My NCLEX Story

[piscesmama]

I took the NCLEX on Oct 21 and found out that I passed the following Friday with great relief. I thought I would share my story with you all because this website was a big part of my success.

First, during nursing school I would say the speed at which I felt I was going was 75 mph and in reality I needed to go 55 mph so when I graduated I decided to study for as long as I wanted to. Yes there's the statistics that say to take the test within one month of graduating because you have a higher chance of passing BUT the way I did it proved that it doesn't matter. Basically, I graduated in May and if I took the boards in July I would of failed, no doubt!!!

I was very disciplined and studied every day for a period of time. You decide what period of time works best but you must study. Not just about the test questions, go into this test knowing as much about it as possible.

I did Kaplan and found it useful because it gets you thinking way differently than nursing school ever did, at least for me. By the time I was done with Qbank my main goal with the questions were: using the knowledge (if possible about the content) BUT mostly strategizing for the answer. I also used Saunders Comprehensive and would do the same thing when I answered the questions. What I loved about Saunders was how everything was broken up into the different topics. Very helpful. This book rocks and was very reflective on the boards because of the content and "test-taking" chapter. So, after kaplan because I had much time to study I did Suzanne's plan. But only finished part way.

I also used Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment. Get this BOOOOKKKK!!!! If you end up on the boards with these type of questions you are in the home run. In the Saunders book along with Kaplan they explain the 4 tiers that we need to go through (knowledge, comprehension, and the top two something about analysis/application.) Please get this information and know it thoroughly!!!! Also, in Saunders after answering every question it will identify what type of question it is. Meaning under "Level of Cognitive Ability" it will say comprehension or blah blah blah. The prioritizing book is all analysis/application type questions and in order to stay "above the line" with NCLEX you have to answer these type of questions.

I not only got ready mentally ready for this test but also emotionally and physically ready. I do a type of therapy called co-counseling and it doesn't matter what you do, I am just stressing the need to allow yourself to have someone you can go to. My friends helped me relieve test anxiety, stress about everything, and mostly the feelings that came up if I didn't pass the first time. That was huge for me!! I also got in shape physically. I lost 9 pounds when I sat at Pearsons. I got all my anger out when I would run and kept telling myself I passed.

I also had a friend (who passed the NCLEX during the summer) who sat with me while I did the questions at home. She would sit next to me while I did questions and I wanted her to hear how I rationalized my answers before I picked the answer. She was very good at this and at the end of summer during our sessions she saw my growth and said I was ready for the NCLEX.

Lastly, I didn't tell people when I was taking the test. I didn't want the stress. I passed the NCLEX because I did it my way and was diligent about my studies. My test was fair. I saw a lot of things that I didn't know about at the beginning of my studies but conquered at the end of my studies. It doesn't mean I answered it correctly either. As you know, if you have passed, you don't get anything in writing as to how you did. They key during my test was I didn't freak out because I had worked so hard during my studies, so the freaking part was washed away during my co-couseling and my brain was focused on what would be the best answer.

This thread has a lot of people who are similar: visual learners and those that need pnuemonics to remember things. Infection control was key for me on this thread. By the way, it took me 4 and half months. A lot of you do not need this time. It's a personal journey. I just didn't want any surprises.

Peace,

Piscesm:redbeathe:redbeatheama

[caliotter3]

:ancong!:

[kloie2]

Congatulations!

[Melinurse]

Congradulations Nurse!!! WooHoo

So happy for you. Good luck in your new career.

[BettyBoo706]

congrats

[Korleone]

nice tips! congrats.. might try to take note and use flashcards..

[lchrist2]

Congrats! Thank you for posting your story! I just signed up with this forum, but I'm a Canadian nurse and I am nervous because I am not sure how different the education taught is....

Congrats!!!! Thank you

[Twilight1]

Thanks for sharing your story. I feel like I can relate to you because I feel that nursing school went really fast. I feel like I got to study very hard also and feel like the talking therpy is what I need to get all the negative thought out of my mind before I go take this test. Thanks again and congrats on passing.

[allnurseid]

thank you so much for sharing your story. I too feel nursing school is going too fast (even though I'm getting good grades). This is exactly what I needed to hear to relieve some stress.

Thanks again.

[piscesmama]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

Still can't believe I've passed and can be with my family whole heartedly.

Pisces Mama:redbeathe:wink2:

[allhrt2rn]

it is hard to stay disciplined after graduating! way to go!!!!!!