nclex story

Published

Hi Everyone,

(Warning: I babble so this is long if you dont feel like reading stop now haha)

I know that reading many of your posts on what you did to study for the NCLEX and your background, as far as the type of student you are helped me with my anxiety as I was preparing for boards... so as I am writing this, I can only hope that maybe I will help relieve some anxiety at least for one person so here is my little input on the boards starting with a little background....

I have the attention span of a goldfish.. is that a fly on the wall.. did you hear that outside?... is someone snapping their pen? So Yes, I have A.D.D. and that was NOT easy to say the least, not easy in nursing school and sure as HELL not easy to study.. I have the worst organizational skills known to man, so to try to sit to study was very hard.

I am in my mid 20's and I have a previous bachelors degree and I returned to school for a ADN, I knew I wanted it, but I was NEVER a straight A student or even a B student in nursing school... I struggled but I LOVED It.. standardized tests were always my weak point, SAT's in high school, ATI's.. the whole nine.. Anyways, like I said I have A.D.D. so I tend to babble, so I'll try to get to the point... I struggled but I knew what I wanted and I went after it.. I never had to repeat a semester although I came close a few times.. I always thought in the back of my head that NCLEX will probably not be my thing, I sucked at SAT's and almost all standardized tests that most likely I will probably have to take it twice or maybe more, but I figured "Hey I'd rather re-take the NCLEX than re-take a semester" sure that's not the most positive outlook but I guess if I looked at it like that I wouldn't be so let down if it happen..

So I graduated in May.. started studying with Kaplan Live On Line end of June, I figured the Online class was more for me, I really cannot sit in a class for too long, I get very ansy. I found Kaplan to be very useful.. The classroom part of it was helpful but not nearly as helpful as the QBank and Trainers (I did not really get an "Repeats" on the test but they were very similar).. in case anyone is wondering, I did not watch CONTENT videos, I really hate that kind of stuff, if I struggled with something, for instance, chest tubes, ob stuff, I would find my own content videos but I just didn't want to sit through their long videos.. I figured if I had to second time around I would.. but I did watch each and every class and reviewed each and every question, took every trainer and all but 200 questions.. My grades were as follows:

Diag: 59

1: 53

2: 54

3:54

4:61

5:53

6:58

7:69- I'll be honest here, I did it two days before my exam and if I was unfamiliar with a question I would sometimes google info for it, so I do not think my score would have been really this high, I prob would have received around a 60.. I prob looked up around 20 questions..

Readiness: 58..

Advice/NCLEX Experience/Day before: I would say that almost everyone on this website will say DO NOTHING THE DAY BEFORE!!! But I remember reading someone's post that said, you know what, DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.. and that's what I did, I did what worked for me in nursing school, I woke up early, reviewed a few things like diabetes, ob(luckily I barely had any on my test THANK YOU GOD) and a few other things.. then put the books away, but I did review for a little and even in the morning of the test.. because THAT'S what works for me.. then I watched a movie before bed.. (Even took an ativan! Haha, I was never that study freak in nursing school who studied weeks before the tests or even did all the readings but I did study until the last minute haha) so do what works for you... As far as my study plan, I have worlds best parents still and I live w/ them, they made a room just for me to study in but I constantly need a change of scenery, I never had a set plan of when I was going to study... Most people said I studied 6 hours a day for this long, I didn't... But DO QUESTIONS and UNDERSTAND THEM!! If you don't get something don't kil yourself on it. I used Kaplan and correlated it with Saunders and used both.. but did use all of Saunders by any means.. Both were very useful, I didn't think Kaplan book was too great, I would recommend Kaplan questions and Saunders book...

