After the NCLEX

Well, all of this studying is over. Whew! I went to Erie yesterday and took the boards early this morning. While I cannot comment on the content I encountered, because it is all "TOP SECRET," apparently, I can tell you a little about how I prepared for it and what I thought was helpful.

After classes were over, my studying comprised of solely doing NCLEX style questions. I did about 200 questions a day. If I missed a question, I would find out why and make notes about the content I was weak in.

I found it very helpful to know
-All of the normal laboratory values
-Pharmacology - inside and out: uses, side effects, and therapeutic effects of meds
-Your major systems: Endocrine, respiratory, cardiac, and renal
-Prioritizing care

The results will not be available for a couple days. But, I feel pretty good about it. The test is computerized and can give you anywhere between 75 & 265 questions. The computer shuts off when it is 99.9% sure you have or have not met competency. Mine shut off after the minimum 75 questions. So, I'm taking that as a good sign. It could either mean that I proved to them really fast that I know my stuff or that I showed them quickly that I was so far gone there was no saving me with further questions. I like to think it was the former. :)

Anyway, Mark came with me to Erie. After the exam we drove out to the Presque Isle Peninsula. We rented bicycles and biked around the peninsula. It was an absolutely perfect day for it, too. The sky was clear, there was a light breeze, and Lake Erie's scenery was beautiful. Here are a couple pictures from the ride.

Monday I start my new job! The beginning of a new chapter!