December Test Takers Support Group

[wizard100]

So, I finally feel I should not give up......I will be a retaker for 2nd time in December. I felt so low when I failed the test in July'07. I was thinking to take in october but just couldnt get motivated to study. In the meantime, I joined RN-BSN program. So, currently I am in school taking 15 credits of classes. I need to have my RN license before winter so I can do practical in communnity health, a required class for BSN.

After visiting this site almost everyday, reading success stories and encouragement given by one of my wonderful instructor from my ASN program, I am motivated to do it.

So, newcomers as well as retakers, Lets get together, support each other and lets pass the RN test. WE CAN DO IT.

For now, I have started practicing Q&A at least 2 hrs/day from Saunders CD. I will keep you updating and hope you all will share the tips as well.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US. :welcome: TO THE SUPPORT GROUP .

[iel21]

I want to share the preparations i did for the exam plus the experiences i had & some advise...

I used Kaplan and Saunders... I have to say that Saunders is the best comprehensive book. & Kaplan helped me a lot with their test taking strategies plus the qbank & qtrainer helped me with critical thinking in asnwering test questions.

I did the first part of Suzanne's plan but the second part i wasn't able to do coz i focused more on kaplan questions. I suggest if you're still starting to review do the first step of Suzanne's plan. Having answered the test questions at each every chapters gave me a good review of almost all the topics in that book. Then use kaplan questions as it will practice your critical thinking skills.

remember, you cannot memorize everything. it would be impossible to do that. but you should know what are the most important topics..like normal values you have to memorize it. major diseases like DM, CHF, ADDISONS, etc. i will probably make a list if i get the time so you should know what topic to focus on.

Kaplan strategies..it worked for me. yes, the strategies doesn't work at all times but even then still try to use it. I know a lot of people here say that they couldn't afford kaplan so i will make a list of the strategies that you have to put on mind. I reviewed the strategies 2 days before my exam. I was not always using those strategies when i'm answering test questions but on my exam i made sure that i could use the strategies on each questions.

when i took my first exam i used ncsbn online review course. if you can't afford the qbank or qtrainer i think that this will work for you. all the questions here are good & quite similar to the exam. but before you use this make sure that you have enough comprehensive knowledge of the topics. use saunders first then use this site as you practice test questions.

Answer as many test questions as you can. Yes you have to! I think I did almost 5,000 questions. the one i had with ncsbn is not part of that yet. Make sure you read all the rationales..right or wrong answers. then take down notes. if you think that the topic is something that you don't know or you might forget easily then take note of that. after answering test questions for that day try to go over your notes. remember, as you encounter the same topic over & over again, that wouldn't be erased from your mind.

i didn't study for 4 or 6 hours a day. i studied less. sometimes maybe two hours a day is good for me. i answer questions depending on my focus, sometimes i can do a 100 or more but other days i can only do 50. I just make sure that everyday i will be able to learn something new. I take it easy..one at a time, rather than answer over 200 questions a day but you couldn't remember about it the next day.

the week before my exam..that's when i really get serious. i used my kaplan qtrainer. i answered question 5,6 & 7 and i got above 65% so it's a good sign for me. one day i'll answer test 5 then i'll review some notes. then next day i'll go over the rationales. coz i couldn't finish ansewering 200 questions a day then review the rationales the same day. i just get tired i couldn't do it. then 2 days before i review the strategies and i just relax a bit and go over my notes, some meds & normal values.

the day before my exam i think i browsed a bit on pharma and normal values but i was relaxed the whole day. i didn't get a long sleep though coz i get used to sleeping late then wake up early. the morning of my exam i went to church, asked the priest to bless me. i prayed everyday. i offered a prayer of the rosary not only for me and for everyone out here. i pray even before i studied. i prayed on every question of my exam. i felt God was there with me all though out that's why i felt confident. i knew i nailed it. i was happy after my exam.

the first time i took the test i said that the test was really hard. that's because i didn't knew most of the topics.the last time i took it i said the it was easy. coz i recognize the questions. study hard & pray! God is so good! He will guide you. have faith! Goodluck to all!

[tflorn]

eliza,

i am soooo glad to hear the wonderful news. i knew you were going to pass this time around. i have not been on this site in a minute however i am sooo glad to log on and see the good news. i am sooo proud of you. i knew in my heart that you would pass. you were determined to succeed and you did. i am more glad to see that god is getting all the glory. you would have never made it without him, none of us would. you are such an inspiration to all of us (your family here). thats the way to be. you are a rn now girlie! i am sooo proud of you. i never doubted that you would not get it this time. sometimes all a person needs to succeed is a little motivation, inspiration, and lots of prayer to see us thru. merry christmas eliza rn.

[purna12]

Congratulation!!!!! hip hip hurray!!! i knew you would pass.... God is great..he will listen to our prayers!!! i told you that you will have a nice christmas gift... isn't that great!!! wow i am so happy for you. You are a RN now!!!

