The NCLEX Exam Explained Step by Step

The NCLEX, or National Council L nursing exam is taken by nurses to be before they are legally allowed to practice.

There are two forms: the RN and PN. One is for registered nurses, and the other is for practical nurses.

It is a 6 hour test and has anywhere from 75 to 265 questions. It is given on a computer and is adaptive. It becomes harder if you are doing well, and becomes easier if you are doing badly. And the test stops its questions when it is confident that you should pass or fail or if it reaches the max, 265.

The NCLEX exam covers the basic activists of nursing. You will be expected to know how to deal with patients and their medical needs in a variety of forms and settings.

You will be expected to know a lot about medications, how they're used, and their potential side effects.

Specific areas it covers include: physiological integrity, psychosocial maintenance, and others.

For first time takers in the US, the pass rate is about 87%. So most people pass, but it's definitely not easy.

What makes the NCLEX specially challenging is how it asks questions. While it is mostly multiple choice, the test questions tend to be worded to ask about the application of a topic.

So instead of being asked what a side effect of, say, Warfarin is, you'll be asked: What symptom of a patient put on Warfarin would most cause concern?

And then it'll list symptoms like shortness of breath, reduced pulse and respiratory rate, checking to see if you can identify the side effect of Warfarin and then its impact on the patient.

You'll want to make sure to learn how the test works and what it is looking for. Importantly, it often asks for things in an ideal setting, not the reality that you will often face as a nurse. So make sure to answer how the textbook would like you to, not necessarily what would happen in real life.

To prepare, do a lot of practice problems and review the material.

You'll likely want to order some review textbooks. Saunders is one very well-known and highly appreciated book that is full of useful material to prepare. The Kaplan study aid is more on strategies and ideas, but also quite useful.

Some health content sections that are important: pharmacology, mental health, cardiovascular, diabetes, and others

Pharmacology: you need to know meds, what their side effects are, and how they are used.

Cardiovascular: you need to know the common health issues and how they are treated

And so on.

Since you need to pass the NCLEX to become a nurse, make sure to do your best to prepare, and good luck!

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off Vs AP Calculus and the ACT

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

Who knew, when you signed up for your AP Calculus your senior year, that you'd end up with a celebrity doppelganger of Ben Stein for your teacher? Too bad your last name really is Bueller.

You took AP statistics your junior year and are now taking AP Calculus. The combo will set you up nicely to take the ACT in the spring and will look great on your college applications. But you already know this.

And you know you have to pay attention, focus, and learn. Bust!

What you don't know is that this course will change your life. As you listen to the monotonous tone of your celebrity doppelganger of a teacher you start thinking about your favorite discussion from your AP US History class last year. It was fascinating! Your teacher simply asked, "How many degrees away are you from Kevin Bacon?"

What?? The Flashdance guy?? What does he have to do with anything?

He explained that a theory was once presented that everyone in the acting scene was no more than six degrees away from Kevin Bacon. The class spent an entire period throwing out names of actors and eventually, within 3 movies or less, Kevin Bacon was the end result.

Hmmm...Ferris Bueller was played by Matthew Broderick. Matthew Broderick was in Glory with Denzel Washington. Denzel Washington was in Inside Man with Jodie Foster. Jodie Foster was in Panic Room with Kevin Bacon. Wow! It works! I wonder if there's an algorithm for that...

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

You're still sitting in AP Calculus learning all about derivatives and linear approximation when you hear the dreaded and most feared of all words - words that have struck fear into the hearts of students since the beginning of time: pop quiz.

Of course it can't be that easy, though. If it were any ol' normal pop quiz you'd be the first one handing the completed assignment back to your teacher. But this no ordinary pop quiz. This pop quiz requires only written answers. You have to communicate using well-written sentences, and must explain solutions to problems. EXPLAIN. This isn't a writing class. Oooooh weee...What's up with that? What's up with that? (a la SNL's character Deandre Cole played by Kenan Thompson)

Jump ahead to the spring. You learned your AP Calculus teacher's routine and figured out when to expect a pop quiz. As the year progressed you became confident in your abilities to explain and communicate clearly your answers. You've taken on-line ACT test-prep courses. You're ready.

