3. NRSNG Academy ($30+/month)
4. Kaplan ($99-$300)
5. ATI ($250-$300) ***They have an RN Mentor App that's free and was helpful
6. Hurst Review ($200-$400)
7. NCLEX RN Proficiency ($49 or $19/mo)
8. Good ole fashioned YouTube (free!) **RegisterednurseRN is my favorite she is great!
Study Books:
1. Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX Review
2. Saunders Test Taking Strategies
3. Kaplan NCLEX - RN Prep Plus & Test taking strategies, practice and review
4. Prioritization, Delegation and Assessment by Linda LaCharity
5. Exam Cram NCLEX - RN
6. Lab Values for Nurses by Chase Hassen
Some of these programs are expensive!! I used the Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX review book and checked it out from the local public library. I also downloaded @yournursingeducator's NCLEX review guide for $15, and used and outdated Kaplan test strategies book I rented from the library. If money is an issue, give yourself ample time before you take the NCLEX to either save or ask your nursing buddies to share their login. Don't be shy. I bought the Lab Values for Nurses by Chase Hassen who also sells several other nursing books on Amazon for really cheap. He also has a Facebook group page. You can find his books on amazon or at www.nursesuperhero.com. Free and low-cost resources are out there you just have to find them! If your school offers free NCLEX coaching take advantage! I also used all the free trials from Hurst review and Kaplan, and even Uworld. Use those trial demos! Even if its just 50 questions.
Go-to Websites:
1. Google (seriously)
2. Youtube
3. Allnurses (This was my holy grail for all nursing questions I had that Google didn't find. Its a forum where all nurses ask and answer questions from their own experiences.)
4. RegisterednurseRN
5. Nurse.plus
6. Nursingtip
7. Yourbestgrade (This was designed for hesi exams if your program utilizes them, it is a subscription so ask a friend for their login!)
8. Quizlet (this will be your best friend in nursing school)
10. New grad RN? Ew. Apply for a residency program.
If your in a big metropolitan city like I am, you should know the competitiveness doesn't end at getting into nursing school. Now you have to apply for jobs. As a new graduate nurse, it is not as easy especially if you don't have your bachelors and want to work in a hospital. You should know off the top that specialties such as the ER, ICU and NICU will not hire new grads unless they have a specific residency program. In the residency program you will most likely have combined classroom teaching and on-the-job training. Some programs last up to a year and usually require a contract to work at the hospital who hired you for at least 2 years. I've been told from several nurses and professors that as a new graduate, working in Med-Surg (regular floor for all stable clients) will provide you with the best foundation into your nursing career. So get started on that resume! @yournursingeducator has templates and interview tips just for nurses! They are like $5. There are also nursing-specific templates online that you can utilize.
If you have any more questions or concerns you can always shoot me an email at stainah.bogus@gmail.com and follow me on social media @nursebogus on Instagram, @nursebogus on Snapchat and @Boqus on Twitter. :)
Good luck and don't give up!
1. Establish a support system.
First things first. Get your affairs in order. Figure out who is on your team and who is willing to step in and help with your kids, finances or whatever need be. Let them know your plan and your goals to become a nurse. Get on welfare or start getting on waitlists for government subsidized housing, food and childcare. Research programs in your area. They are out there! Speak to your employer about going part-time or reducing your hours, IF POSSIBLE. Let them know you need some flexibility because your going back to school. If you are not already in a healthcare field, there are several positions you can “try out” to determine if nursing is really what you want to pursue. These include CNA ( certified nursing assistant), medical assistant, phlebotomist, caregiver, home health aid, EMS tech and dialysis technician. Programs for these specialties are usually less than a year long and result in a certification. I got my CNA while simultaneously attending university and completing my prerequisites for nursing school. It was hard but I did it, and so can you.
