Just found out my nclex results.(My take on the ENTIRE EXPERIENCE ie-guides & pvt)

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Just found out about an hour ago that I passed the NCLEX (PN). :up: I took it on September 10th 2014 at approx 1:15 pm. I'll get to everything you really want to know (but first let me tell you my background & how I prepared.) If you want, feel free to skip ahead to the "good stuff" further down. :nono: This post is quite lengthy and filled with specific details about everything I went through.

I graduated at the very end of July. My school offered/pretty much made it mandatory to take the 3-day nclex prep course offered by ATI during the first few days of August.) Before that though (the second week in July, we were required to take an Nclex predictor exam.)

I scored well on the predictor exam (Way better than I ever thought possible-99% probability for passing the nclex on my first try, however there were no SATA questions on this exam, so I'm hoping for future classes they will improve this aspect.)

I was lucky enough to be accepted by one of the top PN school's on Long Island, N.Y (The RN school's/ clinical sites all speak extremely highly of us.) It is a "PN program", however my teachers believe in teaching you EVERYTHING they can about nursing, including the "RN" things (of course they make sure to let us know "who can legally do what" so we are all knowledgeable and aware of what we can, and cannot do.) Hence why the graduates tend to fair much, MUCH better in their future RN program than people who went to other schools. Job descriptions aside, they don't believe in the "RN vs PN" wars that can erupt, and believe that if you are a nurse you should behave as one (legalities permitting) and that we should all support one another. I hope that this does not come off smug, or "know-it-all-ish" to anyone btw.

1)Anyway, I'll get on with it. Study Materials: It started with the ATI 3-day course, which was informative, and although I don't regret it (everything is a learning experience) In my opinion I could have saved the $300 and although I truly got a kick out of that funny southern belle, I would have probably done just as well without it. After the ATI course, I took things into my own hands.

2) First, I purchased the NCLEX PN app (yes, the $30 app) I was desperate, and had heard such amazing things about it. In all honesty I think it was a nice concept, the questions were somewhat difficult, but overall wasn't all that most had amped it up to be (for me anyway.) I actually had to write the creators a few times (my count is 6, not embellishing either) and inform them that there question/answer was wrong and send them proof to back it up. Each time, they had gotten back to me relatively quickly , and said that I was actually in fact right, and they were sorry and they would be changing it. (Now, If only my nursing school tests were that easy to debate with haha :sarcastic:) After the sixth time, I lost my faith in it, and it strictly became my "bathroom app" (but make sure you wash your hands and alcohol your phone right after :yuck: but hopefully you already learned to live by that) and my app right before sleep app.

3)Kaplan- nclex content review guide (it's available for FREE on amazon- BOTH pn and rn are :)) I recommend more questions, BUT go over the content that you don't understand, or have never heard of (Ex: "Steve Johnson Syndrome" I had no clue what is was, to me it sounded like an ex boyfriend.) And NO it didn't end up on my version of the nclex, but I made sure I at least knew a few things about it, since I had never heard of it before.) I also recommend purchasing a notebook (mine was $1 from dollar tree and 90 sheets of loose-leaf) and taking notes from the rationale after the questions that you didn't get right/and the one's that you did but weren't fully comfortable with.

4) ATI- content review guide and questions on the ATI program.In my opinion, Kaplan was a better guide (ATI was seriously lacking in content) however, ATI was better for questions.

5) The 36(?) page guide from here :up:- I think it was mostly designed for the RN nclex (but I found it very helpful for mine.) I took out the stuff that was outdated (ie: soda for a g-tube,etc) and fixed some very minor mistakes (I remember vaguely about there being a typo about a diet for CF being low- fat, and it just so happens that soon-to be husband has CF, so I knew it was actually a high-fat diet.) but overall it helped SO MUCH! and it reminded me of things that both the kaplan and nclex guide did not. Whoever created/came up with that, I wish I could hug you!

