How I passed NCLEX-RN second time!

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Hey everyone, I am new to this site, but I JUST passed my NCLEX-RN!!! I am officially a Registered Nurse! wow.. I still can't believe it really.. This website helped me a TON, so I thought I would pay back the favor and share with those preparing for their NCLEX and how I passed mine.

So as you can see, I took the NCLEX twice... First time.. I got all 265 questions.. It was so dreadful. I left the testing site balling my eyes out just because I knew I had failed, when I got home I did the PVT and got the "bad pop up", and I just knew I had officially failed, waited the 48 hours, and officially found out that I failed, at that point i had already cried for two days, so I wasn't completely stunned when I saw the words "FAIL" on my screen. I took a few days off from studying (more like a week) and then decided to come up with a game plan. I read, probably 50 different testimonials of people re taking their tests on this site and got some ideas on how I should approach my studying.

Study Materials:

  1. Saunders comprehensive
  2. PDA by Lacharity
  3. Hurst review book
  4. Kaplan book, and Kaplan course online with all of the questions.
  5. I also used that 35 page study guide that I have seen float around here.

I had read SO many great things about Saunders, and honestly it really is a great book, but for this time around I didn't even use it, I read probably.. 3 chapters, and that's it. Am I mad I spent $100 on it? No, because I think even in my nursing career it will be very helpful to read about different disease processes.

I had taken Hurst review before I even graduated, heard it was a really beneficial study course, and it definitely was, and when I graduated I took Kaplan. So when I studied NCLEX for the first time I only used Kaplan, and obviously that didn't work out for me. So this time what I did was ALL HURST (for content). I can not say enough great things about Hurst review. What I found when I took my test the first time is as i was reading each question I felt like I didn't even know what they were asking, or what they were talking about, so I thought.. Wow I really need a content refresher. That is exactly what Hurst did for me, really helped my understand content 100 times better than ever before. Some people might not like watching all of those videos online, but I loved them. Some were over an hour long each, but I thought the time went by really fast, took lots of notes and made review cards for all the information that I wasn't too sure about.

Ok, so I did Hurst, and then for practice questions I used the PDA book, and Kaplan (if you fail NCLEX the first time, you can either get your money back, or retake Kaplan for free) Once I started understanding content better, Kaplan questions seemed easier, and was very beneficial the second time around. Here are my scores I got on my Kaplan Question Trainers:

QT1: 66

QT2: 60

QT3: 63

QT4: 71

QT5: 71

QT6: 70

QT7: 71

Readiness: 62

QBank: 60% completed and 66 average

(first time around I was getting all percentages in the 50's, so you can see how much better I was doing on these second time around, just by understanding content better)

I also took all of the Hurst Tests too

When I rescheduled my test I had 5 weeks to prep for it, I made a study schedule, but didn't 100% stick to it, but it did help keep me on track a bit, also making flash cards really helped!! I would listen to hurst lectures for a couple days, then sit a do a question trainer and Qbank questions, then go back to Hurst, then more questions.. Did this the entire time, then when I had about 4 days until my test I used that 35 page study guide that has floated around this site, I made flash cards on the entire thing! (like I said flash cards really work for me, find what works for you!) also, I studied up until i went in to take my test, (its what I would always do before a nursing test in school so I wanted some familiarity) Just a side note.. I know that both Kaplan and Hurst are very expensive review courses, so if you can not afford both, I would recommend Hurst over Kaplan, and then use PDA and Saunders for questions, or if you can't afford either review course, I would recommend using Saunders for content and questions, and PDA for questions.

Tips:

Study like it is your job, do what works for you, and what helps you retain information (like.. the flash cards, recording your voice for content, listening to lectures, eating lots of sugar, drinking coffee, exercising...) this time studying I switched up my study spots, went to the library often which helped me stay more focused. Also this time around, the week before I took the test I was more chill, I hung out with people, went to church, went shopping, I studied every day but also did what made me happy and helped keep me relaxed.

Biggest thing.. BELIEVE in yourself!!! YOU made it through Nursing school!! I read not long ago that a nursing degree is one of the hardest programs to get through, if you got through that, don't let this test stand in your way of becoming a great nurse. A couple weeks before my test I took a dry erase marker and wrote all over my mirror in my room, wrote my name with RN next to it, and inspirational quotes to help me get through. Also, God and prayer were the number one reasons I got through this process. I get really stressed and anxious easily, and God is really the only thing that helped me stay calm during my studying process and during my test taking. When I got into the test taking facility I wrote a bible verse on my board, and it really helped keep my mind focus, never underestimate the power of prayer!

So now, when I took my NCLEX for the second time, I walked in with confidence, prayed and read my bible before, and believed that I was going to walk out of there a RN, I passed with 113 questions, did the PVT when I got home and got the "good pop up", and two days later I found out I passed. Like I said earlier in this post I still can't really believe that I am done, but I am so beyond thankful, and I am so excited to starting working as a RN.

Final thoughts, please please believe in yourself, find an encouraging friend, pray often, and keep positive, I know you can do it!

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Specializes in BLS, ACLS,PALS.

Thank you for posting this, i am taking the nclex for the second time in october 1 st and i have 5 weeks just like you as of today pretty much.

i am terrified because i keep asking myself when i am going to be an actual registered nurse.

I have come up with a schdedule as follows: will you let me know what you think?

My below passing were: Safety and infection control, basic care and Health promotion - so i have decided to do 1 full week of those three in content, question in Kaplan and rationales.

2nd week- all question trainers ecept for 7.

3rd week - will be finishing the rest of the categories in Kaplan from qbank

Rest of the time - will be doing the NCSBN learning extension which is 3 weeks or 15 days to complete and some SATA questions since i know for sure i got all those wrong in NCLEX.

4 days before my NCLEX i plan to review that 35pg study guide and to take qtrainer 7 from Kaplan to see how i have done since this is all in Analysis and Application.

What do you think? Is it too much, not enough? I also need content - so i am thinking reading on the kaplan Ebook for content and doing their questions would help. ....

Thank you agian,

I also want to pass it this time and move forward.

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What is the "bad" pop up? Is it "Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time?" ~~bracing myself~~

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Specializes in BLS, ACLS,PALS.

No. It's actually the one where you get to go to the credit card page. That's the good pop up

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Thanks. I never got the message saying I had passed but I also never got sent to the credit card screen, so I was a mess for 3 days. Then saw my license on the Maryland BON site and cried!! So glad the exam is over. I really wish I had found these tips prior to taking the test - they seem like they would have helped a ton.

Good luck to all who are taking the NCLEX!

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Congratulations! I am using Hurst online now for my 2nd try to pass the nclex rn. I am going to take the advices you have posted in here. Hope it helps me, too!

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Specializes in BLS, ACLS,PALS.

Gooduck. Keep me posted.

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Specializes in BLS, ACLS,PALS.

Hello, just thought i would update what i have been doing , so far i have finished most of hurst i only have maternity and peds left. I have loved their review, it has helped me alot in content which i needed. I just took the first Question trainer in Kaplan which i had gotten a 58% last back in July and today after 75 questions and a break at 50 question, i got a 69.3%. The only one below 60% was Safety and infection control. The rest were all above 60 and high.

I am so impressed on how much i have improved. I still have 2 q/2 more weeks so i am finishing all the Qbank for Kaplan and all 7 question trainers along with SATA questions.

What do you all think?

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