I graduated and got my BSN degree in 2004 and worked for 5 years in my home country until 2010 when I migrated to North America. Yes, 2004 was a long time ago and I thought my brain was kinda rusty somehow. But I told myself to just do it. I applied for the NCLEX on May 17th and didn't get my ATT until end of June. But I started to study anyway while waiting for it. When I got my ATT, I scheduled my test right away on July 25th.
I read the Saunders 5th Edition to brush up on my content knowledge. I focused first on Adult Nursing because I knew it was one of my weaknesses. Before I read content, I answered questions on the cd-rom to prepare my brain of what to absorb when I start reading the chapters. I did that per system. When I'm traveling on the bus or train, I listened to SAUNDERS audio reviews on drugs, fluids and electrolytes, and ABG's. Again, they were very helpful.
When the test date was 3 weeks away, I enrolled online for the NCSBN learning extension. It had a lot of content in it but I disregarded reading everything. I just didn't want information overload and get myself confused so I trusted my number one brand... SAUNDERS. I did a lot of the practice tests in the learning extension and I got frustrated and discouraged here and there because I got scores from 50%-60%. That was not good enough for me. However, I still practiced some more and even took some of the tests twice. My scores improved and I have to say that the questions were similar, and closest to the ones that were on the actual test. I practiced my critical thinking skills through the tests on the NCSBN.
A week before the test, I read the KAPLAN 2011-2012 edition. The tips and strategies were so helpful especially on priorities and delegation. I took the practice test in the book (didn't have much time to answer the test in the cd-rom) and scored a 67%. I still didn't think I was good enough.
Few days before the test, I was a wreck. I panicked almost everyday. I unscheduled and rescheduled my test 3 days before the test. I was just worrying too much that I thought I didn't have enough time. To add to all the pressure that I was going through, me and my fiance were visiting his parents to celebrate his birthday. Yes, I scheduled the test on his birthday. And his whole family knew I was taking the test.
My fiance dropped me off at the testing center in Newport News, Virginia and I took the test at 8am. Whenever I got a hard question, I closed my eyes and prayed to God to help me pick the right answer. Then I continued. I had 7 SATAs, 2 diagrams, approximately 10-15 about drugs and the rest were multiple choice questions. At 75, I prayed to God again to extend my test to 100 just to allow me to prove myself... Then it just turned blue after I answered the 75th question. I finished the test in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
We drove to the nearest Starbucks coffee shop and did the pearson vue trick...and I got the good pop up! I cried and gave my fiance a hug. He told me it was the best birthday gift he received that day.
Then, today, the 8th day since I took the test, my name was officially listed on the website of Virginia Board of Nursing. I give God all the glory for all this. We did it together! US-RN!
Blynn- I've followed your story on here and was curious if the PVT worked on previous attempts? I just took mine for the first time this afternoon, and am getting the pop up, but didn't know if someone who had failed in the past had seen it actually not work and how soon after did it take you to the credit card screen??
Yes the PVT works. I did it as soon as I got home from my test and it worked. It is 100% accurate. Congratulations!
Ah! I want to believe it so badly- but I can't yet. I am from OH as well. If you don't mind me asking- on previous attempts did you know you didn't pass immediately, or did the PVT initially work then change?