6) My secret weapon of choice: Lippincott Nclex-PN Alternate-Format Questions! The updated 2014 version. I hate alternative format questions (not that I ever actually met anyone who was a fan of them) but they were the vain of my nclex existence, especially SATA and "put in order/drag and drop" No, they aren't the "nclex questions" however, they teach you how to apply the knowledge you have in order to successfully answer all different types of alternative format questions. Every single question is an alternative format only. With one exception: There is a big cumulative practice test in the back, (that I'm happy I took), because it most prepared me for what the style/flow was going to be like. It also comes with a code to use on "the point" so you can practice ONLINE. Which was really helpful, because well, the nclex is on a computer.

THE BOTTOM LINE: There is NO MAGICAL book/notes/program that will tell you the actual "nclex questions." The nclex is a beast all in itself and you leave feeling like you went through a storm with every single kind of "weather probability" rolled into one, and you don't know if/how you made it out. I personally felt like I was literally in a daze. It was "all a blur to me" but some parts kept replaying in my head (ie: certain questions that I couldn't even find the answers to on "google" lol.) It's ALL CRITICAL THINKING my loves. There were times it felt like my gut was telling me to click an answer and my brain could comprehend it, but I probably wouldn't even be able to explain my actual rational over the other choices present if I tried. Trust your brain, it knows what it's doing. Trust when your "spidey senses" are nudging you toward an answer. Those are the same spidey senses that will tell you to check on that pt in 207, even though you did just 10 min ago and they were sound asleep, or the same ones that will out of nowhere suddenly make you ask a particular pt how there day is going, only to find out that they were planning on taking there own life that night, because they felt that no one cared about them. This is called "nurses instinct"- the most powerful of all. USE IT.

My exam shut off in 85 questions (the min for the PN exam): By shut off I mean, just went blue screen and scared me to the point that the camera guy must have had a good chuckle on his face after seeing my expression.

I didn't run to my car to check the "pvt". I was still on the fence as to "If I should" after reading all the hoopla about the changes etc.

Honestly, my advise to you would be NOT TO, PLEASE DON'T, IF YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF ANXIETY ISSUES!

I did check (after my graduating class told me to "just do it already" and that they tried it etc." However, I'm a big girl, so I solely take responsibility...remember what they said about pesky curiosity and that cute little cat right :eek:)

Yes, I tried "the new" pvt. NOT the old one, but the new one. The newest one that came out after the oldest one, that was related to the cousin of the newer one, but a distant relative of the older one, but more closest to the frequent one. THIS is what we sound like on these board. It's like the we're trying to figure out the nursing PVT theory of relativity or something.

Anyway, to my surprise: I WAS ON HOLD!:crying2: Please don't make me put up pictures, if you have ever gotten the pvt "hold" message/popup/poster note/sticky tab etc you know what it says. There is no variation, it might change or take out or add a word or 2, during each pvt "new cycle" but generally the message it still the same. "The candidate currently has results that are on hold, a new registration cannot be made at this time."

Well...nothing could make me feel worse. I'm the type that would rather have you "just finish the job" rather than kill me off torturous and slow. Only this time...I DID IT TO MYSELF!

A few hours later...I quickly flashed to the cc message (yes the "new one) now I was devastated, and a pvt junkie. Even though I would have deserved it, if it did. I read every board googled everything (what ELSE was I going to fill my precious 48 hrs with? (I honestly think this is why we do this to ourselves, we feel like we need "some type of control" or "reassurance from someone who gets it")

After exactly 24 hrs- I needed a fix (apparently I like burning my hand on the stove) Well...what do you know. I got the "Good pop up" (yes, the "new one")

THAT'S RIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, in just 24 hrs THIS NCLEX CANIDATE ENDED UP GOING THROUGH "ALL 3" OF THE POSSIBLE PVT POP-UP/NOT REALLY A POP-UP BUT A MESSAGE (Yes, the "new one".) OPTIONS!

What I should have been doing was laying on the couch watching "Untold stories of the ER" and indulging in ice cream and cookies, ignoring the constant fb messages/pots on my wall "Did you hear anything?" (to which I wanted to reply, "Yes, NCSBN and me are homies, we just grabbed lunch and they told me "Chill girl, you good!"

