Re: 75 Questions on NCLEX, pass or fail?
Hello all,
I am new here as of this morning. I recently took my NCLEX in CA this past Monday. Due to nerves, shock, or both... it took me nearly 2 hours to get up to question 73! I knew I was taking way to long on each question, which worried me. I felt as though I was moving at the speed of light. I was offered a break (on my own time), which I declined... even though I had a full bladder. At this point, I had received 10-15 difficult SATA, several prioritization questions, triage questions, and a ridiculous amount of infectious disease questions. Not a single medication calculation or hot-spot. The questions were VERY difficult, which seemed to be the case through several streaks of questions (i.e. #4-9 got progressively difficult, then it would insert an easy one, then #11-18 got progressively difficult, etc). In retrospect, this was a good sign, though at the time felt like a death sentence.
At any rate, I declined the break, and moved to question 74, and then on to question 75. Once I answered that one, it was over. I was shocked and also relieved... mostly because of my time situation. I left the test center with my mouth wide open. I felt defeated, and walked with a limp as though I had just been beaten within an inch of my life. I must have looked very strange walking to the elevator and then to my car. I immediately anticipated the worst. While I graduated from a BSN program with honors, I couldn't believe my perceived lack of knowledge after having encountered questions on the exam with topics I had NEVER studied.
Once I got home, I googled various things like "failing NCLEX at 75" and "pass fail NCLEX 75", which brought me to this fantastic site! All of the threads and posts and comments helped alleviate my tension. Even if only taking off a slight edge, it helped me get through the 'waiting' period... which was NOT fun to say the least. Hearing people disclose their success stories, which started out just like my very own, gave me hope. This is what made me register and tell my NCLEX story here. Nevertheless, after three full days of no sleep, hardly eating, borderline MDD... I got a call from my girlfriend who is a practicing RN at 3:30AM saying "YOU PASSED, YOU PASSED!" I raised up out of bed like a zombie on crack and ran straight to the computer. I rattled in the web address to the CA BON and typed in my name and there I was! Clear as day... I had passed! This whole roller coaster of emotions had finally ended. I was, and still am, shocked (this was only about 4 hours ago). I was so convinced I had failed, it was a reality to me. I actually printed out reapplication forms and started to plan for a 45 day study schedule... no lie.
Here are some suggestions for anyone that is getting ready to, or is preparing to take the NCLEX.
1) Study HARD - I took Kaplan. I attended the classes for two weeks. After that, I set my date within 3 1/2 weeks and made a set schedule for studying - planning a minimum of 100?s a day. I took all question trainers, and completely wiped out the Qbank. I did the NCLEX sample exams as well as the alternate type test, which is purely SATA/MATH/FILL-IN, etc. My scores ranged between 35% (day 1) to 80% (day before NCLEX). Overall, I took nearly 2,300 questions.
- The amount you take depends on YOU. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Take as many as YOU can until YOU feel comfortable. The more, the better. Also, taking them is pointless unless you actually dedicate time review rationales and attempt to understand them. Prepare yourself to think like the questions want you think - even if it is unrealistic.
- If you take Kaplan, use their book and online videos. Again, this depends on YOU. I did not use either of these resources, though I probably should have. Don't make the mistake of not preparing enough!
2) Have a CONFIDANTE - I made the mistake of keeping everything that had to do with me and the NCLEX a complete secret. All to myself, I suffered throughout the entire experience. I had NO ONE to talk to about any of my anxiety, no one to coach me through anything... this is NOT a wise decision. I did this because I didn't want to have to hear "taking the test soon?" or "nervous about it?" 6 times a day from relatives and friends. Also, I didn't want to fail and endure the punishment of having everyone know. If you feel like me, I urge you to tell at least 1 person about your NCLEX plans. The closest person to you may not be the right person. You will know who it is and having that person to talk to will be a great benefit - believe me.
(I know I said that my girlfriend called me this morning, she works nights, to tell me I passed, but I had kept all of this a complete secret! How did she know to look on the BON for my name at the right time?! I guess my little lie about having a game of golf so early on Monday morning wasn't so believable after all... I even took the clubs with me to the exam too!)
3) Be REALISTIC - Take time for yourself. Take time to study. Balance your life like you did in school (if you even got to do that in school - haha). It will help clear your mind, as well as file away all the things you're learning. This is something so important, it just might make or break you during preparation. Avoid question burnout as much as possible! Eat out, have a few with you friends, have sex... whatever you like to do that is not NCLEX related. Be human and remember to believe in your abilities.
Bottom line - passing feels SO good and I wish that everyone could feel the relief that I feel right now. I wish everyone that reads this the best of luck on their boards and in their future nursing careers. I also want to thank everyone on here for posting - it was my only source of support during this whole monstrosity! It meant quite a bit.
Good luck!
Well I tried it but it gave me a message that records show I had recently registered to take the test to contact whoever if I needed futher assistance. I don't know what to think?. Anybody ever done this to find out otherwise that you know of? I am going to try and stay busy. I have also tried checking the BON to see if it will pop up before 48 hours. I saw where some people were able to find out there in 24. I'll let you know. Thanks for the encouraging words.
I can put RN behind my name...WOOHOO!
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