I passed my NCLEX! Book Review here :)

[BigBrownPotato]

Hi Guys! I just passed my NCLEX exam on December 19, 2013 with 76 questions at exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes. First of all, English is not my native language so I'm so sorry if I'm having a lot of incorrect grammar. So, I received my ATT at October 17th, and took my exam on December 19th. I studied for 8 hours, but sometimes skips a day of studying because I'm kinda lazy. So here are the materials that I used to review!

1. Lippincott's Q & A Review for NCLEX-RN.

Rating: 9.5/10

-This book really helped me to study and focus for each system. I'm always getting a low score, but I just focused on the rationale and wrote down some notes. The questions are not like the actual NCLEX-RN exam but this book will help you to develop your critical thinking abilities.

2. The Famous Saunders NCLEX-RN Examination Comprehensive review book (Yellow)

Rating: 10/10

-I read this book 1 chapter per day, then the next day I will answer that system that I read on the lippincott book. So helpful about the contents and the CD that comes with it was really helpful for SATA questions.

3. BLS and ACLS Manuals

Rating: 7/10

-This book helped me on answering my BLS and ACLS questions on my actual NCLEX-RN exam, I got 5 questions about BLS.

4. PDA by Lacharity

Rating: 10/10

-THIS WAS THE BOMB!!!!!!!!!!! NCLEX TYPE OF QUESTION AND SO HELPFUL. You should read this book 1 week before your exam day and learn by heart because this book can save your ass.

5. NCSBN Learning Extension, $50 NCLEX-RN Review program.

Rating: 9/10

-I enjoyed answering the question on this one and read some of the notes that are included with it, I can say that some of the questions are similar with NCLEX.

How I feel about the exam:

Actually I was so scared when I received my ATT that I can't sleep at all. But as the exam day approaches, I will just literally slap my self to calm down and chant "I WILL PASS THIS EXAM".

The day of the exam:

I'm not scared or nervous. I woke up and wore my comfortable clothes. I drank some coffee and wait for the pearsonvue center to open. I'm still boosting my self by saying that " I WILL PASS THIS EXAM!!!!"

Result:

When I got home, I tried the PVT and got the good pop-up! After 2 days, I tried the quick result and confirmed that I passed!

Good luck everyone! Happy 2014 and God Bless! :)

[Yukinara]

Congratulation!

Thanks for sharing. I'm a nursing student who just graduated this December and I will take the exam on January. Every day I study from 6-8 hrs but somehow I can't get off this nagging feeling that something is not right. No matter how much studying I do every day, I still think that it's not enough. Every time I take a break to do something else, I always stop and think I should get back to study. I guess it's mainly because I'm not doing that well in school. I'm an international student and English is not my 1st language. I managed to pass all classes without repeating any, but boys, some of them are brutal (I'm very weak at OB and Pharm)

So, what do you think about the test? Is it hard or easy to you? I have that Saunder book, but the amount of content is too much, it makes me dizzy just to look at it. Does it play a big factor in passing the test? Are there any question that make you think "Holy cow, I totally don't know anything about this"? I only have 1 month, and I'm not sure if I should do the content or focusing on answering the questions.

And thanks for the tips about BLS. I almost forgot about that one

[evagracey]

@BigBrownPotato, pls do you have an idea on how long credential evaluation do take before registering for nclex for foreign trained nurses

[Flamingwallflower]

@BigBrownPotato pls do you have an idea on how long credential evaluation do take before registering for nclex for foreign trained nurses[/quote']

It can take from 6-8 months depending on how prompt your school/licensing agency in responding with the requests made by the CGFNS.

With me, I applied for the NCLEX 5 months after starting my CGFNS since it takes a while for the CGFNS to gather documents and issue a report. It took me 8 months until I got my ATT and took the exam.

Also, that depends on what state you are trying to seek approval for the NCLEX. Some states are very slow with replies.

[Just.Blessed.RN, BSN, RN]

Thanks soooo much for taking time and posting your study methods and the materials that you used. I am just starting nursing school but I'll try to find a way to get these books and try to get a head start, one semester at a time. Oh, and congratulations!!!!!

[RNfindingherway, BSN, RN]

Congrats and be the best nurse you can be. I am very proud if you. Congrats again.

[ssk5]

I am also a foreign educated nurse. It took 6-7 months for me for credential evaluation. I applied through Florida BON. Board requested to seperate some subject areas and to split medical and surgical nursing. Because of all these stuff,it took very long time. But i lost my exam first time. Now i applied for Texas Board of Nursing. Again the process went through credential evaluation,but this time it took just 3-4 weeks. Because,Texas board accepted my transcript without any further requirements. And that was very soon. Depends on our trancripts(hours and subjects) and BON requirements the credential evaluation varies.

[Sandrion]

Congratulations!! I will take mine very soon, but I don't feel like I am ready yet. I really need a good study plan. I just received my book (Lacharity 3rd Ed) and I also have the Saunders NCLEX-RN Examination Comprehensive review book (Yellow). I hope they help me out. Thanks for sharing!

[lillady04]

Congrats!

[wellcoachRN]

Congratulations! Wishing you an amazing career!

[BigBrownPotato]

@Yukinara

I'm also an international student, I came from the Philippines. The test was a little okay for me, I know that I will do good because I studied so much and pray. If you got a weak part on a particular subject, try to read the topic at least 2x and try to answer a lot of questions about it. I know you can pass too, just pray. Good luck! About the saunders, Yes it helped me a lot about the content, if you have a bad content knowledge, you will do poorly on the exam day. Hmm yeah, but if you experience those "HOLY COW QUESTIONS" just choose the answer where you will not endanger your patient. Try to answer more questions, Google NCSBN Learning extension, they got good question and summarized lectures. You can finish all of that in just 2 weeks if you grind on it. You can do it, God bless!

[BigBrownPotato]

Thank you! Just focus on questions and don't forget about your fundamentals!