My NCLEX experience

[Reds5588, BSN]

So I'm not sure if anyone really cares (lol) but, I loved reading other people's stories in the weeks leading up to the nclex.

I graduated in December, an average student. Took the Kaplan review course through my school and did the entire Qbank and all question trainers. I reviewed all answers and made a point to really understand the rationales. I got my ATT on January 11th, and scheduled the boards for February 11th. Exactly one month to study hard!

I devoted at least 2 hours a day to studying, often as much as 8 hours on my days off, while my kids were at school/daycare.... Everyone told me not to focus on content and only do questions, but I didn't feel comfortable with that. I studied the Kaplan content book pretty hard. I brushed up on a lot of facts that I never would have been able to correctly answer otherwise. Especially lab values and infection control!! I also made note cards, with labs and nursing interventions for things I wasn't confident in.

My Kaplan scores where all between 60% and 72%.... my lowest was question trainer 7 at 60% which had me so nervous. The week before the test I downloaded nclex mastery app to brush up on questions while I was out or at work. I truly believe it's best to do a balance on content and questions. Don't try to memorize facts. Like, if I'd get a question wrong, I'd read the rationale AND look it up in the Kaplan book to get a broader familiarity with other aspects of the topic.

I had major trouble sleeping the night before the boards. I got a total of 3 hours of sleep. Once I started the test my heart was POUNDING and I felt like I was going throw up. But after the first few questions I relaxed a lot more.

I was never a great test taker. Always thought I'd end up with 265 questions. I was SHOCKED when it shut off at 75. Only 35 minutes....I felt I was doing average. I felt if it shut off at 75 I should have had a better idea how I felt. I had 21 sata. Everyone always told me that it's normal to feel like you failed and that usually means you passed. I was nervous because I honestly felt it was a lot easier than I expected, and I must have gotten lower level questions, therefore failing.

Within 24 hours people who also took it had their liscense posted but i didnt.... I was devestated. The pvt trick kept giving me the good pop up. But the fact that my license hadn't been posted yet while others had, crushed me. Last night, a post on this site reminded me about the mandatory child abuse training that I had completely forgotten about and didn't do! That was the reason my license wouldn't be posted yet! Anyway, I checked at exactly 48 hrs for quick results this morning and saw I passed!!! And now I'm working on my child abuse training so I can get my license asap!

This site helped me so much over the past few weeks! Thanks everyone!

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

I think the child abuse training is for the Public Health Nursing certificate. Congrats!

[dgorges]

Passed NCLEX on Feb 11th. Only did Kaplan qbank not the entire class. And PDA. My Kaplan scores were high 40s low to mid 50s couple 60s. Bombed the ATI predictor and was told my chances of passing were slim. Studied for like 3 weeks first week wasn't intense, last couple weeks took off some time from work put in good 6-8 hours of studying. Got my BSN and officially an RN. Btw I did the PVT trick and got the good pop up. Used an invalid card the first time then used my real card information the rest of the time. didnt even have to pay the $8 for the unofficial results MI posted my results this Saturday morning :) congrats to you and good luck to all

[Jaykalkyn, BSN, RN]

Awww, congratulations!!!! How exciting for you!

Your studying is very similar to mine. I did Kaplan throughout my BSN program (it was mandatory), took the review course the week following pinning through my school. I've done all Qbank questions, QTs, and sample tests; i've only QT 7 to do this week. I've also gone through the entire Hurst program and am now studying notes. I'm also reviewing Saunders for each Hurst topic and doing Kaplan questions after I study the topic. I also have the NCLEX Mastery app that I've been working on throughout my final semester.

I feel like I've got a lot of bases covered in terms of content and questions, but its hard not to think that I won't be prepared when exam time comes.

I've got a mere 10 days until I take NCLEX. It's go hard or go home time. One and done! I hope and pray that I can report good news in 12 days. I'm not sure if I will try the "trick," my results will be posted on my boards website by 7 a.m. on the 25th. I think I can wait...maybe.

Good luck to you!