NCLEX RN yesterday

Published

After coming here for months and reading posts, I feel I owe it to all of you to share my story and thank you for sharing yours with me. One word of advice is do NOT schedule your exam for the last week that you are approved to. I had to have my gallbladder out a few days ago and could not reschedule my testing day.

We were required to take Kaplan as part of our graduation requirement. I feel the decision tree was helpful in breaking down the questions when I didn't know the answer. I scored in the mid 50's to low 60's on the question trainers. Trainer 6 was 58 and trainer 7 was a 63. I only did a little of the qbank questions. Overall, if I had to do it over again, I don't think I would pay to take this course. We also purchased NCLEX 4000, which was extremely helpful and I highly recommed purchasing it.

The most helpful things to use for this exam I learned from the boards. LaCharity (should be your bible), know your Lab values and infection control inside and out. I also purchased Saunders but I didn't really use it to much, I think your med surge book is sufficient.

When the computer didn't shut off at 75 questions, I cursed under my breath. After a 100 and some odd questions later I just wanted the computer to shut off, I didn't care anymore this exam was kicking my but and the staples in my abdomen were beyond uncomfortable at this point. When I got to question 165 and it still didn't shut off, I just knew deep down I was going to get all 265 bleeping questions.I pulled myself together and just decided that I was going to try and do my best to answer the questions and learn what areas I was lacking in so that I would pass the next time I took it. Question 264 was easy and then came question 265 and I had no clue what the answer was. I was freaking out inside. I read the question and answers three times, used deductive reasoning and kept saying to myself I would pick the same answer that I did, but I had absolutely no idea if it was right.

The drive home I didn't know what to think but I didn't feel terrible. I felt like I tried my best and the worst thing that could happen is I would have to take it over again and it wouldn't be the end of the world. When I got home I poured myself a nice alcoholic beverage and called my best friend. I couldn't even remember the question but knew what the subject and the answer I put. We were trying to look it up but couldn't find out if it was right or wrong because I didn't remember the other choices...

When my boyfriend came home from work I told him about the trick but I was afraid to try it. Finally after an hour or so I decided I had to know. We went up to our room and I was so nervous I couldn't even type so he did it for me. I got the good pop up...We jumped up and down, danced, and yelled at the top of our lungs and then I cried. I actually did it, it's all over.

I already gave you my advice on what tools I think you should use. If you have the money for Kaplan then I would take the class but it's not a deal breaker, I wouldn't do it again. I had around 5 math problems, tons of select all that apply (they were not that difficult) use true false to answer them. I had alot of meds, most I never heard of. The ones i did know were basic questions and not difficult to answer. I had alot of questions on growth and development which I didn't expect. Also quite a few questions on STD's and 1 OB question. Know your teaching.

CONGRATS!!!...Wow what an interesting story. Im entering my second year of NS in the upcoming Fall , but I do like to check out the NCLEX section from time to time.. when I was reading your story I actually felt like I was there with you and the anxiety..well I am glad you passed. I notice you wrote something about a trick to see if you passed. Could you explain what that is? Also congrats again!!!!!

After coming here for months and reading posts, I feel I owe it to all of you to share my story and thank you for sharing yours with me. One word of advice is do NOT schedule your exam for the last week that you are approved to. I had to have my gallbladder out a few days ago and could not reschedule my testing day.

We were required to take Kaplan as part of our graduation requirement. I feel the decision tree was helpful in breaking down the questions when I didn't know the answer. I scored in the mid 50's to low 60's on the question trainers. Trainer 6 was 58 and trainer 7 was a 63. I only did a little of the qbank questions. Overall, if I had to do it over again, I don't think I would pay to take this course. We also purchased NCLEX 4000, which was extremely helpful and I highly recommed purchasing it.

The most helpful things to use for this exam I learned from the boards. LaCharity (should be your bible), know your Lab values and infection control inside and out. I also purchased Saunders but I didn't really use it to much, I think your med surge book is sufficient.

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When the computer didn't shut off at 75 questions, I cursed under my breath. After a 100 and some odd questions later I just wanted the computer to shut off, I didn't care anymore this exam was kicking my but and the staples in my abdomen were beyond uncomfortable at this point. When I got to question 165 and it still didn't shut off, I just knew deep down I was going to get all 265 bleeping questions.I pulled myself together and just decided that I was going to try and do my best to answer the questions and learn what areas I was lacking in so that I would pass the next time I took it. Question 264 was easy and then came question 265 and I had no clue what the answer was. I was freaking out inside. I read the question and answers three times, used deductive reasoning and kept saying to myself I would pick the same answer that I did, but I had absolutely no idea if it was right.

The drive home I didn't know what to think but I didn't feel terrible. I felt like I tried my best and the worst thing that could happen is I would have to take it over again and it wouldn't be the end of the world. When I got home I poured myself a nice alcoholic beverage and called my best friend. I couldn't even remember the question but knew what the subject and the answer I put. We were trying to look it up but couldn't find out if it was right or wrong because I didn't remember the other choices...

When my boyfriend came home from work I told him about the trick but I was afraid to try it. Finally after an hour or so I decided I had to know. We went up to our room and I was so nervous I couldn't even type so he did it for me. I got the good pop up...We jumped up and down, danced, and yelled at the top of our lungs and then I cried. I actually did it, it's all over.

I already gave you my advice on what tools I think you should use. If you have the money for Kaplan then I would take the class but it's not a deal breaker, I wouldn't do it again. I had around 5 math problems, tons of select all that apply (they were not that difficult) use true false to answer them. I had alot of meds, most I never heard of. The ones i did know were basic questions and not difficult to answer. I had alot of questions on growth and development which I didn't expect. Also quite a few questions on STD's and 1 OB question. Know your teaching.

Congratulations:yeah::nurse::heartbeat Whoa this is an amazing story!!! thank you for sharing with us.

Good luck with your official results.

Thanks everyone. The wait is awful

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Specializes in Cardiology, NCLEX instructor.
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