If I passed the 2nd time and so can you! :)

Published Apr 1, 2011

10 Posts

This is the story of my NCLEX journey and I want to share it with you and convince you that DREAMS DO COME TRUE, YOU JUST NEED TO WAIT PATIENTLY AND WORK HARD. The first time I took the NCLEX on January 6, 2011. I failed with 75 questions. I know the reason why, I was so nervous all throughout the exam and I did not do the process of elimination. I was rushing to answer every question and finished at 55 minutes. The moment the screen shut off I knew deep in my heart that I did not pass. The moment I received my official results I automatically experienced the stages of grief. After 2 weeks of grieving I went back on track because I know I should go on with my life. I scheduled my second exam on March 28, 2011 and I passed with 86 questions for 3 hours! If I can pass so can you! So here are the things I did:

-California Health Sciences Review 3 day live lecture review

From this review I realized what I already know and what my weaknesses are. Our instructor taught us different test taking strategies that were helpful in my exam.

-CHS Online Review 2 weeks Online

After I took that live review I studied their online review that is very useful. It was a bit difficult and challenging but it was worth it.

-Exam Cram Lessons Book

A must have for NCLEX. For my 1st take I read the Saunders for my core content review but I realized that for my 2nd take I would just need to brush off my knowledge. This book is like the summary of what should we know.

-Exam Cram Practice Questions Book

One of the best books I read. It was like the NCLEX. I would definitely recommend this book to those taking the NCLEX. I read this for about two times until I reached the desired grade for every practice question.

-Exam Cram CD

It was a simulated NCLEX and definitely another must have.

-NCSBN 2 weeks Online

The best online review for me! I'm thankful that a friend of mine recommended this and someone from here in allnurses.com convinced me more.

I would like to share some tips during my study period. First, I set aside all of my problems and worries in life what I mean is I gave my full attention in reviewing. Everyday I would spend 8 hours of intensive studying and give myself breaks every now and then. I do some stretching to have good circulation. Then I avoided checking the facebook because I know it's a big distraction for me. So second point I identified all of my distractions and eliminated them. Third, I divided my schedule with all of the materials I chose. I recommend that you should scan first the books you will be using. Not all review books will be comfortable for you own use but there will books that you will like. Just like me I loved the way Exam Cram book presented their information and the structure of questions it was so easy to digest and not causing me information overload. Fourth, I wrote the information I should know in papers and posted them on my wall like the most helpful of all the mnemonics I discovered here in allnurses is the My Chicken Hez TB and also the normal values, antidotes and a lot more. Fifth, I had my own countdown to know how many more days I have and so that I will be pressured. Sixth, and the most important thing is I never forget to say my prayers. I devoted my time also in reading the bible. I would love to share to you to pray the novena to St. Joseph of Cupertino, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Jude.

Also, here are the additional things I did. I watched different videos in youtube. Videos about positive thinking. I recommend you should watch The Secret because it made me realized the power or law of attraction. Everyday before I sleep I would always say to myself "I will pass the NCLEX" 10 times!! I also read different advices from this forum and most of all I believe in myself!!!

Two days before the exam I did not study at all and just chilled out so that my anxiety will not shoot up. I just spent my time praying and watching videos about optimism. The day of the exam I only slept for only 3 hours I was so anxious about the exam. Luckily I was not that sleepy!! The moment I sat I immediately wrote the mnemonics, normal values I knew on my board. I also wrote on the top "I will pass the NCLEX" to remind me to think positive and be motivated!! I really took time in answering each question I really dissected every options and wrote down what I eliminated so I know that I only have 2 choices then chose the best one. So for my questions I had 12 SATA's, lot's of prioritization, 1 drug calculation and many more. I had one break and did stretching and jumping. Whenever I don't know the answers I always pray. I say 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's and 1 Glory Be in between and ask the Saints to guide me. I think the prayers helped me a lot in answering the difficult ones. And when I reached the question no. 86! I was surprised that it shut off! So this time deep in my heart I knew I passed because I was so sure of my answer. When I went home I immediately tried the Pearson Vue Trick and got the good pop up! After 48 hours my name appeared in the California website!! I was jumping for joy and thank the Almighty Father for the amazing blessing.

So all I can say is nothing is impossible if you believed in yourself, did your best and most of all PRAYED!!

Let's go RN's!!! :nurse: