It's official 1:42am March 24th 2011 I'm a Registered Nurse!!!!
Let Me start by saying this quote
"For I know the Plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to Prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!"
I graduated last April of 2010 from the Philippines. When I got back from California on May 28th, I started studying for NCLEX. I REALLY WANTED IT SO BAD so I disregarded myself from taking a break. I was excited, confident, but the only thing that frustrated me at that time was waiting for my requirements because they take too long to be processed. It took me 7 months to wait to finally get my eligibility. (you can imagine the information going down the drain) The good thing is that I NEVER GAVE UP! Friends, I sat my a$$ the whole day answering questions 250-500 question per day and NOT REVIEWING MY CORE CONTENT believing that was good enough. Spend most of time in the library, bookstore (barns and noble-borders). I wrote down lab values, infection control techniques in my room and meds that I don't know much. Sometimes when I'm the library, I ignored the sign of hunger, thirst because I know I have to save money too. God is so great that I have loving parents who were so supportive buying me snacks so I could bring them to wherever I go.
"For I know the Plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!"
Last November 17th of 2010 I took my first exam (I didn't get enough sleep, worried myself sick, and lack of core content). I stop at 110 questions for 1.5 hours (felt like I rushed myself through). I did the pvt trick and went straight to credit card page. Two weeks later I found that I failed and I was sad for about a week I did not even want to talk to anyone and was sad and depressed in my room. I went through the stage of "DABDA" lol but I made sure I recover fast because......
For I know the Plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future!"
I worked twice as hard as I did..I told the Lord whatever it takes I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER QUIT! IT'S JUST MY NATURE NOT TO QUIT. Then a friend told me about SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW BOOK AND LINDA LA CHARITY-these are my core content and the bulk of my exams are all here.
SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW BOOK- I love it, I hate it, it's too long, full of high lights, I made note cards took the practice test-in the end it was WORTH IT!
EXAM CRAM-God this looks like "nclex!"
Kaplan BLUE BOOK-interesting strategies!!!! I only did the QBANK and boy for me qbank questions were harder than nclex no kidding.!!!
Practice questions! I did probably close to 18,000 question from day 1 I started reviewing for nclex (dating back may'10 leading to march '11)
GOOGLE/YOUTUBE- yeah you might saying "what the hell" oh no you didn't you should say "what the heaven!" if you don't know what it looks likes, sounds like, how it works, or you wanna see something funny because you're so stressed (google it! Youtube it! There are answers out there!" You know, I was more eager to study because on youtube I actually saw people struggling with their diseases and condition and I was saying to myself that these are the people that I'm going to see so I better do it right!!!! I approached nclex as if I'm in the bedside (note: applying NCLEX BOOK BASED/Theory principles NOT REAL WORLD!!!!!) In that way, I felt more connected and dedicated in answering the question. I was visualizing every situation (NOTE: NOT READING INTO IT) I was only trying to figure out what are on the options. (NOTE: I DON'T ADD STUFF THAT'S NOT ON THERE)
Also, I was thinking there are 4 options (at pearson: they give you a board and a pen: when I eliminate I actually right down the numbers I eliminated and put an X on it!!!! So I'll know which ones I have left.) It helps me narrow down and in that way I'm not all over the place trying to figure out which ones to prioritized.
"For I know the Plans I have for you declares the Lord, the plans to prosper you, not to harm you the plans to give you hope and a future."
The night before my test I wrote a letter to God.
March 18th Friday 2011
2:24am
Dear Father,
Father, I am writing you today at this hour to remind you father God of your promise to me that you have written in Jeremiah 29:11 that "I know that you have plans for me. The plans to prosper and not to harm me and give me a hope and a future." Father let this be the day that your plans will be at will. Father, may you be on my side as I take my exam. I don't know everything Father, but I know you will be there with me guiding me. Father, let this letter be a proof that there is a God and that you listen and that you are real. I will forever worship you father whatever the result maybe but please father be it in my favor this time.
Father, I know that there is a reason why I am awake at this hour because I know you don't want me to worry about tomorrow's exam that it is written in your will. Father let me make my mom proud who has worked so hard to get to where I am. She needs me and I can already feel that she's having a hard time. Father in the highest I know to you "nothing is impossible." Father, be it at 75 or 265 be with me all throughout knowing that I am about to take the most important exam of my life. Father I will post this to allnurses/youtube to get the message out that you are the "possible" anything is possible for those anyone who calls out to YOU. Father, I ask you to give me strength and courage to tackle NCLEX. Father I spend my struggles with you throughout this journey and I know you are not about to give up on me.
