I took the NCLEX RN for the first time back in June 2011, had 148 questions, and left feeling really good about the test. Only to come home and do the PVT and get the CC page. That was the single-most terrible feeling I have EVER felt in my life! Because all of my friends, family, and co-workers knew that I would be taking the test that weekend. Then having to tell EVERYONE that you failed left me feeling even more devastated than I already was feeling. So I took a few months off from studying to re-compose myself and get back up on my feet and muster up the courage to try again. So I rescheduled my exam for January 7th, 2012 back in early November '11. Then I found out on December 30th 2011 that my fiance and I were expecting our first child together. So that increased my anxiety even more! I HAD to pass this time! Failure was just simply NOT an option at that point.
So I buckled down and studied like I had never studied before, took roughly around 1,000-1,500 practice questions (with detailed rationales), and reviewed all the pertinent lab values. I also sharpened up my dosage calc formulas and conversions. When I sat for the test, I had lots of SATA's, but mostly questions like "a nurse is planning a teaching conference on (insert specific topic or disease process), what information would be appropriate to include regarding the topic. Only had one math question, thank God! I also had a lot of medication questions, which most of them I had never heard of, but was able to somewhat identify what class of drug they were by focusing on the suffixes (olol, sartan, pril). I got to question 75 and carefully read and answered the questions and hoped/prayed that the test would shut off. I hit next and saw question 76 pop up, and immediately my heart sunk. I know they tell us not to go into the test expecting the minimum amount of questions, but rather to plan having the maximum amount. But I still think we all go in hoping to knock it out of the park and shut it down at 75 lol. So I took a deep breath, asked the Lord to continue to help me and give me His peace and favor, and kept on going. I reached and answered my 98th question, and then the blue screen popped up and I was finished! I can't say that I felt either really bad or really good about how it went at that point. So of course, as soon as I got in my car I just had to try the Pearson Vue "trick". I am a firm believer in the trick because it worked when I passed the NCLEX-PN, as well as when I failed my first attempt at the NCLEX-RN. Sure enough when I got to the point where you hit next to go the payment screen, that GLORIOUS, BEAUTIFUL, AWE-INSPIRING little tan box popped up saying, " Our records indicate that you have previously scheduled this exam. Contact your member board for further assistance". At that very moment, I felt ALL of the weight I had been carrying around for the last 8 months immediately lift off of my chest, and was consumed with overwhelming joy and relief! All of my hard work, and endless hours of school/preparation had finally paid off. So thank you for taking time to read the story of my NCLEX experience, and I hope that it inspires someone out there that's considering throwing in the towel d/t past failure to NEVER GIVE UP. Pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and get back in the fight! You CAN and WILL be successful! Just remember, there is no such thing as a failure who keeps on trying! Best of luck to all, and God bless! :)
