Graduated 7 years ago and PASSED NCLEX-RN the first time

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I just passed NCLEX for the first time with 85 questions in 2.5 hrs. This is surreal. I went to the testing center with confidence but I felt awful and sick after the test.lol!

I was an avid reader here, looking for tips and study materials to pass nclex. Now its my turn to share some things I did that worked for myself. First of all, I am a foreign grad from the Philippines. I graduated 7 years ago. I practiced 3 years in the Philippines as an RN. I came here in US in 2011. I knew that I have to work on my content and strategies in answering nclex style questions.

Materials I used:

Hurst review online- really helped me bigtime. I based most of my decisions in answering the questions during the test from the core content that I learned from Hurst. After watching each topic, I discuss it to myself like I'm discussing in a class (sounds crazy but it worked for me) It is my way of putting things to my long term memory. My content helped me build up confidence.

Saunders 4th Ed - I did not read the whole book but I just went through some topics that are not covered in Hurst. I also did the practice questions from the cd by systems. Saunders is a very good source of content, it is just overwhelming for me.

Kaplan Content Review Guide (Free from Kindle)- I learned the Decision Tree from this book. It helped me a lot in Strategies. Awesome book. The meds section is great too.

Kaplan Mini-Qbank app - I think this is for iOS only (not sure) It has 182 questions and I divided to 30 questions everytime I answer. My scores were ranging from 67%-75%. Very helpful too.

PDA by La Charity - I loooove this book! For me, it's Epic. I used the same approach of answering this book when I answered Nclex priority questions. My scores were ranging from 61-86.

I have to confess that I did not answered thousands of questions. I only did like 50 a day, sometimes, just a chapter in PDA but I make sure I really understand the rationale(like why did I chose or not chose that answer, do I have the same reason as in the book?). But I recommend that you practice more than this because it will really build up your confidence. When I was on my way to the testing center, I was telling myself "oh its just another practice test I'm taking in pearson vue office" lol

Everytime I start studying I always pray that I absorb the things I'm studying and may all these work I put will bring me to success. On my way and before I start the test, I prayed that I encounter the topics I know and be calm during the test. I prayed for wisdom, calmness, strength and for gratitude that I made this far. Prayer worked for me 100%

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Sorry for the long post, I just want to give the message to you guys that If I made it, you can make it too. I had a lot of anxieties knowing I'm a foreign grad 7 years ago, but I worked on conquering that. You just have to stick to your goals, basically, to become an RN. I know there are times you are not motivated to study, tell me about it, I've been there...that's the time when you need to take a break. Let your brain rest too. Thank you allnurses family and Goodluck to future test takers.

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Your post is such a big help! Congratulations!!!! :up:

thank you for sharing you story. Wishing you all the best ;)

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Congrats & thanks for sharing!

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I just passed NCLEX for the first time with 85 questions in 2.5 hrs. This is surreal. I went to the testing center with confidence but I felt awful and sick after the test.lol!

I was an avid reader here, looking for tips and study materials to pass nclex. Now its my turn to share some things I did that worked for myself. First of all, I am a foreign grad from the Philippines. I graduated 7 years ago. I practiced 3 years in the Philippines as an RN. I came here in US in 2011. I knew that I have to work on my content and strategies in answering nclex style questions.

Materials I used:

Hurst review online- really helped me bigtime. I based most of my decisions in answering the questions during the test from the core content that I learned from Hurst. After watching each topic, I discuss it to myself like I'm discussing in a class (sounds crazy but it worked for me) It is my way of putting things to my long term memory. My content helped me build up confidence.

Saunders 4th Ed - I did not read the whole book but I just went through some topics that are not covered in Hurst. I also did the practice questions from the cd by systems. Saunders is a very good source of content, it is just overwhelming for me.

Kaplan Content Review Guide (Free from Kindle)- I learned the Decision Tree from this book. It helped me a lot in Strategies. Awesome book. The meds section is great too.

Kaplan Mini-Qbank app - I think this is for iOS only (not sure) It has 182 questions and I divided to 30 questions everytime I answer. My scores were ranging from 67%-75%. Very helpful too.

PDA by La Charity - I loooove this book! For me, it's Epic. I used the same approach of answering this book when I answered Nclex priority questions. My scores were ranging from 61-86.