Father take out my doubts and fear but instead fill me with hope, courage and faith knowing that you are going to be there watching me and supporting me. Father, I want to thank this opportunity that you even let me write you a letter and allow me to express how I truly feel about this exam. Father, I also pray for the people who are taking their exam the 2nd 3rd or more to not forget to pray and ask for guidance. FATHER YOU REIGN AND NOT EVEN THE DEVIL HAVE ANY POWER TO CONQUER MY FEAR FROM NOW ON. I will put my trust in you father and I know NCLEX is about to be knocked out...
I prayed and I prayed until miracle happens. I know father that on you told me already that I will pass in spite of all odds and obstacles. You know this beforehand on what's going to happen to me.
Bryan (my last name omitted for privacy lol)
RN, BSN YES! With God's every blessings!!!!!!!!! AMEN!!!
I was scheduled to take my exam in the afternoon because I don't want to wake up rushing and not being able to rest my mind. The last time I took it was in the morning and to say that I didn't sleep at all-felt cranky, couldn't concentrate that lead me to failure.
Took my exam Last Saturday March 19th and boy I was getting priority questions most of the time. I was getting priority question like 40 of them + 10meds+ thank God I only got 5 SATA!!!!!!!!!!!!(who would you see first, what would you question from the doctor's orders) The rest were health teachings!!!! I was so nervous, but I knew I was more prepared this time.
Right when I got I home, I was ambivalent again and calling my mom that I probably failed but I told her I TOOK MY TIME ANSWERING QUESTIONS! I am not sure about everything but one thing I'm sure was I did all I could. When I got home, I told mom, "I'm sorry mom, but the test was so hard I really don't know, I think I failed again!" (so much for believing in God, but honestly as a human I walk out at that testing center convinced I failed!!!!!!!)
My mom who just came from work was so anxious she didn't sleep thinking of what happened to my exam. I decided to do the pearson view trick (PVT) after I clicked next, "I got..contact bon stuff.." I was like what's this!!!!!! What's this!!!! Is this the pop up!!!! Oh my God!!!!! My mom doesn't know what's going on!!!!" I said that this is what I read on ALLNURSES.COM that most people who gets this PASS!!!!! I was jumping like a kid getting what he wants for Christmas!!!!!! IT IS THE MOST AMAZING FEELING EVVVVEEEEEERRRR!!!!!!!!!
"For I know the plans I have for declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
My dear friends, I know we are all in different situations but regardless, If you want something this bad, "you are going to put effort doing whatever it takes to pass!" It will not happen overnight, you have to plan, and stick it! Like God he sacrificed himself to us so that we may have a future as well. WRITE YOUR NAME IN EVERY REVIEW BOOK (YOUR NAME, RN/LVN) AND BE PROUD!!! TAKE IT AND CLAIM IT...WRITE IT EVERDAY OR ON NOTECARD PUT IT IN YOUR MIRROR, YOUR CLOSET WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT!!!!
EXERCISE-IT GIVES YOU MORE BRAIN POWER
LAUGH!!! DON'T GET SO STRESSED
MEDITATE-I HAVE PANDORA ON MY IPHONE AND I LISTEN TO CALM MEDITATION STATION
NOURISH-YOUR BODY A HEALTHY BODY IS A HEALTHY MIND (no junk foods eat natural foods!!!)
Coffee-it keeps me awake for realllll!!!!!!!
Vitamins-I take my multivitamins every day. (consult your doctor lol..I'm only saying what worked for me)
WATER-flush the toxins!!!
I prefer to study alone-no distraction!!!
Cover your room with bond papers with those lab values or anything you find hard to memorize or understand!!!!!
Youtube-I watch the 7 Principles of an Eagle-it inspired me!!!!
Walk in the park-I do this with my nephew keeps me relax and have a quality time with loveones.
NETWORK on allnurses!!!! You know what I mean
FINALLY THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IS
PRAY......PRAY........PRAY.........PRAY HARD!!!! AND BELIEVE.....
I'M NOT TRYING TO IMPOSE "MY RELIGION" HERE BUT ALL I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT WHATEVER INSPIRES YOU GO WITH THAT.....GO WITH THAT ENERGY HARNESS IT AND LET THAT "ENERGY" PROPEL YOU...
"LET FAILURES BE PART OF YOUR SUCCESS. DON'T TREAT THEM AS YOUR ENEMY. YOU'LL THANK THEM LATER."-BRYAN RN, BSN
FOR ME THIS IS MY ENERGY=MY GOOD LORD THAT I AM REALLY THANKFUL FOR. FINALLY, MY MOTHER WHO HAS HELPED ME IN THIS JOURNEY......
I KNOW THE BATTLE HAS JUST BEGUN....BUT I AM ALWAYS REMINDED
"FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU NOT TO HARM YOU. PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE!"
