My NCLEX story

Published Sep 11, 2015

5 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac Nurse.

Alrighty everyone! I am here to tell my NCLEX story because everyone's stories on this site have helped me so much. To begin I'll describe myself I graduated with a 3.7 GPA, Dean's List, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. Even was given a Nursing Clinical Excellence in Leadership award at graduation. So I was a pretty darn good student and took great pride in my grades and clinical strengths. I also was a tutor my junior and senior year in nursing classes.

After graduation it took absolutely forever for my state (PA) to get me my ATT. At this point I had already accepted at position at the local hospital for a Graduate Nurse. I was so excited and pumped! I started working ASAP and created a detailed study schedule. I was given Kaplan from my university so I used the Q-Bank and Question Trainers. I always had a love-hate relationship with Kaplan but it is what I stuck with. I also used Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment by Linda LaCharity (BTW everyone on this site is 10000000% correct this book is a must!!) My Q-Bank scores were 56-75% and my last two question trainers were 60% and 65%. At this point I had been at work for a month and was only days away from NCLEX.

The day of the test I walked in calm, confident, and determined. I was answering the questions and then I got to question 76! What? My test is still on? Okay, okay no big deal I thought to myself. When I reached question 150 I had a full blown panic attack and melt down. I am not a nervous test taker and have never had anxiety so I did not know what to do to pull myself together. I left the testing center knowing that I am failed. I sobbed all night long and two days later discovered that I had failed the NCLEX. I was above passing in all except two areas. I felt ashamed, embarrassed, scared, stressed, and depressed. I told my manager at work and of course I had to stop working as a GN. I was put back at my original position as an nursing assistant. I was miserable.

I took two weeks off from anything NCLEX. The first week was spent mostly crying and sleeping. The second week was reading every single post on this website about failing NCLEX and overcoming it. This helped me so much to know that I was not alone. Granted it felt like I was but reading everyone else's stories made me feel like I can do this! So I got back up and starting redoing my Kaplan. I also got UWORLD (amazing! an absolute must have) and these questions really pushed me to think. I did questions everyone where I went. On breaks at work, when I was riding in the car, when I was at home. The week before my retest I started chanting to myself in the mirror which seemed silly to me but I chanted this. "I am going to take the NCLEX for a second time. I will not panic. I will read each question twice and read all the answers. I will pick the best answer and read the question again to make sure it fits. I will not panic. I will pass this exam. I will see my name R.N. I can do this. I can do this."

Test day number 2 arrived to the testing center early. I don't recommend not eating but I was way to focus to have breakfast. So I went without and I was fine but I don't recommend it. I got in the exam room stayed calm and every 25 questions took a break. I would leave the room and walk to the bathroom even if I didn't have to go. I would chant in the mirror my speech. Once again 75 questions came and went...then 150 and next thing I know I got all 265 questions again. I left the testing center in a daze. I felt like it was a difficult exam but I didn't panic. I honestly didn't know what to feel or think. I got home and cried all night because a switch flicked and I thought I blew it and failed again.

Well this morning I was at work and I decided to check the license verification website and search my name. I saw my name with RN active next to it and lost my mind! I ran into my nursing managers office and shared the great news! I am back on orientation and I am an RN!!!!

Bottom line. It doesn't matter how many questions you get. I know it seems like everyone who takes it in less than 150 has passed but the amount of questions does not matter. Do the best you can do and never give up! The second time I used Kaplan and UWORLD. I really think nerves get the best of you. So just breathe and everything will work out!

Thank you everyone on this site for their stories. Without them I would have been lost. I hope that someone reads my words and it helps them. I am willing to help anyone who asks or even wants to just vent. NCLEX is horrible exam that will make you feel very small but you feel like the king/queen of the world when you overcome it and pass.