Hello Everyone,
I had the taken the boards previously and I wasn't successful. At that time I had used Kaplan. I decided I had to change my study plan in order to be successful. Here is a list of my preparation.
1. Set a date (keep you focus)
2. I made up my mind that I am going to pass this time and I made a study plan for 6
days a week and 8 hours a day.
3. Content is the key to passing, so I build on that first. Resources I used were
Pearson review book, Kaplan, and Hurst Videos. I listened to them over and over and
I downloaded it on my iphone. I read the Pearson book chapter by chapter and did
the practice questions.
4. For practice questions, I did Pearson and the Saunder's CD. The very last 2 weeks, I
did Exam cram and about 400 question from NCSBN. Overall, I did anywhere from
200-250 questions a day.
5. I used Delegation and Prioritization book.
I did a total of 6000 questions which takes dedication and discipline.
Through out the journey I kept a positive head and I exercised 6 days a week. For the last month I have been doing the crazy insanity. This really kept my stress level down. I also took my vitamins and I got 8-10 hours sleep every night.
On the morning on my exam (June 29. 2012), I walked into that exam room with an open mind. I said my prayers and told myself, "on your marks, get set, go"!!!:) I am NOT doing this exam again. Question number 4 was a SATA... I was so happy. I got a total of 118 questions, 24 SATA, 3 calculation, 1 drag and drop, 1 picture, and a host of delegation, prioritization, teaching, and infection control. I felt so bad when I was finished and wasn't even sure of any of answers. I just left it in God's hands. Nevertheless, I tried to the good old person trick and got the "good pop up". :w00t:I am now awaiting the official results.
Here is a poem for you. http://www.donnarosestewart.com/other/kelfer.html
You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.
No, that trauma of failing you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS. NOW GO GET THAT LICENSE! 
You worked so hard, you deserve it. 'I can do everything through Him who gives me strength' :-) Thanks so much for sharing as well!
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NikkiC213
31 Posts
I'm using NCSBN too and heard it's very similar to the boards questions. One of my instructors recommended it so I'm following his advice. Also, all my friends who finished nursing school a few months before me used NCSBN and all passed the first time too! Congrats RN!!!! :)