Congratulations! You got your first job as a nurse! Now you're ready to put your countless hours of clinical, simulation, labs and classes to work! While nursing school is your foundation and your backbone, there are just some things that nursing school cannot possibly prepare you for adequately. In school, you learn expected outcomes -- how things are supposed to happen. For most, you get an 8hr, not 12hr day for clinical (not that I'd really want a 12 hour clinical day anyways), a 1-2 patient assignment, get the occasional med pass, but you're still in practice or 'safe' mode.
The NCLEX was probably one of the hardest exams that I have ever taken in my life. The questions were difficult, and it was easy to let anxiety get the best of you. I walked out of the exam room feeling as if I failed, tears beginning to form in my eyes…but a day later I found out that I passed. So here’s my advice:
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