It's the day of the test. It's you, a student desk, 8 sharpened #2 pencils (you can never be too prepared), a good eraser, and the clock staring you in the face. Ready. Set. Write.

Your topic: truancy among high school students

In true Bueller fashion, you get straight to work on explaining and communicating clearly the pros of truancy...

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

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How The Language Teacher Can Participate In Conflict Transformation Through Classroom Teaching

Violence and conflict have drawn a lot of attention in modern times owing to the need for peaceful coexistence in communities. One of the ways to manage conflict effectively is through conflict transformation. Conflict transformation is the process of moving from conflict-habituated systems to peace systems.

A conflict transformation process can be achieved through several processes among them capacity building for peace educators, curriculum developers, trainers and learners.The importance of the teacher is, thus, indispensable in this process because the teacher has the onus to play a crucial role in the curriculum implementation processes that lead to change in attitudes and behavior of the learners who in turn affect the entire communities and societies at large.

In view of these, let's look at how the language teacher can facilitate in the process of conflict transformation?

First, language teachers can be ambassadors of peace in the country. If the teachers are posted to teach in areas outside their home districts they can help to foster peace. The mutual respect, humility, and willingness to learn one another's language will allow the teachers and pupils to reach across the barriers of age, culture, gender, geography, time, and even war, to heal the past.

In the classroom, the teacher can promote a positive and safe learning environment which is a prerequisite for peace, respecting the dignity and rights of all students. By infusing the classroom environment and content, either explicitly or implicitly, with values of respect and tolerance for difference. This should help students acquire new linguistic forms, intercultural awareness, and interpersonal skills. Thus, they can begin to break down existing barriers and transform interactions, be they in the classroom, at work, in the community, or beyond.

In teaching vocabulary, reading, discussion, and writing,the language teacher can ensure that they revolve around the topics of peace and conflict. In this case the teacher engages students with the voices and writings of international advocates of nonviolence like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr., and encourage them to develop critical and reasoned arguments for their personal beliefs about violence or nonviolence through debate.

Finally, the teacher can explore new ways of speaking with the students by experimenting with different forms of speech, such as debate and dialogue. This is in order to compare and contrast the speaking and listening skills students employ, the impact they have, and contexts in which certain styles may be more useful or appropriate. The teacher should also explore techniques such as Mediation, and Nonviolent Communication.

Therefore, language teachers can participate in conflict transformation by mainstreaming conflict transformation and peace building ideas in their content delivery inside the classroom.

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The Stories Behind Charms and Amulets

Good luck charms are really affluent in history. Wherever in the world we go, we can really encounter an object that is greatly revered by the people because of the magic it brings. No one knows for sure if it's true but it's something immensely valued by many people especially those in the olden days. It was believed that the advent of the use of these charms was mainly to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. This was the start of the use of amulets. I am more than sure that every culture has a story to tell.

The Recovered Artifacts

In Egypt, good luck charms are part of their conviction. These had played a significant role in their everyday life. During the ancient days in Egypt whether you may be of lowly or high-class, you should be wearing a charm or an amulet. This is because when soon enough you will expire from the mundane world you will be judged by the gods and it was through these charms or amulets that you would be recognized by them. The oldest recorded amulet was recovered in Africa and was about 75,000 years old.

Use of Crude Materials

Primitive people made use of earthen materials to make their charms. They made use of mud and clays and molded it in whatever fashion they want. Some also made use of bones and shells. There was also another artifact excavated in Germany which was believed to be already 30,000 years old. The Norse people used elephant tusk as their charms. With these proofs, we can really tell that charms and amulets had already gained popularity even during the ancient times.

