My NCLEX Experience

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I passed NCLEX-PN on June 3rd, 2006 with 85 questions. From there, I was so freaking relieved that I ran the streets, forgetting all about books, had a note burning party, etc. And, I did not even look at anything to do with NCLEX, but today, I decided to check the site and see how anticipating test takers are doing, and my heart tugged, because I KNOW how you all are feeling!!

This may be difficult to comprehend until you actually sit for NCLEX (those that understand this, let me know), but there is no real preparation for WHAT questions appear on that exam. I remember feeling bewildered, shocked, disillusioned, and simply walking away from the exam saying "What the heck was THAT??" I did not see any of the things that nursing school drilled into our heads relentlessly, like diabetes, endocrine disorders, heart failure and pediatric cardiac disorders (remember what disorder is a right to left shunt??) Not even insulin.

I don't know if I am expressing myself correctly, but the message I wish to convey is that you should find a study system that agrees with you and use it, may it be Mosby, Kaplan, Saunders, the Learning Extension Program, etc... and, as hard as it may be, try not to purchase too much material out of fear. People may see posts and say "So and So says Saunders is best, or another group of people say that Kaplan sucks...but I am using Kaplan. Should I stop?" Don't take on other people's experiences of NCLEX and make it your own, because you will panic FOR SURE. It may be best to not mention to many people you encounter daily that you have made your date, and curtail even the on line communication down to a few. This is not a criticism to sites like this, because this can be therapeutic, but if it gets to the point where it makes you panic, then, maybe check posts less frequently. Have faith in the system that you choose to study, and minimize the distractions and things that bring about panic. We cannot control what will show up, we can only continue to do what we CAN do, which is to continue studying, doing questions (make sure that you read the rationales) and critically think. Don't beat yourselves upside the head trying to add some other item into your method of studying if you have been consistant.

When I walked out of NCLEX, I believed that I failed. NCLEX-PN also proved to me that certain things were really out of my control, and that I literally did all that I can do, and I was sort of comfortable with that...knowing when I walked out of there that I was not sure, but I literally did the best that I can do, and I can walk away with pride. Of course, it was better to have passed, but I knew then, that NCLEX was in the hand of the Creator, not mine...and that it was NOT ME that did that exam, it was a Higher Power.

I wish you all the best...let us all receive what we have worked so hard for!

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i LOVED what you had to say.

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Specializes in LTAC, Telemetry, Thoracic Surgery, ED.

No truer words spoken......from a person that just went through the same ordeal.....but came through LPN!!

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I took my test today as well. 75 questions and I walked out of that room feeling like I'd just gotten off the mother ship after 3 years. :uhoh3: No idea who I was or where I'd been all this time because nothing on that test seemed to be taught in nursing school. I also believe that it's in the hands of a higher power. I prayed through the whole thing. All I can do now is pray and have faith that if God feels I'm ready to be an RN then I will pass.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

I found the NCLEX to be a test of what a prudent nurse would do to keep her patient safe and alive...not a test of content. I think its assumed you KNOW what they taught you in nursing school, now its time to apply that knowledge and get the best outcome for your patient.

And you're right...there is no way to study for that exam. There's no rhyme or reason to the questions. The things I thought were important and would surely be tested weren't even alluded to.

My advice is to practice practice practice the online tests and the CDs. Studying from the books does not prepare you for computer testing.

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thanks for the post...because i'm tried of thinking about what the exam or questions will be like.....i'll keep doing questions until 2 days before the exam....most important continue to have faith in god....

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pagandeva,

You said it right. I felt exactly the same way as you did. I did not buy any special books or take any ncelx classes. Nothing prepares you for that test and the feeling when you leave. Wasted 48 hours fretting about results -passed with only 75 questions. Thanks for writing the thread

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
No truer words spoken......from a person that just went through the same ordeal.....but came through LPN!!

Same here! Congrats to you. I feel like we are all intraconnected behind this BIZARRE experience. I just started my orientation as a nurse today.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
i LOVED what you had to say.

Thank you so much. I didn't know if I said the right thing, but I felt in my heart that it needed to be said. I am still somewhat horrified with this whole ordeal. Some people just didn't understand...they felt "You passed...".

Well, I did, but I have to admit, I left there sort of scarred, and I could not really articulate WHY...

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
thanks for the post...because i'm tried of thinking about what the exam or questions will be like.....i'll keep doing questions until 2 days before the exam....most important continue to have faith in god....

i was so booked and questioned out, that i was exhausted!! i had no choice but to leave it to the creator. and, i believe in my heart that it was not me that took that mess that they called an exam...it was the angels that i prayed to intervene and hold me up.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
pagandeva,

You said it right. I felt exactly the same way as you did. I did not buy any special books or take any ncelx classes. Nothing prepares you for that test and the feeling when you leave. Wasted 48 hours fretting about results -passed with only 75 questions. Thanks for writing the thread

Was that like UNBELIEVEABLE or WHAT??? All of the preparation, all of the worry, all of the doubting yourself, and the thing can be a crap shoot. I STILL sit in disbelief over that exam!

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I can relate to all that has been said in this thread. This is actually my first post. I took my NCLEX on Wednesday and I still feel numb. My test cut off at 120 and I am pretty sure I missed that last question, the weird thing is I can remember the three choices I didn't pick, but not the one that I did, is that insane or what? I guess I just couldn't fit anything else in my brain, lol.

I am still waiting to find out my results, Mississippi is not a state for quick results. We can however log on to BON to see if a license # has been issued. I called them today just to see when to expect that to be posted and was told the one, yes the one,woman that handles that is on vacation until next week. The agony of waiting 48 hrs is enough, I will be crazy, and so will my hubby and kids by next Tuesday. Good Luck to all and please know that reading through tons and tons of posts over the last 2 days has helped to put my mind at ease, well at least a little. I have pretty much convinced myself that I have failed, felt that way when I left, and now that I am pretty sure I got the last question wrong and then it cut off makes me feel I am right, but I have not lost all hope. As one poster said earlier, it is not the failing it that would be so bad, but how do I prepare for it next time when I thought I was prepared this time. In my opinion, there is no program, book, cd, or review that could prepare you for this............:uhoh3:

P.s. Could anyone let me know if the BON will also post if you failed it or do they just list your name if you passed and were issued a #. I guess if they don't post that you failed, I will have to wait for the mail results??

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