When you get to testing facility, at first I felt like I was waiting in like purgatory, it was crazy with all the IDing and stuff... but instead of praying to god to PASS, I checked in.. got to my seat and thanked god for giving me to the opportunity to be there, I thought to myself, I made it this far if I have to take it 100 times I will, sure I'll be broke and this facility will know my information like it's nobodys business but I will pass..... I took a deep breath and started the exam.............. My screen went blue at 75.. (Mind you, I figured that out of all people I would have to take 265 questions and I sure as hell brought my meds to prepare for that haha)... I came home and did the trick and got the good pop up.. I am NOT getting my hopes up yet, I don't care how reliable this trick is... But I just wanted to let everyone know that even if I do have to take the exam again, the initial part of waiting, was WEIRD that's all that can describe it, but other than that... it really wasn't that bad.. and if your even being allowed to take the boards, you made it this far.. so keep your chin up, take a deep breath before the exam and don't try to ANALZYE the test, I am proud of myself for trying not to do that.. I think it may have helped me.. I didn't psych myself out..

You made it this far, you can do it..... If I can do it (meaning even SIT for the test-we'll know official soon) you can do it.. TRUST ME!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

congrats on the good pop up! good luck on official results!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck with your official results.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This post... I have no words for... I really can't tell you how I saw myself in every sentence you just said. ADD, yeah I crawl out of my skin after 30 seconds, check on the fish, hey i got a facebook notification, etc. etc. text after text. And I would only conquer 10 questions ha.

My anxiety, yeah, once had a panic attack during nursing school, and they didn't let me leave. TORTURE.

Grades, yep, never studied I got a B- and was happy about it.

Nursing school in general, yep I appealed my major twice, they wanted to remove me because I had a rough semester and my GPA went to a 2.98, and they wanted a 3.0. Yeah, I'd rather pass the semester and get the hell out rather than transfer out or find a new major.

I study in every room possible, every lpocations. From diners, to barnes and nobles, to a library to my living room couch watching a Phillies game. Change it up. Have I ever 100% stuck to one study material at one time? HELL NO. But, I maintain scores above 55 with a highest of 90! ... I am changing books more than I am changing underwear, BUT I COMPLETE THEM.

I just hope I get in there on Thurs and walk out with the same results as you.

This was a fabulous post. I appreciate it! And goodluck...and ahead of time- CONGRATULATIONS!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations and thank you for sharing~

What kind of questions and what topics you have it spread?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

congrats! hehe i can relate. i have ADD too. i took my exam on wednesday. went home feeling horrible, like i failed it. i wanted to do the pearson trick but i was too afraid so i waited friday for my results on pearson. I PASSED! :D it's one of the most amazing feeling in the world. i feel like a whole lot has been lifted off my shoulders. now the journey of working as a nurse begins! congrats to u again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So glad to hear we both made it through nursing school, I really feel that is the battle.. I just got my quick results and I did indeed pass.. :) and you will too!! Like I mentioned I truly feel like you just need to go in and relax!! You made it this far, take a deep breath, be happy you are there and put your best food forward.. trust me, I am not this positive... ever! But in this case, that is the best advice I have..

And to address the other questions in this thread... (sorry if I repeat this, but I am having a hard time scrolling up so I will just type it again anyways) I did not have ANY drop and drags, no sounds or any reason to listen to the earphones however, I do suggest keeping on headphones I had some girl clearing her throat every 2 secs and like I said everything bothers me... they give you noise cancelling headphones, reg headphones and ear plugs at your request.. I actually kept on the reg headphones cause I could actually hear my heartbeat with the noise cancelling ones.. (weird I know)

As far as questions to concentrate on... as other people suggest to; I would go over Endocrine the day before(if you want to study the day before, or closest to the day you want to study)... antipsychotic meds... people were correct, I did have quite a few infection control so look at those mneumonics.... As far as question base, I had about 10-11 SATA? (stopped keeping track but approx) alot of priority but not as many as I thought, but honestly I never had much diff with them.. and one where I had to pick how you would position them.. Hope this helps!!! And good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations, It is such a great feeling, just got my quick results, it really is such a great feeling of accomplishment :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion