My NCLEX Experience: Preparations, Study Tips, and Acing the Exam

[lilmonsterkray]

I am a registered nurse from the Philippines and I started working on my application for New York State last year. It took me 6 months to process everything, from CGFNS to NYSEd. Received my ATT last July and took the exam last October 27. It was very challenging for me to study in less than 3 months since I am working in a hospital. Time management, hard work, and determination will push you to achieve your goals in earning a US-RN license.

STEP 1: TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Best books/materials/online resources to study:

1. La Charity & et al. Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment
2. Saunders' NCLEX RN Book (Esp. the Safety chapter)
3. Kaplan Online (very difficult questions but a good endurance test)
4. Hogan's NCLEX exam (software, this is my main Q&A practice tool)
5. Audio Tutorials
6. NursesLab.com (NCLEX q&a)

I answered 100-300 questions per day and after each test I would always review which areas I need to focus on based on the summary of the exam. Answering this much will help you in sharpening your knowledge, endurance and test-taking skills.

Studying with a buddy will also help, especially those who friends who have experienced taking the NCLEX. These people are the most reliable sources of information regarding the exam.

STEP 2: DAY BEFORE THE EXAM

✔️ DO NOT cram! Keep focused and relax. If you think you have prepared well, then you should not be very anxious with the exam.

✔️ Give yourself a treat. Learn to unwind, watch movies and listen to music. This is the best therapy you can give to your self to lessen anxiety while counting the remaining hours before the exam.

✔️ Visit your testing site if it's near you. Getting familiar with the place will also help.

STEP 3: ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM

I took the NCLEX last October 27, 2016 9:00 AM. Answered a number of SATAs, hotspots (drag and drop, etc), prioritization, delegations, ECG tracings, and the typical multiple choice questions. SATA questions were hard, you really have to choose the best answers. Never get tempted to check all the boxes. Take time to contemplate which items you will check.

You will know that you're doing well if your questions are getting along the way. For example when you correctly answered a simple multiple choice item the succeeding questions will be SATAs and hotspots like drag and drop.

Take note: the last item before your computer will shut down is not a determinant if you will pass or not. Others said that if the last question you answered is difficult, you will surely pass the exam. I beg to disagree. My last question was very easy (multiple choice).

Take your time in reading each question carefully and make sure to use theories when you are not sure. Other questions will really challenge your critical-thinking skills.

My computer shut off after answering 75 items. This is really my goal.

I finished the exam in just 1 hour and 30 minutes.

STEP 4: AFTER THE EXAM

Tried the PVT trick after 12 and 24 hours and the "GOOD POP-UP" displayed. I think the trick is still reliable as a screening tool if you pass, but still the Quick Results is still the confirmatory test (sounds like lab exam LOL). Paid for the Quick Results after 2 days and received the good news.

I passed! Officially an RN of New York State.

STEP 5: FINAL THOUGHTS

Pray hard. Study harder. Manage your time well in preparing for the exam. Never cram and always be confident.

Good luck to all aspiring nurses who will take the NCLEX!

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

This one was much easier compared to the first 3 but that could be because i was better prepared

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

Mark klimek audios. They are what stuck in my mind throughout my exam. I also did alot of practice questions with uworld. They have great rationales. I tind ncsbn and uworld have the same question but ncsbn has alot of great theory. I bought remar review. But all i think you would need from them is quick facts as a reference or refresher. You don't need the whole package. I learn from understanding and making sense of it in my own way. Mark made that easy for me

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

Thank you

[LuvCash RN, ASN]

Hopetopassnclex keep asking because so many people wonder the same thing such as myself when coming on the webiste and it may help or change they way others studying. Congrats Miss Success you have did it. Great Job!

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

Thank you very much

[HDHRN]

Congrats! I too passed on my 4th try. Good luck in your career!

[lharberRNbsn]

Hello all. I'm putting this post out there to help those who may have gone through or are going through the same thing. I passed my NCLEX on my third attempt. I failed the first two times and in Michigan, you pretty much have to pass the third time. Our rules on NCLEX attempts are very strict. Pressure was on. But here I am, I did it.

Let me start art in the beginning. I graduated with my BSN. I did very well in nursing school. I felt that I would tackle the NCLEX with no issue. I bought uworld and did a few hundred questions before my first attempt. I have fairly bad anxiety, I always have, and this test had me up in a mess. Nonetheless, I walked in to take it. I got to question 200 and I just wanted it to stop. I just started to click on answers to make the test end. I was freaking out. It shut off at 240. I knew I failed. I was upset but I knew I could take it again. So I signed up for my second attempt. This time I used the state boards study program. I studied doing about 100 questions a day. This time my test turned off at 95. I thought I passed. But I learned that I had, yet again, failed. I was devastated. I almost gave up. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. So this time I decided I needed to go all in on this. I signed up for Mark Klimek review in Kentucky, and drive there for it. I got a tutor through Wyzant (Frank D.). It was expensive, but what does it matter if you MUST pass. I studied for 1 month with Frank's program. I went to take my test a third time. I was crying in my car before going in. I said a prayer to God, begging for him to help me get through this. I sat down, started my test and it turned off at 75. I had gotten about 40 SATA. I felt like the test was a breeze. I knew I had passed. My license was posted only a couple hours later. I cried tears of joy.

You can do it. Believe in God, all things happen through him. And I owe so much to Frank. He not only tutored me, but he supported me and constantly told me I was going to do it.

[dianah, ASN]

Congratulations on passing NCLEX!

Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

Best to you as you begin this new phase of your nursing career journey!

[SqrB3ar, BSN, RN]

So happy you kept trying! CONGRATS

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

And good luck to you as we. Congrats

[Miss Success, BSN, RN]

Because i was better prepared it felt easier. Lots of priority, safety, delegation and labs