-I should have been wallowing in my possible nclex fate like every nursing graduate has before me (I feel bad for the ones who had to wallow in the "unknown" for a full 6 weeks, and for those currently in Cali.) Instead I was stalking everything I could find on this, driving myself crazy until I couldn't even stand myself anymore. That was how I got through the first 24-30 hrs.

In the end I was lucky enough to pass, but it could have went the other way. I also could have lost money, even more of my time, energy and dignity just to find out something that couldn't really tell me anything.

The "trick" doesn't calm our anxiety (as much as we tell ourselves that it does, and it's our reason for doing it.) It amps up our anxiety. I went through ALL 3 POSSIBLE "PVT" "POP-UP'S/SCREENS/MESSAGES (whatever you prefer to call it, and yes, "the new one.") and NONE OF THEM MADE ME FEEL GOOD OR EASED MY ANXIETY !

In the end my hold was lifted and I found out my results through "quick results" which (besides the BON which is the end all/be all)is the only thing that is accurate. I ended up being "on hold" because I finished in under an hour. Which I never took into account because I never accounted for the time it takes to check in, answer some questions at the end (that aren't included in the time), and check out.) Then someone(s) pointed out to me ie: my classmate and my fiance (who dropped me off and picked me up after I called), that I was literally "in and out" in an hr. There was no way that I sat for my entire nclex for an hr. So yes it could simply be something as simple as that.

No matter what my result was, "It wasn't good enough" and "How can I tell if it's true? Ohh, I know!! I'll stalk google! and see if anyone has updated the tiniest iota of info."

Yup, it's getting out of hand. I have NEVER HEARD of anyone getting hit with all 3 possible pvt options besides me. Ironically if anyone has taken a look at the pearson vue site: They announced that they are having ANOTHER update on Sat, and they said that nclex appointments WON'T BE ABLE TO BE MADE during that time. Hmm, doesn't take a genius to figure out, that it might possible have something to do with all of the craziness that I'm SURE they are well-aware of regarding their site change that's happening lately.

OTHER WELL KNOWN "TRUTHS"/and "LIES" regarding the Nclex (from what I've observed/experienced)

1) Getting alot of SATA (esp)/alternative format questions means you are doing well: Nope. False. In fact this is what I thought & during my exam it made me so nervous! I only had 15-17(tops) of sata questions throughout my entire exam, and only 1 single "put in order" and one single "exhibit" and one single "diagram" (my classmates reported 30-50 sata on there exams.) The MAJORITY of my class who have taken it so far (at least 50 of us, have managed to finish in 85 questions, it does not matter- we ALL passed.) The nclex goes according to "below level questions" and "above the passing level questions" You need a certain amount of above the passing standard level questions in order to pass. SATA can certainly be somewhere "in the middle" or maybe even toward the lower level, or below the passing standard. For instance (and I'm not allowed to tell you exactly what my nclex question was.) However, I will tell you that I had a SATA pertaining to a very well-known diet: There was no way that could be considered a "high/above level" question, even though it was a "SATA". Other ones I had were more difficult, and others fell somewhere in the middle (but that was because of me, and what I was comfortable with NOT the nclex.)

2) Having NO Math dosage calculation questions/or 1-3 dosage calculation questions means you are doing well/or if you got a dosage calculation question wrong- means you are not doing well, or you are doing well.

Nope. False. I didn't have a single dosage question on my version of the nclex. Others I know had a few, or one, or 7 (the girl who is really good w/ math actually),or zero.

3) The nclex will keep giving you repeated questions regarding the same theme if you aren't getting them right/ The nclex finds your weakness and will continuously give you those types of questions in that subject.

