I finally PASSED

[DIVA-RNMOM24]

I have not been posting much lately but I have been reading all of the inspirational posts on here giving encouragement for all of us who have to come up against this test. I just want to say that after almost two years three tries I have finally passed. Words can't discrible how I feel on the inside but I know those that have been here know exactly what I'm feeling. :yeah::yeah:

This was my third time testing and it was a charm (What the lady at the board of nursing told me....lol) I got 265 questions each and everytime I took it no computer cutting off at 75 for me only for my 2 required brakes....lol but you know now I look back on it and I can honestly say I'm grateful for the experience. VERY HUMBLING!!!

Like I said I did all 265 I had 1 sata, and more than enough priority delegation, who to see first, what intervention is next, blah, blah, blah and a TON OF MEDICATIONS and I can honestly say I only knew 3 of them the others where written in greek...:wink2:.

To all of you who have yet to pass hang in there take your time and do it for YOU NO ONE ELSE. Speak honestly with that man upstairs(God) I mean from the heart and trust me he will listen. Ask him to give you strengthen, calm your mind, guide your thinking....all of that and it will be done.

As for test prep do a bunch of questions ( I used saunders, kaplan book, ATI testing, and some NCLEX questions on flash cards by Mosby) in an atmosphere that you are comfortable with and at your own pase. I found that everyone studies and retains information differently and you have to know your style and your way of studying cause what works for someone else might not work for you. I couldn't study when it was really quiet, I felt more comfortable studying with the tv or radio on in my bed with the lights low. I know it sounds crazy but that was my atmosphere where I felt most comfortable and that is very important. The testing center was to quiet for me.....:wink2: I took as many breaks as I needed when studying especially when I felt I was not retaining the information. But find your own style and things will workout.

But again I thank everyone for all the wonderful posts on here I'm telling you this site is awesome. Oh and another thing that helped me I didn't tell anyone I was going to test NO ONE!!! It was just me and GOD. :)

I wish all of you the best and much success on your new career as REGISTERED NURSES :wink2:

[caliotter3]

:ancong!:

[almostfamous]

Congratulations. That was inspiring..

[Misteryosa]

:yeah::yeah::yeah::bow::bow::bow::yeah::yeah::yeah:

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Congratulations

[dimples4321]

:ancong!:

[lovables]

Congratulations :) :) :yeah::yeah:

[Andy123]

CONGRATULATIONS :yeahthat:

What did you do differently to prepare for the test?

[determinedgal1]

:anpom::ancong!::anpom:

good luck to you and your new role as an rn!!!!!

debbie:flwrhrts:

[njenninah]

Congrats! was a 265 material too and I made it- thank Jesus!

[DIVA-RNMOM24]

I read the Kaplan testing strategies and followed what they recommended and I practiced questions and read the rationales afterwards. I did review content that I was all that familiar with but before I did that I set a testing date that was like 30 days away and used that time to study. I work better with deadlines and I studied in an atmosphere that was good for me in my room, in the bed with the tv or radio in the background and at work when I had some down time. I did go to the library but only found myself doing other things. I basically studied when I got the urge but doing questions help you practice critically thinking oh and try to answer the questions before you look at the answer choices......:)

[ER-RN2009]

Congratulations!! I know exactly how you feel, I too had failed twice before. I totally agree with everything in your post! I had about 5 questions that I'm sure were just some made up diseases or signs/symptoms. Things I had absolutely no idea about, never even heard of some of this stuff. Meds, OMG at the meds. And of course I was concerned because I had heard that meds are lower level questions, well let me tell you, they didn't feel all that low level to me! The majority of my questions were prioritization, teaching, of course meds, and infection control. I had 3 SATA and 2 dosage calc. Left the test trying to remember some of those crazy things I had never heard of so that I could look them up...only remembered one and seemed to have answered it right. It's a good thing I couldn't remember the others because I would have driven myself nuts trying to remember how I answered it. I'm OCD that way!!

But in all seriousness, before my 3rd and last test, I really had a heart to heart with God and just turned it over to him. I knew I had done what I could and that if it was meant to be then it would turn out good. Letting go and letting God was honestly pretty difficult for me, believing that if I didn't pass it was for some good reason and that God had a plan for me. I have always liked to believe that I was in control of my life, but for the first time I really realized that a power greater than myself was guiding me and that it had just appeared that I had been in control. When I actually turned it over to God, to let his Will be done, I really felt a calmness that I had not felt before. I was still nervous, but not like before.

This whole experience has been very humbiling! As bad as I hated failing the first 2 times, I know now that I did gain a lot from the experience. I have never been bostful or flaunted my previous successes, but I obviously had not ever felt the true pain of failure either. Atleast not to this degree!! I am humbled by this experience, and admire those that have continued to struggle with NCLEX even more times than myself. Who knows, maybe I have gained more than after my 3 times than those who passed the first time. That's not to say that I'm not proud for those that passed the first time because I am. Gosh, I don't want anyone to feel the hurt I felt. But I sure think there is a good possibility that I came away from this with much more than a passing result. Maybe, I needed to..