Passed the NCLEX & I was a B student

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Like many other people, I promised myself to come back to this site if I passed the NCLEX (1st) as it helped me get through my nursing journey.:)

Quick points if you don't care to read:

-Passed NCLEX (1st attempt)

-Studied for 3.5 weeks

-Used Kaplan & iPhone App (NCLEX test)

-Grades in school ranged from A's-B's

I wont give specific details but I attended an accelerated Nursing program (14 month program/I have a Bachelors)...When I first graduated HS...I always wanted to be nurse, didn't think I was smart enough *Go figure*. Then things changed...my dad passed away in 2010 from an aggressive cancer...he encouraged me to become a nurse. WELP! My mind was made up...his hospice nurse was A M A Z I N G :up: and really changed my aspect on life. Then 8 weeks later my brother passed away after a colon resection complication (had Crohns disease) ...my nursing journey officially started at this moment. NOTHING would stop me...

-Got my bachelors (including pre-reqs & enrolled in an accelerated program)

I struggled sometimes but I NEVER gave up!

((fast forward))

I graduated Aug 2015 :yes:

NCLEX prep:

I took a 4-day live review...the course was great ONLY because of my instructor She had strategies to remember everything! She said aimfor 50% or higher (not the 65%) on Kaplan Qtrainers and tests.

Now I probably am not that great in content but I did all the Qbanks & trainers and used the rationales as my content review!

I DID not review Meds..I only knew classifications and s/s of toxicity.

I DID make index cards of Labs (these are a NO-NO type question to get wrong) :no:

Legally I cannot speak on the NCLEX but the importance of priority (who to see first) and delegation is MUST REVIEW!!! :yes:

Every night...I COULD NOT SLEEP! SO i came on allnurses and only read POSITIVE posts... I prayed!!! so much!!!

At night when i was about to go to sleep or in the car..I used:

iPhone App (NCLEX test)

SO 4-day live review

3 weeks of self study:

(I did the readiness test first, just to see if I was okay

& the diagnostic 5 days before the exam)

2 days before I did Q7 (most important)

Day before the exam, I reviewed labs in the AM, ate my favorite dinner and watched TV.

DAY OF EXAM: Ate breakfast, pep talk in the mirror:

-if the test doesnt stop at 75, who cares! keep going!:sarcastic:

-YOU CAN DO THIS, leave the exam as an RN!!!

things like that...

My exam stopped at 216q :p

AS SOON as i walked to the car (my bf picked me up/dropped me off... you can arrange someone to do this for you, DO IT...helps calm your nerves)

-Also listen to your favorite song with the windows down and laugh at yourself)

...I did the PVT trick (couldn't help it)...put in right cc info, w/ exception of the wrong exp date & GOT THE GOOD POP UP!

still didnt trust it... I CHECKED THE BON every hour FOR 48 hours!!!!!! :roflmao:

& then... MY LICENSE # POSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I screamed :D

took exam on a Monday, found out on a Wednesday

I wouldn't pay for quick results, 48 hours after your exam check the BON first... it might be there...if not..then consider quick results!

Moral: I was an average student..focused on what i need to study....and passed!

comments/questions are welcome!!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

Congratulations

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Thanks!

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Congrats ! So happy for you. I am so sorry about your dad and brother, stay strong! I am going to take your advice for studying. I graduate in december. Congrats again !!!

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Thanks! Keep up the good work!

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Congrats, and welcome to the fold :)

The big thing to keep in mind when people are ready to face the NCLEX is that it is a minimum competency exam ONLY. It doesn't determine proficiency in anything, only whether the person taking it has demonstrated the minimum ability to enter practice as a new nurse safely.

Why is that so important to remember? Because, like you said, one does NOT have to be an 'A' student, one has to be a COMPETENT one! People turn this thing into something much bigger than it is, and it scares them to the point where they become paralyzed....and create an atmosphere of failure. :(

I never suggest using the PVT (too much screwy mistakes going on there) but DEFINITELY check the BoN! In New York it updates pretty frequently, every 2-3 days. Some poor souls are left in the lurch as theirs don't update more than every week or two :( In this age of computerization you'd think we'd do this better!

Anyway, congrats again :)

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