How i passed the nclex-rn. A story to help others.

[schaviano]

Hello,

This is the story of how I passed the NCLEX-RN. The main reason for me to tell it is to help others as the same way I was helped when I needed it.

I don't know how to start, because I'm not good at telling stories. Lol. I guess I should start by introducing myself. My name is Alejandro and I'm a 26 years old guy. I graduated from a school outside the US back in Sep/ 2009.

I studied very hard to achieve this goal of becoming a Registered Nurse and I prepared very hard for me to pass the test. I studied Saunders 4th edition, Kaplan's blue book, Kaplan's Q. Bank, Exam Cram, and many other material I found in the web. I prepared myself for the big moment for about a year and a month ( It took long time because of the paperwork of transferring my school credentials to the US. and to have the Board to give me the approval letter).

I was sooooo nervous, I didn't know what to spect and I wanted to pass this test so bad. I remember I scheduled my test 2 months before and every time I was closer to the date I was feeling more and more UNPREPARED. I remember I wasn't getting LOW scores (about 60) in every test I took, and I remember getting in this web site every time and I was happy when I saw people telling they pass and visualizing myself passing, but also felt really bad when I saw the people posting that the Fail many times.

Finally, the big day came. It was OCTOBER, 29TH 2010 at 8.00 AM. I don't have a car so I asked a friend of mine to give the ride to the location. When I got to the testing center, OMG, when checking in, the lady told me I could not take the test because my driver's license said my 2 last names (I'm Latin) but the ATT only had my first last name, not my second. OMG I had to deal with all that stress. I didn't get enough sleep the night before, I had diarrhea because of the nerves. I had to get on the phone with my Board of Nursing, they wanted me to send them my Passport and many other documents I did not have at that moment. Long story short, after faxing documents many times and at 11.30 AM (3 1/2 hours later ), I could sit for the test.

My nerves were....... When I submitted my question 75th..... the computer gave me the 76th.... mmmmm.... At 86th questions, I was given the chance to get a break, which I took. and when I got back on the test, I had more questions to complete until the machine stopped at 104.

I felt very bad because I prepared myself sooooo hard for this test that I could not afford financially, morally, and in many other ways, not to pass this test. I got home and tryed the PTV....... It went straight to the credit card page and I felt like never before. Tired, angry, depressed, and I just got on bed and didn't want to know about anything or anyone till 2 or 3 days later. I hope those of you reading never have to feel how bad it is when you read in the official results: FAIL.

Well, one of my main attributes is that I am persistent and I had one thing very clear: It didn't matter how many times I had to take the NCLEX-RN but I wanted to pass it before I died. That was one thing I had to do. That was a goal to reach.

5 days after the bad news, I got back on track and sent the paperwork again to the Board of Nursing. They gaved me the approval, and a day before I was scheduling my test date, I got a letter from the Board of Nursing telling me I never submitted the results from my TOEFL (English test) and because of that they were taking away my permition to sit for the test until I took and passed the TOEFL test. I didn't have the money, neither the time. But I had to do it, and I did it. After all, the BON sent me My approval letter "AGAIN" and I could schedule my SECOND TIME.

If I studied hard the first time, this second time was indescribable. I was studied 12 hours a day. This time, I found that Kaplan didn't help me much the first time so I decided to do Saunders with a book that every body told me, which is LaCharty. I strongly recommend that book. It help me A LOT in many things and I also bought an OLD book but very good one called Interpersonal Relations in Nursing. I had problems when treating my patients looking at them as "BY THE BOOK AND THEORETICAL" but not as Humans. That last book help me to reach a balance between the Nurse and the Person inside of me.

Even though I was prepared I felt very anxious and UNSECURED. That was the time I came here to this site and read a story of someone like me (with a lot of similarities) and If you read his story and mine will find that they are very similar. His name is Bryan and this is the link to his post: https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/its-official-im-542909.html

After reading his post I realized that what I needed was GOD in my life. I believed in God and prayed to him. But I realized that in the end of my soul, my relationship between me and "HIM/HER/ IT" wasn't the best one. And realized that it wasn't because of God, but it was because of ME. I don't want to sound fanatical here and neither the most spiritual person in earth. But, what I'm trying to communicate through this lines is that no matter if you call it Jehovah, Yave, Ala, Buda, Yemaya, Adonai or simply GOD. Or in what language you pray to GOD. He always listen to us if we do it with faith. I only told him that He knew how hard I needed this and if in my hand I have what it takes to save lives to let me pass this test, but if I'm not prepared, I only asked for strength to accept it and to keep preparing myself.