The Queen's Penchant for Charms

During the medieval period the popularity of charms had escalated. Queen Victoria herself also sported a charm bracelet. People, especially women, also tried to do the same stuff and sported the same fashion. Charms and amulets were also worn by family members as a symbol of their kinship. Even during the time of war, soldiers were also in to it. They would usually take home the trinkets made by the locals of the place wherein they fought the great battle. In the 1950s and onwards, many teenagers were already wearing charm bracelets and other amulets.

Charms in the Contemporary World

Charms and amulets have been really trending all over the globe. In 2002, Europe had launched another line of charms. The charm bracelet was actually made from different glass beads. The wearer has the option to rearrange the order of the beads depending to his or her own preference. This was indeed a fad for almost everyone because of the vast collection of beads that one can choose from. The prices of these charms may range from as low as $25 to as expensive as $500 - $700. The Danes and the Italians also have their own version of authentic beads.

Indeed, these charms are not merely any object which has extraordinary powers but something which have great stories to tell. Nowadays, we can already find various charms in department stores, some of them authentic and some are just imitations.

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The Scottish Thistle

You've probably seen it emblazoned upon many items relating to Scotland but what is the Scottish thistle all about and why did this particular plant come to be Scotland's national symbol?

Taxonomy

The thistle in question is the prickly purple variety known as Scots Thistle. But there is confusion about the exact classification because several different varieties of prickly, purple-headed thistles grow in Scotland. One strong candidate is the one sometimes known as Cotton Thistle with the Latin name Onopordum Acanthium. To say that this plant is vigorous would be an understatement. It has no problem coping with the often harsh and changeable Scottish weather and grows well in 'disturbed sites' where the soil conditions can be quite poor. Let's be frank - it's a weed, but at least a weed with an attractive, brightly coloured bloom.

History and Legend

The historical origins of the symbol are murky. There is a legend relating to the thistle acting as an alarm when it spiked the foot of one of a band of invading Vikings. The pained shriek of the unfortunate Viking roused the Scots warriors to battle and they defeated the invaders. There is no way to verify such a tale but it certainly appeals to Scottish sensibilities to imagine that the humble (but feisty) thistle thwarted the might of a Viking horde.

It is certain, however, that the Scottish Thistle has been an important emblem for more than 500 years. During the reign of James III it was used on silver coins, issued around 1470. In the early 16th century it was incorporated into the Royal Arms of Scotland and, although the Royal Arms have changed much since the Acts of Union in 1707, the humble thistle can still be seen be seen sprouting around the hooves and claws of the lion and unicorn on the present-day Arms.

The thistle symbol was also important in chivalry. The Order of the Thistle founded (at least in its current form) in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland, used the symbol on the insignia and regalia of their 'Knights of the Order of the Thistle'. Their motto 'no-one provokes me with impunity' fits nicely, as it was surely designed to, with the perception of the humble but prickly Scots thistle.

Jewellery

It seems that the Scottish thistle is a symbol we can all identify with. Far removed from the grandiose emblems of Kings and Queens and, instead, appealing to the romanticism and patriotism of the common man or woman, it holds a special place in the hearts of Scots. Perhaps for this reason it has endured as a much-loved symbol on jewelry and other craftwares.

The Scots thistle has been rendered in precious metals such as gold and silver but also in more modest ones such as wood or pewter. You can see it on necklaces, earrings, wedding rings, cufflinks, quaichs and a host of other personal gift items.

In Summary

It may seem odd to have a prickly weed as the symbol of a nation. But perhaps it is proper that the Scottish thistle should come to represent a people known for their attributes of toughness, endurance, humility, romanticism and maybe just a little spiky defensiveness.

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Studying for the ACT Test - How Your Learning Style Affects What You Retain

Studying for the ACT test can be brutal. Marathon study sessions reviewing everything you've learned over the past three years in high school, only to "hope" you remember it all on test day. Well there is a better way to prepare for the ACT exam.

