Goal Achieved

NCLEX: passed

I am a Registered Nurse.

Happy Dance.

I did the craziest thing last night

I am studying and studying. And starting to drive myself crazy with just sitting and studying (and perhaps eating, too, when I study!).

Last night, on an impulse decision (even though it is something I've been thinking about for a long time), I signed myself up to run a half-marathon in September.

Gasp!!!

I don't remember the last time I went for a run. So I went this morning for a short run, to see if I still could run (maybe that's something I should have done before signing up, but hey, that's me). I managed to do 3.5 km. That is nowhere near 21 km, but all things considered, it is a good start. It was not fast, but it was a run.

My goals are 1- to finish the half-marathon, and if I succeed with goal 1, then goal 2 is not to be the last person in my age category!!! (at least second last would be fine!)

I think some wise old ancient Greek guy said, "Healthy mind, healthy body." If I want to conquer this nursing licensing exam, I gotta get the healthy body to help out.  Plus, I like the idea of actually doing the stuff I tell my patients they need to/really should be doing.

NCLEX booked!!!!

I cannot believe the absolute final step of this nursing school/registered nurse journey is now official.

My exam is set for July 28, 2 pm.

We were always told that we get to choose our date/time for the NCLEX exam, which is a major change from the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE), which was only given 3 or 4 times a year. As of 2015, all Canadian nurses must write the NCLEX to become registered. So we are part of the new cohort for this license.

Back to booking the exam...yes, it is entirely true that candidates get to choose the date/time of the exam. However, what we weren't told, was that it is only offered sporadically! So we choose the date that works for us, among the slim pickings of it being offered.

When I went to book my exam, I had the choice of either June 24-26ish, I don't remember exactly, but it was definitely too soon, or the next available dates were July 27, 28. The one offered July 27 was to be written at 8 am, and I definitely not a morning person!!! I thought back to all the sleepless nights I had before dayshifts, stressing that my 2 or 3 alarms had failed and was wondering what time it was. Crazy, sleepless nights those were. And there is no way I'm subjecting myself to that before the most important exam of my life, when there are alternatives!

So 2 pm, on July 28th it is.  Yay! Later than I'd hoped, but still, yay!

And I must say I've ordered the Saunders book and online package for RN-NCLEX prep, and I think it is absolutely amazing! They provide you with a personalized 6 week study schedule based on an assessment test. I think the book is really well written, the online questions re-inforce what you've just learned, and they have lots of quizzing options.  I've heard lots of good things about many prep courses, but for me, this one rocks! I already feel confident that July 28th will go great.

(Full disclosure -- no, I am not being paid to write this brief review, sadly!)

The job situation is a bit discouraging, when one chooses a consolidation placement that really wasn't a good fit. I mean, the people were awesome, I did learn a lot and did a variety of tasks, but ultimately, I belong in acute care in a hospital or a clinic where I am working with patients on a regular basis (and less time in front of a computer). I know something will eventually come about, but like I said, its a bit discouraging when I see my classmates being handed jobs where they consolidated, and they're getting them where I want to be!

However, I must admit, I haven't been trying too hard yet to look for work. We went to France for a glorious vacation...I am still homesick for France, and am going through fresh bread withdrawal. I'm taking an awesome coronary care/assessment course where I am slowly starting to make sense of complex ECGs and loving it, and frankly, want to focus primarily on getting licensed. Then I will do a full-out job search for a place I really want to work in.

Its funny -- I can multi-task like mad at work or at home, but when it comes to studying, I absolutely need to focus on one thing at a time. Just studying. Studying and job searching, for example, don't mix. Study, study, study, and get it done and over with.  What an exciting life I'm leading right now. Lol

Cheers!

Almost RN Kate!!!  So close now!!!

Coronary Care Course...starts tomorrow!!!

Yep, I think I set a new personal best between finishing one major educational goal, and launching right back to the school setting.

Tomorrow, I'm lucky to be starting my Coronary Care course. It is a very intense, focused 40 hour course designed for ER nurses. And I get to start tomorrow!!!

Otherwise, I'm mostly just doing fun things with the family. I was volunteering a lot these past few days in my daughters' school. I simply love being able to do that.

