NCLEX journey of a FEN out of school for 9 yrs

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Specializes in OR/PACU/ER/L&D.

I always come here to read about the NCLEX forum and I can see that there are a lot like me who are trying to reach their dream of passing the NCLEX RN.

I graduated '07 BSN from the Philippines, got employed the same year as a nurse, immigrated to USA on 2013 and it took forever for my CGFNS CES report to happen until I became eligible to seat the exam on June '16. I started reviewing using UWORLD, averaging 55% and finished off with 58%. and a little background, I work 40-60 hours a week far from the health care field. Was it doable? I suppose if you have the drive to reach your ultimate goal, you most definitely can! I took the exam on Sept. 17 at 8am and computer shut off at 75q! I was so at loss, cried on the way home and felt sick the whole night. My exam consists of so many SATAs, drugs, prioritization, infection control of the "uncommon" CDs. I did not have delegation questions. At the latter part of the exam I was falling asleep and I thought it's not a good sign, I was getting bored with my questions. At the beginning the qs are so difficult and became so easy i can even recall 2 anatomy questions in the end part. My last question was about a routine procedure that we all know about. 45 mins for 75q, I thought I failed big time.

I waited for 24 hrs to try the PVT and it gave me a good pop up, 48 hrs post test, I purchased the quick results and there it was... PASS. tuesday, my license was posted at the BON website, submitted job applications the same day, got my interview for a surgery center FT position yesterday and got hired on the spot. Will start my orientation next monday :)

Fellow nurses, I am all praying for those who are struggling on the nuclex. I wish you pass and get through this ordeal so you can start practicing your chosen profession. Do not give up!!!

NB: Lippincott qs are too easy and lacks the essential rationale, LaCharity PDA rationales are almost the same with Lippincott. Please go with UWORLD. It drives you crazy, they have harder questions than the actual exam. Best regards to you all!

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Specializes in Intensive Care Unit (Trauma & Cardiac).

I am on the same situation... how did you study for the exam and what are your review materials/

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Specializes in OR/PACU/ER/L&D.

Hi! At first, I was reading nclex rn mastery app, lippincott, and lacharity, then I learned about Uworld, dropped everything for Uworld. I would study 75qs a day after work,( 6 weeks) make notes of the teeny tiny details I presumed would come out in the exam and indeed! The "unexpected" things I found in the rationales are what came out, and trained me well especially for the drugs and SATAs. The week before exam, I would only do 20qs/day, the ones I keep forgetting. I would say NCLEX exam knows your weakness. I'm still amazed by that, because all the topics that I avoided like a plague are the ones that manipulated my exam content.

Best of luck to you! If you get nervous during the exam, take a deep breath and know that you're almost there!!! :) :)

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Specializes in Intensive Care Unit (Trauma & Cardiac).

Did you try reading the saunders book? I am currently reading that book and making notes as well.. I am very inspired of your story... I hope to pass because I must pass due to responsibilities and pressures around... Im so happy for you...

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Congrats!! Dreams can, indeed, come true

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Did you try reading the saunders book? I am currently reading that book and making notes as well.. I am very inspired of your story... I hope to pass because I must pass due to responsibilities and pressures around... Im so happy for you...

I can so relate to the "must pass due to responsibilites and pressures around" feeling.. I am also very anxious about my exam. It will be on the 3rd week of December. I'm also using Saunders right now and curious if anyone recommends it or if I should just focus on answering practice tests everyday..

@debeers--- CONGRATULATIONS in passing the nclex! I hope that your success never stops. I am about to take the nclex the third time and I hope I pass this time around. I really cant afford to fail anymore. I'm going to check out UWORLD as you advised. Any other tips? I'm also from the Philippines. I was wondering if you've had any work experience prior to moving to the States?

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Specializes in OR/PACU/ER/L&D.

SupernurseRN, I used the Saunders for the NLE, however for nclex, I am with uworld hands down í ½í¸Š

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Congratulations, i know the feeling of passing!!!! God bless us all!!!!!

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Specializes in OR/PACU/ER/L&D.

@oleacronon @gizahon thanks a lot! It is beyond bliss congrats as well☺️

@honeyRN apart from what I have shared above, my one advice is stop when you are no longer absorbing what you are reviewing, have a break and when you think you're fine again, get back to reviewing. And yes I have experience as an RN in the Phils. Which to me, made it more confusing to study the NcLEx theories at some point. You can do it!

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