My NCLEX Journey

[RiahRN]

Hey Guys! Like many of you, I have visited this site numerous times over the past 3 months as I have been preparing, and in my case, re-preparing for the NCLEX. I am not going to lie, studying for the NCLEX for the second time has probably been one of the most trying times for me throughout my Student Nurse career. I have always been a pretty decent student, graduating with a 3.3 from my BSN program, but this simply is not ENOUGH to pass the NCLEX in 2013. I would like to share with those are dealing with this same situation to give you hope that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel =)

In June I sat for the NCLEX for the first time. In preparing for the first time, I did not put in nearly enough time dedicated to studying. I let the HESI tease me into thinking that I would pass without studying. I was soon greeted with disappointed as I sat for 5.5 hours and failed at 265 questions. I was devasted, I didn't believe it, and I lost a lot of confidence in myself to ever be a RN. With the support of my family, friends, and PRAYER I picked myself up and designed a plan. I think this first step in designing a plan was probably the most beneficial thing I could of done for myself. I will share with you with this plan consisted of:

A content review: I am from Ohio and a man named Mark Klimek gives an awesome review of material that you MUST master before going into NCLEX. There are tons of content reviews out there but you must know your material before even attempting to do questions. I have also heard from many nursing students that Hurst gives a great content review as well.

Kaplan: While I was reviewing content, I also did Qbank questions from Kaplan that were EXCELLENT! It is setup like an NCLEX environment and really force you to critically think which is VITAL! My scores ranged from about 58s-72s progressively. I think practicing Kaplan helped with my testing anxiety the most when taking the NCLEX for the second time.

Exam Cram NCLEX RN 4th Ed.: These questions were also very helpful in studying for the NCLEX. The book has about 6 different tests with 250 questions in each. This helped me to stay consistent with answering questions and applying my content review that I had been studying.

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment by LaCharity: This book was also a great resource for practicing prioritizing and delegation by the RN which is ALL over the NCLEX. You will definitely see these questions so it is very important to know how to answer them.

All these resources definitely helped me to prepare for the NCLEX and pass the second time. Along with studying for 45 days straight, prayer is what truly carried me through this struggle. There were times when I was tired, down on myself, and intimated by the NCLEX and God was there each and every time to push me along =) I have to thank Him for my success! Confidence is key! If you do not believe in yourself, then you will not pass. A week before the test I felt my confidence slipping. I wrote my name followed by BSN, RN and I continued to tell myself this. You can pass this test, it is not the end of the world even though it may feel like it! I am a firm believer. Hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. Hope my story can help someone =)

[swansonplace]

Thank you.

[louiern77]

I sat for nclex yesterday and gave me 75 questions.when i did the pvt it came through until the cc page which others says that you failed.this is my 5th try to pass the nclex.i was really disappointed bec i was so prepared compare to the last 4 exam.i don't know what to do now.

[RiahRN]

What resources are you using to prepare for NCLEX?

[uniqueguy34, BSN, MSN]

iam sorry to hear about your dissapointmenet,, please remain strong,, ive been there,, this will become a history,, matter of time, and doing the right preparations.. email me on my personal email, if u havent done so

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

It says my results are on hold, but lets me go through all the registration stuff to the CC page. Are you SURE this is accurate?!

[kerrynurse]

Congrats :)