Passed NCLEX After Graduating 3 Years Ago

Published

Hello all prospective and current RN's! I wanted to share my experience with the NCLEX since it was such a terrifying experience. I Graduated nursing school about 3 and 1/2 years ago and didn't test immediately due to family issues along with application problems which delayed the whole process so much that when I felt like I could test again I felt like I wouldn't pass after graduating so long ago. The fear of failing was holding me back from even attempting to take the exam so much that I kept putting it off. I realized how important it was for me to obtain my license after I worked so hard for my degree in nursing school so I put in a plan in motion. I took the exam on 7/21 and I passed the first time in 79 questions!!! I wanted to share my studying plan for others who may have been out of school for a while or just suffer from anxiety and fears of failing like I did.

  1. Purchased Saunders NCLEX review book with the online question bank. This book is the single most important resource I would recommend purchasing. I completed all 2,000 + questions and for each question I answered incorrectly I went and reviewed the rationale then opened the book and reviewed the topic or section pertaining to the question.
  2. I also purchased the NCLEX mastery app in the app store which is GREAT for SATA questions. I answered these and reviewed the same as Saunders. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing this app since its inexpensive and great practice for bad test takers or people who have difficulty with SATA.
  3. I took the KAPLAN review course a month after I graduated.The in person class was pretty useless but the decision tree they suggest using is pretty useful in learning how to choose the best answer. I can't comment too much on the online QBANKs usefulness because my online access expired 3 years ago. However, 3 days before testing my anxiety peaked and I felt like re-scheduling due to a lack of confidence so I went online and found the KAPLAN readiness test and scored a 60% on that which mean I had a >90% chance of passing. This restored my confidence and I realized how much more difficult KAPLAN questions were compared to any other resource I studied. I then found question trainer 6 and 7 online as well and took those.
  4. I found the NCLEX study guide on this forum I read almost every day before sleeping which is a great review. I will upload it with my revissions once I figure out how (if someone wants to comment and show me how I can upload a pdf or doc file).
  5. EKG and Rhythm strips is a very weak area for me so I found an online pdf lecture which I reviewed often.
  6. I bought a small palm sized notebook from target and made my own medication flashcards beginning with medications I could group together by class (benzos, SSRI's, statins, penicillins, macrolides, etc.). Info I put on the cards: drug class, indications, side effects, contraindications, and nursing considerations all from the David drug guide book.
  7. Lastly, go on Youtube and look up RegisteredNurse RN. I listened to her videos while driving, cleaning, before sleeping and it was very helpful in reinforcing my knowledge. Her videos especially helped me with EKG rhythm interpretation.

Overall, I would suggest setting a goal of a minimum of 50 questions/day x 5 days and reading up on areas of weakness in textbooks for the other 2 days and practicing A LOT of SATA. I wouldn't aim to complete any specific # of questions but instead to practice questions until you feel confident in your understanding of the topics and depending on how weak your content knowledge is.

NCLEX Experience:

I had a lot of SATA (20ish), about 5-10 medication questions including some SATA, some transmission precautions, EKG, neuro, and some diseases I had never heard of lol. Don't take this as a guide of what to study but this is to let you know that the test questions are so random. The test shut off at 79 questions and I definitely felt like I failed like most do since I had so many SATA questions.

Words of Wisdom: Don't let your fears define you. No matter how long it takes or what you have to do to get there work hard on your goal every day. When you go to sleep ask yourself... did I work towards my goal and help my progress? If you answer no, then you are hindering your chances of crushing your goals!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to all for not posting the study guide but my pup was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after taking my exam and in the middle of moving for a job. I can't seem to figure out how to attach a word doc to my post so if you PM me I can send my studying resources I used to your email or if someone can clue me in on how to attach files.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would greatly appreciate if you could email me your studying resources.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Which state allowed you to test after 3.5 years of graduation? I am having trouble locating a state because many want you to pass before 3 years.

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would love a copy of your study guide

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nevada, Penn, NYC I think Cali as well check there Nursing Board WEbsite

Up Vote Up Vote ×

how about that study guide?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just wanted to let you know that I was in a similar position and did not think that after 1.5 years since being in nursing school, I could still pass the NCLEX. I was so scared. I really was going to give up and take it all as a loss. But then I found your post and it helped me realize I wasn't alone and maybe, just maybe I could do it! Well, I studied for 1 month straight, 6 hours a day, reviewed everything on UWorld, watched their lectures, read and took notes on all the explanations of questions I got wrong. And I just found out I passed!! And it turned off at 85 questions, my first time!! Thank you for posting this! IDK who you are but you saved me!! Thank you ❤️🙏🏽

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion