My Nclex Journey (kinda long, very inspirational)

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Orthopedics.

i can't express how happy i am right now that i'm writing this. i just finished calling the board of nursing in saipan and the secretary told me i passed. after giving about 20 thank you's to the secretary i threw my cellphone in the corner, jumped up and down, leaned on my knees in tears and raised my hands above my head. "praise you god. thank you so much!" i still can't believe that i'm an official us registered nurse. everything is just surreal for me as of now. i want to share with you guys my story of success, the downfalls that came in my way of conquering my success, and how i made my dream of becoming a nurse reality.

i enrolled in bsnursing back in 2006, when i was 16 years old. i was a teenage mom, gave birth only a few months after high school graduation. my family lived a good middle-class life. you can say my dad was angry and crushed at first, i can still remember my mom crying when i told her the news that i was pregnant. when i look back and remember how hurt they were, i knew i didn't deserve such good people as them to be my mom and dad. i am lucky to have them. you don't see that much parents support their teenage sons or daughters after they let you know they're going to have a family. but my dad, loved me so much that he suggested i continue college. he still saw that i had heart and determination to make it as a nurse. so he gave me money to enroll. mom and dad were very supportive, and learned to forgive. this was the time i told myself "i won't let my good folks down again. they have faith in me and i am blessed for that."

so i continued schooling, got decent grades. when i was in my 2nd year of college, i learned that my live-in partner and father of my son was cheating. i know this may sound cliché but he was my "first everything." when i asked him to confirm it to me he didn't hesitate to say he was, indeed cheating. the guy said he found his soulmate in his current girlfriend and suggested we break it off. though shocked and at the same time hurt, i agreed. i kept in mind the fact that i had made big mistakes in life and now was the time to correct those mistakes. i wanted to do so many things and make my parents proud of my achievements. so, we parted ways. i admitted that i was young and stupid and had to start all over again. i still see him from time to time but he acts like we don't exist. my family though, never left my side.

alcoholism became a problem and depression hit me during my sophomore year of college, i thought i was at the verge of dropping out of school. there was also a time when my parents wanted to put me in rehab but i refused. i lost many friends along the way, no one wanted to hang out with a bad influence. one day, i thought it best if i stop schooling for a whole semester. i couldn't take the stress of being in school, grades started dropping and i became even more depressed. so, i took time to heal, spend time with my mom, and help her take care of my little one. my family never gave up on me. they continued to guide me, pray with me, say positive things to cheer me up, and most importantly, love me unconditionally. after 5 months, i was able to battle my demons and try again. i went back to school. i gained good friends that semester and since then, we never hesitated to inspire one another with our funny ways, little hugs and advices. they respected me despite my past and i felt the same for them. despite being the "outcasts" of the batch i kept letting them know how special they were and reminded them that someday, our dreams in life shall come true with patience and time.

i graduated from nursing school march of 2011,at the age of 20. took an after-grad vacation, and began my review for the nclex june of the same year. my first nclex experience was horrible. i had a panic attack during the exam and clicked my mouse like crazy once i realized the computer hadn't shut off at 75. i thought the questions were weird and a little difficult to break down. all 4 choices in the multiple-choice questions seemed all correct so i rushed the exam and went home. a few days after, i did the notorious pvt and went straight to the cc page. 4 weeks later i received a big white envelope from the bon confirming my "fail."

like every other student who didn't pass an exam, i felt devastated, hopeless, and a complete idiot. the hardest part was telling was parents. i saw how upset they were, and that made me even more ashamed to show my face to them. but my folks were so humble and calm they patted my back and just let me sob. my dad reassured me that there was still a next time, and i kept thought of those words. he suggested i enroll in a review class, so i searched online for good nclex reviews and resources. i came upon this wonderful website--- :) [color=#ff00cc]allnurses.com. i read the threads and saw how kaplan and hurst were good reviews, so i compared the two according to price, passing rate, which was more recommended, which had more advantages. i chose kaplan, but just its qbank due to financial matters. i started reviewing sept.01, 2011 (using lacharity, kaplan strategies book, and saunders) up to january 20,2012. i started my qbank dec.5 to get myself more familiar with analysis and application type questions. kaplan has really helped. there were days when i would get as low as a 46%, other days as high as an 85%, but nevertheless, i didn't put much attention to those grades because i knew somehow i was consistent with my scores in the 55-60's range. last few days before jan.24 (my judgment day), i studied the infection control mnemonics, basic lab values, math/ abg computations. every sunday i continued going to church to say my thanks to the lord for giving me another chance to prove myself. i asked him to guide me, but most importantly, to bless my son and parents, who loved me and kept their faith in me. i listened to soothing christian songs written by the christian rock band praising crowns (who am i, praise you in this storm), comforting bob marley(3 lil birds), uplifting craig armstrong instrumentals and eye of the tiger which was trying to tell me to literally fight back. i posted inspiring quotes and bible verses on my bedroom door.

