for NCLEX test takers in CA

Draven1872 · Mar 31, 2008

Dear Suzanne,

I took the NCLEX PN in Feb. and failed. I have been reading many different posts and threads about reviews and I am debating between doing your plan or Kaplan's QBank with Qtrainer. I was wondering what your thoughts are about which one to take or if I can take both. Thank you for your time.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 31, 2008

I only like my program and it was designed to be done on its own. And if wishing to try something else with it, then it is not for you.

Your focus should be on the rationales behind each and every answer, and not the focus on the questions at this point in time.

I have had excellent results with my program, so not recommend anything else.

Your choice as to what to do.

element06 · Apr 11, 2008

I took my boards NCLEX-PN March 11 and stopped @ 205.

Got my results today and did not pass:( The feeling you get after you put in all the time to prepare I can't even describe but I know you have to move on. I plan on using Suzanne's 3 step plan and hopefully follow it correctly and pass on the 2nd time. Any other advice would be appreciated......I think I got caught up with using too many resources and not focusing on what is important which is understanding the rationales and how they tie in with what the question is really asking.

Ataturk35 · May 13, 2008

Here is my experience with NCLEX in California. I graduated in December, 2007. I wasn't an "A" student but still managed to graduate from one of the most challenging programs in the nation. I prepared for my NCLEX in California and took it in March. The computer shut off at 75 and I failed. I had studied Hurst, Lippincott's, Kaplan, Saunder's. I did about 2000 questions and read the rationale for all of the questions. The feeling is hard to describe after working so hard and failing. I am also a bad test taker. I am known to trick myself into picking answers that I shouldn't. I think too hard about questions sometimes. Anyways, I right away applied to take my test for the second time. But this time I signed for Kaplan Live session. For about $449.00 I had access to all of their questions and videos online plus the live class session on weekends which we pretty much went over questions and took two tests, one in the beginning of the class and one at the end. I got about 72% on the readiness, the second test. I constantly reviewed all of my side notes that I wrote down in a notebook. Anyways, I took the test for the second time on May 8th and the computer again shut off at 75. I was pretty sure I failed again. I thought about 12 or 15 questions that I got wrong while I knew the material very much so. I simply thought since the answers were so obvious they must have been trying to trick me. Anyways, I got very upset with myself and even though I was certain I failed I still got on the boards' website and typed up my last name since I still had some hope. Today, around 9 in the morning, 5 days after I took the test for the second time I saw my name next to Licensee name. I couldn't believe it and I had to call the boards center to double check and make sure before I celebrated. I am now an official RN. Right when I started to think that I desperately needed to start working and I couldn't even be hired for any other position that hospitals had available since they thought as soon as I would pass my boards that position would be unfilled again so they didn't want to hire me. My bills were piling up and the pressure was bigger than ever. But then my prayers were answered today. I would not give hope and try to know as much as you can. The biggest thing that helped me pass I think was knowing the strategy and knowing what NCLEX wants. I hope my experience helps others who read my post. You worked hard to get your degree and do not ever give up. This test is the last obstacle to become a RN.

jazzinitup · May 13, 2008

here is my experience with nclex in california. i graduated in december, 2007. i wasn't an "a" student but still managed to graduate from one of the most challenging programs in the nation. i prepared for my nclex in california and took it in march. the computer shut off at 75 and i failed. i had studied hurst, lippincott's, kaplan, saunder's. i did about 2000 questions and read the rationale for all of the questions. the feeling is hard to describe after working so hard and failing. i am also a bad test taker. i am known to trick myself into picking answers that i shouldn't. i think too hard about questions sometimes. anyways, i right away applied to take my test for the second time. but this time i signed for kaplan live session. for about $449.00 i had access to all of their questions and videos online plus the live class session on weekends which we pretty much went over questions and took two tests, one in the beginning of the class and one at the end. i got about 72% on the readiness, the second test. i constantly reviewed all of my side notes that i wrote down in a notebook. anyways, i took the test for the second time on may 8th and the computer again shut off at 75. i was pretty sure i failed again. i thought about 12 or 15 questions that i got wrong while i knew the material very much so. i simply thought since the answers were so obvious they must have been trying to trick me. anyways, i got very upset with myself and even though i was certain i failed i still got on the boards' website and typed up my last name since i still had some hope. today, around 9 in the morning, 5 days after i took the test for the second time i saw my name next to licensee name. i couldn't believe it and i had to call the boards center to double check and make sure before i celebrated. i am now an official rn. right when i started to think that i desperately needed to start working and i couldn't even be hired for any other position that hospitals had available since they thought as soon as i would pass my boards that position would be unfilled again so they didn't want to hire me. my bills were piling up and the pressure was bigger than ever. but then my prayers were answered today. i would not give hope and try to know as much as you can. the biggest thing that helped me pass i think was knowing the strategy and knowing what nclex wants. i hope my experience helps others who read my post. you worked hard to get your degree and do not ever give up. this test is the last obstacle to become a rn.

congratulations!!!!!! :up: :nurse: :yeah: :yeah: i also found my name on brn site today and am still doubting if it's not a mistake..:)))) maybe should call the board and confirm,huh?