JEREMIAH 29:11
thywillbedone
35 Posts
hi byran, what an amazing and inspirational story u have here. i came across this after reading a ton of other inspiring stories of success and i was in tears. i can relate alot, because i know what failure feels like. i too, graduated in the Philippines March of 2010, but i didnt come back home to california until June. By August i started studying for nclex, really didnt have a structured plan at that time but i had Saunders and Kaplan books to keep me busy. i guess i wasnt working as hard that time because it frustrate me that my application to CaBON was taking too long and i felt that once i recieve my ATI thats when i'll be motivated to study harder. i was still reading thru chapters of saunders tho but the longer i read, moving from one chapter to another, it felt like everything i read was going down the drain. it wasnt until December of 2010 that i recieved my reply from BON and i hurriedly payed for my ATI. so starting January, i studied more seriously answering 150 Q's per day. i wasnt convinced with the rate of how i was going, i felt i was not doing merely enough so i convinced my sister to put me on live-lecture classes at Kaplan, it was pricey..$500..it was 8 weekends for 4-6 hours, i did everything kaplan told me to do. i viewed their video lectures, and answered all of their Q-bank questions, flip through the book, and finished all question trainers 1-7. didnt have the best scores..i was always in between 58-63% but i finally sat for for my nclex march 5, didnt have a good night sleep i was too anxious and scared, didnt have breakfast because i was too scared i might get some kind of stomach upset while taking the test since im not use to eating breakfast so early, took my test 8am. i was so scared that day, went up all the way to 265 and i was drained! i knew the moment i walked out of the test center that i failed because i almost ran out of time and i just answered some questions without even really trying because i feared of the time. walked into the car where my brother waited for me, and cried my eyes out! needless to say, i did fail. got the results and i had 2 below passing and everything else was near passing. someone told me i was that close because they kept giving me chances to redeem myself thats why i went up all the way to 265. anyway, i picked myself back up and started studying again, this time I prayed even more, calling and talking to GOd whenever i feel lost like i wasnt doing enough, everytime i go to the mass on sundays..i end up shedding little tears because i surrenderd everything to God and he knows the desires of my heart. I prayed to St. Joseph of Cupertino before i study and said my rosaries even more than i ever did in my life. i wasnt praying just because i was asking for something, i was praying that when i take my second chance at nclex May 31, whatever the result maybe, i prayed for strength to endure it and accept it because i know i will get there only in HIS time. so i sat for nclex the second time, 2pm this time. i really thought the computer would shut down at 75 because i noticed all the questions were passing questions, a few knowlegde level but the majority of what was thrown at me were prioritizations, had a lot of SAta'S and a few medications, client teachings, and about 5 calculations. when it stopped at 82, i felt pretty good actually because it kept giving me prioritizations. so when i walked back to the car an 1hr and a half later, i was smiling and held my rosary..told my brother i think i might have made it this time, i was so positive about it. 2 hours after i checked pvt, my world came crashing down on me..it sent me straight to the ccpage. i was in denial! cried for hours and hours i could barely open up my eyes! feeling so terrible, desperate, embarassed, depress! worst feeling in the world. failed my second attempt. it's been two days since and im still sad about it, but it never cross my mind that i would give up, because i may not be the brightest, luckiest or smartest person in the world, but i am no quitter. last night, as i was getting myself ready to sleep, i cried in the bathroom for an hour while i was talking to God, it helped ease my feelings out. talked to my brother and sister who has been supporting me financially since i dont have a job. my sister inspires me alot bacause she's an RN, she failed 3x before getting her license and she told me it doesnt matter how many times u've taken the nclex, because once u get your license, your license doesnt indicate how many times you've failed. my sister put me to school and provided me with what i needed, and she helps our family alot, she works so hard and i can see how tired she is, i see all of her sacrifices for me, for my entire family..and i just want to help her and i want her to be proud of me. my brothers, they are laborers but they have been so supportive me, motivating me and encouraging me. they say, well if u didnt pass this time, then move on, go back and study, we'll pay for your test and we'll hope for the best till then, it will come true, its not impossible and you're not the only one. they believe in me so much, My family and God is my strength, never once did they gave up on me, so what right do i have to give up on myself? im fortunate enough that they are still supporting me through this, i wanted to work part time but they tell me not to and just to take this 45 days to get myself back together and study study study and pray every single day.
okie, so i know this is really long now, and i would totally understand if u skipped through it, but thanks to this site and thankyou for your story because it feels good to vent your feelings out..right now, i feel like what im lacking is content, so im going to re-visit an old friend, Saunders, and try the calendar study guide they have on the cd. along with that, i'm keeping my kaplan strat book as well as LaCharity. i just hope and pray that when im reading through it, i do understand it but after so many readings, their all mixed up in my head, i dont know what to do with that. it's a very fat book but it is a good source and i will take advantage of this. thankyou again for your story and i welcome any of your advices for me if u can, and for everyone here who passed, congratulations! for everyone struggling and in the same boat as i am, goodluck to us, we'll get there. never ever give up! GOD HAS THE MOST AMAZING PLAN for us! GODBLESS!