My NCLEX journey began for me a few days after completing my ADN program, March 10, 2014. I set my original test date for May 3, 2014, and after some advice, I decided to move my test date up to April 17, 2014. My main study sources were HURST Review, 15 week NCSBN Learning Ext Review program, and Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment by LaCharity.
I finished my ADN program on March 6, 2014, and had my graduation ceremony in April 2014. I began studying on March 10, 2014 and as soon as I got my ATT on march 25th I scheduled my exam for may 3, 2014. After interviewing for a residency position, the nursing managers advised me to move up my test date, I was a bit nervous to do so, but glad I did. I changed my test date to April 17, 2014 at 2pm.
I purchased the 15 week NCSBN learning ext review program January 22, 2014. I didn't start using it until march 10, 2014 and I found it to be very interesting. It was very Long and I didn't need the 15 weeks i think i would have been better off purchasing the 3 week program. I primarily used this review for the practice bank questions which were about 1300 questions, I completed all of them except for the last 200 questions.
I also purchased the Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment, by LaCharity. This book is a very wise investment. I would have loved to get through all of the chapters, but I did not. I did the electronic questions that came along with book and I kept a log of my scores. These questions were very challenging in my opinion and really made you think about how to answer them.
I also was given Hurst review about a week and a half before I was set to take my exam. I watched all the videos and completed the workbook in 5 days. HURST review helped me put the small pieces to the puzzle together. I enjoyed the videos they kept me engaged, and honestly if i had more time, I would have watched them a few times. This review helped me pass my exam!
The above items, along with Prayer and me verbally stating on a daily basis that I would pass my exam is what helped me.
I remember walking into the testing site happy! I saw my study partner come out of the exam and I remember asking her how she did and she said "I don't Know" she told me that since I was here early they should let me take it early, so I went up at 11am and I checked myself in, and I remember smiling the whole time, I remember thinking the whole time Nicole you are going to pass this exam today, today you will officially become an RN!
When I sat down to take my exam I was calm, and I was happy, I couldn't wait to take my exam and pass it. I remember getting my first few questions and thinking I believe this is the correct answer, and whatever answer I chose I just went with it and didn't over think it and i didn't spend much time on it. I remember getting to question 75 with 45 mins down and when it didn't shut off I said its ok keep going. By question 85 I got up to use the restroom, and I remember coming back and when I looked up I was on question 94, a few minutes later around question 100 my computer shut off and all I thought was wow, this wasn't that bad. I had a lot of SATA, a few chart exhibit questions, quite a few ordered response, 1 picture. I did not have any audio, no dosage calc, no ekg, and maybe 2 medication questions, and the rest were multiple choice and prioritization questions. Like I said HURST review and PDA helped tremendously!!!!!!
As soon as I left I called my study partner and she did the pvt and got the good pop up, I went to my school campus and found a few friends and did the pvt and I got the good pop up too, but I was a little skeptical I needed real hard proof LOL.
The next 48 hours were torture waiting to be able to pay for quick results, well early Saturday morning on the 19th I got a text message of a screenshot from my study partner of both of our names on our BON website! Yesssssssssssssss!!!!!!! Happy isn't the word! I feel extremely blessed that this was my first and last time having to take this exam.
For those of you getting ready to take your exam, don't doubt yourself, say out loud every day that you will pass your exam, be happy when you go in to take your exam and know that you can conquer it, because you can.
