How i passed my NCLEX RN

[mzznurse]

Hello guys! As i was reviewing for my boards, i turned to allnurses for support n encouragement. I read threads about people passing the nclex, what they did, what they reviewed etc and found that it has helped me with my success. I am here to tell you tips and what i did to pass my nclex the first try.

What i used: Kaplan Course Book, Kaplan Live Videos (content), Kaplan Qtrainers+ Qbank, my tumblr, allnurses, mom, dad & sister's support.

How long did i study?: I graduated June 10, 2011, started studying June 13 when my Kaplan course started and studied until July 6. My test date was JULY 7. (haha. im so superstitious. it was 7/7 so i was like oooh it must be a lucky day to take it) I take breaks (a weekend or a day to unwind, relax n go out w/ friends). I study atleast 6 hours/day on the first week and less in the following weeks.

The Plan:

Week 1: June 13-June 23 (actually this is 10 days. this is how long my Kaplan course is)

-i go to class from 9am - 12 pm. I go to Barnes & Nobles or Starbucks after because I am one of those people who can't study at home.

-I took my diagnostic exam and looked at my weak areas and study them before my strong areas. for example, Day 1: I will be watching the live content video on Physiological Adaptation in Kaplan and reading the course book for 4 hours or so.

-then i will do some Qbank questions (just 50 on that area) *i wasnt able to do this, but i suggest doing it to actually retain the content you reviewed.

- once i am done with my goals (example: finish Management of Care video), i relax and watch TV or play videogames (yup i am a gamer)

-This week i did QT 1, 2 & 3 and reviewed the rationales.

*This week is mostly CONTENT review. I am a strong believer that you have to know content to pass. I wanted to have a strong foundation before i do practice questions.

*To be honest, i didn't feel ready or confident to take the exam at this time yet. I was still very anxious.

Week 2: June 23-June 30

-on June 23, last day of my Kaplan course, I was supposed to go to class but i haven't taken my readiness test. I skipped class and did my readiness test at home and got 69%. I think the score is also because I had a good night sleep, i was relaxed when taking it.

-this week, i took the weekend off and went out of town. (i didnt bring any books because i just want to get out of nclex world for a day or two)

-I did QT 4 & 5 and reviewed rationales

- I did about 150 questions/day in the Qbank and reviewed and wrote down rationales so it will stick.

Week 3: June 30- July 6

-I did QT 6 & 7. (got 54% and 57%) I was getting discouraged but I know that these are all passing level questions so I gave props to myself for answering half of them right.

-Continued w/ 150 questions/day except for July 3 (I just celebrated w/ family and bf, watched fireworks and eat)

*I feel confident around this time to take my exam. I was supposed to take the exam July 15, but i rescheduled it to July 7 because I just want to get it over with and don't want to deal w/ more stress and anxiety.

Day before the exam:

-Knowing myself, i knew i couldn't keep myself from studying. I actually did QT #7 the day before the exam. i did it in the morning and reviewed rationales until 3pm. Around 3pm, i went out with friends to get some tacos and just relax before the drive to the hotel near testing center.

-At night, i just read my notes and the exam cram notes w/ basic lab level values and the infection control mnemonic (msg me if you want the copy)

- i slept at 11pm and i slept good until 6 in the morning.

Day of the exam:

-i was less anxious.. but still scared. I prayed and prayed.

-i ate Jack in the Box bfast (omg made my tummy upset. NO BUENO). Eat something w/ protein in it. ( I suggest omelet, eggs, toast and orange juice or water)

-got to the testing area w/ packed lunch ( I WAS READY to take 265 questions lol) and my id and ATT

-got to my cubicle and started the exam.

-the whiteboard is a small piece of paper (kinda). i just put ABC in it. lol. i cant remember any lab values when i got there. and i put "God help me. Help me remember and make wise guesses if i dont know the answer"

-I really thought i was failing the exam (i got some s/s questions)

-I was almost crying and my tummy started to hurt. haha. i had to go restroom to take a break. I was around question #63ish at that time.

-I passed question 75 and i knew for sure that i am going all the way to 265.

-at question 78, it shut off. I knew i got the last 3 qs right, so I feel "okay" when i finished.

My test consisted of: 6-7 SATA, 3 EKG strips, all the type of questions you can think of (exhibit, position diagrams, arrange). It is mostly who do you see first, priority questions, diet, infection and conference questions.. a loooot of discharge/teachings.

- i had a feeling i passed but thought that it was sooo hard that i might've failed.

-got back the hotel and did the PVT and good the good pop up. I was happy inside :)

The Tips:

* i studied content for a week. i think it's really important that you know core content. if you're close to your exam date.. do practice questions and review the areas that you are weak on. like read about renal failure if u keep missing q's about it.

*try to get used to the slect all that apply questions. you will get those for sure. i got about 7-8. mostly about teaching tho. treat them like True/False question.

*know what diet goes for meds/certain disease. not just: people who take MAOI should not eat tyramine rich foods but know WHAT food has tyramine in it. example: cheese, pepperoni

*know infection control mnemonics and what to wear for each precautions (airborne/droplet/contact)

*remember to breathe and relax as u take the test. do your best w/ each question.

*Most of the time you will be left w/ two good choices. choose the BEST one and most likely it is something that a NURSE CAN DO for the patient and promotes patient safety.

*you can never be truly prepared for the exam.. the best thing to do is PRAY PRAY PRAY and control your anxiety. relax and trust 4-5 yrs of being in school, ur capabilities, knowledge, ur hard work and effort & God.

*know that YOU CAN DO IT and you will pass it.

FYI: I was getting low kaplan scores (around 55-60%). There are days when I will get above 60%. but the real deal here is TO NEVER BASE your capability of passing on your kaplan scores. Most of the questions i got in NCLEX are not even in my kaplan qbanks. Just use the decision tree and go with your first instinct.

*i made a blog w/ a lot mnemonics because i found that i remember better using them.

http://ellainern.tumblr.com/ Click on FUN MNEMONICS on the side.

I live in CA and took me 8 days to see my name in the BRN website. It feels surreal and i cried as i was jumping up and down.

‎”With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

[USRN2Be]

:ancong!:

[oztizz184]

wow your story is awesome! thank you for all the tips! CONGRATS!

[purplechicxiii, BSN, RN]

Thank God I've stumbled upon your post! :) I've been reviewing for my 2nd take (I took and failed nclex-rn exam last year) since the start of this month. I believe I'm doing better now since I'll have more time and focus in my review, since I quit my job last October already. Plus, seeing your post here and of course, your tumblr site really gave me more push and inspiration to do better! I just hope I can pass this time and will definitely use your tips/mnemonics! =)) God bless you!

PS I also followed your tumblr site. =)) Keep it up ICU Nurse Ellaine =))

[toeknee_booh]

I love your blog! Please continue updating..you'll inspire a lot of people..God Bless!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

i taught in a proprietary nclex review course for years. nclex items are developed in part from knowing what errors new grads make and how. they tend to be of two kinds: inadequate information, and lack of knowledge (these are not the same thing). the goal of nclex is to pass candidates who will be acceptably safe in practice as nurses. so-- they want to know what the prudent nurse will do.

1) when confronted c 4 answers, you can usually discard 2 out of hand. of the remaining two,

-- always choose the answer that (in priority order) makes the patient safer or gets you more information. "can you tell me more about that?" "what do you know about your medication?" "what was the patient's lab result?"

-- never choose the answer that has you turf the situation to another discipline-- chaplain, dietary, md, social work, etc. it's often tempting, but they want to know about what the nurse would do. see "always..." above.

2) "safer" might mean airway, breathing, circulation; it might mean pull the bed out of the room and away from the fire; it might mean pressure ulcer prevention; or improving nutrition; or teaching about loose scatter rugs ... keep your mind open.

3) read carefully. if they ask you for a nursing intervention answer, they aren't asking for an associated task or action which requires a physician plan of care. so in a scenario involving a medication, the answer would not be to hang the iv, regulate it, or chart it; it would not be to observe for complications. it would be to assess pt knowledge of the med/tx plan and derive an appropriate patient teaching plan. only that last one is nursing-independent and a nursing intervention.

again, they want nursing here.

4) the day before the test, do not study. research shows that your brain does not retain crap you stuff into it at the last minute-- musicians learning a new piece play the first part on monday, the second part on tuesday, and the third part on weds. then they do something else entirely on thursday; meanwhile, behind the scenes, the brain is organizing the new info into familiar cubbyholes already stuffed with music, putting it ready for easy access. on friday, the whole piece works much better.

what this translates for in test-taking land is this: the day before the test, you go to a museum or a concert, go take a hike, read a trashy novel, make a nice ragout, do something else entirely. take a small glass of wine (or not), soak in a nice hot bath in a darkened tub with a few candles on the sink, get a nice night's sleep.

5) read the mayonnaise jar and do what it says: keep cool, do not freeze.