Nope/Who knows? . The nclex isn't broken down into Med Surg, GI, Cardio,Respiratory, GU, Endocrine, OB, Peds, Psych, Fundamentals, Geriatrics, A &P (and the list goes on & on.) It broken down into categories like "Safe and Effective Care", "Risk potential", "Health Maintenance" Physiological Integrity" , "Pharmacology" etc. Within those categories are sub categories. If you just so happen to keep getting questions on a particular topic that isn't your "best" chances are you are focusing on that BECAUSE it is your weakness and you already have it in your head that the nclex is "the big bad wolf" (which, I can't disagree) and is out to get you. However, if you take a deep breath and relax yourself you will realize that you aren't doomed to fail. Chances are that (even though it might be yet other question involving the subject that you aren't well at) it might not be asking you anything related to the pathology of it, or if you look really close, maybe it's not even asking you about a specific nursing intervention related to that disease (It could very well be, but don't assume & panic before you read it carefully.) It isn't strictly based off of "your weakness" if that was the case, the nclex would have taken me hook, line, and sinker. I'm not the greatest when it comes to pharm (however I knew that beforehand & made sure to study it in depth) and I am NOT great when it comes to Peds (I will be honest, I studied what I needed to, and made sure I knew a little more than enough to get by on the nclex in regards to that topic.) However, I was asked my a few questions regarding "my favorite subject that I knew like the back of my hand" (psych my absolute fave and cardio/resp which I really enjoy) However. I had 1 peds question (that I'm sure I did not get right) and a few Psych questions (and yes to my surprise, I actually def one or possibly 2 very wrong.) What I realized is that out of the few psych questions that I had, only 1 involved the "actual disorder" I had to look at what it was asking me. One questions even had nothing to do with psych and couldn't be more further away but because I saw "a psych disorder" I immediately thought it had to do with that. Nope, I had to read it again and decode it.

That's what the nclex is, it's a constant game of " Is it something below the surface or in obvious plane sight, and am I going to keep looking for the hidden meanings that I have to decode or take care of the obvious, or am I too busy taking care of the obvious that I haven't uncovered the deeper meaning that is the reason for all of this" That's what nursing is!! There are levels and layers to everyone! Sometimes the outside layer is what we need to pay attention to. We may spend so much time paying attention to the "assumed obvious" that we ignore the "need". Or we may spend so much time paying attention to the assumed need" that we ignore the "obvious." BOTH can have serious complications.

4)" I got alot of SATA questions and so did my best friend, and my best friend's best friend and my best friend's dog did too and I heard that all sata are considered "above passing standards" and that if you keep getting them, that means you rock!"

Again,as stated above. Nope, but if it makes you feel better to believe that then "go on with your bad self." The only thing that I have read about "above the passing standard" type questions (from ati) were about: Priority, Delegation, and Legality questions. Hmmm...I wonder why that is? What do they all have in common? Could it have something to do with being a safe nurse? BINGO! I happened to not have alot of sata (like I said, 15-17 tops as opposed to my classmates who reported somewhere between 30-50 sata out of 85 questions.) However I had loads,and loads of priority, delegation, and even legal questions. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions from that for a second. What do you think the nclex cares about more then anything? The sata diet questions that I had or the sata regarding priority, delegation, and legalities. There is a reoccurring theme. The nclex does NOT keep hidden the fact that the entire goal of the nclex is to find out if you are a SAFE, and COMPETENT nurse! Out of all the topics mentioned...Which one(s) sounds like they would cover those statement the best (sata). Answer: priority, delegation, and legality. Those are the surrounding topics of the nclex: The patient (priority), what are you legally allowed to do, and how safe do you, as the nurse; delegate care (because that DOES FALL ON YOUR SHOULDERS!)

#nclex, #pvt, #studytips,

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I took my exam sept 11th at 8am, havent gotten my quick results yet but i am still listed as a GVN on the TBON website and i am getting the "good pop up" im still super nervous. mine stopped at 95 with 20 SATA,

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Congratulations! :)

I took mine on the 4th and still waiting for the results. Received the good PVT pop up though.

