I finally PASSED my NCLEX-RN exam!!!

adra · Mar 30, 2011

Congratulations and thank you for your advice ;-)

soalimo · Mar 30, 2011

Congrats!!!!! You are a practical demonstration of the fact that there is no impossibility for a heart that is determined and trust in God. I rejoice with you.

SoalimO

needluck · Mar 31, 2011

CONGRATULATIONS:) Your hard work and efforts paid of...Good luck I am sure you will make a great nurse!!

Truly_Blessed_RN · Apr 1, 2011

I am so excited to finally be able to say that I am an RN!!! It’s been a long journey and I would like to share it with all of you. I come from a long family of nurses; three aunts, my mother, three cousins, my brother and his girlfriend, it is in my blood! Not many people know this but I made it through nursing school with a reading disability and Epilepsy. However, I have never been the type of person that passes everything on the first try. I was always a “B” student in school but was very determined with a strong work ethic. It took me two tries for my driver’s license, nursing school, and FIVE tries to pass the nclex-rn. I graduated in December of 2009 in New York and struggled with passing my exam for over a year. I failed the first time 151, then 256 the second and third time (very close), then 152 the fourth time. I took a break for a few months, got married and decided to give it another go. I felt like I was never going to pass but knew nursing was for me and that I could not imagine doing anything else. This time however was very different. On Friday March 18th 2011, I passed the boards with 265 questions in 4.5 hrs. I tried the Pearson Vue Trick, and yes it has worked for me every time- I finally got the “good popup” and paid the seven dollars for my results just to make sure, and it was a PASS!!! Finally! This time around, I studied five days a week after work for about five- six hours. I did about 3,000 questions when studying this time. I went to a PESI HealthCare conference that was about 6 hours based on pediatric health problems (illness and heart/lung disease). I also had a private tutor for the three Sundays before the exam that really helped and gave me confidence. If I can pass this exam, then anyone can and no one should give up on their dreams!!! Remember, it is just a test and does not prove how good of a nurse you will actually be, and you can always retake the exam so no one should stop trying. :redpinkhe
I studied about infection control, lab values, triage, mnemonics, pharmacology, prioritization and delegation.
The books that helped me pass the NCLEX-RN:
1. Kaplan NCLEX-RN 2010-2011 Edition: strategies, practice, and Review: Birds eye view of NCLEX exam. Will give you strategies for questions (read through twice).
2. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN 4th edition: Most important book, do all pharmacology questions for each section and focus on ENDOCRINE.
3. Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination: VERY, VERY Important book!!! Most of the NCLEX is priority and delegation so do all of the questions ch 1-18
4. NCLEX-RN Exam Cram (2nd Edition): Good for content review and helps with endurance of answering questions. (memorize the CRAM SHEET in the front, it is a life saver!!)
5.Kaplan NCLEX-RN Reviewer MP3: free download can be found online, listen to for content, pharmacology and math
6. Memory Notebook of Nursing: EXCELLENT content and mnemonics review (perfect for the visual learner!!)
CD’s to practice:
1. Saunders most important!! Do as many pharmacology questions as possible!!!
2. Exam Force
3. Nclex 3500 for content
Addisons: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia
Cushings: hypernatremia, hypokalemia
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
*Know symptoms for each, and what sets them apart from each other
Heparin –PTT (7 letters plus 3 equals 10)
Coumadin- PT (8 letters plus 2 equals 10)
1. Keep your patient SAFE and ALIVE!!!
2. Remember ABC’s
3. Always pick the least invasive answer!
4. Don’t tie patients up
5. If something can be done without drugs first that is probably the answer
6. Do not choose the answer that would delay treatment, kill or harm the patient
7. The patient has 100% right to their healthcare
8. Eliminate answers that say always, never (nothing in nursing is ever that certain)
9. Like patients can be placed in the same room (know isolation precautions)
10. Know medication endings (B-Block (olo)l, Ace(pril), p pump (zole), etc ) and side effects
11. Know basic lab values
12. ROME: respiratory opposite, metabolic equal
13. Pain never kills a patient

Klud RN I just want to first say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!:balloons::balloons::balloons::dancgrp::w00t:AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY! :clpty:

I TO HAVE TAKEN THE NCLEX 4 TIMES AND NOW I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE IT AT THE END OF APRIL. YOU STORY HAS ENCOURAGED ME EVEN MORE AND I KNOW I AM GOING TO PASS THIS TIME! I HAVE ALL OF THE RESOURCES YOU NAMED AND HAVE BEEN USING THEM SO THANK YOU SO MUCH....ALSO THANKS FOR THE PNEUMONIC AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE PROVIDED US WITH!!!!!!!! MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!