The first thing is to ensure you are studying smart instead of just working hard. Working smart is the best way to prevent yourself from having to settle for an average ACT score. If you are going to spend time studying for the ACT exam, at least make it count instead of just spinning your wheels.

The key to studying smart is discovering your individual Learning Style - How you learn and remember information, and then working with your Learning Style instead of against it!

What do we mean by individual learning styles? Well, we all have our own unique mixture of the three major learning styles. Some of us are more VISUAL. These individuals learn by reading, and by seeing - So if you want to give them directions to go somewhere, draw them a map. Their Learning Style will even bleed over into their speech, where they will use terms like "this looks right to me" and "I see what you mean."

Others are AUDITORY - They don't want to see it, just tell them and they'll remember it. Don't draw them a map to give them directions and don't expect them to sit and read a big thick book! Auditory learners pick things up by hearing them, so they are usually better at remembering peoples' names. A phone call is much better than an email for Auditory learners, who will usually be heard using phrases like "something about this just doesn't sound right" or "I hear you."

Still others are what is called KINESTHETIC learners - They are the fidgety types who like stories and examples and are more action oriented. Don't bother telling or showing them, take them there one time and they'll remember how to get there for the rest of their lives! Kinesthetic learners learn by experiencing things, so a good story or vivid example is the best way for them to retain information. They are most likely to use phrases like "It just feels right" or "I have a bad feeling about this."

Nobody is a pure Visual, Auditory or Kinesthetic learner; we are all mixtures of the three learning styles. However, by learning your specific mixture of these three learning styles, you can drastically cut the amount of time you study and remember a LOT more at the same time! That's the smart way to prepare for the ACT test.

Although there are many ACT Prep Courses out there, the best ones are those that appeal to all three learning styles. A superior ACT Prep Course will be video based, so that it appeals to both the Auditory and Visual aspects of learning, and should be filled with anecdotes, funny stories and examples that the Kinesthetic learners will also benefit from.

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Certified Nurse Assistant Training - How Much Does It Cost?

For those interested in certified nurse assistant training, you are probably wondering what type of costs are going to be associated with it. Many people are held back from pursuing their passion because of the cost of tuition, and this can be something that shatters many dreams. Schooling isn't cheap, but thanks to financial aid, it's possible for students.

Your Courses

Before getting involved in nursing aid classes, you should understand what each one entails. Your classes can be offered in a variety of ways now including:

? Traditional campus colleges
? Online colleges
? In-facility training classes

There are a variety of skills that you need to master before earning your certification. The nursing field is one of the most demanding fields now, and before entering the work field, you will master:

? Basic patient care skills
? Patient safety
? Professional communication skills
? Proper body mechanics and lifting of patients
? Learning ADLs for patients
? Learn basic techniques to help patients with eating

There are additional skills that you are going to need to master as well are more general as far as patient care and include:

? CPR
? Taking and reading vital signs
? Patient confidentiality
? Transferring patients
? Common issues seniors are faced with

When you are determining what certified nurse assistant training is for you, keep in mind to follow state requirements. If you are not trained in all areas required by your state, you are not going to be able to work in the field nor get your license. You are going to have the opportunity to work in a variety of locations such as hospitals, in-home settings, nursing facilities, and much more. Each facility and environment has its own set of demands, and regardless of where you work, a majority of your duties are going to be similar. You are going to be working under a nurse's supervision, and you will also be a part of a vital field and important part of the patient's care. You are also going to need to be compassionate and caring towards patients.

Now, About the Cost

Each certified nurse assistant training program can vary again and this widely depends on the state you reside in and are going to become certified in. The average price of training to become a CNA can range from $300-$1,500. This depends on the facility you train at as online classes can be cheaper, and there are many places that will consider offering free courses and training.

However, some places will accept financial aid to help you pay for your training, and in order to see if you qualify, you can get in touch with the school or facility you are interested in training with and talk to their financial aid department. They will have you fill out a packet to determine eligibility, and this will better help you learn what you are going to be responsible for paying for.

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