NCLEX Encouragement, Hurst Q Review Scores, Study Tips and Pearson Vue Trick

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I promised myself that once I passed the NCLEX that I would post on this forum words of encouragement and my experience, since I read so many encouraging posts from others here.

I took the NCLEX on Feb 26, 2015....and I passed (woooohoooo)! And I'm here to say that if I can do it, anyone can. So I've already had people asking how I prepared, so I'll get right to it.

1. Hurst review - I took the 3 day live review, and watched ALL of the videos and took ALL 6 of the Q reviews. I read over most of the 5th day material as well. Honestly, I had no questions on the NCLEX that Hurst helped me with. HOWEVER, I do think that by doing the review that it got my brain working and thinking the right way to answer questions. I did not do well on the Q reviews, all were less than the 84 that they suggest is passing the NCLEX. My scores were:

QR 1 76/127

QR 2 77/125

QR 3 75/125

QR 4 81/128

QR 5 80/125

QR 6 78/125

2. LaCharity's Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment - Buy this book. Seriously. If you use nothing else, use this book. I can't remember my scores, but they weren't super great.

3. NCLEX Mastery Iphone app - I really liked that I could use it on the go. My scores weren't great, but again, it got my brain working to answer tons of questions.

4. Kaplan Q Bank - I didn't do any content at all from Kaplan, just a few trainer tests. I only took 4 trainers because I ran out of time. My scores were:

Trainer 1 61

T2 64

T3 58

T4 63

And that's it. I decided not to study meds because there are so many and I didn't want to confuse myself at the last minute. I had the basics down for the meds from school, lols, pines, etc. So I just decided that, that would be enough. The main thing is read the rationales on every question.

The day of my NCLEX, I was freaking out and I didn't feel ready based on my below "average" scores on Hurst, Kaplan, and NCLEX mastery. I almost rescheduled my test because I was feeling so unprepared, but I decided to take it anyway that way if I fail, I'd know what to expect next time.

So, when I went into the test center, my heart was pounding, the entire time I was doing the orientation I was trying to calm myself down. I honestly can't remember one thing about the orientation because I was so nervous...then the test started. The first question was pretty easy (Is this a trick? Should I pick a different answer? This seems too easy.) And from there, all hell broke loose, and the SATAs started coming, then the right order questions started coming. (I know you aren't supposed to tell people what Qs are on the test, but honestly even if you could, I was so nervous, I can't really remember anything super specific anyway) There were SEVERAL med Qs that I have never heard of before, and there were a couple of procedures that I've never heard of. I felt terrible, like I was getting every single Q wrong. I was taking my time, and reading the Q many times, and all of the answers over and over before selecting the answer and moving on. When I looked up and I was on Q 75, I prayed to God to not let the test turn off because I didn't want to fail....I clicked to submit my answer, and hallelujah! Q 76 came up on the screen (a dreaded SATA) I clicked to submit....blue screen. I screamed in my head....nooooo!!! I can do better! don't turn off!! But alas, nothing I could do at this point but hang my head and walk out. I left the testing center at 5:30 pm.

I walked to my car going over the Qs in my head, where exactly did I go wrong? I sat in my car for awhile, petrified. Only one way to solve this particular problem....cheesecake. I drove the over an hour drive, swung into the grocery store, and picked up some cheesecake and decided to go sulk in front of the TV with my puppies and eat cheesecake until I was ill. So, I did (turns out, one cannot eat as much cheesecake as you would think) My daughter called to see if I survived the test, and she asked how many Qs I got, I LIED because I just knew that I had failed and I didn't want her to know that I had failed it in 76 Qs.

I was so upset, that it was consuming my thoughts, so even though I told myself I wasn't going to do the PVT, I did...2 hours after the end of the test (I know, I know...don't do it for 24 hours) I couldn't stop myself. I had a visa gift card with a few bucks on it...what could it hurt? Good pop up. WHAT??? Are you kidding??? I told myself, not to get too excited because it doesn't matter until 24 hours.

24 hours later, I did the PVT again...good pop up. WooooHoooo! But wait, what if I'm one of the few that it didn't work for? Don't get excited yet...

Yet another 24 hours pass, and I got the quick results. I passed!!!

So, to make a long story even longer, I'm 42 years old (43 in about 3 weeks), I never graduated high school, as a matter of fact, I quit school while I was in the 9th grade and got my GED when I was 16 years old and pregnant. I had another child when I was 18. I never went back to school until my kids were both grown and moved out of the house (and I have a grandchild). I decided to get into nursing when I was 38, took the prereqs, and applied to a community college nursing program...NOT accepted, but I did get on the "alternative" list. Well, lo and behold, somehow I made it in off of the alternative list and started the ADN program Jan 2013. I passed every class (mostly Bs, a handful of As and Cs), and graduated Dec 2014. Took NCLEX Feb 2015, and passed in 76 Qs. So I'm here to tell you if I can do it, so can you! Good luck to everyone out there that wants to be a nurse, just starting nursing school, or preparing for the NCLEX, YOU CAN DO IT!

Have faith.

Now...time to find a job!

P.S. I am NOT encouraging anyone to try the PVT before 24 hours, or with a regular credit card. PLEASE wait 24 hours and use a visa gift card!

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Congrats! I take my NCLEX this Friday 3/6/15 & this gives me hope!

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Congratulations and thank you for an awesome encouragement!

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La charity book-I checked Barnes and Noble is the book dark blue line yellow line than red on bottom? I see she has 2 books. 2nd book is lighter in color with exercises? DHICH Book Did You use?

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RN_Dreams, Good luck to you! I'm glad I could give a little hope!

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That's the one I used (blue, yellow, red) :) One of the best materials to use..ever!

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Hello Johnsover, congrats on your passing.

Thanks your post is so inspiring!!!...After reading your posts I decided to join.My story in a nutshell am a single parent in a midst of turbulent challenges for the past....God knows but the beauty of it all is I bounced back ,am a fighter who doesn't give up easily.Anything you could imagine of the 3d's of life..Divorce,Death,Disease....all but by the grace of God!!!!...I've been in remission of a disease that nearly took my life!

Right now am at the verge of giving up,even though in my heart I know this is not an option but it seems everything from content reviewing,review classes,critical thinking,strategies etc...I have done it all but am still not getting it!!!!...I have done NCLEX over 3 times......I have used all the above resources please any useful,helpful advice will help.Pls positive vibes only I have my own share of discouragement PLEASE KINDLY GIVE ME POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT.Thanks and God bless

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Love2Pass, don't give up now!!! You are so close! Once you pass, and get it behind you, just think of what a wonderful nurse you will be. I think of it like this, we've gone through some hardships, but I believe it has made us stronger, more understanding and compassionate people. Please keep your head up, and don't get discouraged. I know it's easier said than done, but you will succeed, it's all in God's time. Otherwise, He wouldn't have led you down this path. Have faith.

On your previous attempts, how many questions is the test going to, and how long are you taking? I'll help in any possible way that I can.

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Congrats! I just found out I passed the NCLEX today :).

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Thanks was actually taken my time my first attempt 235 /6hrs,123/4hrs, 119/5hrs.....am just reviewing my notes from Hurst and will go from there.Thanks I found a supportive friend in you.

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Hi John. Can i email you. I just want to ask something. Btw congratulations.

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Congratulations wonderful job. Well done thank you for the picture of book. I just realized how nervous iam trying to get feedback from others that I didn't realize your RN not pn. But good news lacharity comes in pn book also.

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