u/ComfortableTaro2641

Finally reached my one month mark and I realized I stopped receiving those “too new to post” notifications 🎉

Did anyone else feel like they had PTSD after finishing nursing school? 😅 I just realized I still receive Canvas notifications from my school, and for a brief moment I thought I had an assignment due. I low-key started to panic before it hit me… I already graduated. 😂 That nursing school survival mode is no joke.

Please tell me I’m not the only one whose brain is still wired for nursing school.

Starting my new position in a couple weeks and was wondering if there’s anything I should know or any tips ahead of my start date

For the past few years I’ve gotten severe irritation on my legs after showers. I can’t remember exactly when it started and what triggers it exactly. I had an allergy test before this began and I discovered I have a mild allergy to grass. I’ve read up on it and it sounds like it’s from my soaps or lotions. Initially I started using hypoallergenic soaps and fragrance free lotions. Now I also use fragrance free soaps and 1% hydrocortisone to help with flare ups. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. When it does it feels like I want to rip my skin off because my legs get so irritated and itchy. It’s weird because it’s isolated to my legs only. I hate having to remove fragrances because it feels like I’m not even bathing anymore. I’m a non practicing esthetician so I should be more knowledgeable about these things but I’m not. Has this happen to anyone? What do you do to resolve it?

For the past few years I’ve gotten severe irritation on my legs after showers. I can’t remember exactly when it started and what triggers it exactly. I had an allergy test before this began and I discovered I have a mild allergy to grass. I’ve read up on it and it sounds like it’s from my soaps or lotions. Initially I started using hypoallergenic soaps and fragrance free lotions. Now I also use fragrance free soaps and 1% hydrocortisone to help with flare ups. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. When it does it feels like I want to rip my skin off because my legs get so irritated and itchy. It’s weird because it’s isolated to my legs only. I hate having to remove fragrances because it feels like I’m not even bathing anymore. I’m a non practicing esthetician so I should be more knowledgeable about these things but I’m not. Has this happen to anyone? What do you do to resolve it?

Finally shared with my family that I passed the NCLEX and it truly brought me so much joy. I delayed letting them know because my cousin recently graduated and I didn’t want to take the shine away from her accomplishment and I also had a death in the family this week. My family has been so supportive of me throughout this journey and were half of the reason why I didn’t have to work nor struggle financially. It really feels like we all passed the test because they have been there for me every step of the way. Even this morning they are still in celebration mode. I feel so blessed to have them.

Is there a proper way to clean apples?

What’s one thing you would have done differently while preparing for the NCLEX if you could go back in time?

Went to my local library today after years of not reading because of obligations and I’m now officially back in the club.

I woke up an RN and I couldn’t be happier. My journey started almost 2 years ago. I thought getting my degree would be impossible. It was a rough road but I stuck through it and kept my faith. If anyone is contemplating doing something that seems impossible to better their future block the naysayers and go for what your heart desires. I’m proof that if I can do it so can you.

Just graduated and I have more down time and I really want to get back into reading books. Any suggestions?

I felt compelled to write this for the person terrified after taking the NCLEX or to the person getting ready to sit for the exam. I took my test on June 17, 2026 (I’ll never forget this date for as long as I live). Everything felt pretty good for the first half of the test. Even up until question 80, I was so hopeful that my exam would shut off. When it didn’t, I took a breath and said this is ok because I know people still pass after 90. As I approached question 100, I was shook. I thought how could I feel like I’ve been doing so well and then manage to have to go beyond 85. Well I did. In fact, the more questions I got the harder the test became. I went all the way to 150. I can’t even explain my mental exhaustion by the end. I only got through the rest because I forced myself to take 2 breaks in between. I got 4 full case studies, 3 or 4 mini case studies, 1 bow tie, countless SATAs and multiple choice, probably 20 prioritization, tons of fundamentals, a couple pharm and very little OB/Peds. Trust me it can and will discover your weaknesses and hammer you with those questions. I left the testing center and sat in the parking lot numb wondering if that was indicative of a failure. The whole night I tortured myself by reading through Reddit users experiences with the test. I had read so many posts and watched so many videos that I felt like I was creating unnecessary panic for myself so I put the phone down and went to bed. I didn’t do the PV trick because I thought it would add to my stress. The next day, I checked the license lookup (like a maniac) for my state and by 12pm my status had changed from pending to active. I subsequently received the confirmation email from the state with info regarding my license. When I tell you I broke down and thanked God so hard that my neighbors probably thought I was having a meltdown and they were right.

As for preparation, I gave myself a month and I’m glad I did. Even though I had done well in nursing school and had over a 90% ATI predictability, I still wanted to take this exam serious. My school offered ATI and Uworld. I scored high on every CAT I took. My overall score for Uworld was 69% in the 52nd percentile. I liked both platforms. ATI is hard and probably prepared me to think like a nurse. Uworld looked and felt like the NCLEX imo. I also watched countless videos on YT, specifically Dr. Sharon’s prioritization videos, Beautiful Nursing’s 1-hr ultimate NCLEX review, NCLEX Crusade International’s Pass the NCLEX in 7 days and last but not least none other than Mark K’s prioritization recording. I took notes on everything I got wrong on practice tests or didn’t understand and reviewed those notes often. I’m not saying that all of that is needed but I wanted to expose myself to as much resourceful content as possible. Do what works for you because ultimately you’re the one taking the test. Just give yourself enough time to study and only take the test when you feel you’re ready and you’ll definitely know.

I promised myself that once I found out I passed I would give back the way that users gave back to me. You passed nursing school so you’re capable. When stuck between two answers just remember “if I don’t choose this option/patient, there will be grave consequences.” Going past 85 is not the end of the world. Trust your gut and pray. Safety, safety, safety! All the stuff you learned in school. You got this. Cheers to becoming an RN! 🥂