Passed Nclex the Fourth Time October 2014!

[Jpinkney14]

Hello Everyone,

I promised myself that when I passed the Nclex I would share my story. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte December 2013. A few days after graduation I took the Hurst Review. I didn't really start studying until after the holidays because I wanted to be focused. I reviewed all the lectures again, got the PDA book, and used saunders and Hurst questions. I studied for a month and took my test Feb 7. I was devastated when I failed in 75 questions. I just knew I failed after the test I went to the bathroom and cried . After about a week I picked my self up and tried to look for another method to study. I was blessed to get a job at Med Star Georgetown Hospital in DC in there Nurse Residency Program. They said I could work there as a Nurse Tech Until I passed my test. The Next time I tried a tutor. Her methods were very helpful. She provided me with the test taking skills that I needed and her primary tool was saunders. I was told to do 100 questions a day and if I got a question wrong or right I had to go back and read the rational and test taking strategy given by saunders. If I got the question wrong I went back to the book and read on the subject. A few of her methods really did help me. For example covering the answering choices and trying to figure out the answer before looking was helpful. But I know now that my content was not strong so during a bunch of questions was not what I needed. So Again I took the test May 7 and failed in 85. The third time I tried Kaplan and NSBSN a lot of the nurses on my floor recommended Kaplan and I heard about NSBSN through this site. NSBSN was ok the content was overwhelming but the questions were good. Kaplan questions really made me think unlike saunders. I did most of Kaplan the lectures were really boring so I went through the ones I felt like I needed help on. I thought my scores were pretty good. I ranged between 53-63 on the Q Trainers and 58 on the Qbank. I went in the test confident and failed again in 75 on august 28! Now this time I was over it. I didn't think I wanted to be a nurse anymore and my job had to let me go because I failed the test 3 times. During this time I prayed so much and asked god to give me strength to go on. I started to think I was not smart and I was so depressed. But I have the best parents ever and they encouraged me not to give up! I decided this was the last time I was taking this test and I gave it my all! My mom found a Nursing Review Center in Greenbelt Maryland. I took a 3 week review course. The teacher Ms. Bola was amazing!!!! The problem was I never really knew the content for the test. For example If you asked me what Hirschsprung Disease was I could tell you ribbon like stools but I did not really know what it was. Basically I really needed to know my content. Ms.Bola told me exactly what I needed to know for the test and did not overwhelm me with too much added info. After the class I made charts for vaccinations schedules , medications (Kaplan has a great medication chapter in there book) , safety & infection control, and child development which were my weak areas. I did 150-200 questions for 3 weeks and focused on my week areas. For questions I used saunders which are good for content only and Kaplan which are great for critical thinking! I did tons of select all that apply. I also studied with another person. We would go through questions together and give reasons why we picked certain answers. And Last but not least I got a new PDA book and did this the last week before the test. The final time I took the test. I took my time!!!! I did not worry about the time. I read each question and thought about each answer choice. I prayed throughout my test and I took 2 breaks because I started to get tired. I passed in 85 questions!!!!! Please never give up. If you have to take it 10 times do it. Be encouraged and pray god is always on time. Don't compare yourself to others. What god has for you is for you. If anyone has questions and need ways to study certain topics I still have my study guides. Email me [email protected] and I will see if I can help!!!!!

[MWelch18]

Great insight on how to stay positive motivated and believe in your self to make your dream come true congrats RN

[MarcellaS]

Hello. I sent you an email about advise for material. than ks

[gmonee33]

Thanks for sharing! I am a repeat test taker as well...more than 5 times! I just received my eligibility letter on Friday. It's been more than 5 years since I've taken the test and I am not currently working in the field. Other than the resources you've already shared and prayer (I am Christian too), where do you think would be a good starting point for me? Personally, I was thinking Saunders and Kaplan because I am sure I was lacking in content to begin with and with so much elapsed time since my last test, I'm sure I lost most of what I did know.

Thanks again & God Bless!

[Rockstar81]

One of the best ways to prepare for NCLEX, in my opinion, is to WORK in a hospital or SNF to get hands on training and to start thinking as a nurse. You will be exposed to so much, by virtue of just being there. You'll see intubation, NG tube, PEG tube feedings, heart rate monitoring, etc... When you see it, you get it! A picture is worth 1000 words.

[LAchaise]

Hello Jpinkey. I am so happy for you. I took the NCLEX for the 3rd time a failed it. I was unsure if I passed or failed. My results weren't in yet and I was hoping maybe just maybe they were reviewing my exam. I get home today and get in the mail that I failed it. I'm devastated and so drained from taking this test. I don't know what else to do

[brenthamrick]

That is so amazing to hear. I have taken my boards three times and I said to myself I was so over it, but then I think about all the hard work and time I put into school and away from my children. I it just so devastating when you try so hard and come up short. I do continue to pray and currently I am about to start studying again. I would love for you to email me your study guides. [email protected]. I had to set up another account under my fiancée's name because my password would not work for mine. Again, Congrats.

[idorenyinudoh]

I'm so happy for you,i'm scheduled to take mine first week of January and its my second time. I'm so nervous

[SororAKS, ADN, RN]

I did some review work on the NCSBN site and found it helpful.

[MsSunshine1096]

Thank you so much for your experience it helped me alot I emailed you asking for some help. CONGRATS.