The PVT worked for me and it never changed from the good pop up. I took my test on July 31. I was done by 10:45 am. I checked the Pearson Vue Web Site all day long, and the results never changed. I just couldn't believe it because I had failed so many times in my past, but it was 100% accurate. My name posted on the Ohio Board of Nursing on August 1 after 2 pm. I am just so excited. Congratulations! You will see your license tomorrow on the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Here's my story:I graduated and got my BSN degree in 2004 and worked for 5 years in my home country until 2010 when I migrated to North America. Yes, 2004 was a long time ago and I thought my brain was kinda rusty somehow. But I told myself to just do it. I applied for the NCLEX on May 17th and didn't get my ATT until end of June. But I started to study anyway while waiting for it. When I got my ATT, I scheduled my test right away on July 25th. I read the Saunders 5th Edition to brush up on my content knowledge. I focused first on Adult Nursing because I knew it was one of my weaknesses. Before I read content, I answered questions on the cd-rom to prepare my brain of what to absorb when I start reading the chapters. I did that per system. When I'm traveling on the bus or train, I listened to SAUNDERS audio reviews on drugs, fluids and electrolytes, and ABG's. Again, they were very helpful.When the test date was 3 weeks away, I enrolled online for the NCSBN learning extension. It had a lot of content in it but I disregarded reading everything. I just didn't want information overload and get myself confused so I trusted my number one brand... SAUNDERS. I did a lot of the practice tests in the learning extension and I got frustrated and discouraged here and there because I got scores from 50%-60%. That was not good enough for me. However, I still practiced some more and even took some of the tests twice. My scores improved and I have to say that the questions were similar, and closest to the ones that were on the actual test. I practiced my critical thinking skills through the tests on the NCSBN. A week before the test, I read the KAPLAN 2011-2012 edition. The tips and strategies were so helpful especially on priorities and delegation. I took the practice test in the book (didn't have much time to answer the test in the cd-rom) and scored a 67%. I still didn't think I was good enough.Few days before the test, I was a wreck. I panicked almost everyday. I unscheduled and rescheduled my test 3 days before the test. I was just worrying too much that I thought I didn't have enough time. To add to all the pressure that I was going through, me and my fiance were visiting his parents to celebrate his birthday. Yes, I scheduled the test on his birthday. And his whole family knew I was taking the test. My fiance dropped me off at the testing center in Newport News, Virginia and I took the test at 8am. Whenever I got a hard question, I closed my eyes and prayed to God to help me pick the right answer. Then I continued. I had 7 SATAs, 2 diagrams, approximately 10-15 about drugs and the rest were multiple choice questions. At 75, I prayed to God again to extend my test to 100 just to allow me to prove myself... Then it just turned blue after I answered the 75th question. I finished the test in 1 hour and 45 minutes.We drove to the nearest Starbucks coffee shop and did the pearson vue trick...and I got the good pop up! I cried and gave my fiance a hug. He told me it was the best birthday gift he received that day. Then, today, the 8th day since I took the test, my name was officially listed on the website of Virginia Board of Nursing. I give God all the glory for all this. We did it together! US-RN!
Thanks for sharing your story. This question may have been ask already but how long should you give yourself to prepare for boards? I graduated in may, took a 3 month break because I was burnt out and now I'm kicking myself in the butt as I feel I've forgotten everything. I took the hurst review online, have listened to the lectures once, taken 3 of the Q reviews and have bombed them. I'm scheduled to take boards in 5 days. If I study most of those days do you feel that's enough time to prepare? Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated! :) The stress I went through in nursing school has once again started it
congrats....... i would love to be in your shoes right now
Thank you! I was in your shoes few weeks ago and i know how it feels. I may even be worse coz I get so panicky most of the time. I want to encourage you to just believe in yourself that you can do it. And prayer always helps! Pls let me know how it goes with you. Go Go Go futurelpn2012!
ive been reading the study guide not by allnurses and answering questions
any recommendations for the last few days of studying?
Thank you! I've been reading some of the posts here in allnurses about taking off on the day before the test and not study anymore... I say, know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. I knew that my weakness was I have very bad short term memory, so even up to the last day and before I slept, I still studied and took tests. lol If you're on the NCSBN learning extension, go through all the tests on the last part. It truly helped me with my critical thinking skills.
Thanks for sharing your story. This question may have been ask already but how long should you give yourself to prepare for boards? I graduated in may, took a 3 month break because I was burnt out and now I'm kicking myself in the butt as I feel I've forgotten everything. I took the hurst review online, have listened to the lectures once, taken 3 of the Q reviews and have bombed them. I'm scheduled to take boards in 5 days. If I study most of those days do you feel that's enough time to prepare? Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated! :) The stress I went through in nursing school has once again started it
Thank you! I prepared for the boards for 2 months and a half. You must be exhausted from schooling... Rest and enough sleep is as important as quality studying. I say know your weak areas and focus on mastering them first and I highly recommend NCSBN learning extension practice tests. The last 3 days before the test, I did a lot of the NCSBN practice tests. They really helped me a lot. If you feel you are not ready yet, you may reschedule. Just allow yourself to get ready.
Thank you! I prepared for the boards for 2 months and a half. You must be exhausted from schooling... Rest and enough sleep is as important as quality studying. I say know your weak areas and focus on mastering them first and I highly recommend NCSBN learning extension practice tests. The last 3 days before the test, I did a lot of the NCSBN practice tests. They really helped me a lot. If you feel you are not ready yet, you may reschedule. Just allow yourself to get ready.
. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your night to reply. I will make the best of the next few days and if I feel I need extra time I will reschedule. Thanks again!! Congrats btw!! What a relief!
blynn9173
303 Posts
Congratulations! I just recently passed mine the other day. It is such a great feeling. We both are so blessed!