For the past 2 months, I have been reading the e-mails/notes on this site. My story (I believe) if very unique. I graduated a 4 yr nsg school and received my bachelor's degree. Two weeks later, I took the NCLEX, back when you used a pencil and filled in the dots! To my horror, I failed. Three months later, I took it again. I hadn't prepared additionally for the second test. I was in shock. I didn't pass then either. I was engaged to get married and just totally engrossed myself in the wedding plans. Six months after marriage, I was elated to find out I was pregnant. Now it has been 21 years since graduation. Blink, and time flies by, especially when you have children. This summer, my oldest child was entering college and I decided to finally put this unresolved embarrasement of not passing the NCLEX to rest. I bought the following books; "Rediculously simple RN NCLEX test prep", "Mosby Review with CD", "Flip-O-Matic Drugs" and then finally ordered the three month Kaplan Q Bank questions. The only day, during the past three months that I did not study, was the day we moved my child into college. I had a "fire in my belly". I wanted to do this for me. Not for my parents, or anyone else. I decided to finish what I started. My best analogy is, I felt like I ran a marathon and the last five feet, I sat down and never finished. I took the NCLEX-RN last week. I found out over the weekend that I passed! I don't know what the future in nursing will hold for me. I have known ever since I decided to take the exam again, that I want to "do good work". My goal is to help young girls who are in troubled pregnancies. At this point in my life, I want to give back.... I feel that the best way we can feel complete is to give to others, to help and contribute. If you are someone who pursued nursing, you all must feel that too. I didn't mean to ramble on. I just want to let all of you know that you owe this to yourself. That you should never give up. Even if it takes 21 years to put your boots back on and charge into the abyss! We have such a gift, the knowlege and compassion to care for others. Let that motivation drive you! Linda
