by Maisie

I have a question for nurses who passed the NCLEX test and (pre-NCLEX test if applicable) the first time. What do you attribute your success to? What did you do that was different from people who attended your school and failed the test?

I am asking because I've heard stories at many schools of people who never passed the test or had to take it several times before passing. I will be starting the nursing program in August. I would like to do everthing possible to ensure success when I finally take the test.

Originally Posted by Maisie

I have a question for nurses who passed the NCLEX test and (pre-NCLEX test if applicable) the first time. What do you attribute your success to? What did you do that was different from people who attended your school and failed the test?

I am asking because I've heard stories at many schools of people who never passed the test or had to take it several times before passing. I will be starting the nursing program in August. I would like to do everthing possible to ensure success when I finally take the test.

I don't know if there is any "sure fire" formula for passing. A good indicator would be how well you do on tests in school.
I passed the NCLEX on the first attempt. I studied hard throughout school. I had written the Canadian Boards a year prior and passed those the first time. I studied for the NCLEX for 5 months before I took it. My attitude was that I was only going to write it once and that was my goal while I studied.

Best of luck in school and with your future career as a nurse!!!

Perhaps if you're really motivated and have the time, you could get a review book at the beginning of school--when you cover certain topics in school, you could also do some review questions pertaining to the same subject. (This was my plan, but I never actually had the extra time in nsg school for EXTRA work!!) Although, during vacations such as Christmas, I would do questions/review since this was a time that was between my nursing courses.
(Every exam at our school was also given in "NCLEX-style format" to help prepare us as well....this definitely aided in my success.)
Best wishes as you begin school

Hi. I was a very hard worker in nursing school. I just graduated in May 2005. I read just about everything that was assigned & really put time into understanding what I was reading & being lectured on. I took every class & clinical seriously, & during my senior year I quit my nursing assistant job so I could focus all my time on school. Then starting around December of last year I bought a bunch of NCLEX books with CD roms & began practicing NCLEX questions. I did about 5,000 NCLEX practice questions from Dec. 2004-June 30 of this year. I took & passed NCLEX on July 1 with 75 questions. So my advice to you is to read & do all your assignments, & take your classes seriously. Also, I subscribed to several nursing journals as a student (& still get them now) & I found they helped me learn even more that way. Good luck!

I graduated in May and just passed NCLEX 1st try. I was an older student 46. My advice is study, read and really listen to your instructors advice. Things in life will have to take a back seat for awhile, but the outcome will be so worth it. Let the dust bunnys roll across your floor for awhile and a let your family support you and also say prayers....it help me when I was feeling low and stressed out. Good luck to you!!

Do as many practice questions as you can, I think I did 4000 in a 2 months time. I know it's a lot, but set a limit everyday, like 300 or something. And read why the answer is right. Saunders is the best, i did question and answer book, and the comprehensive review, as well as kaplan. Psycho I know.

I passed the NCLEX the first time and the only advice I can give you right now is to NOT WORRY ABOUT IT!. You are just now entering the nursing program, please please please don't worry about the NCLEX right now.

I rarely thought about the NCLEX while in school. I put my faith into the nursing school and figured by the time I graduated I would be equipped with the knowledge I needed to sit for the NCLEX. And I was right. I started studying for the NCLEX after graduation .... I studied for about 2 months, took the NCLEX and passed on the first try. And you will too! Just please try not to worry about it until the time comes.

Don't think about the stories of people that didn't pass or failed several times ....... the majority of people pass it on their first try. Just try to keep positive thoughts in your head and not stress over this. You will have enough stress with nursing school as it is, just try to put the NCLEX out of your mind. Of course it wouldn't hurt to use an NCLEX review book when studying for your nursing exams .... that will help you pass the nursing exams and help build up your critical thinking skills.

Right now just focus on the nursing classes .... good luck to you in school!

Originally Posted by christvs

Hi. I was a very hard worker in nursing school. I just graduated in May 2005. I read just about everything that was assigned & really put time into understanding what I was reading & being lectured on. I took every class & clinical seriously, & during my senior year I quit my nursing assistant job so I could focus all my time on school. Then starting around December of last year I bought a bunch of NCLEX books with CD roms & began practicing NCLEX questions. I did about 5,000 NCLEX practice questions from Dec. 2004-June 30 of this year. I took & passed NCLEX on July 1 with 75 questions. So my advice to you is to read & do all your assignments, & take your classes seriously. Also, I subscribed to several nursing journals as a student (& still get them now) & I found they helped me learn even more that way. Good luck!

Which nursing journals do you subscribe to?

Thanks for the info. It really gives me an idea of how to start successfully.

During school I received the magazine.."Nursing made incredibly Easy" They have great articles on the most common nursing topics.

I agree with Rain above, I didn't start worrying about the NCLEX until my last semester of school when I heard all the horror stories. I think if you prepare well when it's time, the exam won't be as bad as you think.

Good luck in school.

Good books to get for school are:

Medical Surgical Recall by Tamara Bickson (a bible for med/surg)

Straight A's series from Lippincott. They have
Medical Surgical
Pediatrics
OB
Psych
Pharm.

I have all of them expect the Psych. I used them during school, especially when I couldn't do all the assigned reading. They were very helpful during school. I also think the Mosby's NCLEX flash cards are excellent for school. The questions are strictly knowlege base. Gaining a solid knowledge base in school is important for nursing. I thought they were too easy for the NCLEX. JMHO.

Good luck in school!