the day before the exam i went out malling, and came home to watch tv. i slept at 8:30pm, woke up at 6:00am. took a warm shower, ate breakfast and dressed up in a cardigan, skinnies, and flats. before i left the hotel room i once again bowed down and prayed. i got to the testing office 30 minutes before my exam and deep breathed. i felt relaxed and calm the second time around. i felt as if an intimate, loving presence was with me that day. after 2 and a half hours in the testing room the computer shut off at 110 questions, i let out a deep breath and checked out, then went back to the hotel. i was jittery in trying the pvt but i quickly filled up the necessary info, said another little prayer and got this--"our records indicate you recently scheduled the exam. pls contact your board of nsg for further info. another registration cannot be made at this time..." i jumped up and down, and cried my heart out, it was the most uplifting time of my life. "praise the lord!!!" i repeated the pvt everyday for 2 weeks, but i just couldn't believe it that time. i decided to phone the bon at saipan and they gave me their congratulations and told me they sent my documents to me a few days following my exam. i still await that mail with my official certificate up until now, i can't wait.

i can now spend more time with my son who has been patiently waiting for me, wondering "when is my momma gonna put those darn books down and play with me?". it's been such a long time since i spent quality time with the people who mean a lot to me. i also have a special someone wanting to spend time with me for a while, but i was just so busy these past months. my parents and friends want the celebration party i've been planning for a while. lol.. i guess god was just planning for the right time. he does make no mistake after all. god bless all those taking the nclex, whether its your first, second, or sixth time, never give up. it's only after you say "i quit!" that you have truly lost. good luck guys, love you allnurses!!

special thanks to kaplan, lacharity, saunders, and [color=#ff0099]allnurses.com.

"trust in the lord, in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths." proverbs 3:5

"life ain't all about sunshine and rainbows. it's not about how hard you hit, but about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. how much you can take, and keep moving forward. that's how winning is done."- rocky balboa

"just because someone says you can't do something doesn't mean you have to listen."- anonymous

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@littleone17: what an AMAZING story! Congratulations on passing the NCLEX & best wishes in your future nursing career!! "God is good ALL the time; & ALL the time God is good!"

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Congratulations and a special shout out to your parents who never let go of your hands. Make them and your son proud. I'm so happy for you. You are a nurse at such a young age. That in of itself is something to be proud of notwithstanding the trials you had to go through

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Long story indeed but u hit my fav scripture Congratulations

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Orthopedics.

@aehtela: Indeed, God has heard my prayers, my wants. Though I didn't get my want (RN License) the first time around, I believe he was just planning the right time. I am so happy :) Thank you

@NewGoalRN: Yes, I am so blessed to have good folks like them. Dad is getting a little old and wants to retire soon so I plan on helping the family out with expenses. I am 21 as of now, having no idea where to start with the job hunt..lol but I'm positive things are gonna turn out ok. Thank you guys :) God bless

@diana2520: Hehe..that along with Jeremiah 29:11 :) I'm sure you know that one as well--sends chills up my spine every time I read it.. Thanks

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Informatics.

Congrats RN! :yeah:Truly, God is good all the time, maybe it wasn't for you the first time, but in God's time, it will be the most perfect moment. Hoping to have the same success story soon!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring everyone reading this.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Informatics.

Anyway, may I know what resources you used for your review?. Thanks again!:yelclap:

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Orthopedics.

I really recommend Kaplan :) I used Kaplan Qbank and the free QTrainers you can google online.

Other than that I used Saunders, Lacharity, Feuer Audio Review that I would listen to from time to time, and the Kaplan Strategies Book. Memorize basic labs, infection control mnemonics, and know your math calculations. I graduated from the Philippines last year from a small community college and nursing is tough these days. I heard from my friends that the recent local boards wasn't that very easy so I urge those taking whether the local boards, NCLEX or CG that you have to be prepared when you go in to take your exam. Take your time and remember to pray.. You will do great.. Good luck:)

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Congrats!!:hug:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Informatics.
I really recommend Kaplan :) I used Kaplan Qbank and the free QTrainers you can google online.

Other than that I used Saunders, Lacharity, Feuer Audio Review that I would listen to from time to time, and the Kaplan Strategies Book. Memorize basic labs, infection control mnemonics, and know your math calculations. I graduated from the Philippines last year from a small community college and nursing is tough these days. I heard from my friends that the recent local boards wasn't that very easy so I urge those taking whether the local boards, NCLEX or CG that you have to be prepared when you go in to take your exam. Take your time and remember to pray.. You will do great.. Good luck:)

I'm also from the Philippines! I passed the local boards last 2008 right after I graduate from nursing college. Well, I'm really so happy for you kabayan! ;) And thank you again for sharing your sources & advices. I'm also using the same resources except the Kaplan Qbank. Please pray for me as I retake mine on mar 9. Thank you so much again! God bless you and your family always.:hrnsmlys:

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Congrats!!! :) :) :) God is GOOD.

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Congrats! I love your scripture at the end it's one of my favorites. I am trusting and leaning on Jesus to get me through my NCLEX the 28th of this month.

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