2nd attempt: A Murses perspective

Published

So by the Lord's grace, I passed my NCLEX-RN examination the second time around. As many know, males are the minority in the nursing world, and sometimes are the focus point in class. I was often cracking jokes in class, trying every route to make class as light as possible because of the high level of stress. Our class all graduated, and it was time for the dreaded NCLEX exam. I never studied to the degree of most students, and passed all my classes, so I thought this would be the same concept. I went on numerous beach trips with my friends, had extensive knee surgery (from a long career as a rugby player), and entrapped myself into a vegetative state. I took the Kaplan course, thinking that would just be enough. Boy was I WRONG. The NCLEX is a combination of knowledge as well as test taking skills, I thought my test taking skills and some luck of the draw would render me victorious. This was obviously not the case. All my colleagues were passing, and of course I was a focus point (being 1 out of only 5 males in our entire nursing class)..constant texts and calls asking if I passed. It was embarrassing, and it was obvious my priorities were not in place. The second time around I attempted a new approach, I wrote everything down (previously I would just try and rely on my memory), and relearned how the whole body works. This is tremendously helpful, and if you can relate nursing concepts to your own physiology, it will start to click. Anyways 45 days later I retested and passed! I compiled an NCLEX study guide that I'm going to type up and post in the next couple of days for you future nurses of the World, because ALLNURSES has been such a great resource and support system, I want to give back. Just know that you can do it, just concentrate and really want it.

End Rant.

Matt

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations! I wish you have passed earlier so you would of typed up that study guide by now! Cause im taking that test in 5 hours! Hopefully I wont be needing it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Brizizle congratulations! I also did not pass the nclex the first time after doing kaplan for one month. I am getting ready for my next try which next week. I feel better this time and more prepared. For my second try I have decided to stick with Kaplan and I also added the PDA by LaCharity. My scores in kaplan practice exams have improved tremendously since the first time I took the course but sometimes I doubt myself since I have seen this previously. What are your thoughts on this? Did you use kaplan both times?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

You're very right: the NCLEX requires both test-taking skills (specific to this exam) and content knowledge. You have to be good at both in order to do well. In my case, I was solid in content, so I worked on test-taking skills. Just remember that traditional test-taking skills likely won't work all that well with this kind of exam because you have to know the background content to understand what the question is really asking you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I doubted myself the entire time, the test is extremely scary! I continued to use Kaplan questions, and redid the question trainers. Take good notes on key concepts, and be especially sharp on these topics:

Precautions: airborne, droplet, contact including don of gown/gloves and mask order for each

Diets: Kidney failure, IBS, IBD, etc.

Know S/S of hypo/hyper for electrolytes and glu

and practice priority, know whats the worst in a situation. Example, someone with spinal damage who starts becoming sweating and becomes hypertenisve - autonomic dysreflexia very serious condition..that's usually the first priority.

So it's really important to know the S/S of conditions.

You'll do fine! Just take deep breathes and lots of breaks it really does help clear your mind. If you start to think you're getting a bunch wrong in a row, take a break and come back to it. YOU CAN DO IT!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on passing! please post some tips. I am studying to take my second attempt soon!!

I am using Hurst videos only from a friend, Kaplan startegy book and kaplan online Qbanks, Qtrainers. I do have PDA book I used before....

Happy for you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats !

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats brutha! let me know how you prepared for this exam. I failed at 140 Q with close to passing and 1 above.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I will be posting a study guide momentarily :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion