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!!
