Passed Nclex PN 2016, Here is my experience

[Virtual, LVN]

So I Recently took the nclex and passed. I graduated in the end of 2013, took my first nclex in may/14 and Failed (at 112? questions). This obviously crushed me, since I was a pretty good student throughout nursing school. I sort of lost confidence, checked my report sheet and I was average in some of the subjects and below average in psych (I didn't study it before the test, of course the one chapter I skip on is on the nclex). I didn't schedule my next nclex appointment until March/15 (which was the worst thing to do, since I just forgot more stuff). Failed again (at 85 questions). Got the reports back and I did much worse than before, was below average in almost all the categories. And this was the worst feeling, I tried correcting the mistakes I made last time and it didn't help, I gave it my 100% and it wasn't good enough. Scheduled 3rd appointment in Aug/15. And this was the worst one cause I was a no show. I didn't even feel like I was ready so I didn't show up (stupid of me when I think back).

At this point it gets frustrating and scary cause I graduated almost 2years ago and I still haven't passed. So I Scheduled my 4th appointment on March/16. I actually made a mental checklist of stuff I wanted to do this year and thought about how awesome it would be if I could get over this hurdle within the first quarter of the year. I did spend more time on questions than studying content this time. My only source was the Nclex Mastery app (android). I did 60 a day (30 in the morning and 30 at night for 2 weeks). Except on test day, I didn't do any questions cause I feared if I got a whole bunch wrong back to back then I would mentally screw with me. So I went in to take the test and literally the first few questions were SATA. Great, my greatest weakness in all of nursing school is the reason why I'm going to have to fail again. Literally the whole test was SATA, or at least 40-50 questions, I got other ones which were like you're sitting in a meeting and you have to figure out whats priority, got a couple where they would give me hospital equipment and you have to pick which isn't working, like 3 drug dosages and more SATA. Half way though the test I put my head down and just remembered what my instructor told me. He pretty much said to choose the first answer that came to mind and to just go with it and not think back. So as I'm taking the test and thinking I've failed with all the SATA questions I got, I would just read the question and check the boxes and click next. I got 86 questions, test shut off and I went home.

The drive home is always interesting cause every time I took the nclex I would give myself a lecture on how I'm going to change my study habits and pick up the book more. A couple days go by and I realize I got 86 questions instead of 85 (I think 85 is the minimum). So I started to give myself a little hope that I got one extra question and maybe that could be the deciding factor if I passed or not. I thought it would be cool if by some miracle I could pass. I was at work a few days later and my sister called me to say I passed. I wasn't excited or anything cause I didn't beleive it, just numb. I got the initial license fee form (didn't even get the CPR report). Came home and filled it out, sent the fee, they cashed it and sent my license in the mail. Just the white license that says my name on it, I expected a certificate or something but whatever I finally passed! Finally I don't have to have this in the back of my mind anymore, huge weight is lifted, And oh yeah, everytime I went to take the nclex the same lady was there haha how embarrassed I was for that

So if I could give any advice, just do questions if you feel like your burned out on content. I truly felt like I knew my content but didn't know how to actually answer the question.

For anyone who wonders how long it took for my license to come: (California)

3/15 Took Nclex

3/26 Received initial license Fee Letter

3/27 paid/sent initial fee letter (easter, so it probably went out on monday 3/28)

4/19 Cashed Check

5/7 License Came;)

[jess4923]

Congratulations

[ksalazar82]

This is an awesome story! Motivating and encouraging! I too am a repeat test taker also in CA. I've scheduled for Sept 29th 2016 and I've been studying like crazy! I did Kaplan last week and have been doing about 100-200 questions a day since early August. I'm getting better, but still scoring at 50% as far as the # of questions I'm getting right and wrong! Ughhh... All I can do is have hope, confidence in myself, and pray God will be there to support me through NCLEX world! I'll keep ya posted!!