Nclex 2018 - pass or fail you will be ok

jessayala · Jan 31, 2018

Hi everyone! This post is going to be a long one so get ready.

I graduated in May 2017. I did not start studying for the NCLEX until maybe late September. Why? ANXIETY. I just couldn't get myself to study, but finally i decided enough was enough. Any who. How did I study? My school provided Kaplan. I think Kaplan is a great way to review pathophysiology of diseases/disorders. I purchased the 3 month (I believe) subscription of UWorld. I think it is best to focus on 2 study programs. Kaplan provided videos on all types of diseases and medications which i found really helpful as a review. On the other hand, UWorld provided rationales for nursing care/implementation. UWorld had a brief explanation on the pathophysiology of the question, but mostly went straight to the point. My recommendation is to have a brief understanding of the pathophys of the disease and have a general understanding of what you will see. Once you feel comfortable that you have a basic understanding then do the questions on UWorld. UWorld tests your nursing judgement (as do the kaplan questions). I found UWorld's questions more helpful than Kaplan's. The key to UWorld is you have to understand why you would do nursing a action vs b. Its all about prioritizing and application. A common theme is nursing process and ABCs (assessment FIRST along with airway, breathing, circulation). Having said this you have to know your pathophysiology because you have to know what S&S of the disease the client has are expected and not critical vs an abnormal finding. I would focus on common disorders that are a must COPD, CHF, DIABETES, HTN, CROUP, ASTHMA, KIDNEY/LIVER FAILURE. Also, know basic nursing care: CPR, assessment, PPE. Side note: on u world do not focus on the grade you get. FOCUS ON UNDERSTANDING WHY the right answers is the right answer and use that rationale to help you answers other questions.

Fast forward. I finally schedule my NCLEX on January 19, 2018. Most people do not recommend studying right before your exam. However, me being anxious and paranoid i still did. I most just reviewed my worst subjects aka meds and continued doing practice questions on UWorld. OK so test day.

I WAS SO SCARED! LITERALLY FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO DIE.

My exam was at 8 am. I tried to get a good night sleep and ate a granola bar and had some coffee.

The moment I started my exam, my heart was pounding. I felt like I blanked out. I had to constantly close my eyes and tell my self to focus. When i got to 75 questions i was scared and anxious all over again. Almost all of my graduating class passed the nuclei at 75, so when the computer did not shut off i panicked. 100 questions in. I felt like the exam was hard and getting harder. I had so many questions on VRE which i had no clue what is was but i used my critical thinking and priorities (again, nursing process and ABCs) to select my answers. 200 questions in. By this point i thought i failed. AGAIN, i tried to take deep breaths and just chose answers based on what my gut told me. Finally at 247 questions the computer shut off.

Leaving the exam i felt so unsure. I felt like i answered everything wrong and the fact that i went almost to the max number of questions did not make me feel any better.

I tried doing the pass "cheat trick" on the https://search.dca.ca.gov website two days later. (I took my exam in California so we do not have the option of quick results). If your name pops up under licensees you passed!

MY NAME WAS NOT THERE!

I cried for a like 3 days straight. I think what really helped me was talking to my friends.

I decided it wasn't the end and started studying again. I really focused on World because thats what worked for literally all my classmates.

January 25 was my birthday. I did not want to do anything. However, I woke up and decided to check one last time.

I passed. At 247 questions. Me!

Honestly, i think going into this exam you just have to be mentally prepared and be confident in yourself. You know the material and just have to apply it. Even if my name wasn't there, I would just keep studying like I had already re-started.

YOU MADE IT THROUGH NURSING SCHOOL! YOU GOT THIS! DO NOT PSYCH YOURSELF OUT!

I felt like i rambled on in this post. If you feel like you need someone to talk to I am here. Trust me I went though the anxiety, the stress, the heartbreak so I know what it feels like. If you need any help I will leave my IG: jesssyala.

Post exam: I am waiting for residency applications to open up. In the mean time I'm still studying and getting all my paperwork together.

IN CONCLUSION, PASS OR FAIL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH IN EVEN BEING ABLE TO REGISTER TO TAKE THE EXAM. TAKE TIME TO REGATHER YOURSELF AND KEEP STRIVING. YOU CAN DO IT!