Ok, I need to hear your NCLEX stories out there!

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I take the NCLEX in a week and would love to hear how all of you guys who have conquered the exam did it--what was your NCLEX experience like?

My mom, an RN now for over 30 yrs, told me she took a paper and pencil exam over a three day period. She thinks CAT is "cruel and unusual punishment." :bugeyes:

I am just a tortured soul right now and would love to hear about what you did to prepare, how many questions you had, what challenges you faced, etc. Humor me!:icon_roll

Can you tell anxiety has me by the neck? AND I start my new job on Monday... :barf01:

Specializes in LDRP.

These are great and soooooooo encouraging. Thanks everyone--keep 'em coming! ;)

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Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.
I took the exam and barely studied a day for it. I even pushed my date forwards instead of backwards. I felt prepared when I graduated that I was taught enough to pass the NCLEX. I got 99% " predicted" chance of passing it with ATI.

Boonersmom...This was me to a tee. Graduated on 12/16 and scheduled my date for 1/23 then moved my date to 1/2 at my husband/instructor(s) urging. They told me not to study and, while I agree that was probably insane, I did not.

I ate breakfast that day (pancakes!), arrived at the test center 10 minutes early, prayed and listening to a great couple o songs ("I'm Fine" by Mary J. Blige and "Low" by Flo Rida... which is silly but it got me moving and shakin and got my mind off the test), stepped out of the car and lost my legs underneath me (guess I was more nervous that I thought). My heart rate was no less than 140 through the entire thing but I finished in less than an hour. At question 49 I thought "oh dear Lord I'm going to be here all day!". At question 69 I prayed, yet AGAIN, that I would stop at 75 (because somehow I felt that that would guarantee that I passed, though I know that isn't true). At question 75 (which was a difficult OB question) I though oh let this be it I clicked next and closed my eyes. WHen I opened them the screen was blank blue. Walked out feeling pretty confident that I had stayed above the ol' proverbial line but by the next day was sure that I could remember at least 40 questions that I missed (not true I'm sure but you how our minds play tricks on us).

Now my school only sent transcripts last week and no transcripts = incomplete file = no license (and no quick results in Cali) so I'm still waiting but I think overall it wasn't nearly as horrid as it could have been. My husband reminded me that statistics are are my side ("85% of people pass first time") and that all I had to do was get 50% ("when was the last time you ever got 50% on an exam?"), which for whatever reason sounded reasonable to me.... It's my story and I'm stickin to it ;o)

Good luck!

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wow...enlightening posts! I'm not gonna stress too much about it, then....

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

We demand an update!!

:)

:icon_hug:

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Specializes in LDRP.
We demand an update!!

:)

:icon_hug:

From me??? Well, I am in freak out mode still as I take the exam Saturday morning. I have also been working so have had very little time to study this week.

Thanks again all for sharing your stories--I will let you know how the exam goes! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.
From me??? Well, I am in freak out mode still as I take the exam Saturday morning. I have also been working so have had very little time to study this week.

Thanks again all for sharing your stories--I will let you know how the exam goes! :)

Good luck, honey. :)

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Specializes in LDRP.

Hey guys--took the test and will update you on my results Monday. I'll also share my story...

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.
I took the exam and barely studied a day for it. I even pushed my date forwards instead of backwards. I felt prepared when I graduated that I was taught enough to pass the NCLEX. I got 99% " predicted" chance of passing it with ATI. I had been using NCLEX study guides all through school...I just couldn't take another day of studying.

This statement made me laugh for 5 minutes because it describes me exactly! Also, it gave me a little hope! I take NCLEX tomorrow and I'm freaking out because I haven't studied hardly at all!!!! I graduated on Dec. 12 and I originally scheduled my NCLEX on Feb 6th but moved it so it would work better with my work schedule to the 3rd. I know it's not that big of a difference but still!!!! Now I wish I had left it alone, given me a few more days! Also, my ATI said I have a 98% chance of passing the first time, but during the Hurst NCLEX review course I took they said it didn't matter because NCLEX is nothing like that! Is that true??? If so, then what's the point of ATI??? Ahh!! Also, I just haven't been able to bring myself to study because I'm just SOOOO DONE! I've done a few questions and stuff but that's it! I'm freaking out! I already started working on a temporary license and to fail would be a huge pain because I'd have to work as a tech and get paid less and you know.....all that bad failing stuff. I know hardly anyone will see this before I take the test but I just really needed to vent all this out! I'll let you all know how it went! Ahhhh!

