Increasing number of Filipino Graduate nurses fails their local board exam

There was an increase in numbers of candidates, who failed their local board exam. This reports were based on the numbers of takers last June of 2008. The problem poist more down turn in taking up international examination ( NCSBN).

Reasons of increase failure among graduates, boils down into one major problem, and that is increase of nursing schools, who do not perform well in their academic and clinical practice.

Plus, the majority of young Filipinos, those who were graduating in high school, are aiming this course. Some are even below the average students, who make their way in this noble profession. One thing is not clear about the Commission of Higher Education in the Philippines: is all entitle for enrollment?

If we can dissect this issue one thing rose for a big problem, every one think that nursing is a big industry. Everyone makes a money of it, that is a sad thing to consider nowadays. Just imagine before the year 2000, nursing students in Our Lady of Fatima University / Quezon City, had only five sections for the first year, and had approximately two or three for the fourth year. Today, first year students makes the 98% census of all the University students.

There was too many students, who did not even make good turns in their high schools days, and end up as a nursing student. If I can address this to the congress, I would propose a five year course for nursing.

In this way, students would be screened further, and this will ensure their passing in any nursing exam. The problem had two faces, one looks like an easy one, like the only solution is to change curriculum etc., and the other face turns down to availability of jobs. For nurses, this is important and this is what happening today. Plus, the retrogression that still hurdled foreign nurses to enter the United States.

The other solutions were too ambiguous, they think nursing is like a pipe line, which you can turn off the valve if the bucket is full. That is not the way I think solving this colossal issue.

What can I do, if I fail Nclex three times or more?

Hello my friends, I know what you feel. Today, I can tell you my little secret. I had failed once in CGFNS qualifying exam backed on 2007, and I know exactly how you feel.

Now, what I did is simple: accept that you fail, and the only next thing that you do is to assess again your weakness. Finding those loops that keep you under dog is difficult, but trust me, once you found it, you will be happy.

In my case, I thought the CGFNS is just an easy analytical type of question. So what I did before is just memorize a lot, then re-apply it in the questions. If ever you do that you will gonna fail. Why? Because it will take you longer to answer the questions, plus sometimes you tend to over analyze it. So the tip is, never over read thick books.

What I did is to find a book that is handy, but yet complete. I think the questions asked in CGFNS is not all about principles or laws in nursing but techniques, or especial teachings, which sometimes is not included in thick books.

I change all the books I had and bought small books, rather than thick ones. Plus, I change my study habits, and I started answering 200 items, and aims to get 100+ of it. Guess what? I passed.

Now about NCLEX-RN, first assess your self. If your weakness is on drugs then study it. You can buy books or CD's with a lot of question formats, study it and I really mean it. Try to blend with the questions, do not be a trigger happy, think but do not over play it. What I mean is move forward. You have to practice it, try answering 400 questions in a day. First 200 items in the morning, do not forget to count your cluster, you have to get at least 7 or 8, then have a afternoon nap. Trust me, you need it. Then the other half in the afternoon.

If it is not good, let us say you only got 6 clusters, do not pannic, relax and breath out. Just remember this, if the total correct answers were around 65 and 70 and you get 8 to 10 cluster you are in good shape. If that is a real exam, you will certainly pass, and I bet you will shut down at 75.

Next, this is very important. Do not search for real nclex questions over the internet. I mean those questions that were shared by former examiners, trust me they are not real. Those questions and their answers would impede your performance, just try to focus more in your personal review.

In the end of the day, before you close your eyes, pray to God. Pray for good judgement, and clear mind. I hope this tips would help you my dear collegues...

NCLEX-RN TIPS

Hi, this would be the most important tip that I can give you. First of all, you got to find out good books, and finding them gets you tiring if you know what I mean. There are a lot of books out there, I would advice you get at least two. The first books for your NCLEX-RN practice questions, do not look for too many questions, if you do, then promise your self that you will going to finish it.

What I used for practice test is "SAUNDERS 4th Edition", it had a comprehensive review in all fields of nursing, and a companion CD that had 4,200 plus NCLEX type practice questions, also it contains easy to understand formats.