I prayed very hard for the 5 days before my test and specially the day of my test. I decided this time to go alone to the test center ( just because I din't want to feel someone was waiting for me outside) so I took my time for everything. This time I didn't schedule my test in the morning, I did it at 2 pm. I got to sleep well the night before and on the test day, I got a shower, shaved, and felt no pressure at all. I had 2 hours in public transportation and all the time calm like never before and I got to the test center at 11 AM. It was too early for Pearson Vue to let me take my test so the lady this time told me I had to wait. I waited until 1 PM (1 hour before my scheduled time) and I felt sooooo calm and relaxed. Honestly the test was HARDDDDDDD. Worse than the first time. But I was calm all the time and it took 3 hours and a half for me to reach 75 questions, when the system STOPPED.

I wasn't sure if I did it too good or too bad, but I did the best I could. Its normal to feel UNSURE after a big test like this, but even though I wasn't sure I passed or not, I maintained myself calm at all times and with a wired feeling inside. When I got home I did the PTV and..... The GOOD POP UP SHOWED UP. I started crying like a baby, like never before, I couldn't believe it, but it was a very special sensation to feel that all that you have worked so hard for, is finally accomplished. I prayed even more thanking My God, Our God and I could sit hours and hours telling you my experience because this is just a small thing of the entire story but I don't want to get you bored ( if you are not bored at this time already) lol.

Today I check the BON web site and I see my License Number and It's something I sincerely wish all of you to achieve.

Things to remember:

-You can if you keep trying.

-Study and do a lot of questions.

-If you feel you are not ready, don't worry, must of all feel the same way on the big day, just have faith on you and in God.

-If you believe in God, pray a lot, He does miracles.

-If you don't believe in God, look something you believe in, and have faith in it. Because faith and a good attitude is a very special thing that you need in order to PASS not only this test, but the big one too (LIFE).

-I found the book: "THE SECRET" to help me too. So, if you are not a person who prays to God, you can read that book and have a different approach. It is a start.

-Believe in you, because if you don't do it, nobody will.

-Every thing is possible.

Thank you Bryan for your post. Special thanks to my partner for his support. And I have no way to write how thankful I feel with MI DIOS ( My God in Spanish) to help me sooooo much.

I know I may receive some messages via this way congratulating myself. I just want you to know that every congratulation I may receive will be a thanks to GOD and GOOD ENERGY for those of you who need it.

You are not alone, you have a very special friend with you at all times.

My prayers to all presenting this or any special test. Or having hard times.

GOD BLESS YOU.

Alejandro. R.N.

[AMIRA15]

Hola Alejandro FELICITACIONES!!!

I am latin too (Colombian) and I will be retesting sometime in july. I am using Saunder this time around and examcram. I have a full time job so it is difficult for me to study more than 2 hours a day, but planing on dont give up.

De nuevo felicitaciones and exitos en tu carrera :beer:

[afriqlove]

lm so happy for you. l know with God all things are possible. As l always say, lm proud of those who exalt the name of the lord.Trust me , you couldn't have made it this far without his help, lm proud of you. God bless you and CONGRATULATIONS:balloons::clpty::dancgrp::dancgrp:

[ounsrey]

CONGRATS!!!! :)

[eboog20]

Congrats!!! God is good!!! :) thanks for sharing and for the encouragement!!!

[cyram81APRN, MSN]

Congratulations Alejandro!!!!

[DH60]

Awww thank you for sharing! This is so inspiring, your thoughtfulness let's me know you are going to be great nurse:nurse:

[GigaRN1011]

Amazing you deserve it im doing it to... its my second and im doing 2 exams ...you deserve it im happy for you you found God and peace in your self ...you deserve it you will be a good and deserving nurse....

[Aspiringnurse_1111]

CONGRATSSZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! another inspirational post ,,,reading post like this gives me hope and in trying my best while GOD will do the rest,,on my 3rd attempt in a couple of days,,thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thywillbedone]

nice post alejandro! i failed my first time as well..im going for my second shot sometime in May..and you're right! GOD will take us throught it!!! and I will always believe in HIM most high! i hope i can have a success story too..in God's time. thanks!

[caliotter3]

Thanks for providing you story and advice, and CONGRATS!!!

[KITTYKATKAT]

so...inspiring!!thank you!!:redbeathe