As far as the job front is concerned, I'm also laying low with sending out applications. This weekend we are going on a trip that has been booked and looked forward to for at least half a year now. We are off to Europe -- I'm going back to my second home away from home, to France.  I've got dual citizenship, both European and Canadian. When I'm here, I want to be there, and when I'm there, well, I kinda want to be there, but also miss Canada a whole lot.

Any way I look at it, life is good. Life is great. And I am so incredibly grateful for it all.

Kate

Almost there!!!

Last night I took my Jurisprudence exam, and passed it.

I was stressed going into it, because I'd heard from people that it was very difficult and that they barely finished in time.

Well, it definitely was not easy, but it was very do-able. And, I finished it with 1 hour 43 minutes to spare. So much for stressing about the time constraint.

There is officially just one more exam standing between me and me being a Registered Nurse.

Bring on the NCLEX!!! (Yet, I still am waiting for my provincial nursing College to send me the 'go ahead' to register for it. In the meantime, I study more...)

Almost RN (so, so close now!!!),
Kate

The Anti-climax Phase of Nursing School

I must admit, finishing nursing school is extremely anti-climatic. After all those weeks, months and years (!) of counting down to the finish date, of doing last exams, last papers, last presentations and last clinical shifts, it is suddenly over. The toasts are made and the champagne is thoroughly enjoyed.

And now what? The anti-climax.

So nursing school is done, but we are in limbo. The huge licensing exam looms huge over our heads, since without a license, we cannot practice. Job applications are submitted, and we wait. And study. And wait some more.

It is another phase of transition in this career change, and those of you who know me, know that I am n-o-t a fan of transition. Deep down in my heart, I simply know that everything will work out and I'll be looking back at this post thinking, "If I knew then what I know now, I'd not be worrying about anything." And truth be told, I'm not worrying. It is more of an unsettled feeling. My routine and structure from the past four years of school is suddenly gone, the final clinical rotation that had us working full-time is over, and it is not yet replaced with working.

I think I spent about a good 10 days just de-stressing and relaxing and exercising. I hadn't realized just how tense and how much work the past few years have been. Now my head is clearer, and I've started studying for the licensing exam. On a very bright note, I wrote the CAT exam last week, to practice for the NCLEX, and got the "good" pop up after only 85 questions. So that, plus the HESI results, have greatly increased my confidence for the licensing exam, and have helped my motivation to start studying again (even though nursing school is finished!).

Tonight I will be teaching my daughter's Girl Guide unit their first aid badge. I have so many activities planned for them. It is going to be so much fun!

Rocked the HESI today!!!

I did the HESI, part one, back in November, 2014. I did OK, better than average, but not the 900+ score to be aiming for. The test gave me an outstanding study package based specifically on my results. In theory, it was going to be great to review all that and then take the test, part two, and improve.

Well, somehow, the second test sprang up on me, and it was today. I managed to review a few of the great gems of knowledge that I needed improvement on, yesterday. I spent most of last week, since Tuesday when the last class presentation happened, just feeling layer upon layer of stress evaporate and leave my system. It was a very strange few days, coupled with spring allergies/cold hitting me. I was definitely in a strange mental fog for the better part of last week. Post nursing school stress disorder??? Lol. Let`s hope not!

Today, I slunk into the exam, with all my great plans of studying gone. I was just hoping to not do worse on today's exam, than on the previous one.

I came out of there with a 914 and a new sense of confidence!!! Woot!!! Woot!!!

I am so happy and relieved. I guess I did learn something more in the past half year. Whew!

My first application package from my provincial college of nurses arrived, I'm mailing it back tomorrow, and then I wait for the official invitation to write the NCLEX. I'd love to get it done sooner rather than later, but want to feel (reasonably) confident that I'll be successful on the first try.  Here in Canada, we only get three chances to pass, unlike in the USA, where I understand they get unlimited attempts. Three strikes and you`re out. That would be a disaster.

To end on a positive note -- all is well in HESI land, and I expect full time studying for the NCLEX to start tomorrow!

Cheers,
Kate