The other books are "ABC of Passing the Foreign Exam" and "NCLEX 311" both are written by Ray A. Gapuz. The foundation or basic strategy of my review lies on the so called yellow book (ABC of Passing the Foreign Exam).

Well you got to admit, that memorizing laboratory values get you annoyed. It is too many, to memorize, and you know that a lot of deadly questions would be found on those normal laboratory values. Now, the book also had a good pace, you just got to follow it.

Now since you get laid your foundation on the rock, you have to assess your ability. Try answering the Assessment test, it had 75 item, you need to get at least 65%.

Backed it up with NCLEX 311, it had 311 question. The thing is, these questions allows you to focused your mind on the Nursing Functional Concept, which by the way your foundation right?

Now may be you are thinking, about the thick book? Okay, you need it also, but not reading it page to page, as other would like you to do. Here is my advice, follow the schedule of topics which is located in the CD. Since you first read the yellow book you already had a birds eye view in all the topic inside it. This is the thing it will keep your reading fast, not only that, you will discover on the latter part of that you will realize "hey! I already know this stuff!!!! senario. Do this for one month.

The Second phase, this will take you another month. You have to practice answering all the topics inside the CD. NO more reading okay, it is time to use your own neurons.

If you get 80 to 95% and had 10 plus cluster ( 1 cluster = 4 correct answer) hey you are ready my friend! I bet you will shut off on 75 question, and you know how it feels to be a PASSER.

Part two - NCLEX-RN TIPS AND LECTURE NOTES

> NFC: Clients with uncontrolled hemorrhage needs to be treated immediately.

CARDIAC ARREST ANAPHYLAXIS MULTIPLE TRAUMA PROFOUND SHOCK POISONING ACTIVE LABOR
DRUG OVERDOSE SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA, SEIZURE SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS

***

ERIK ERICKSON'S STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

1. INFANCY ( 0 TO 18 MONTHS) ---TRUST VS. MISTRUST--- ATTACHMENT TO THE MOTHER
2. EARLY CHILDHOOD (18 MOS TO 3 YRS) ----AUTONOMY VS. SHAME & DOUBT -----GAINING SOME BASIC CONTROL OVER SELF AND ENVIRONMENT
   
3. LATE CHILD HOOD ( 3 TO 6 YRS) ----- INITIATIVE VS. GUILT ---BECOMING PURPOSEFUL AND DIRECTIVE
4. SCHOOL AGE (6 TO 12 YRS) -----INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY ---- DEVELOPING SOCIAL PHYSICAL & LEARNING SKILLS.
5. ADOLESCENCE (12 TO 20 YRS )------ IDENTITY VS. ISOLATION -----DEVELOPING SENSE OF IDENTITY
6. EARLY ADULTHOOD (20 TO 25 YRS) -----INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION ---- ESTABLISHING INTIMATE BONDS OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP[
7. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (35 TO 36 YRS) -------GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION
8. LATE ADULTHOOD (65 YRS TO DEATH)
   

***

>SIGN OF CHILD ABUSE ---- Large welts & scars on the back

> Attendance of parents during painful procedures should be based on individual's assessment of the parents.

> Problem of difficulty disciplining a child, a nurse must assess how difficult it is for the parent.

> If a child demonstrates excessive crying and clinging when approached means the child had subjected to prolong hospitalization.

> Remember this, if you are going to feed an infant, you should provide a pacifier.

>In any case like having a colic problem in a month old infant, the mother should get some time away from her son each day to rest. This is a precautionary method against burn out.

> If you receive any NPO order for an infant, always provide pacifier, this is to calm the infant and also meet the developmental needs.

> If you admit a child for second time surgery, this means going back to painful memories, always be sure to show assurance and security. This would alleviate any discomfort for the child.

> If you see a child on his third day of hospitalization you have to watch out for the signs of despair, which is screaming and crying inconsolably, begins to regress and lies quietly in the crib or bed with blanket.

MY NCLEX TIPS and LECTURE NOTES

PHARMACOLOGY

alendronate sodium (FOSAMAX)

> for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in post menopausal women.

