Filipino Nurses who passed the NCLEX without the help of Review Center

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 2, 2009

There is a process to endorse NCLEX passing without endorsing the license.
California is a wonderful state to live and work in, so if you want to do that then you should apply there.
In order to save money and time really the best thing to do is to apply to the state you want to end up in since BON policies are changing all the time and endorsement may not be a viable option in the future for a foreign nurse.
Regardless of viable or not, it is always expensive.

Not always the best to apply straight to Ca. They really are the one state we really don't recommend for initial application as they will destroy your file unless you provide them with a SSN within 3 years and with retrogression lasting longer you can loose NCLEX results if file is destroyed. An extension isn't always guaranteed with them

Hushdawg · Jun 3, 2009

True, extensions are only available if you can prove that you have worked or have maintained continuing education and they can validate what you've been up to and that it is up to their requirement standards.

diapersprinkles, MSN · Dec 9, 2009

1. what are the materials that you used?

i was supposed to read saunders cover-to-cover but i was unable to do so because i have been working 12 hour shifts lately (toxic!). i have read saunders only up to chapter 21 (sheesh). i figured that i won't be able to finish reading saunders so i just tried to answer nclex style questions from cds during my rest day and when i have free time. i used nclex-rn review made incredibly easy and the saunders cd.

2. how many hours per day did you study? how many questions did you answer per day?

it depends. when i received my att, i even made a study schedule, but i wasn't able to follow it because our schedule changes every week. it's very hard to establish a fixed study period because i'm also working and i work different shifts (and most of the time, 12hr shifts) every day or every other day. one day i'm from night duty, the next day i'm on a morning/afternoon duty. it's very difficult especially when i'm already very, very tired from work. i usually spend 30mins to an hour to answer questions but it's not on a daily basis. i make up for it during my rest days by answering a lot of nclex questions the whole day. i have answered only around 1500 questions all in all.

3. how many days or months in total have you studied before taking the exam?

around 3 months, but as i mentioned earlier, not on a daily basis. i only had 12 rest days during those 3 months wherein i had the chance to really seriously study. i was scheduled to write the exam on the last week of november but i had it moved until the final day of my att validity because i am so not prepared to take the exam. i just had no choice but to take it at this time because it will expire already. have i had no work and more time to study, i would've studied more thoroughly.

4. what are the specific strategies that you used or the test taking skills you applied during the exam?

prioritization, maslows, abc. good thing there was a chapter about that on the early part of saunders. however, i still had difficulty on prioritization questions during the exam because most of the time, the choices/cases/situations all require the nurse's immediate attention. it took me a long time to answer those questions because i still have to analyze each situation. i was putting myself in the situation and kept asking myself that if i am the nurse, who will i assess first. i also had difficulty with the select all that apply questions! it was even harder for me because i have not memorized normal laboratory values, foods that are rich in this and that, cranial nerves, etc. i guess it's the combination of stock (and unstuck) knowledge, good test taking strategies, and sheer luck. read the questions and choices carefully and analyze. when i took my nclex, i hid the timer button so i won't get conscious of the time i spend answering the questions. i'm not telling you to ignore the time or take too long answering the questions, it's just because i can't think properly when i'm constantly reminded by how much time i have left. i have encountered a lot of questions where i have totally no idea of the answer! i try to make an intelligent guess and make sure that i get the answers right on the questions that i am familiar with (which has been harder for me because i have a lot of select all that apply questions-one wrong check, everything's wrong). i have also used a lot the process of elimination... and lots of prayers!

5. take one or take two?

take one. passed at 75 items. thank god!

though i passed, i am still wishing that i was given the time to really study for the exam... that would probably make my nclex experience less excruciating. what i have written above is just my own experience of studying while working. have i been given more time, i would've studied more thoroughly.

i have been waiting so long to contribute to this thread and now i finally can! thank you for all your inputs. it has helped me a lot.

zoe062209 · Dec 12, 2009

ho to diapersprinkles! congrats,working while studying is pretty hard great job hope i can do what u did

plz give me some bits of advices

badbach66 · Jan 26, 2010

Hi, just a quick question for nclex passers out there. Is the nclex result subject to expiration, like the IELTs? I'm having second thoughts wether to take the nclex or not due to the ongoing retrogression. Hoping for your thoughts regarding this matter. Thanks!

nursemich · Jan 26, 2010

If you are a Filipino and a registered nurse in CA but do not have a SSN, then you will not be given a license. SSN is a requirement to have a license in CA and if you cannot provide that within three years, your file with them will be deleted. Hence, considering your NCLEX as expired and you have to take it again. But you can apply for endorsement to other state before your file will be deleted.

On the other hand, for initial application if you are in the Philippines, it is highly recommended to apply in other states, where they issue license even without an SSN like in VT where I registered. My license has expired and I just renewed it just a few months ago.

Hushdawg · Jan 27, 2010

NCLEX never expires. Once you are an NCLEX passer you are ALWAYS an NCLEX passer. Your license, on the other hand, does not expire.

You can also renew your license, you don't have to endorse.

Most states will not accept endorsement from california for foreign nurses, so bear that in mind. You should apply for licensure from the stat you intend on living/working.

If you apply to California and endorse, you'll end up spending twice the amount of money and time than if you'd just apply to the intended state in the first place.

You cannot use California as a "back door" to get into the USA easily.

anurse28 · Jan 28, 2010

does NY needs SSN too for the license to be issued?

i am planning to transfer my file from CA to NY.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 28, 2010

Just like to point out that NCLEX can expire. The BON can decide if you haven't nursed for several years and you haven't kept your license in order then the BON can state you need to resit the exam.

jms8 · Feb 1, 2010

what other states does not need SSN in order to get a license?

Hushdawg · Feb 2, 2010

what other states does not need SSN in order to get a license?

This is still the wrong question to ask.

You seem to miss the point entirely.

You're not getting a license for the USA, you are getting a license to practice nursing in a particular state. You need to decide which state you intend on moving to and apply for a license there. Then once you pass NCLEX, whether or not you are issued a license, you can at least move on to immigration or finding a job, etc... then you'll get your SSN and get the license issued.

You can still renew even if you don't have a physical license, it's just a little harder.

jms8 · Feb 3, 2010

ok thanks! so i guess i need to take the nclex and look for an employer