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!
. 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!
No problem! And thank you. Let me know how it goes with you. Keep the faith! :) GO GO GO!
:w00t:Congrats RN!! I have 11 more days to go I hope I can pass too. I feel so nervous and unsure. I try convincing myself everything is gonna ok but its so hard to stay calm.
:w00t:Congrats RN!! I have 11 more days to go I hope I can pass too. I feel so nervous and unsure. I try convincing myself everything is gonna ok but its so hard to stay calm.
Thank you! Believe that you will pass it! It is possible.:) As I mentioned in my story, I was a panicky wreck days before the test but I just did it anyway. I didn't want to prolong my wait and torture myself from asking all the "what ifs" in the world! lol Pls let me know how it goes with you. Pray and believe!
"panicky wreck days" exactly what Im feeling. Yes I will definitely post my results. Were the questions like really hard? Like how did you answer the ones that you didnt know?
I just prayed all the way through my test. If i didnt know the answer i would just read it and take rge first answer that popped out at me. After i finished the test i felt like i failed again. Low and behold i passed. I am so surprised. You can do this and pass. Believe me if i did so can you!
zia_red
12 Posts
No problem! And thank you. Let me know how it goes with you. Keep the faith! :) GO GO GO!