Motivational and Inspirational: Cs get Degrees and Licenses

Hey Fellow AllNurses.....

Just want to give ppl some courage because there are not many stories like mine on AllNurses. Im going to be real with you guys. NO fluff. Real Life experience of a Joe in Nursing. It will be long...be warned.

First, I wanted to share with you my journey with my early post-grad and the terrible NCLEX. It all started a yr ago...I graduated May 2014 from a BSN program, I did ok in my opinion. I was an average student, didnt get all As like I wanted and then eventually settle for the passing Cs to get through nursing school. Overall, grades were up and down depending on the classes, I did really well on non-nursing classes cause it was easier to remember, study, and easier to test. I lost the drive to become an academic achiever like I was back in High School.

Continuing right after graduation, took the ATI review classes. I figured I could get some help with NCLEX prep. I didnt use it appropriately, basically wasted my time there....siting there passively listening and occasionally taking some notes. I felt like I didnt really learn alot of important stuff concerning NCLEX, but a review of class material...I was like "l could review on my own time."

Never happened.....might tried but nothing significant.

Fall of 2014, another opportunity to study came up. I signed up for Kaplan Review and attended the reviews and such. I felt the same as ATI review...alot of thing I could do alone. They barely go over much of their test taking techniques, it was brief. However, I do like their technique tho, I felt it gave me a ouch of confidence on the test. Because I was overwhelm with the amount of information...I cant possibly remember review book, even tho it is already compressed compared to a nursing textbook. I didnt manage to complete what was asked of them to become successful at NCLEX. Barely scratch the surface of their couple thousands of NCLEX review questions at the end. As of this moment, I definitely wasted it and would like to kick my pass self to continue to work hard on it.

To continue, again....not much studying....I didnt really do much nursing things. Laziness and fear took over.....and waited almost a yr to take it. YES, almost a yr. I was scared, afraid to disappoint ppl, and felt unprepared for it. There was alot of pressure from myself and others. I was basically running away from NCLEX. I tried studying but it never took root many times and I kept pushing this errand off.

ppl got tired of me saying I will study and take it soon. blah blah blah....I kept lying to them and myself. I felt bad, depressed, guilty, and stupid. I see on social media all my classmates are working already...just adding oil to the fire right...

SO I tell myself, this is where it has to start. Begin slowly, start small and end big. I signed and paid for the test date.....i am now committed...couple hundreds are at stake. It is do or die. Pass or fail but at least ima try to do something and take action. A big gamble for me because its been almost a yr since I studied nursing for real. So test is in May....i gave myself 2 months to prep. It actually became a month cause it was hard to transition into study mode.

But I tell u what, that one month of semi-hard work....paid OFF tremendously. I PASSED NCLEX first try. I used my money efficiently. I was so happy and proud, I was so scared I failed due to my poor preparation and my mistake at reading the directions. So I thought the max questions were 256, so I rushed around 250s to end the exam....my time ran out at 257. I was so confused at it at first. So my test was interpreted with the hardest pass method, the last 60 questions have to be above the passing standard. and I PASSed! just FYI, max questions are 265!!! i flipped it around the whole time while i was studying....facepalm!

SO What I DId that Month to Prepare:

1. Review and Practice using Kaplan Application Question Technique (I personally didnt master it, it was still hard getting used to it)

2. Review Content I was bad at, specifically dieases. (Kind of a waste of time, didnt remember anything)

3. Memorize lab values, common meds (it was tough, I figure it should help...)

4. Review online study guides I found through google, and AllNurses (great info, didnt help me much because too much info, couldnt remember it)

5. Do questions, alot of questions (I personally feel this is why I pass)

The review material I used mostly that help my success (personally feel I owe my license to them).

Saunders Comprehensive Review: NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION

EXAM CRAM: NCLEX-RN

So what I did mostly is use their CDs and do questions. 8/10 of my studying for the month was just doing questions. 2 hrs per session, max of 3 sessions per day everyday...of course I wasnt consistent...I hate studying. I had to build up that habit of studying slowly. Once in a while if I want a change of pace, review content I missed in the books. So this is why I curse myself for not completing Kaplan questions and study earlier.

My 1st NCLEX Experience so you guys would have a feel of it

1. alot of unfamilar meds without common suffix (so i wasted alot of time memorizing wat i did)

2. alot of prioritization ( I am glad I did alot of questions for it, definitely helped)

3. alot of delegation (same with the questions, thank god)

4. alot of EKG reading (wished I reviewed it more)

5. alot of infection control

6. alot of SATA questions

NCLEX PREP TIPS:

1. Study early by doing questions, never hurt! Also, I discovered it defiinitely help with nursing school exams...(why didnt i used it while I was in school, I had the book already and it could had improved my grades)

2.Dont wait too long to take NCLEX, you get lazy and start thinking negative thoughts...also knowledge is still fresh, or more fresh presently than later

3. Do over do it! Start slow and build it up. Take breaks. Try different methods and techniques to change things up. never give up!

NCLEX Taking Advice:

1.Pace yourself, dont aim to finished it fast, aim to finish every question you can correctly...you may pass with the last 60 questions. never give up!

2.You can start writing down notes on the white out board in the beginning, as long as you don't enter the tutorial. Save time.

3. Take Breaks but take them fast! It killed my time and on top of my bad pacing.

4. READ carefully. (dont be like with the questions...omg)

TL;DR

So to conclude, dont be too hard onyourself and dont go crazy over studying..especially if it is inefficient. Cs get degrees and license!!! An average lazy student who missused his resources, half-heartedly studied for a month passed with the worse evaluating method and messed up the amount of questions.

I am positve you readers are more dedicated and careful than I am and definitely are more deserving...your time will come. i laid out everything, i hoped success follows u whereever you go. GOOD LUCK!!

If you have questions or concerns, comment below. I will do my best to guide you.

TOLD YOU IT WAS LONG, but defiinitely worth the read!