2. Research nursing programs in your area.
Nowadays hospitals and healthcare facilities want registered nurses to obtain a bachelors degree. There are also license practical nurses/ licensed vocational nurses ( LPN/ LVN) who work directly under the RN. Most LPN/ LVN work in rehabilitation centers, long term care and home health care. Schooling is usually 1 year and results in a diploma. Associate degree nurses are beginning to phase out but there are still schools who offer ADN ( associate degree in nursing). Find programs that best fit your situation. Private colleges usually do not have waitlists and less competitive guidelines than public colleges and universities, but they also have higher tuition rates. Some schools even offer accelerated programs where you can finish in 15-18 months for the entire program but usually these are more rigorous and fast paced. Make sure you always check for the schools accreditation that is the most important. You will not be able to practice as a nurse if you did not graduate from an accredited nursing school. Their website should have an accreditation page. You should look for ACNE and CCNE. Google can tell you what they mean. If it’s a fairly new school, they might have provisional approval for accreditation as their first graduation class has not yet passed the NCLEX. I believe at least 80% of the students should pass their first time. (I didn’t).
3. Determine minimum qualifications.
Community colleges and universities usually have specific prerequisites courses before applying to their actual nursing program and usually have competitive guidelines due to a high number of applicants. Some require a minimum GPA, minimum scores on entrance exams such as the TEAS or HESI and some may even add points for work experience. Depending on the program and your commitment level (full time or part-time) it can take up to 2 years or more just to complete all your prerequisites. It took me almost 4 years. I ended up retaking classes I had less than an A in just to be more competitive. After realizing the university I attended considered themselves a prestigious nursing program, I began to search for other programs that would increase my chances of being accepted. I ended up being accepted to a program 2 hours from Vegas, in another time zone and in another state. I took what I could get without having to take additional prerequisites and retaking entrance exams. If you really want it you will make it happen. Meet with a health careers advisor to determine what you will need to accomplish and track your process. Private nursing schools can have their prerequisites embedded in their program , eliminating the need for waitlists. The school I went to was like that. They just had their own entrance exam which took me 3 tries just to pass the math portion. Since I had already taken my prerequisites at another college, they just transferred over and cut the total price of tuition down.
Prerequisite courses MOST programs require:
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II ( with lab component)
- Biology ( some programs may require a specific biology course)
-Psychology
-Microbiology w/ lab
-Chemistry ( may include biochemistry)
- Gen Ed courses * General Education which most colleges and university require in order to obtain a degree. These include math, English, social studies and elective courses. Elective courses can be anything from philosophy to women’s studies as long as you meet the minimum credit requirements. Most college courses are about 3 credits, higher level math and science courses can be from 4-6 credits. If you take 4 courses and each course is 3 credits that would give you 12 credits for the semester which is considered full time. Keep this in mind as financial aid would want you to be a full time student. Grants can be given for part time students (<12 credits a semester) but probably not as much as full time.
The type of Math and English course you take depends on what level you are placed in (entry, intermediate or advanced). This may require you to take a placement test, especially if it has been a while since you have been in school. Most science courses are only valid for 7 years. You might have to take a refresher course in order to be placed in the course needed for your program. I was placed in English and Math courses based on my SAT scores. (ACT and SAT are exams that colleges universities use to determine gen ed placement, and even enrollment eligibility). My math score was low and I was placed in a refresher course which did not count for credit. It would have taken be 2 semesters (1 year) in order to be placed in the correct math course needed for the nursing program. Being impatient and stubborn, I tried to bypass this route which ended up adding more time for me complete my prerequisites. I took an online placement test (several times) and finally got placed into the math class I needed for nursing school. I ended up failing it the first time, withdrawing the second, and getting a D the third time. When I transferred schools, I was able to take a math test to opt out of taking another math class since I received credit for it ( which I took 3x before passing, math is definitely not my strong suit). Although I received a D, it still counted as credit that I took the course. If I would have gotten an F, I would have not received credit. Usually a C is a minimum requirement for most courses in nursing, some have a minimum of B, so check with your program advisor. As and Bs are preferred due to competitiveness. If I had just taken the refresher course as planned I would have saved myself a shattered GPA and a semester.
*GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It is a measuring tool for college and universities. Straight As (having all As in your courses) will give you a 4.0 GPA which is the highest you can obtain. Most nursing schools require at least a 2.5, some even higher like a 3.0. So study, study !
