I wanted to share my story for anyone who is struggling with fear about the NCLEX...Fear held me back for so long, but with patience and perseverance, I was able to finally pass. If I can do it, anybody who has finished a nursing program can do it. Yes the road is difficult and at times tiring, but keep believing, and no matter how long it takes, it will happen.
When I was a student in the BSN program, I found it very difficult. Each semester was a struggle for me trying to comprehend all the information. I worked hard and I gave it my absolute best. I survived nursing school by giving it my all, though there were many times that I felt I was going to fail and be expelled from the program.
My last semester of nursing was a relief in that I knew that it was the last time I was going to struggle to survive. At the same time, the work load was so much that I started to think of my day to day activities. Although graduation was only a semester away, it did not feel real to me. The time when we finished all our assignments and took a few days before graduation is when I felt it.
Graduation was the happiest day of my life. With the happiness I had fear in the back of my mind about the NCLEX-RN. When we took HESI exit exam which they say predicts success for NCLEX-RN, my score was so low only about 450 out of a thousand something. I was very afraid that I felt I was the only student who is totally unprepared for NCLEX. I also felt like I may never pass.
I graduated on December 2012 from my nursing program. After graduation, I was very overwhelmed I did not know how to study, I did not know what to study.
I brought the Saunders book the 5th edition and I also had access to the Kaplan classroom anywhere. I attended the Kaplan class but I did not see the tap for the q bank or q trainer. All I did was read the entire Saunders book. Then to practice some questions I did the Kaplan strategy book.
Five months later on May 2013, I went to the testing center. I did not know what to expect. I arrived at 12 PM and the test began. I tried to concentrate on each question, and after two hours, the computer asked me if I wanted a break. At that time, I was almost at 100, so because my friends told me their test ended in about 130, I assumed I only had 30 or so questions to go, thus I rejected the offer for a break.
Then I tried hard to keep concentrating on each question, and before I knew it, the next break was offered. This time I was starting to feel tired, so I took a bathroom break. I went back in and I started to just give out answers hoping the computer would stop giving me questions. At this point, I was not thinking critically, I was just picking out answers that appeared to make sense to me without any kind of evidence support.
I remember I wanted the test to end so badly because my mind was not concentrating. Finally at the maximum 265 questions the test was over. I raised my hand to get the assistance of the lady who was conducting the test, but because I had been there for so long it was another lady that came to assist me. I went home very glad that it was over.
I did not know what to expect when I paid pearsonvue to find out the result. I opened it and I saw the word FAIL. I was devastated but I got over it overtime.
I went back to studying. I regretted not doing the Kaplan resources. So this time I did everything they said to do. I read the E-book, watched lecture videos, did all the qbank and q trainers. I studied all the rationals. Finally on January 31,2014, I went to the testing center to begin my test at 8am. I prepared to expect all 265 questions. I brought lunch. I promised myself I will take breaks this time.
I concentrated on each question, and I remember it was getting harder and harder. An hour and a half later I reached question 75. I promised myself that I will take the break then but when I clicked next the computer shut off.
I don't know how to describe what I felt. But I remember feeling like I failed it. I left the testing center feeling defeated but then on my way home I decided to go to a local community college and do the pearsonvue trick. When I arrived at the college I saw a guy with a laptop I asked him if I can please check an important message. He allowed me and when I tried to re-register my heart was racing and when I had the good pop up I was relieved. It really took the stress away and exactly 48 hours later my official result said pass.
iptlaws
1 Post
congratulation, you deserved