>REMEMBER THIS:

• Give in AM with full glass of water at least 30 minutes before first beverage, food or medication of the day.
• Patient must stay up right for 30 minutes
• Monitor serum calcium levels, before and during and after the therapy.
• Provide comfort if bone pain occurs
  
• Side effects: nausea, diarrhea, bone pain, headache (give analgesic)

allopurinol (PURINOL)

> Anti- gout

>REMEMBER THIS:

• Take the drugs with meals
• Avoid OTC medication

BLUE COHOSH
> Had anti oxytoxic effect

> Used in:

• Regulation of menstruation
  
• Ease painful crams
• used to jump start stalled labor
• used to stop bleeding

> methimazole (TAPAZOLE)

> it blocks autonomic nervous system
>take it around the clock at 8 hour interval

>COMMON S/E includes:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Vertigo
• Anorexia
• Rash
• Itching

>REPORT TO THE M.D. if:

• (+) Fever
• (+) Sore throat
• Unusual bleeding
• Bruising
• Headache
• Body malaise
  

NCLEX-RN EXAM EXPERIENCE

My NCLEX-RN Experience

December 15, 2008
Trident Tower, Makati
Philippines

Hello, colleagues! I just want to share my first and fruitful Nclex Exam. Well, it started on Sunday, December 14, 2008, in R.A. GAPUZ REVIEW CENTER in SM- Manila. It was the last training module, for those exam candidates, just a day before the exam.

It was a nerve breaking, just imagine, this mock exam will forecast my success or failure in the N.C.L.E.X.- RN Exam. The mock exam is furious as a snake and tricky, as I expected.

I met with other candidates, who were also taking it in the afternoon. We do not have any idea how it would be. What I know is that the State of California, is well known as the hardest of all. My other companions were taking it in different states, I think the guy from Iloilo will take the exam for Territory of Saipan, and the other lady for the State of Hawaii.

We do not have good chatting breaks at the review center, because we believe that our exam is a lot different from each other. One thing I know, my exam is the hardest. I do not know how it become so different with the other states, any way it was administered solely by Pearson Vue.

After the mock test, we all went home. I felt dreaded on the last exam, I did not get a good score. I am starting to think about, what if that is the real exam, then surely I would fail.

In the morning of December 15, 2008, I woke up with at around 9:30 am. I started to open my computer, then suddenly I was shocked, I do not know how to get to Pearson Vue. I looked it up, and found a map, I draw it and gave it to the Taxi driver.

I left home around 1:00pm, then I arrived at Makati at 2:00pm. I am looking for a restroom at that time, then I found Mc Donnald a stone away from where I am standing, it was just behind Trident Tower. When I finished my business, I left hurriedly, and then I met the guy from Iloilo, just standing outside the door of the Trident reception area.

The Guard, waved his hands, that we should come in, because it was already time, to sign the guest book. The other lady from the center yesterday, just rushed in the line. We are bit smiling, and I just said, well good luck on us!

On the 27th floor, My heart starts to pump 120 beats per minute, I took my number, then waited to called up. The front desk personelle took my picture, and my finger prints, gave me a locker number, and asked me to leave all my personal items in the locker.

I sat in the chair, waiting to be call up. Then one lady said "next please!" I stand up slowly, and I started the mind recall, it seems I am dying. I started to see the face of my mother, and my siblings, just waiving.

The lady again took my finger print, read some instructions, then she asked me, if I want an ear plug, I said yes. Then she said "Sir, you are now entering the examination room, if you need anything just raised your hand." I sat down infront of the flat screen monitor.

In the exam, I started slowing up. I need to clime a stair, I need to make sure that the first ten item is correct.

It was so easy for me. I shut off on 75 question. I am happy that I made it. I know I passed the exam, because there was something inside me telling me it was a good fight. I raised my hand, a lady approached me, she escorted me outside the room, she took again my finger print, gave me a sticker, and said "This is to tell everyone in the staff that you already finished your exam."

Oh my God! I was the first to finished it, the other two candidates from R.A. Gapuz, was still hurdling up. I walk to the security personnel, take my personal things and sign the guest book and left.

Now, the long days of waiting starts to kick off. Every day I am waiting for a good news, then after the third week, I receive an envelope, a thin one.

I read it, and I start calling my friends, my mom was criying and I hug her, and I said It is finished....

I Passed!!!!