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Showing posts from July, 2022

Simplify Your NCLEX Studying

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The word NCLEX alone may cause some worry and anticipation, but there's no need to overwhelm yourself by overcomplicating your study process! Figuring out how you can simplify the steps to get from point A to B will save you time and effort in the long run. While everyone may go about their review sessions slightly differently, there are some key factors that can assist anyone in easing the study process. Let's explore some various ways that you can make your NCLEX study routine as seamless as possible. Here's an outline of the blog: 1. Find what works for you 2. Find ONE review book or course (instead of several) 3. Make a schedule and stick to it 4. Clear your workspace 5. Do not neglect practice questions and rationales 6. Take ...

Breaking Down the Six Types of PMP Exam Questions

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In order to pass the PMP exam, you will need to be able to correctly interpret and answer a variety of exam question types. The PMP exam is much more than a test of rote memorization or basic knowledge. You will be expected to apply concepts to complex situations, apply mathematical formulas to project performance metrics, and even consider morally conflicting situations. When taking the exam, it is important to quickly recognize the type of question that you are being asked. Once you know this information, it will be much easier for you to recall the specific knowledge that you need in order to answer the question correctly. In this article, we will go through the different types of PMP questions that you will encounter on the exam and give you an understanding of how to approach each type. The blog covers: 1. Situational Questions 2. Formula-Based PMP Exam Questions 3. Defin...

Bridging from LPN to RN: How to Approach the NCLEX Differences

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The traditional route to becoming a Registered Nurse is through an Associate's or Bachelor's degree nursing program that allows you to take the NCLEX-RN. But maybe you're like me and took a slightly different path to becoming an RN. I was a Licensed Practical Nurse and went through a career mobility program (also known as LPN to RN or LPN Bridge). Career mobility programs recognize that LPNs have the core nursing education and often a wealth of experience and knowledge in certain areas. But LPNs do not have the same depth of education that is required for RNs since there is a different scope of practice for LPNs and RNs. The blog covers: 1. Differences Between LPNs and RNs 2. NCLEX differences 3. Pass Rates 4. Ready to Test! 1. Differences Between LPNs and RNs Most LPN programs offer a certificate in Practical Nursing and take approximately 1 year to complete, although there are some progra...

Understanding the Phases of the Design Process

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The blog covers: 1. What Is the Key to Success in Design? 2. Successful Design Phases Lead to Successful Projects 3. Programming and Analysis 4. Project Planning and Design 5. Construction and Evaluation 6. Understanding Each Design Phase Will Help You Study for Your ARE Exams 1. What Is the Key to Success in Design? The key to the success of any design project is an understanding of the progression of design and documentation from project conception through construction completion. This is particularly the case for architects who must meet client goals and deadlines with the appropriate level of work according to an agreed-upon schedule. If the level of design detail is inadequate for a given stage of development, then the design team risks delaying the project schedule, resulting in an unhappy client. If ...

The Importance of Finding a Nurse Mentor for Newly Graduate Nurses:

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If you are finishing your nursing program, you are entering a very exciting time in your life with several monumental events - graduation, taking (and passing!) the NCLEX, and starting your first job as a Registered Nurse! These three events typically all happen within a few months of each other, and it can feel a little overwhelming. The most stressful of the three for me was the new responsibility I had as a nurse. My nursing program had taught me so much, and I had a lot of "book knowledge" and skills, but now I had to put it all together, and people's lives were in my hands. Phew! That's a lot of responsibility! But I was so lucky to not have to bear that responsibility alone. I was fortunate to have worked on a Med-Surg unit as a nursing assistant and was able to start my first job as a nurse on the same unit. I had some fabulous nurses I had watched and learned from long before I graduated from nursing school. Each of them served as a true mentor to me, and I...

I Didn't Pass, Should I Retake the NCLEX?

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If you get your NCLEX results and it says you didn't pass, you may feel defeated and want to give up. That's completely normal, and you can take a few minutes to feel bad, be disappointed, and get mad. You may even start wondering, "should I even bother to retake the NCLEX?" If that's what you're asking yourself right now, then the next question should be, "did I graduate from my nursing program?" The answer to that is obviously "yes!" Yes, you did. You endured long hours of studying and clinicals and have learned so much! Don't let one test deter you from your goal of becoming a licensed nurse! So don't panic, and most importantly, DON'T GIVE UP! No nursing student or graduate ever wants to think about not passing the NCLEX exam, but according to the NCSBN, almost 20% of first-time test takers in the U.S. don't pass on the first try. When internationally educated candidates are factored in, it's over 30% who don't p...

People, Process, and Business: Why the Linear Approach to Project Management is Outdated

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For many years, project managers approached the project management lifecycle the same way we would climb a staircase: one step at a time, completing each step before moving on to the next. Project managers have always been known to be methodical, deliberate, and task focused. While this remains a pillar of good project management, the world is changing. As project environments become global, digitally focused, and increasingly complex, the solely linear approach to project management has become outdated. Often, projects do not follow a "straight line" to success. They may circle back or revisit previous steps or work on multiple things at once. If projects were managed in a way that meant every step was done individually, it would be agonizing to get complex projects done in a timely manner. The Project Management Institute (PMI) has taken note of this. In their commitment to ensuring that project managers adapt to changing needs, PMI have revised the exam to reflect the ever...

8 Tips to Keep Calm and Pass the ARE

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The foundation for success on the ARE 5.0 has a lot to do with research, strategy, planning, and work. Take a look at my "Top 10 Tips for Passing the ARE 5.0" blog post for more detail on those initial steps. In this post, I will focus on how to stay calm on exam day and the days leading up to it. The best ways to stay calm and pass the ARE: 1. Stay on track with a study plan 2. Dry run getting to your exam location 3. Relax the night before 4. Good-night sleep 5. Get up early 6. Know what to expect 7. Breathe! 8. Take Breaks 1. Stay on track with a study plan I know I said I was going to focus on strategies to stay calm close to exam day... but I have to start by reminding you that the best way to have a calm experience on exam day is to feel well prepared. And the best way to feel prepared is to follow your study plan! If you need ...