Dont know if you remember me. But about a year back we did some message exchange how our programs were! Glad to see you're a PN now! In about 2 weeks i'll find out if I'm a PN as well!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Congratulations. Finally someone doesn't make the sole reason for their passing all about God.

1
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Try and take a deep breathe. Tell yourself "whats done is done" and either way you will be ok, because you WILL BE.

I can't confirm or deny the infamous pvt pop-up, because I managed to have all 3 options possible during my 48-hour wait (that was a surprise to say the least.)

However, I'm sure you did well and you will be getting very good news in the near future =) Positive vibes =)

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Congratulations! :)

I took mine on the 4th and still waiting for the results. Received the good PVT pop up though.

Dont know if you remember me. But about a year back we did some message exchange how our programs were! Glad to see you're a PN now! In about 2 weeks i'll find out if I'm a PN as well!

Heyyy! yes I do!!! :)That's so great. Whooo-hooo we made it. I have no doubt in my mind that you passed! I'll be sending positive mojo your way! :up: :nurse:

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Congratulations. Finally someone doesn't make the sole reason for their passing all about God.

Thanks =)

I try to avoid religion on public forums :shy:(unless it specifically has to do with it, or I'm asked a question about it.) Not knocking anyone at all, but I've always felt that my spirituality/religion/belief has always been a personal relationship. Not that I won't ever talk about it, I'm just not the type to immediately make someone else uncomfortable with my personal beliefs. ( I won't judge others that do it, it's just not my cup of tea.)

I do however think the power of positive thinking can help (not that I'm always the spokesperson of that :unsure:.)

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

wow congrats. this is definitely motivating. Do you think you can give me any help as I also have to take the Ati pn exit in about 2wks. [email protected]

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wow congrats. this is definitely motivating. Do you think you can give me any help as I also have to take the Ati pn exit in about 2wks. [email protected]

- First, breath & relax about the ATI PN exit exam. It's easier than the NCLEX because they're aren't (at least when I took it in July) at SATA questions, it was all multiple choice. Make sure you know about "therapeutic communication" and bruch up on your "nursing fundamentals", and PHARM. They throw in a few tricky pharm questions (but it's nothing that will trip you up too much, if you have prepared.) I also recommend taking EVERY single ATI "practice" exit exam that they have (they also have a practice nclex one, take it!) Some of the questions are repeats BUT some of them are NOT, and they're just worded different, you def have to read them.

- The advantage to taking the ATI exit test, that unfortunately we don't have when taking the nclex is that you can WRITE in and "circle in on the ATI paper exams. I think that's why I did so well on my exit exam (99%), I wrote down little tricks that my instructors taught me (ex: potassium "bananas" come 3-5 in a bunch, hence normal K level 3.5-5.) Also things like "never ask the patient why" in a psych question, that's NOT therapeutic communication and comes off judgmental and cuts off communication. Never pick an answer regarding communication with "why" in it.

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*aren't any SATA, *Brush up (oops)

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
- First, breath & relax about the ATI PN exit exam. It's easier than the NCLEX because they're aren't (at least when I took it in July) at SATA questions, it was all multiple choice. Make sure you know about "therapeutic communication" and bruch up on your "nursing fundamentals", and PHARM. They throw in a few tricky pharm questions (but it's nothing that will trip you up too much, if you have prepared.) I also recommend taking EVERY single ATI "practice" exit exam that they have (they also have a practice nclex one, take it!) Some of the questions are repeats BUT some of them are NOT, and they're just worded different, you def have to read them.

- The advantage to taking the ATI exit test, that unfortunately we don't have when taking the nclex is that you can WRITE in and "circle in on the ATI paper exams. I think that's why I did so well on my exit exam (99%), I wrote down little tricks that my instructors taught me (ex: potassium "bananas" come 3-5 in a bunch, hence normal K level 3.5-5.) Also things like "never ask the patient why" in a psych question, that's NOT therapeutic communication and comes off judgmental and cuts off communication. Never pick an answer regarding communication with "why" in it.

Thanks so much this is exactly the in depth what I needed... If possible can you please email me I have a question to ask you.

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