Struggles and countless defeats are obstacles in life that create a pathway of determination and dedication for success. The purpose of this article is to discuss how struggles and countless defeats are only temporary which will eventually lead to victory.
Nursing StudentsNCLEXArticle
Hello everyone! I would like to tell my story to give encouragement to others who are going through the same situation as me. This will be my 5th time taking the NCLEX, which has been a very difficult time for me because I have always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. I even had the fisher price nurse's kit LOL.
After I graduated from nursing school, I signed up for the Kaplan online class. My scores were in the high 50's to low 60's so I felt ready to take the test and pass the first time. I waited 2 long long days and paid for the quick results and when I saw the word fail, my heart sank and I just started to cry.
I was so heartbroken and felt like a failure.
A few days after finding out, I told myself that this is my dream and I will not give up. So I decided to study Kaplan again and focus on the Q-Bank Tests and watch the videos. My scores were in the low 60's to high 60's and I felt like I really understood the questions and rationales.
I decided to schedule my test and believed I was ready this time. I waited another 2 long long days and when I saw that I didn't pass again, I was absolutely devastated. I started to question myself and wonder if I was really meant to be a nurse.
My family, boyfriend and close friends were my support system and told me to keep trying because they knew that I would be a great nurse someday. So I decided to completely switch up my game plan and study Hurst. I really liked Hurst, it focused on content material and I understood the information better than I had before and was able to connect the dots (ex: if a patient has fluid retention: think heart problems first).
I was so ready to take the test and felt so confident with all the knowledge that I had gained. After taking my test for the third time, I waited another 2 long long days and found out that I didn't pass again. I was beside myself and couldn't believe it. I was feeling so down and depressed and one of my best friends told me this amazing quote that I will never forget.
Quote
"It doesn't matter how you get there, what matters is that you get there"
That made me realize that no matter how many times I take this test, I will keep trying until I pass! This time I decided to study the NCBSN Learning Extension 5 week course online. I really liked this program because it had questions that were similar to the NCLEX. It went over content in a simplified way and there is a 20 question quiz at the end of each section.
The goal is to score 75% or higher. I kept scoring in the high 60's. But the more and more I practiced the questions and read the rationales, I started to score 73% and then finally 75% and then 78%. I was very proud of myself that I reached the goal for the online course and I felt more ready than ever to take this darn test LOL.
I scheduled the test for my 4th time and got the full 265 questions (had lots of SATA, 1 math, lots of EKG's, hot spot questions & drag n drop questions). I felt really good about the test when I left the testing center. I waited another 2 long long days and found out that I didn't pass.
I was so frustrated, upset, angry, so many emotions.
I took a few days to take a breath and try to relax. I know in my heart that I'm meant to be a nurse, I love taking care of people and making a difference in people's lives. I decided this time that I needed to get a comprehensive NCLEX review book.
I found Davis's NCLEX-RN Success 3rd edition book, the reason I think this book is going to help me be successful this time around is because it has content review, 3500 questions/rationales from the cd, including 1000 new questions in the book, two new pre-tests and two new final tests. It even has a section for repeat test-takers with test taking tips and a free test prep consultation with the author.
I started studying the book today so I will keep everyone posted of how it is going.
Aside from studying, I highly recommend Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul. It is such an amazing and encouraging book that has helped me to stay positive through this rough time and to keep pushing on. Good luck to everyone who is taking the NCLEX for the first time and multiple times. My advice to the people who are repeat test takers, DON'T GIVE UP! STAY POSITIVE! AND DON'T LET ONE TEST DEFINE YOU AS A NURSE. We can pass and we will!