Hi everyone! I Just found out this afternoon that I passed!!! I couldn't thank everyone enough for all the support you've given me. I'm so thankful that I've found this site coz the support I've here is so overwhelming. Everyone here has its own stories in taking the exam & you guys inspired & motivated me. Thank you all! Now I can put away my books and review notes for good. Goodluck to all those who are still waiting for their results and who are still preparing for the exam. Have faith!! God knows your hearts desire & He will give it you in His time. God is Good!!! If you guys need help in studying I'm very much willing to share my preprations. Study hard & Pray...that's the best key! Have a wonderful Christmas & a Happy New year to all!!!!

thank you to Born-In-the-USA, purna12, IampattyRN, tflorn, massou, suzanne, wizard100 and to all my Decemeber test takers family!!!

[imhopeful]

I read all the good news. I am happy for everyone who has passed. Part of me also asks myself ... why cant it be me???

I found out on Friday ... 14 days exact that I failed the 2nd time around. I felt good after the test and yet I still failed.

Hope everyone will have a better christmas than me.

Thank you to everyone who has read all my posts and goodluck to everyone who will take the test soon.

[iel21]

eliza,

i am soooo glad to hear the wonderful news. i knew you were going to pass this time around. i have not been on this site in a minute however i am sooo glad to log on and see the good news. i am sooo proud of you. i knew in my heart that you would pass. you were determined to succeed and you did. i am more glad to see that god is getting all the glory. you would have never made it without him, none of us would. you are such an inspiration to all of us (your family here). thats the way to be. you are a rn now girlie! i am sooo proud of you. i never doubted that you would not get it this time. sometimes all a person needs to succeed is a little motivation, inspiration, and lots of prayer to see us thru. merry christmas eliza rn.

thank you so much for your support & encouragement! you've inspired me & your prayers helped me a lot to gain my success! you were there when i needed help. i wasn't really able to use the cd that you gave me but i will never forget that you give me a helping hand when i needed it most. i can still remember that i almost cried when i new you passed coz i know you truly deserve it. you're a good person with a big heart. thank you so much! now i'm already a rn like you and this is really a big thing! i can't thank god enough for this wonderful blessing. keep in touch ok. have a wonderful christmas!!! godbless!

[iel21]

Congratulation!!!!! hip hip hurray!!! i knew you would pass.... God is great..he will listen to our prayers!!! i told you that you will have a nice christmas gift... isn't that great!!! wow i am so happy for you. You are a RN now!!!

thank you so much! yes, this is the best christmas gift ever. thanks for your help. you're such a nice person. during the last days of my review you motivated me & you inspired me. God is so good! keep in touch! Happy Holidays!!!

[iel21]

I read all the good news. I am happy for everyone who has passed. Part of me also asks myself ... why cant it be me???

I found out on Friday ... 14 days exact that I failed the 2nd time around. I felt good after the test and yet I still failed.

Hope everyone will have a better christmas than me.

Thank you to everyone who has read all my posts and goodluck to everyone who will take the test soon.

The first time i failed i also asked myself that a lot of times. why can other people passed on their first try & i have to struggle again to give it another shot. i really never new what was God's plan for me. but i still believe that God has reasons for everything. And God knows when's the right time for us. It's okay to feel bad coz everyone feels that way. but then again, i know you will not stop their & give up. if you failed it's already the thing of the past and now you have to move on. You may feel bad about everything, but then you will rise again and give it another try. don't lose hope & keep up your faith! I did feel exhausted a lot of times when i'm studying, but then i still continue what i should do. take a break for now and when you feel ready go study again. God is always with you. you just have to give your trust on Him. Celebrate Christams with joy! Godbless!

[Born-In-The-USA]

iel21, oh my god, i am so so so happy!!!! you did it my friend. I knew you would do it. Perfect news... God brought the glory for you. prayers really work you know... I am just so estatic. I wish we can have party, here's a virtual party congratz for you. :balloons::balloons::balloons::biggringi:biere::smiley_aa:mortarboard::yelclap::loveya::studyowl::Santa2::Present1:

[Born-In-The-USA]

iamhopeful,

dont lose hope. you tried and you should be proud for trying. i know it is hard and rough but god has plans for all of us differently. Take a break and start studying from new year only. I wish you the best in future and you can do it.

[wizard100]

iamhopeful there is always next time. just dont give up and victory will be on your side. everything happens for our own good and may be it did happen for a reason. may be god has own plans for you and your time has not come yet. Just keep your head up and dont lose hope. You will be RN....you just dont give up. i know how it exactly feels.

[Born-In-The-USA]

hi everyone! i just found out this afternoon that i passed!!! !!

good lord, congratulations!!!!

:welcome: to the rn world!!!!:balloons:

another rn in the house!!!! pass us the luck too !!!!

[Born-In-The-USA]

i have decided my test to take on jan 18th. my december family please pray for me as well ok.