Published Jun 29, 2012
d_martinez09
22 Posts
FINALLY!!!! After all the stress, crying, and worrying I finally took the NCLEX and found out today that I passed. Thank you to everyone on here who posted soooo many encouraging words. Computer shut off at 75 questions and I was so unsure of how I did that all I wanted to do was cry. But instead, I kept myself distracted and today I found out that it was finally all over.
So this is how I prepared and some tips to anyone that is freaking out about taking their test:
I studied my ATI NCLEX review book and Saunders book for review and refreshing on things that were my weakness.
NCSBN course was a lifesaver!!!!!!! In my opinion, this course is worth every penny and it is only $50. Not to mention that it is created by the same people who make up the nclex.
What I did:
- I took one Saunders exam and found out my areas of weakness. My weakness was Maternity and cardiovascular.
- Next, I reviewed these area in my saunders book for a deeper explanation, and my ATI book when I just needed something that was straight to the point.
- Third, I did all the questions I could on these two areas. This meant all the saunders questions, ati questions and Nclex 4000. I READ ALL THE RATIONALES, INCLUDING THE QUESTIONS THAT I GOT RIGHT.
- I did read a Kaplan strategy book and wrote down the strategies so I could look at them while I answered questions.
- When I finally felt comfortable on my weak areas I moved on. I signed up for the 3 wk NCSBN course and began to review system by system. Each time I was done with one area (i.e. Gastrointestinal) I did all the questions I could on that area.
- Finally I got to the question bank and di all the questions I could. Reading each rationale as I went. I also wrote down rationales to the questions I got wrong in order to review later on. I did this all the way up until my last study day.
- The day before my test I reviewed labs, and meds and I stopped at 6pm. I grabbed my boyfriend, went out to movie and a dinner, got home took a hot shower and relaxed until I fell asleep.
- MOST IMPORTANT, I PRAYED EVERY SINGLE DAY!
I honestly wished I hadn't stressed as much as I had. The test was difficult but I got through it, and that was the goal. I gave my study days my all and didn't beat myself up for missing a day or 2.
To anyone getting ready to take the test, YOU CAN DO IT. Please don't get discouraged, give it your all and focus while studying. Put in 3-4 hours each day, give yourself the weekends and be patient with yourselves. You are never going to learn and remember everything, your goal should be to understand what you do know and be confident.
I hope this helps!
p.s. I did the pop-up trick about 2 hours after the test and I got the good pop-up!!
Babyheart, BSN
58 Posts
I was wondering how you got your results so fast! I got the popup too but I am afraid to trust it despite what i read that says it works!
Well done :yelclap:
Rhody34
128 Posts
Congratulations! Thanks for the info! It was helpful. My test day is in 8 days!!!
blynn9173
303 Posts
Thanks for your story. It is very inspiring. I take mine in 30 days. I am a nervous wreck. I have taken the beast 4 times and have failed. I want to pass so so bad. I am working full time midnight shift at work. I just hope I can pull it off. I am studying on my days off and the mornings when I get home. Just pray for me that I do it this time. Thanks for posting this. Congratulations!
oztizz184
369 Posts
wow thank you for sharing!
congrats!
so so soo helpful!
Assess&Safety1st, BSN, RN
478 Posts
Congrads!!! Ncsbn was a livesaver? I plan to do that next month and doing saundars along with exam cram and LaCharity. How helpful was ncsbn? It shut off at 75, nice!!! Did you get a bunch of SATA?
mangopeach
916 Posts
Congrats!
My state offers quick results, I took the test tuesday and paid $8 today to get the results.
Have you tried the NCSBN course? It was honestly the best tool I used. I will pray for you, don't give up. It may not have happened yet, but when it does, it'll be for the better. My test was a last minute schedule and I took it as a sign.
Lacharity was good for priority and delegation and once I got the hang of it it was smooth sailin! Definitely look at which patients are a priority and omg be sure to know what an UAP can do vs. an LVN/LPN!!!
NCSBN was recommended (off record) by someone who came to our school to give us an NCLEX review course. The questions were difficult and nothing like anything I had ever seen. I felt like it was the equivalent to a military training camp for your brain! My scores began low and slowly got better but never did they get to be exceptional, but I honestly think it prepared me sooo much. Well worth the money.
woundnurse1
4 Posts
Congrats...just curious...whats the pop-up trick....OLDSCHOOL NURSE
zoe.ysobel
36 Posts
congratulations!