NCLEX-RN - PASSED on first try!

[Nurse Mek]

Once I passed, I wanted to share some information that may help some future nurses (who are probably panicking as the test dates are approaching).

I didn't do Kaplan review, or Hurst.

I did questions from Saunders Q&A Online (buying the book was worth it for the code for online questions - there were about 6000, but plenty repeats). I only did maybe 50-100 on a good day, but I couldn't do too many questions in one day because it drove me nuts. Also, there were days that I didn't do any studying at all.

When I got sick of Saunders, I did some online practice tests on ATI. The only thing is, Saunders had way better rationales that ATI.

Maybe about two weeks from my test date, I found out about UWORLD. That thing is amazing! There were only a little less than 2000 questions. The app for my iPhone worked incredibly – you can highlight, bookmark, and write notes. There were so many SATA questions, which definitely prepared me for the NCLEX. The 7-day free trial was definitely worth it. I suggest to do this closer to the test date, and do as many questions as you can, or pick a focus area of weakness.

UWORLD -- best rationales, and it gives you photos, acronyms, and just ways to remember certain things (even on the app!). It's awesome!

For UWORLD, don't be discouraged about the percentages that they give you. I was getting an average of 50%-60%.

In total, I probably did a little over 4000 questions.

I also skimmed that nclex guide from this website.

I took the exam August 14th, and got my results August 16th. I didn't do the PVT because the Quick Results were available 48 hours after test date anyway.

In about a little over an hour, I did 76 questions and the computer told me the test had ended.

I definitely freaked out because I breezed through the test. It is not as bad as I thought it would be. Most questions I got were situational, which made it a bit easier. The SATAs were a pain, but they weren't questions that I haven't seen.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

[JPGasmin]

How were the UWorld questions compared to the NCLEX?

Did it help because you got some similar questions in the NCLEX from UWorld? Or helpful to just practice questions?

I test this week but I have barely done 1/3 or the UWorld qbank. I just hope it is enough to prepare me for the real thing. Because i'm feeling a bit nervous.

[Nurse Mek]

I found it to be the most similar in comparison to all the other ones I did. A few people told me it was more similar to ATI.

The SATA questions that I got on the NCLEX were super similar to the ones I did on UWORLD. The app helped a lot because I didn't carry my laptop with me everywhere.

Good luck!

[marsbars62]

I too passed on the first try, but due to the BRN in California and it's notoriously slow processing, I waited 5 weeks to finally see my license posted on the BRN website. I want to pass on also that I had a misdemeanor on my record. I spoke with a BRN representative and confirmed that even after you take the NCLEX and pass, the BRN will not give you your license until your records/paperwork are reviewed AGAIN by "enforcement". Once reviewed and approved by "enforcement" the BRN will give you your license. I suspected that is why my license was so slow in coming, but it was nice to have this fact confirmed and pass on this infor to the rest of you still waiting for your NCLEX results.

Also, my study habits for the NCLEX included taking any available comprehensive test from Saunders, Lippincott, Mosby, & Hesi. I also did Hesi Adaptive quizzing on line (my ADN program used HESI tests and it was part of our curriculum along with Saunders and Lippicott). If I felt weak in an area I could make a custom quiz with the Hesi Adaptive. Hesi and Mosby questions were the most difficult, but you are still learning from the rationales if you get a question wrong. My ADN program prepared us well with difficult exams and a rigorous program. I breezed through the NCLEX and walked out feeling confident that I passed. Good luck to you all on your NCLEX, I wish you all success!