Chapter 21

1. Chapter 21 New Graduates: The Immediate Future

2. Preparing for Licensure Exam • NCLEX “Readiness Exams” to prepare • Review courses • Online NCLEX Prep Review

3. The Eight Steps of the NCLEX Examination Process • Apply for licensure to the board of nursing in the state or territory where you wish to be licensed. Contact the state board for the requirements. • Register for the NCLEX examination with Pearson VUE by mail, telephone or via the internet. • The name with which you register must match exactly with the printed name on the identification you present at the test center • If you provide an e-mail address when registering for the NCLEX examination, all subsequent correspondences from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY BY EMAIL. If you do not provide an e-mail address, all correspondences will arrive only through the U.S. mail. • All NCLEX examination registrations will remain open for a 365-day time period during which a board of nursing may determine your eligibility to take the NCLEX examination. • There is no refund of the $200 NCLEX registration fee for any reason. • Receive Confirmation of Registration from Pearson VUE. • Receive eligibility from the state board of nursing you applied for licensure with.

4. The Eight Steps of the NCLEX Examination Process (Cont’d) • Receive the Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. If more than two weeks have passed after you have submitted a registration for the NCLEX examination and you received a confirmation from Pearson VUE, and have not received an ATT, please call Pearson VUE. • You must test within the validity dates of your ATT. These validity dates cannot be extended for any reason. • The printed name on your identification must match exactly with the printed name on your ATT. IF the name with which you have registered is different from the name on your identification, you must bring legal name change documentation with you to the test center on the day of your test. The only acceptable forms of legal documentation are: marriage licenses, divorce decrees and/or court action legal name change documents. All documents must be in English and must be the original documents.

5. The Eight Steps of the NCLEX Examination Process (Cont’d) • Schedule an appointment to test by visiting www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or by calling Pearson VUE. • To change your appointment date: • For exams scheduled on: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, call Pearson VUE at least 24 hours in advance of the day of the appointment. • For exams scheduled on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, call Pearson VUE no later than the Friday (at least 1 full business day) in advance of your appointment.

6. The Eight Steps of the NCLEX Examination Process (Cont’d) • Present one form of acceptable identification and your ATT on the day of the examination. • The only acceptable forms of identification in test centers in the U.S., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Virgin Islands are: • U.S. driver’s license (not a temporary or learner’s permit) • U.S. state identification • Passport • For all other test centers (international), only a passport is acceptable. All identification must be written in English, have a signature in English, be valid (not expired) and include a photograph. Candidates with identification from a country on the U.S. embargoed countries list will not be admitted to the test. • You will not be admitted to the examination without acceptable identification and your ATT. If you arrive without these materials, you forfeit your test session and must re-register; this includes re-payment of the $200 registration fee.

7. The Eight Steps of the NCLEX Examination Process (Cont’d) • Receive your NCLEX examination results from the board of nursing you applied for licensure with within one month from your examination date. For more detailed information on the NCLEX examination and registration process, consult the Candidate Bulletin by visiting www.ncsbn.org or www.pearsonvue.com/nclex. From National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBON). Retrieved June 4, 2008, from https://www.ncsbn.org/Eight_Steps_of_NCLEX.pdf.

8. Your First Job as a Nurse • Go on several interviews. • Try to find a job that feels “right.” That is important in making the decision. • The culture of the institution; its mission, vision, and values; and the work environment are all important variables in determining if the institution is a “good fit.” • Evaluate your own strengths and challenges, and determine what type of work environment is important for your success.

9. Your First Job as a Nurse (Cont’d) • Get to know the new job. • Gather all of the materials that you were given during the interview process. • Read them and look at your job description  do they match what you want to do? • Find out how long your orientation will be. • Will you have a mentor? • The first year of work is a period of tremendous learning and it is important that you be supported through this process. • You need to realize that you are a novice nurse, with lots to learn and experience. • Be realistic about your abilities and choose a workplace based on these abilities and expectations.

10. Your First Job as a Nurse (Cont’d) • Take some time off before you begin work. • Take care of yourself. • One of the major challenges in the first work year has been found to revolve around balancing work and life. • Watch your diet, sleep, and exercise! Try to maintain a balance. • Find someone you can speak to about work outside of the workplace. You will need to talk about your experiences with someone who will understand. • Keep in touch with the support group that you formed at school.

11. Your First Job as a Nurse (Cont’d) • Stay positive and motivated. • Be positive every day, and avoid negative energy and negative people who will drain you.

12. Your First Job Interview Preparation for the interview is key: • Begin by listing your strengths and weaknesses. • Be prepared to discuss one of your weaknesses, but add ways in which you have made corrections to minimize the weakness. • Be prepared with a list of references, both personal and professional. • Have a letter of recommendation from a clinical professor that will clearly point out your assets and strengths. • Be prepared to answer the question: Why do you want to work at this facility? • Learn about the facility by reviewing their web site for information about the organization, mission, vision and culture. • Be prepared with your short-term goals and long-term goals.

13. Where to look for a job? • Sunday newspaper classified section • Nursing journals • Online at a facility’s web site • Word of mouth • In-hospital human resources job postings • Job fairs • National Student Nurses’ Association web site (http://www.nsna.org/)

14. How do I apply? • Cover letter • Résumé • Facility application

15. Human Resources Representative When does health care coverage begin? Parking restrictions and designations When does holiday time begin? Is the facility one of the “best places to work”? Do you have to use all vacation time and sick time in same year? What is carry-over of vacation time and sick time policy? Is there “cash-in” option at end of year? Childcare? On-site? Off-site? Fees? In-house amenities? Spa Nail, hair salons On-site banking Nursing Manager Length of unit-specific nursing orientation Culture of unit Type of nursing care delivery systems Nursing decision making Type of leadership style Patient mix of unit Mentor Preceptor program Baylor program Pull-policy to another unit Probationary period First evaluation Second evaluation Annual evaluation Knowledge About the Facility

16. Professional Growth • Currency in profession • Professional organizations • Certification exams

17. Contact Hours • Required by State Boards of Nursing in order to renew RN license

18. Returning to School • Advancing your education • Tuition reimbursement by many employers • ADN, BSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner • CRNA, Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist