I don't ever want to do that again.

[lbeRN]

It's finally over. The NCLEX, that is. I passed the first time and I did it in 75 questions. I know you can too! I've been lurking on this site for months now in preparation for the "big test" and I promised myself that if I passed, I would share my story along with any tips. So here it is for those of you that care to know :). I graduated in May of this year from a BSN program that is currently undergoing many changes in an effort to improve its NCLEX pass rates. During my last semester, I began studying by doing NCLEX style questions on my own--I used the Hogan book. After graduation, I decided to enroll in Hurst's NCLEX review because I felt that I needed a content review more than I needed help strategizing (which is why I didn't go with Kaplan). Hurst was great--lots of content! It covered things that I already knew, but had maybe forgotten about. My Q review scores were an average of 100/125 (for those of you who like to compare like me I did the live review 3 weeks after graduation and had planned to take NCLEX a week or two later. However, my ATT arrived later than expected. Here's where it got tricky: my husband and I had booked a cruise for the last week in June, thinking at the time that I would have completed the test. However, since my ATT was delayed a bit, by the time it arrived, of the few dates that were available before the cruise, none of them worked. So, I made the difficult decision to schedule my test for a week and a half after our vacation: July 15. This sent my anxiety through the roof. If I could do it over, I would have waited to book our cruise, but what's done is done, right? To make matters worse (technically better), I had a job offer dependent upon my passing the first time. Anyway, the week after my Hurst review, I did questions (100-200/day) and went over content (Hurst, Hogan, Saunders). While on vacation, I did about 100 questions per day using Lippincott's Q review book (it has about 6000 questions broken up into topics--cardiac, peds, maternity, ortho, etc). In the 10 or so days following my return from vacation, I hit the books really hard. I went to the library M-F for about 5-6 hours. I watched the Hurst videos online and did the Q review. I continued practicing questions from Lippincott's and read content that I felt I needed to review in Hogan & Saunders. I didn't hit meds that hard. I reviewed drug classes and common side effects--I feel like there is just no way to know them all and trying to predict which ones you will be asked about is near impossible (just my opinion). The day before the test, I reviewed lab values and watched Real Housewives all day long :) I felt completely burned out from studying and decided that any info that I was going to go over the day before the test wasn't going to "make or break me". I went to bed that night at a decent hour and got up at 6 am for my 8am test. I forced myself to eat some oatmeal, but couldn't finish because I was sick to my stomach and anxious. I kissed my husband goodbye and I headed off to the testing center that was 20 minutes away. The two ladies at the center were so friendly and kind. I was processed quickly and allowed to begin. When I sat down, I took a (very) deep breath and began. I had about 40 SATA. I'm not even kidding. No math. 2 EKGs. A decent amount of prioritization/delegation and a med question that I had never heard of (gave it my best shot). The test shut down at 75 and I just stared at the screen. I couldn't believe it had shut off and I didn't know if that was a good or bad thing (either I passed with flying colors or I failed miserably!). I went out to my car and cried miserably for several minutes, convinced I had failed. The questions were so hard and I honestly wasn't sure about at least 95% of my answers, esp since most were SATA. I called my Mom and my husband who tried in vain to make me feel better. I got home 30 minutes later and checked Pearson vue. I got the good pop up!! I felt so much better, but I still was convinced. However, the next morning my name was on the BON! I was so relieved--still am! I was able to officially accept my job offer and will begin orientation on Aug. 4th. My advice for those studying: I took Hurst, and while I definitely recommend it, you certainly do not NEED it. It helped my confidence, but at the end of the day, you really cannot study for this test. You simply have to own the material and be able to make the best and safest decisions for your patients. That's what this test is, after all--a safety test. I really like Hogan and Saunders. They are great references and the questions at the end of the chapters help to make sure you retained the info that you read. That's my journey in a nutshell. Feel free to msg me with any questions and good luck to everyone who has yet to take it--you can do it!

[Kathrene,RN]

Congrats RN, Im soo happy for you. Mine will be in september I feel like i dont know anything been studying at least 2-3h a day because I do have 13mos old daughter. Still in my content review but in august I will do more QA.

[yedwards42, BSN, MSN]

Congratulations and thank you for sharing!!

[Graduatenurse14]

Congrats RN!!!!

[Mrsmay]

Congrats miss Rn!Yey!Such an inspiring story and experience.Great job on keeping a clear mind despite the odds!

Planning on taking Hurst and luckily I came across your post.It's my 2nd time to sit.Graduated a few years back and I know I'm weak on Content.I'm currently using Saunders,PDA and the Lippincott 11th ed I've borrowed from my local library.Money is tight right now and I wanna make sure Hurst is worth it before raking the plunge☺️.

Thank you again in advance!Goodluck on your new job!Double wow!

[lbeRN]

Mrsmay,

Thanks! I would definitely recommend hurst if you know that you are weak in content. They go through each system thoroughly and explain why interventions are important related to the patho of the disease you are treating. It's worth the money for sure. You can watch a sample lecture on their website or YouTube, I believe. They also have 6 practice tests that you do online (each has 150q). Best of luck to you!

[lbeRN]

Mrsmay,

Thanks! I would definitely recommend hurst if you know that you are weak in content. They go through each system thoroughly and explain why interventions are important related to the patho of the disease you are treating. It's worth the money for sure. You can watch a sample lecture on their website or YouTube, I believe. They also have 6 practice tests that you do online (each has 150q). Best of luck to you!

[Mrsmay]

Thank you so much lbeRN!Godbless your beautiful heart.I'm going to sign up for their online review.Praying that this time around I make it and all my hard work pays off.:)