My NCLEX Journey: How to Pass with 75 Questions, Tips, Tricks and Pointers

Published Aug 25, 2014

6 Posts

Hello all!

(I apologize for the length but please read in full if you need some words of inspiration and/or study suggestions while you prepare for the NCLEX)

I'm in utter disbelief that today I am able to refer to myself as a Registered Nurse. It has been an absolute roller coaster ride up to this point but I would not have ever changed a thing! I graduated from a very rigorous nursing school (2 year diploma program... But what nursing program isn't rigorous lol) July 2nd, and took my NCLEX on August 23rd and passed with 75 questions my first time around. I walked out of that testing center and the second I got to my car I sat down and said "F^

Then, I said, for the hell of it, I'll try the Pearson Trick to calm my nerves, and to see if by the fraction of a fraction percent chance I may have passed. I could not believe my eyes. Literally! I had to rub my eyes and then look and then rub my eyes again and then look again lol! The good pop up! I immediately burst into tears of relief. But I still did not believe it! That entire day I slept, I felt like I had the flu, I broke out in cold sores, laid in bed and watched the X Files, trying to distract myself from all that had happened, the relief, the fear, and the uncertainty. So since my test was on a Saturday, I had to wait until Monday (today) to get my results. As soon as I woke up I purchased my quick vue results to see the word "pass" , and then I checked the board website to see my name! Registered Nurse! I told myself the day I found out would be the day I post my story on all nurses because this website gave me so much hope, inspiration and wisdom and I pray that some of you read this story and KNOW in your heart you will pass as I did! Even and especially if you believe you can't!

So here are my tips, tricks and pointers :

1. Don't wait, schedule your exam about 2-3 weeks after you graduate if you can. I personally waited about 8 weeks but I think I took too long and would have been totally ready in 3. If you follow my suggestions, you will be ready in 3 weeks max.

2. Try to schedule your exam on a Monday or Tuesday. Scheduling it Friday or Saturday is torture as your results will most likely take a day or so longer than if you test earlier in the week! Some of my friends who tested on Monday had their results same day! This is obviously not the norm, and circumstances vary but I think it's a good suggestion.

3. Lippincott Q & A

I did this entire book, but I will admit it was totally unnecessary and the questions do not reflect the level of difficultly of the nclex. Lippincott is way more detailed and specific and in some cases harder than the actual nclex, but I highly recommend using this book to do chapters on your weak areas, I definitely benefitted from doing all the pediatrics and maternity questions, I seriously learned so much from that book. Though like I said, I feel I definitely did not need to do the entire book.

4. Prioritization Delegation and Assignment by Linda LaCharity

Gold Standard! I am actually planning on writing to Linda LaCharity to tell her how helpful this book is lol. Why my nursing program never mentioned this book is beyond me. If you do all the chapters in this book, you're ready for the NCLEX. I believe it is most like the NCLEX in terms of level of difficulty and question style. It is mostly those management of care type questions which is now the biggest category on the NCLEX, but without this book I would not have passed. I urge you all to purchase it and do the questions. There are only 18 chapters, each chapter is about 20-30 questions. So if you do like 4 chapters a day, that's roughly 120 questions a day for about 5 days. Not bad at all! (Oh and I didn't do the case studies in the back, just the question chapters which was really enough).

5. The All Nurses NCLEX Study Guide

Learn this like the back of your hand. It was insanely helpful. It was a beautiful review and was like all of nursing school in 35 pages. Straight to the point and tells you exactly what you need to know.

https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11215&d=1340919779

6. And most importantly...pray! I cannot overstate the importance of this, I'm not kidding, I rattled off a full blown "Our Father" before hitting submit on every single question lol! I prayed the entire drive to the testing center and I thought about my loved ones who had passed away, asking for their presence and guidance and I know they came through for me!

Please do not be scared, I know everyone says this but if I can do it you can do it too. You just have to want it very badly and be willing to work really hard for it, and if you graduated from nursing school, you can and will pass the NCLEX.

Disclaimer: These are merely suggestions and details as to what worked for me, if you feel this isn't enough for you, then do more, if you feel it's too much, then do less, follow your gut and you will not go wrong!