How I passed NCLEX 2014

[yellowbean314]

Let me start by saying that since I started nursing school and getting on AN I've been waiting to tell my story like so many others. So here goes!

Timeline:

Graduated in May

Applied for NCLEX and paid Pearson Vue in June

Received ATT in August

Took and PASSED NCLEX September 18th

License on the BRN September 20th!

The only study material I used to prepare for NCLEX was Kaplan. I purchased this because I heard good things about Kaplan and even though they are expensive they offer a money back guarantee if you fail. Oh yeah and they have a payment plan option which helped me afford it. I started studying end of June or early August when I realized I was not testing soon so I stopped. Once I received my ATT I studied for 3 weeks, just M-F and for about 3-4hrs a day. I would take a 50 question test a day, read EVERY RATIONALE, and look up any content I did not understand. I did not make flash cards, take notes or anything. I stopped studying the day before my exam and relaxed the whole day trying not to think about testing or anything. Here are my scores:

Diagnostic: 68

Readiness: 75

QT 1: 53

QT 2: 64

QT 3: 58

QT 4: 63

QT 5: 61

QT 6: 70 took after I finished the Q bank and my exam was 2 days away

QT 7: 65 took 1 day before the exam

Q bank was 100% complete with 61%

The areas I struggled with were management of care, infection control, and health promotion. In those areas I scored below 60 and I believe it was close to 50. So I watched the Kaplan videos and went over some of those questions. I also looked over the 35 page study guide that's going around here but there was info on there that would conflict with what I would learn and I started to become confused, so I would definitely say stick to one study material or whatever makes you comfortable.

Now onto the day I took the NCLEX I got there about 30 mins early because I knew I was going to be nervous. My testing site did not allow phones in AT ALL so I had to walk back to the car and leave it in there. After coming back I sat down with some instructions I had to look over and I was shaking so bad I read every word like twice because I was not understanding anything! Sat down to take the exam and I just prayed. I said the prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino and just prayed that my nerves would calm down so I could focus on the test. First question out I went blank, I had no idea what it was asking and had to read it several times. I was still shaking so I took some deep breaths and prayed again! I got to question 75 and prayed that it wouldn't shut off if I didn't pass and it didn't. At 90ish I just knew I was going to 265 because I felt that I would know some answers but then miss a lot. My computer shut down at 100 and I left the testing site feeling happy. I was happy that this was over, no matter if I passed or not I had just took the NCLEX and I felt accomplished by that.

I was scared to try the new PVT but did anyways and got the good pop up. It made me feel a little better but I was still scared. Overall, I did not feel like I knew the answers to a lot of the questions but I tried to eliminate the answers that I knew were wrong and just made an educated guess on the answer I chose. There are no quick results in my state so I thought I would have to wait a few weeks but 48hrs later my name and license number was posted. No words describe how I feel and this post is probably long because I'm so excited!!

For anyone who is struggling in nursing school or with studying for the NCLEX DON'T GIVE UP! I went through so many obstacles during school and while I was studying for the NCLEX that I wanted to give up so bad. Divorce, moving, surgery, and stressing about personal issues on top of nursing school issues. Before I started studying for the NCLEX my family and friends were informed I would be going back to isolation and facebook and instagram were deactivated or deleted. Do whatever you need to succeed!

Thank you to everyone who has posted their NCLEX story because I would read them and get hope that I could also pass the exam. Good luck to those studying for the NCLEX and to those taking it soon, claim that you will be an RN

[laughlove]

Congratulations! It great to hear successful stories, it gives hope to the rest of us.

I took mine today for my second attempt and didn't get the good pop up...i don't think I was this frustrated/upset/sad as when I found out about my 1 attempt.

I used hurst, ncbsn, and pda. I'm considering about using kaplan.I really hope it offers great strategies and just whatever help I need to pass it on my third attempt. Question- does kaplan have many SATA and priority questions? If you can give me a detail in what it offers that would be great! !

Although my confidence is broken to pieces I have faith in God and I pray that he sees through that I pass nclex on my next attempt.

Congrats again!

[yellowbean314]

I'm sorry to hear that but keep your faith. Know that you will pass when its Gods timing and sometimes our clocks are not set the same as our heavenly fathers. I will keep you in my prayers for sure! There are a lot of priority and delegation questions on kaplan and they even have a sample test that is all alternative questions like SATA, hot spot, drag and drop etc. I had access to kaplans videos that correlate with the test plan of NCLEX, the qbank has 1200 or 1300 questions plus 7 q trainer test which are over 150 questions each I believe. You have the option of going to class for 4 days or you can take it online, I chose to go to the in person class where we just went over questions and rationales all day. You also have access to their free review ebook you can download for free on the kindle app. There's a money back guarantee as long as you follow some rules so definitely look at that. Kaplan focuses on questions and not really content but if you need the content you can always look at the book it is brief though but I found it helpful. The rationales are really great and they offer strategies to help you make the best choice you can on the NCLEX. I used this when I would get stuck while studying and also on NCLEX. I hope this helps but let me know if you have any more questions