I have to confess that I did not answered thousands of questions. I only did like 50 a day, sometimes, just a chapter in PDA but I make sure I really understand the rationale(like why did I chose or not chose that answer, do I have the same reason as in the book?). But I recommend that you practice more than this because it will really build up your confidence. When I was on my way to the testing center, I was telling myself "oh its just another practice test I'm taking in pearson vue office" lol

Everytime I start studying I always pray that I absorb the things I'm studying and may all these work I put will bring me to success. On my way and before I start the test, I prayed that I encounter the topics I know and be calm during the test. I prayed for wisdom, calmness, strength and for gratitude that I made this far. Prayer worked for me 100%

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Sorry for the long post, I just want to give the message to you guys that If I made it, you can make it too. I had a lot of anxieties knowing I'm a foreign grad 7 years ago, but I worked on conquering that. You just have to stick to your goals, basically, to become an RN. I know there are times you are not motivated to study, tell me about it, I've been there...that's the time when you need to take a break. Let your brain rest too. Thank you allnurses family and Goodluck to future test takers.

Hi, congrats on passing nclex and thanks for your post. I'm a foreign grad too, batch 2008. I'm just wondering how many months did you study and how many hours per day? Or if you don't mind sharing how you study? Thanks and Godbless. :)

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I'm agree with greensilhouette 100%. I also used hurst to study for my Nclex and it really gave me a good understanding of the core content. From knowing the content, i moved on to answering questions. I really like PDA by LaCharity because it helped prioritize which patient I should see first. Make sure you know the meds because there was quite a few on my test. Know the generic name because some questions will only give generic name of the drug so by knowing only the brand name of the drug will not help in answering the question. Also, I didn't have many SATA questions like how everyone mentioned...it does not mean you are not doing well in the test. I passed my test with 75 questions. During the test, I was worried because I didn't get that many SATA question. I was worried that I was not getting "the higher level" questions, but please don't worry if you are not getting as many SATA questions as your friend who took the nclex before you. My friend also recommended the NCSBN.....i think it's 1000 questions with rationales. They are they same people who wrote the Nclex so the question format is similar to the Nclex. Good luck to those who will be taking their Nclex soon.

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nerie018, Thank you! I studied for a month, 5-6 hours during the day just going through contents and at night I do practice questions until I'm tired.lol. I listen to Hurst lecture in the morning, in the afternoon I go over Saunders just to see whatever is not included in the Hurst lecture then discuss the whole system to myself. I tried to master each topic, without memorizing but by understanding. At night, I would do Saunders question based on the system I was studying that day. I studied per body system. Two weeks after building up my content foundation, I just practice on answering prioritization questions.So for the last two weeks before my test, I just did practice questions most of the time. I would still scan my book just for reference. I also memorized the labs,some ekgs and some meds. Just try to make a study plan that is attainable based on your daily schedule. You can do this. Hard but possible. Good luck.

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Hello. I graduated in the philippines too class 2010. i have taken the nclex 4 times already but failed. the first and second try i was very unprepared and then 3rd and 4th try i reviewed with saunders only and then some questions out of lippincotts. I would love to be able to share my story of success on here one day. Im feeling lost and hopeless but no time moping around and time to get back on the saddle. Wish me luck guys!

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Hello. I graduated in the philippines too class 2010. i have taken the nclex 4 times already but failed. the first and second try i was very unprepared and then 3rd and 4th try i reviewed with saunders only and then some questions out of lippincotts. I would love to be able to share my story of success on here one day. Im feeling lost and hopeless but no time moping around and time to get back on the saddle. Wish me luck guys!

Hi booger116, sorry to hear your story. Maybe you need to assess your weakness. Do you have enough content foundation? Do you need to work on testing strategies? Ask yoursel then go from there. Do not lose hope. Keep going, keep studying, you'll get there. Study smart. I recommend the materials I used from my post but its always up to you to decide which ones you think will help you. I wish you success.

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This is very helpful and inspiring. :) I'm also a foreign grad from Philippines and it has been 5 years since I graduated. I will take the test 36 days from now. I hope I'll pass the first time like you did. :) CONGRATS NURSE! :D

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This is very helpful and inspiring. :) I'm also a foreign grad from Philippines and it has been 5 years since I graduated. I will take the test 36 days from now. I hope I'll pass the first time like you did. :) CONGRATS NURSE! :D

Good luck to you. You can do it, just believe in yourself. You have to be confident with your knowledge. You may memorize the lab values, some Meds, growth&devt,etc. but with the nursing concepts, just understand them. When answering questions, ask yourself "if I pick this option, what will happen to the client?" Show to the boards that you are a safe nurse. NCLEX is about safety. Do a lot of practice questions to help enhance critical thinking skills. You got this. Wish you success.

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Hi. I'm new to this forum and looking for post that could help me in my situation. Just like all of you in this thread, I'm out of school for a very long time. Last hospital experience was 2010. A foreign grad as well from Philippines. I'll be taking nclex rn here in Florida this coming February and your comments are really helpful. Thank you! Just wondering though, once I pass the exam, will there be any hospital that would hire me since I graduated 9 yrs ago then last hospital experience was on 2010? I'm thinking about nurse residency program offered by various hospitals but not quiet sure if I'm fit to apply since I graduated for a very long time... Any suggestions?

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