4. Apply for financial aid.
FASFA is your best friend. Apply as soon as you can. Create a profile and make sure you have your tax information handy. If you are married and/or have children and/or above the age 24 you are considered an independent student and will not need to include your parents tax information. You will also need the schools you plan to attend’s FAFSA code, which is usually on their website, emails sent from them or you can also search them up on the FASFA page. When you are done they will let you know what grants and loans your eligible for. You do not need to accept all the loans they offer. Only the ones you think will cover your total cost of attendance. You can always go back and accept them later if you need more cash.
*Just as a refresher: Subsidized federal loans = Interest incurs while your in school and subsidized federal loans = interest incurs after you graduate.
5. Congratulations you’ve been accepted!
The moment we’ve been waiting for! This where the real learning begins. This is also where you start clinicals. Clincials are usually 12 hour shifts and you shadow a nurse in different specialties. Make sure you are prepared with study materials and equipment if your school has not yet provided them. You will need a stethoscope, penlight, good running shoes and scrubs (colors and style depend on your schools policy), a laptop if you don’t already own one (try to refrain from the little cheap ones with no storage that are designed only for internet browsing ! - trust me I have bad stories i.e entire essays getting deleted due to low storage), wouldn’t hurt to have a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter for your own use during school and when you become a nurse, nursing scissors, pocket notepad and lots and lots of PENS! Sharpies and highlighters are good for note taking and labeling medications as well. Also update your Instagram profile to “Student nurse”, “RN in the making” or Future RN!”. Your school might offer a student nurse kit with some of theses items already included.
6. Budget, plan and study!
It is imperative to have a study plan or habit formed. If your like me, then you are what we a call a procrastinator. The study juices don’t kick in unless it’s less than 24 hours until your assignments are due. If anything, my advice to you is to READ, READ and READ. Make sure you understand the concepts and if you don’t, seek out other resources. Following nurse influencers helped me when I took “study breaks” and was scrolling through social media. Some have NCLEX style questions with rationales, study tips and on the job training techniques. If you want to follow the ones I follow on Instagram here are a few off the top of my head: _futurenp, iamnursemo, FátimaFrancesa, yournursingeducator, thekatiesduke, aishasrna, intravenousqueen, and my best friend asnippetofsteph. Follow me too! @nursebogus. Taking notes in your own words also helped me a lot. Podcasts while your multitasking or driving have been helpful and I know NRSNG has really good podcasts. I have also listed some more resources in the NCLEX prep below. Some require a monthly subscription or price but most offer a limited number of free study hours per day. Take what you can get !
7. Keep that same motivation.
Your going to feel like giving up. Your going to have a bad grade here or there but do not let it discourage you. You might have a bad day in clincial or something comes up where you have to miss class or leave early. It’s okay. Talk to your instructors, let them know your situation and make it up. Some might be more understanding than others and that’s ok too. It is hard to be a student, wife, mother and employee. That’s a lot for anybody to take on. Pace yourself, get a journal and planner ( I highly recommend Passion Planner because they have a goals and aspirations section). Most of all,
remember why you want to be a nurse and push through! You can do it!
8. Graduate 🎓
You freakin’ made it! Pat yourself on the back because you have completed one of the hardest degrees out there. Pop the champagne ! If you are going to graduation make sure you order your cap and gown with enough time for shipping and cap decorations. I recommend Pinterest for cap ideas. Walk down that stage with pride! Don’t forget your waterproof mascara!