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Specializes in Internal Medicine as a CMA.

I am BRAND new to this site and found it in desperate hope that I can hear good stories about everyone who passes Boards their first time rather then hearing about who did not... I have laughed with the stories I have read KNOWING exactly what you are talking about and cried hearing that all this torture and studying pays off once you find out you PASSED! Seriously sitting at my computer crying all over my notebooks in pure happiness for all that have passed!

I graduated this past December and am sitting for Boards Feb 24th in NJ. I am BEYOND terrified. I did Kaplan Review classes offered at my college twice a week, and Qtrainers and Qbank and EVEN the Readiness Test which is a Kaplan predictor of Boards and got a 71! Im still only pulling 60s on qtrainers and refuse to study from anything else in fear of becoming even more over whelmed (is that possible??)

I do feel that Kaplan gives you FANTASTIC strategies to answering NCLEX questions.. Or atleast i think they do.. I guess I wont really know till the 24th.. BUT with that being said, I follow thier steps and review my weak areas with thier online Nursing Instructors that ACTUALY REVIEW alllll of Nursing School major emphisis.

With all that being said, I cry daily, cant sleep and can not score above 60's on Kaplan qtrainers! And I have 12 days left to NCLEX! I am so scared... Words can not describe but Im sure if you are reading this you can feel my anxiety.. I love reading the hints that are offered and the success stories mean THE WORLD to me to know people CAN and DO pass the exam the 1st time!

I have been hired as a Pediatic RN starting April 6th and they are hiring based upon I pass boards on the 24th if NOT I lose this DREAM job and the reason I went to Nursing School!! Please Pray/think of me as I am and will continue to be doing the same for all of you!

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.

Hey all, I was the the second to last one to leave a message on this board, and I kinda left everyone hanging, so just so you and everyone else knows, I PASSED! 75 questions and the whole thing was over. I came out wishing for some Phenergan or Zofran if you know what I mean. :barf01:

Anyway, just wanted to say HI MandersRN!, it sounds to me like you have done everything right. You have studied waaaay more than me, so hopefully that is a comfort. Also, I think it's a good idea to stick with one primary study resource. That way it's all done in the same method. I did just the Hurst review and it worked nicely for me, so I'm not super familiar with the scoring of those practice tests your taking but here is something I learned from the Hurst Review Services. NCLEX doesn't use percentages! The main thing is that you get MORE RIGHT than wrong. So with all you questions your doing, just be happy as long as you are getting more right than wrong.

Now, as for all that crying, I have always been a huge advocate for the sport. :cry: No one ever died of too much crying. Just eat some saltine crackers or chips to prevent hyponatremia. I am kidding of course. :-)

NCLEX will surprise you, I think it's impossible to avoid, the greatest weapon I think you can have is confidence. It's ok to feel confident and nervous! I went in knowing that I had studied hard for 2 years (not including all those maddening pre-reqs) and that I had spent that entire time studying for THIS exam, and so have you!

Obviously, I can easily say all this now that I've passed, however, keep in mind that one week ago, I was on the other side, the never-taken-the-scariest-test-in-the-world side, and I was doubting my abilities and questioning my knowledge, but you really probably know more than you think! You did just COMPLETE a nursing program right?

I'm rooting for you! That dream job is just around the corner! I'll be praying for you!

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Specializes in Internal Medicine as a CMA.

You are my NCLEX Angel... lol Thank you soo much for you words of encouragement! As you know it means the world to an Anxious Nclex taker to hear such wonderful news! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You must feel like a million bucks! And you should! I hope you enjoy this weekend and doodle RN ANY time you write your name down ;-) You deserve it!! I had my last Kaplan Review class last night where we reviewed our Readyness Exam (Boards Predictor) and I got a 71 which according to Kaplan puts you at a 98-99% Predicted Pass rate, so that helped for the moment to make me feel better.. lol Now back to MORE studying MORE Questions and yes the dreaded MORE waiting!!! Thank you again for the boost of confidence and reminding me that I CAN do this! CONGRATS again!!!!!! I will keep you posted!

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i know exactly how you feel for i finished in dec and taken the exam on the 21st in ny, and when i scheduled the exam my heart was pounding. i felt my pulse pulsating in my eyes and i said get yourself together this is not even the test but this board has definately help me allay some of my fears or rather quiet them down some:sofahider

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