On Wednesday, we shared the first part of our conversation with recent Curry (MA) College graduate Julia Tenuta. She found out she had passed the NCLEX® and gave us some helpful hints and tips that brought her to the big day. Now, we’ll take a closer look at the exam itself. SO: Okay, back to the test. What did you do that morning? JT: I got up at 6 to leave by 6:30. On the way there, I ate peanut butter and graham crackers. SO: Did...  Read More »

Summer has just begun and already, recent Curry (MA) College graduate Julia Tenuta has thrown “RN” after her name. She took the NCLEX-RN® exam last Thursday at 8 a.m. and found out on Monday that she passed with flying colors. She’s obviously very, very happy. But Julia managed to break her permanent grin for a few minutes and chat with us about the test. We asked her about some study tips, the questions on the exam, and...  Read More »

Our Last Semester columnist, Chelsea, has shared her life with us as she navigated the last few months of nursing school. She shared lots of highs—her time at the NSNA Convention in Texas and the joy and pride she took in developing a nursing philosophy, to pick just two examples. This time, though, she shares a low. Chelsea recently flew to Maryland for her first real job interview and recently found out she didn’t get chosen for...  Read More »

Ah, graduation. It’s a time to sit back, relax, and celebrate all your hard work. Ah, the NCLEX-RN®. Gulp. It’s a time to sit up straight, get serious, and put in all your hard work. Life’s like that, isn’t it? You pass one hurdle and there’s another one staring you in the face. Anyway, many of you will be taking the NCLEX this summer and we’re here to provide some help courtesy of Stressed Out About...  Read More »

By Richard Freedberg, RN, MSN, MPA That’s a tough circumstance to be in! Nursing students have to be smart, capable people with proven track records of success to get into competitive nursing programs. So why is it so hard now? First, let me just confirm that you are not alone! Your classmates may not proclaim it from the rooftops, but others most assuredly failed, and the majority may not have done as well as they would have liked....  Read More »

The time has come. The graduation parties and the excitement from the end of college have subsided, and I need to focus on the fact that in about a month, I will be faced with the test that defines my future as a nurse. Even saying the word, NCLEX, runs a shiver down my back. It’s not that I don’t think my college prepared me for this exam; it’s just that I don’t want to have to retake it. So I have started to organize...  Read More »

Our Last Semester columnist Chelsea is now mere days from graduating and entering—gasp—the real world. During the past several months, she has taken us on an exciting journey through the end of her college life. She’s shared the 10 things she’ll miss most about college, offered her nursing philosophy, explained her difficulties with the job search, and showed us a behind-the-scenes look at her clinical experience as a student....  Read More »

The spring semester is in full swing at nursing schools across the country. Students are working hard, trying to stay stress-free, and thinking about their futures. After a quick trip across that big graduation stage (yes, that day is coming soon), the NCLEX-RN® will be there waiting. How will you prepare? Questions, questions, and more questions? Try something different. Take the stress out of the exam with Stressed Out About the NCLEX-RN®....  Read More »