Passed NCLEX first try on April 18, 2016

[kristami7]

I graduated nursing school December 2013 in Australia (I'm from California but I chose to go to school in AUS). After that I did a 1 year MBA program here in the US. Then I took the Maternity/Pediatrics course that the CA Board now requires all international students to take in order to be able to take the NCLEX.

I started studying for the NCLEX in February 2016. I scheduled my exam for May 2, 2016. I ended up rescheduling and taking it April 18, 2016. I passed in 75 questions, the first time taking the NCLEX.

I used Hurst Review online and the NCLEX RN Mastery app. I looked in a couple other resources here and there, but that was the core of what I did.

I listened to all the Hurst videos twice. The first time I took notes in their pdf. The second time I just listened. I did go over some the notes without the video on as well. Then I did practice questions on the app I mentioned, and read through the explanations for each answer.

When I started studying, I felt so in over my head. I didn't know how I would ever feel like I knew my stuff. Especially being trained internationally and because it had been so long since I graduated nursing school.

There was a point where I finally felt comfortable to take the NCLEX. I didn't feel like I knew everything, but I felt like I could do it.

My Q review scores in Hurst were:

63/125

72/125

76/125

(I didn't do any more because at the last minute, I moved my test up).

I had a dream that if I could get 70 on my Q review, then I was ready to take the NCLEX. Hurst says it's good to be at 84.

My percentage on the NCLEX RN Mastery app overall was: 54%. I planned to finish all the questions that I paid to unlock, but I didn't get to the last 600.

At the last minute (a Friday), I moved my test date up 2 weeks (to accommodate some of my husband's work training). My test was on a Monday. The Saturday before my NCLEX, I studied all afternoon/evening. I made sure I knew my lab values solid, I went over some of my Hurst review notes, I did cardiovascular questions on the app (because that was my weakest area), and went over part of that 35 page study guide that's floating around this forum.

On Sunday, I did not do any studying. It was hard at first, because I was anxious and thought it might help. But looking back, it would not have helped to study the day before the test. I ended up playing and doing what was fun to me all day! Someone after church prayed that I would have overwhelming peace, and I did, all day :) I went and got a Boba tea, got a pedicure (in a massage chair), walked around the mall, got a new dress and had a healthy, fresh green smoothie. I went back to my hotel and laid in the sunshine by the pool. Went and got some new shoes, went to evening service at Bethel Church in Redding, and then had dinner. I was tired and slept good that night.

I woke up around 6:30 on test day. My test time was 10:15. I was a little nervous. I prayed for overwhelming peace, and it came :) I didn't feel nervous after that. I had a healthy, fresh green juice then went and got breakfast. I came back to my room and just laid in the quiet with the sunshine coming in the window. I did not study anything the morning of my test.

I got to my test early. They let me start right away. I asked Holy Spirit to guide me on the questions. At question 30, I started watching the question numbers lol. At question 70, I realized how much of a mental game it would be if I had to go beyond 75. But I was prepared to be there all 6 hours if I needed to be. I had snacks and water and prepared my mind. But at 75, my test shut off. I was SO thankful!! That's what I had prayed for.

I went to Target and got a VISA gift card. I used this to do the NCLEX trick. I got the good pop up right away. I was still getting the good pop up after 24 hours.

Wednesday morning, I checked the CA BRN (Breeze) for my license number, like I had since my test was over, and it was there! So I received my license number in less than 48 hours from when I finished my NCLEX.

Looking back, it's good to really prepare. But the best thing I did was not to study the day before or the morning of my test. Having fun the day before was really beneficial! I feel like having peace helped me to be able to see questions more clearly.

[nlitened]

Congrats!!!

[kristami7]

Thank you!!

[NurseKel16]

Congratulations! I'm currently prepare for my NCLEX. It's definitely nerve racking!

[kristami7]

Thank you!! I wish you well on your studying and testing!

[Pree35]

Congrats!!! I took my test on the 28th april and i am waitin on my results. Im hopin they come soon cause the wait is killin me. I tried the pvt and it does not let my payment process through. So im freakin out!