I PASSED!!! YOU CAN TOO!!!!! NC Central, Former CNA turned RN

I am officially a REGISTERED NURSE!!!!!!!!!!! After a month long intense time of study with breaks throughout, I passed my boards in the good ole 75 questions!!!!!! After reading various opinions and experiences with NCLEX, I wanted to provide my own.

I graduated in early May from an ACL program. I took 1 week off and did absolutely NOTHING related to NCLEX or nursing. Key word: NOTHING

The following week I attended a 4 day NCLEX review by Loretta Manning with I CAN Publishing. This review is absolutely necessary if you want to be able to synthesize and put it all together.

I used Kaplan, my initial studies included Saunders and PrepU

The first week in June, my school also paid for Hurst Review. Hurst is GREAT for core content, however, I was not really impressed with the Q banks. Being the perfectionist I can be, I did complete all 6 q reviews. I did one per day the week before NCLEX. They recommend a 84/125, I only made a below average score on one bank. Some of my classmates didn't even come close to this and still passed.

Overall, for a month of review I did anywhere between 3000-3500 practice questions. That doesn't even include the questions I did my last semester and such. Overall, for a 6 month timespan, I guarantee I've done at least 8000 questions.

The week before NCLEX I did 200 questions a day. Here's what worked for me:

Lippincott Passpoint: there is a free 2 week trial that you can use with a predictor test. It simulates NCLEX because it's computer adaptive, just like the test

Hurst Q-Reviews: great to solidify that you know your content without a doubt. Don't be a killer nurse!

Manning Review: 1-2 chapters a day, and her 75 question online NCLEX. This online test was my favorite, pictures, drag and drop, SATA. Prioritization, and all.

In my opinion, out of everything I used, Loretta Manning was the CLOSEST to NCLEX. Her questions really make you think. Just knowing your content is NOT going to work on this exam. You put too much time and energy in to not do well, or to take a long test.

I also used the NCSBN Learning Extension NCLEX review. Looking back, it was information overload and the questions were a little out there but tough. I did the 3 week course for $50 and mainly focused on the questions. They do have a phone app though just for medications that I used everyday, reviewing 10 a day, and its free!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET THIS APP!!!!!!

The day before, I did not do any practice questions, I just reviewed Maslow's, lab values and isolation precautions until noon. Then I went and saw a good movie and enjoyed my day.

The first 5 questions of NCLEX, I could hear my heart pounding! I had on the noise cancellation headphones. I did the test just like I had studied. I wrote on my blank paper they gave me ABCD so I could cross out options and commit. I didn't spend more than 60-90 seconds on any question. Be confident and tell yourself you know this. Out of 75 questions, I had 35-40 pharm based, prioritization, only 2 delegation questions and overall about 25-30 SATA. I also had 4 drug calculations. Not one audio or drag-and-drop. I also had 2 rhythm strip with options I would have never thought of, and 1 exhibit.

After the computer shut off, I knew I passed. Not because I was cocky, but because I had thoroughly prepared myself and knew my information. I didn't doubt myself and trusted my gut, which was hard to do in school. I had prayed and had faith and knew God didn't bring me this far to leave me!!! I was confident in my answers and ability. If you can make it through nursing school, surely you can pass this test!!! NCLEX is NOT out to trick anyone like in school, they just want to know that you are and will be a SAFE nurse.

The hardest part was the 48 hours, it makes you second guess yourself, your answers, UGH IT SUCKS!!!! But when you see that precious word PASS, all the long nights, tears, sweat, blood, uncertainty, illnesses, lost friends and everything becomes so worth it.

Signed,

A Naturally Beautiful RN-BSN :-)