ADVICE FOR EVERYONE: LIKE KLUD RN PUT IN HER ORIGINAL POST WE SHOULD NEVER COMPARE OURSELVES TO ANYONE ELSE.....WE EACH HAVE A STORY TO TELL...FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ALSO FAILED YOUR BOARDS HANG IN THERE ONCE WE PASS WE CAN HELP OTHERS WHO HAVE FAILED BELIEVE ME THEY ARE GOING TO NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH....EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON WE MAY NOT KNOW WHT WHEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH BUT I BELIEVE JESUS REVEALS IT TOO US EVENTUALLY AND THEN WE REALIZE THAT HIS TIME IS THE PERFECT TIMING NOT OUR OWN.

MANY PRAYERS FOR ALL OF US WHO STILL HAVE THIS LITTLE HILL TO GET OVER!!!!

KLudRN · Apr 1, 2011

Klud RN I just want to first say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!:balloons::balloons::balloons::dancgrp::w00t:AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY! :clpty:
I TO HAVE TAKEN THE NCLEX 4 TIMES AND NOW I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE IT AT THE END OF APRIL. YOU STORY HAS ENCOURAGED ME EVEN MORE AND I KNOW I AM GOING TO PASS THIS TIME! I HAVE ALL OF THE RESOURCES YOU NAMED AND HAVE BEEN USING THEM SO THANK YOU SO MUCH....ALSO THANKS FOR THE PNEUMONIC AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE PROVIDED US WITH!!!!!!!! MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!
ADVICE FOR EVERYONE: LIKE KLUD RN PUT IN HER ORIGINAL POST WE SHOULD NEVER COMPARE OURSELVES TO ANYONE ELSE.....WE EACH HAVE A STORY TO TELL...FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ALSO FAILED YOUR BOARDS HANG IN THERE ONCE WE PASS WE CAN HELP OTHERS WHO HAVE FAILED BELIEVE ME THEY ARE GOING TO NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH....EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON WE MAY NOT KNOW WHT WHEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH BUT I BELIEVE JESUS REVEALS IT TOO US EVENTUALLY AND THEN WE REALIZE THAT HIS TIME IS THE PERFECT TIMING NOT OUR OWN.
MANY PRAYERS FOR ALL OF US WHO STILL HAVE THIS LITTLE HILL TO GET OVER!!!!

Best of luck to you with your test. Let me know if you need anymore advice. Its good to hear you are determined. You can do it!!

promote.health · Apr 1, 2011

I am in the same boat as you. What are you doing for your study plan I am scheduled to take mine mid-May. Best of Luck!

Truly_Blessed_RN · Apr 1, 2011

i am in the same boat as you. what are you doing for your study plan i am scheduled to take mine mid-may. best of luck!

hey promote.health: im not sure if your reply was to me?? but just in case....i am doing most of the suggestions given by klud rn in her first post. definitely read it it's definitely worth it.... :up:

sgnemo25 · Apr 1, 2011

I am in the same boat as you. What are you doing for your study plan I am scheduled to take mine mid-May. Best of Luck!

Perhaps your questions is not for me but here's what I'm doing:

Reviewing Hurst Review Videos/materials

After I go over one video for example Endocrine topic then I review the topic further using:

Saunders 4th Ed., Princeton Review 8th Ed., and Prentice Hall Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN

I'm also doing Kaplan questions from the 2008-2009 Ed book and from the Kaplan Review

Questions from the NCSBN learning extension website where you have modules to review and at the end of each review there's questions to go over to test yourself; it's about 900 questions

Plus questions from the NCLEX-RN 3500 & 4000 & questions from the CDs that come with each of the books mentioned above

I also review the charts in the HESI book 2nd Ed.

I take mine the first week of May :heartbeat! Good luck to you and every one else who is about to take the NCLEX!

WE CAN PASS THE NCLEX!!!:anpom:

Truly_Blessed_RN · Apr 1, 2011

perhaps your questions is not for me but here's what i'm doing:
reviewing hurst review videos/materials
after i go over one video for example endocrine topic then i review the topic further using:
saunders 4th ed., princeton review 8th ed., and prentice hall comprehensive review for nclex-rn
i'm also doing kaplan questions from the 2008-2009 ed book and from the kaplan review
questions from the ncsbn learning extension website where you have modules to review and at the end of each review there's questions to go over to test yourself; it's about 900 questions
plus questions from the nclex-rn 3500 & 4000 & questions from the cds that come with each of the books mentioned above
i also review the charts in the hesi book 2nd ed.
i take mine the first week of may :heartbeat! good luck to you and every one else who is about to take the nclex!
we can pass the nclex!!!:anpom:

hi sgnemo25,

are the questions from the ncsbn learning extension website available to everyone? if so how do i get there? also are the charts in the hesi book 2nd ed available to all and if so how do i get those?

thanks for the encouragement! :clpty::dncgbby:

Aspiringnurse_1111 · Apr 1, 2011

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That inspired so much reading your post,,,am like in the same both as you il be taking my test this month it will be my 3rd attempt and hopefully my last also,,,i agree on everything u mention,,that boost my confident up high to pass the exam with courage and determination,,,

sgnemo25 · Apr 2, 2011

hi sgnemo25,
are the questions from the ncsbn learning extension website available to everyone? if so how do i get there? also are the charts in the hesi book 2nd ed available to all and if so how do i get those?
thanks for the encouragement! :clpty::dncgbby:

hello blessedone80,

actually if you go to this link http://learningext.com/pages/home you can sign up, it costs $50 for 3 weeks (they have other packages available too, this one was the cheapest one) but the good thing is you can split the cost up with someone else. that's what one of my friends and i did, we just let each other know when we would be logged in b/c it won't let you use the modules or do the practice questions when logged in at the same time. other than that it worked out great!

as for your question regarding the charts, if you have the hesi comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination, those are the charts i'm talking about. i guess i should have clarified it a bit more. what i mean is that i use that book just to review the charts and hesi hints for each chapter, b/c i think the book in general is a bit vague. but i found the charts & hesi hints to be pretty helpful and easy to learn.

you're welcome! i am happy to encourage all fellow nclex examinees and future rn's and pn's too! :monkeydance:

achontiveros · Apr 11, 2011

I am so excited to finally be able to say that I am an RN!!! It’s been a long journey and I would like to share it with all of you. I come from a long family of nurses; three aunts, my mother, three cousins, my brother and his girlfriend, it is in my blood! Not many people know this but I made it through nursing school with a reading disability and Epilepsy. However, I have never been the type of person that passes everything on the first try. I was always a “B” student in school but was very determined with a strong work ethic. It took me two tries for my driver’s license, nursing school, and FIVE tries to pass the nclex-rn. I graduated in December of 2009 in New York and struggled with passing my exam for over a year. I failed the first time 151, then 256 the second and third time (very close), then 152 the fourth time. I took a break for a few months, got married and decided to give it another go. I felt like I was never going to pass but knew nursing was for me and that I could not imagine doing anything else. This time however was very different. On Friday March 18th 2011, I passed the boards with 265 questions in 4.5 hrs. I tried the Pearson Vue Trick, and yes it has worked for me every time- I finally got the “good popup” and paid the seven dollars for my results just to make sure, and it was a PASS!!! Finally! This time around, I studied five days a week after work for about five- six hours. I did about 3,000 questions when studying this time. I went to a PESI HealthCare conference that was about 6 hours based on pediatric health problems (illness and heart/lung disease). I also had a private tutor for the three Sundays before the exam that really helped and gave me confidence. If I can pass this exam, then anyone can and no one should give up on their dreams!!! Remember, it is just a test and does not prove how good of a nurse you will actually be, and you can always retake the exam so no one should stop trying. :redpinkhe
I studied about infection control, lab values, triage, mnemonics, pharmacology, prioritization and delegation.
The books that helped me pass the NCLEX-RN:
1. Kaplan NCLEX-RN 2010-2011 Edition: strategies, practice, and Review: Birds eye view of NCLEX exam. Will give you strategies for questions (read through twice).
2. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN 4th edition: Most important book, do all pharmacology questions for each section and focus on ENDOCRINE.
3. Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination: VERY, VERY Important book!!! Most of the NCLEX is priority and delegation so do all of the questions ch 1-18
4. NCLEX-RN Exam Cram (2nd Edition): Good for content review and helps with endurance of answering questions. (memorize the CRAM SHEET in the front, it is a life saver!!)
5.Kaplan NCLEX-RN Reviewer MP3: free download can be found online, listen to for content, pharmacology and math
6. Memory Notebook of Nursing: EXCELLENT content and mnemonics review (perfect for the visual learner!!)
CD’s to practice:
1. Saunders most important!! Do as many pharmacology questions as possible!!!
2. Exam Force
3. Nclex 3500 for content
Addisons: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia
Cushings: hypernatremia, hypokalemia
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
*Know symptoms for each, and what sets them apart from each other
Heparin –PTT (7 letters plus 3 equals 10)
Coumadin- PT (8 letters plus 2 equals 10)
1. Keep your patient SAFE and ALIVE!!!
2. Remember ABC’s
3. Always pick the least invasive answer!
4. Don’t tie patients up
5. If something can be done without drugs first that is probably the answer
6. Do not choose the answer that would delay treatment, kill or harm the patient
7. The patient has 100% right to their healthcare
8. Eliminate answers that say always, never (nothing in nursing is ever that certain)
9. Like patients can be placed in the same room (know isolation precautions)
10. Know medication endings (B-Block (olo)l, Ace(pril), p pump (zole), etc ) and side effects
11. Know basic lab values
12. ROME: respiratory opposite, metabolic equal
13. Pain never kills a patient

---Your Advice is going to be very helpful to me. I am taking my nclex for the 1st time end of May. I did Kaplan class and been doing qBANK AFTER THE CLASS. Im just hesitant because I feel like I am still lacking info, should I go and read the whole Kaplan book or just keep doing qbank everyday and review my answers after. My scores in qbank are like 48%-56%, i still have some time but by reading the whole Kaplan book I might ran out of time. Thanks again for your post and great advice.:)