I Passed Nclex-RN!! Advice for test takers

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I just found out about an hour ago that I passed Nclex-RN!!!! I'm so happy. For a second there I thought I wasn't gonna make it. Just want to give some advice to the future nclex takers:

1- I freaked out when I realized my exam didn't shut off at 75 questions. Walk in there prepared to take as much questions as you think your brain will allow, even if it means telling yourself, "I'm prepared to take 265 questions if I have to." My test didn't shut off til 213 questions!!! I was freaking out the whole time.

2- Take the break the computer suggests you take. I used the break to pray and gather my thoughts and encourage myself to take this exam and not let it take me.

3- Do not get hung up on how many questions you had. Like many others said here, the # of questions you had is completely irrevelant. You can pass or fail at any number. Do not think that just because your computer didn't shut off at 75 it must mean that you were borderline or not doing well. The computer won't shut off until you're getting 50% wrong in the passing range. This takes longer for some people to achieve because the computer gives you easy and hard questions.

4- Know your broad based knowledge. I felt it was either you knew it or not and don't forget your fundamentals like the importance of infection control. I got a lot of that.

5- If you can take it the same day as a close friend, you should. I don't think I would've made it through the day if I didn't have my best friend there to vent with after the exam. Don't worry if she/he gets up and is finished before you. You're both taking entirely different exams. Hers might've been easier for her to achieve that 50% in the passing range, who knows?

Clear your mind, get rest, eat a good breakfast, say your prayers if you have faith, and surround yourself with positivity! Good Luck to all of you!

Try skimming a few different books to help give yourself a wider base of knowledge. I used Saunders, Kaplan, and Lippencott plus a whole pile of online sites. And I passed with 75 questions :monkeydance: lol

I don't really have any area I'd like to specialize as of now...I'd like to finish all of my clinical rotations first before I make a decision. I am a float NA at a hospital by me and I really love OB, NICU, and the Cancer Center. As a student I really liked OB also, so I'm heading in that direction, but I am still interested in other areas of nursing...there are so many different areas of nursing!

That's cool! I like working in oncology, psych, and addiction for teens. I know everyone say's to get a year of med-surg first but I say do what you love. I just got my liscense in the mail!!!! yeah, i can now finally apply for jobs.....NJ takes forever to get the papers to you. Good luck to you!!!

Specializes in Med/Surg.
That's cool! I like working in oncology, psych, and addiction for teens. I know everyone say's to get a year of med-surg first but I say do what you love. I just got my liscense in the mail!!!! yeah, i can now finally apply for jobs.....NJ takes forever to get the papers to you. Good luck to you!!!

Yeah, I'll just go wherever life takes me! I know I still have a lot to learn in the next year. So happy for you, good luck with your future endeavors! That's so exciting :nurse:

i must say it is a good feeling when u finish taking the test,and then there is the wait,i did the pearson vue trick and i may have passed after having 265 quest,april2010 test plan style:),i am still waiting for the official results,also i checked my state board and the rn school i graduated from was listed no license number that takes 2-5 buisiness days in bosoton,ma.test hard,hesi,is good,exam cram good just not a lot of content just the basic stuff but it did help and i did see stuff that was in the book on the exam,the exam cram cd rom good i did not get to the simulation area because i had kaplan questions as well,i wanted to do 3500 -5000 quetsions which takes time,i studied for 3-4months because i had the kaplan review,for first time test takers testing within 6months of graduation kaplan has a refund/retake policy here in boston,ma,i would suppose it nationwide,they also now have the online nclex rn like the hurst review,i would suggest using different questions from different areas,the nclex 3500,new edition is nclex 4000 has good alternate item format,got to buy.com and you can get nclex items cheaper than in the book store,some items qualify for free shipping and handling,if funds are low,also study application and analysis questions,this is the passing level on the nclex rn,mosby questions are good too,some colleges have these books in the library,i dont if they can be taken out but certainly if you have a lap top and you go to library you can download the questions you dont need the cd to use the questions,also another good was is nursing made incredibly easy,some of these books i own and some were reccomended by people who failed/passed and used these books,oh another good one lippincott question and answer review ninth edition,i havent seen any 2010 nclex rn books these books are based on the 2007 test plan,use books that are less than 5yrs old this was a

reccomendation from another web site,use the last editin of the above books.i thought i would share this info,do questions everyday and try a couple of long exams 265 to build your stamina,i was well prepared to take the whole shabang,well i feel better,i let everyone know if i pass/fail.will keep thje faith and be hopeful,confidence is the key,we passed nursing school and we will pass this exam,best of luck to everyone.;)

:)please excuse the typos still feeling some anxiety ,also you dont have to be super religous to have faith,faith is believing,i am sure we all had it in nursing school:), now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.;) have a great day all.

hi,the pvt trick works hallellujah,i passed with 265 questions,to god be the glory.

I take my test on the 19th. I really appreciate your advice. I feel like I can't study enough! Congratulations to everyone that passed and good luck to the ones that are taking the test soon!

hi..how prepared are you for your exam?..i still have 8 more days and doing kaplans questions over and over til my head hurts..lol plus i started the la charity book 2 days ago..hopefully ill pass nclex too,,

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