9. Take the NCLEX.
Now your an official nurse and just need to be licensed in your state of choice to begin practicing as one. Some states offer an interim permit for 6 months so you can start working before you pass the NCLEX. Nevada is one of those states. However, if you do not pass it will expire before the 6 months ( happened to me). It costs $200 to register and you go to pearsonvue.com to register. In a couple days (or weeks) you will receive what is called an authorization to test (ATT). This is where you select your date and testing location. Now, depending on your state there might be a website or portal where you register for your initial license or endorse one. For Nevada we have a Nevada nurse portal where you register for all nursing related licenses. For registered nurses you pay $100 for the application fee and $40 to submit and process your fingerprints (if you are mailing it takes FOREVER so plan accordingly!). You can also send in your fingerprints electronically via fingerprint scanning which is more expensive but also quicker. I recommend you do your fingerprints during your final semester of nursing school so your not waiting. I’ve listed some NCLEX prep programs I’ve heard to be successful with uworld being the most common. I failed in 75 questions and I used uworld. However, I did not use the entire question bank. In fact I only used a small portion of it and didn’t study as effectively as I needed to. The most important thing is to practice as many NCLEX style questions as possible and read the rationales. There is also the Pearson vue trick after you take your exam to determine if you passed or not. It’s been proven to be highly accurate. The trick is to try and register to take the exam again using the same process except if you do not want to be charged the $200 again change the expiration date on your debit or credit card. If you get an error message saying your "card information is incorrect" or something to that aspect, you failed most likely. That is the message I got the first time I took it. If you get a message saying “Our records indicate you have already scheduled this exam” or cannot continue with the registration process that is considered the “good pop up” and means you passed!
*there have been people who received the "bad pop up" and have actually passed so don't be too sure until you get your unofficial results!
NCLEX prep programs :
1. UWorld ($120+)
2. Picmonic ($12+/month)
3. NRSNG Academy ($30+/month)
4. Kaplan ($99-$300)
5. ATI ($250-$300) ***They have an RN Mentor App that's free and was helpful
6. Hurst Review ($200-$400)
7. NCLEX RN Proficiency ($49 or $19/mo)
8. Good ole fashioned YouTube (free!) **RegisterednurseRN is my favorite she is great!
Study Books:
1. Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX Review
2. Saunders Test Taking Strategies
3. Kaplan NCLEX - RN Prep Plus & Test taking strategies, practice and review
4. Prioritization, Delegation and Assessment by Linda LaCharity
5. Exam Cram NCLEX - RN
6. Lab Values for Nurses by Chase Hassen
Some of these programs are expensive!! I used the Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX review book and checked it out from the local public library. I also downloaded @yournursingeducator's NCLEX review guide for $15, and used and outdated Kaplan test strategies book I rented from the library. If money is an issue, give yourself ample time before you take the NCLEX to either save or ask your nursing buddies to share their login. Don't be shy. I bought the Lab Values for Nurses by Chase Hassen who also sells several other nursing books on Amazon for really cheap. He also has a Facebook group page. You can find his books on amazon or at www.nursesuperhero.com. Free and low-cost resources are out there you just have to find them! If your school offers free NCLEX coaching take advantage! I also used all the free trials from Hurst review and Kaplan, and even Uworld. Use those trial demos! Even if its just 50 questions.
Go-to Websites:
1. Google (seriously)
2. Youtube
3. Allnurses (This was my holy grail for all nursing questions I had that Google didn't find. Its a forum where all nurses ask and answer questions from their own experiences.)
4. RegisterednurseRN
5. Nurse.plus
6. Nursingtip
7. Yourbestgrade (This was designed for hesi exams if your program utilizes them, it is a subscription so ask a friend for their login!)
8. Quizlet (this will be your best friend in nursing school)
10. New grad RN? Ew. Apply for a residency program.
If your in a big metropolitan city like I am, you should know the competitiveness doesn't end at getting into nursing school. Now you have to apply for jobs. As a new graduate nurse, it is not as easy especially if you don't have your bachelors and want to work in a hospital. You should know off the top that specialties such as the ER, ICU and NICU will not hire new grads unless they have a specific residency program. In the residency program you will most likely have combined classroom teaching and on-the-job training. Some programs last up to a year and usually require a contract to work at the hospital who hired you for at least 2 years. I've been told from several nurses and professors that as a new graduate, working in Med-Surg (regular floor for all stable clients) will provide you with the best foundation into your nursing career. So get started on that resume! @yournursingeducator has templates and interview tips just for nurses! They are like $5. There are also nursing-specific templates online that you can utilize.
If you have any more questions or concerns you can always shoot me an email at stainah.bogus@gmail.com and follow me on social media @nursebogus on Instagram, @nursebogus on Snapchat and @Boqus on Twitter. :)
Good luck and don't give up!
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