My NCLEX success story

16 Posts

I have been a lurker on this site for a very long time (all through nursing school to be honest!) , so I figure it is only fair that I share my nclex story since so many people inspired me throughout my journey! I am a graduate of an accelerated ADN program and landed myself my dream position in a local critical care unit prior to taking my test, I was ecstatic but it definitely placed extra stress on me to pass nclex the first time!

I finished school at the beginning of August and the first available day to sit for nclex was mid September, way longer than I wanted to wait but it was what it was! I attended a review course in my area that is very reputable so that ate up 3 of the weeks. It was definitely something I am glad that I did. After that I took a week off from studying for the most part, then buckled down for the 2 wks before my test. Each morning I reviewed my notes from the review class and each evening I did a minimum of 100 practice nclex questions. Days before the test ( this is the most beneficial thing I did btw) I met up w 2 friends and we bounced facts off each other. I am a high strung person, so believe I was developing an ulcer by this point! I did we'll in school, mostly Bs and some As and I never failed a test, I deep down I knew I could do this.

The day before the test I woke up very early and studied till about 5 pm, then I closed my books and tried to relax for the rest of the night. I showered got my things all set up for my test the next morning and was sure to be in bed by 9 pm (another very important part of my success, be well rested!). My test was at 8 am the next day, so me being me, I was up at 5 and out the door by 5:50 to get to my test center by 6:30, lol, I had a fear of being late! Anyways, I brought my computer and did about 50 questions in the car to warm myself up and shake out all the wrong answers. I was very calm that morning surprisingly and I attribute it to my relentless studying and preparation. Anyways, I went into the testing center and no joke finished with 75 questions in 1 hour almost to the minute! I walked out saying to myself, "that was it?! That was nothing, what was I so worried about?!" I went to my car, tried the PVT, got the good pop up and knew I had passed. My name was on the BON the next day.

You can never really "study" for the nclex because the test bank is so vast, the best you can do is prepare yourself and be confident. Sorry this is so long winded :) best of luck to you future test takers!