My experience with NCLEX and how I passed on the 3rd time..

28 Posts

Yay... I'm now Licensed Registered Nurse...

:prdnrs:

I'm sorry Betterlucknextym, Dennishiella and others for the late update.

I previously typed up an entry but lost it when the website logged me out.

Okay, here is my story:

1st attempt of the NCLEX was just after graduation from nursing school in August, 2008 and I was working at least 24hrs per week as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I attended the preparation class provided by Kaplan, although I didn't use much of the online tool. I never answered any Qbank questions and never completed questions trainer 2, 3,4,5,6 and 7. And with personal devastating news the week I was to test, I still went on to take the test. Prior to the test I requested for extra time and private accommodation ( by the way, it was a pain getting a test date because you have to call the scheduling representative instead of doing it yourself online. I think the representative wasn't proficient and had very poor customer service). During the test (Aug. 14, 2008) my mind was just wondering around other personal issues. Anyways I failed the exam with 183 questions. I knew I did fail when I didn't find my result on the California BRN's website and when I called they keep telling 3 to 30 days. It was the most horrible feeling and I started studying again that same day.

2nd attempt of the NCLEX, I studied all by myself, started working fulltime as a Certified Nursing Assistant to meet up with bills, creditors for my student loans were already calling me 24/7 for their money. I used the Hurst review to prepare for the content and did some of it's questions. I took the test on Dec. 1, 2008, I had testing accommodation, additional testing time on this test and total of 92 questions) and 3 -7 business days later couldn't find my name online. Then I new I didn't pass again. I later received a re-application form and result few days later from the BRN.

3rd and Final attempt: This time, I was still working full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant, often get questions from colleagues like "When are you taking the boards" but I just brush it off and kept preparing to take it again. During registration, I declined to request for extra time and testing accommodation. I chose to go in with the normal 6hrs and the usual testing room (by the way, the room was noisy).

Preparation:

Hurst Review: I took the Hurst Review class in Jan. 2009 but I was really sick during the class. So, I decided to listen and watch the content videos on my own and took notes. I used the Hurst Review for content because I believe the topics are explained in simple terms and easy to comprehend. I also studied the most important meds mentioned in the content videos. Attempted 50 questions from each section from the Hurst review book.

Kaplan: I used the Kaplan for preparation of test questions and I thought it was very helpful. The questions are harder than those on Hurst reviews. I completed questions trainer 1, 2, 3, online review questions, did 50 Qbank questions from each category and 50 questions each from subcategories. First my grades were in the 50s, and then my averages were in the mid 60s at the time I took the exam.

Pharmacology: Learn new medications such as those frequently on TV commercials e.g. Levitra

Infection control: Know your infections that require contact, standard, droplet and airborne precautions. There was a helpful acronym for infection control was posted on this site in April of 2008 thread (credit goes to that person) e.g.

CONTACT PRECAUTION

M-Multidrug resistant organism

R-Respiratory infection-RSV

S-Skin infections

W-Wound infections

E-Enteric infections-clostridium defficile

E-Eye infections

And I added Croup

Please if you need more information on this, you can ask me...

February: In the month of February, dealing with violence from wifey, I moved to the 3rd floor of the my home, I embraced my faith to by taking a special week to fast (6am-6pm) and pray while studying as usual. Praying and fasting gave me some encouragement, focus, and avoided external distractions. I also took about 5days off to study.

March: My test was set for March 12, 2009. Two days before the exam I left the house to stay in a motel close to the testing center to avoid any distraction. At this time, to be honest I could feel and hear a voice within me saying "your license is waiting for you, just go take the test" I heard the voice 2-3 times. I did not tell anyone about test date even wifey, except my friend in Virginia because we've been supportive to each other preparing for the exam and she passed the NCLEX 3wks prior even with difficult times she was facing.

During the exam, I had 3 SATAs, lots of priority questions, infection control questions, teachings, few medications and psych questions. After my first 30 questions I took my one and only break (had a small snicker bar, cup of water and used the rest room). At the 74th question I said Oh Lord let it be the last, at 75 at shut down.

After the exam, I realized no external personal issues (distractions) came on my mind during the exam which was a surprise and I'm grateful (All of my thinking was about the questions I had to answer at every point in time). I didn't know how to react but I knew I studied really hard this time, the questions I got were more priority questions, and there could be little chance of me failing at 75 questions.

03/17/09: While at work, about 2am I checked the BRN's website and my name wasn't showing up. At first I didn't really want to check it myself to avoid the anxiety. Then my good friend in Virginia sent me a text message at 3.45am to send her the spelling of my last name. At 4am, she sent me a text to call her, when I did I heard her screaming very loud "YOU MADE IT". So, I went on to the BRN's website again at 4.05am, searched the BRN via yahoo and found my name. I couldn't believe it. Then I searched for the BRN through Google search engine and I found my name again... I was really excited, didn't know if to cry, smile or just scream loud...But I did scream very loud after I got off work lol...

03/19/09: I received my electronic ID card from the BRN which I thought was fast. And 03/23/09 I received my engraved certificate.

Well, thanks to Betterlucknextym, Dennishiella and others sharing your stories and experiences. Please if there is anyway I could help, you can contact here...Now I can go to graduate school and follow pursue other prospects...

For those that need to retake the test, I know you might feel like a failure, you might have family to care for financially, you have other imminent obligations, please do not give up, when you fall down, please get up immediately, I know that it's easier said than done. But you know being down, feeling depressed will not you lead you forward. Gather yourself together; keep positive people around you as you prepare for the next test, sometimes you have to make very difficult sacrifices and I wish you all the best.

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trimeduRN, BSN

188 Posts

Specializes in Informatics; Labor & Delivery; Med-Surg.

Mar 26, 2009

Congratulations!!!! I know you're on top of the world now.

Shawn, RN

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cute_nurse24

28 Posts

Mar 26, 2009

Thanks Shawn...I feel that way..I having been smiling so much that my cheeks hurts lol But I'm trying to stay focused so I can do things I promised I'll do when things were difficult...