Passed NCLEX in 125 Qs on 2nd attempt!

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Hi fellow graduate nurses! I want to share my story! I took my NCLEX for the 2nd time on Monday and I found out this morning that I passed!!!! Here are some myths that I found in taking this test a second time:

Getting a bunch of SOA's does NOT MEAN ANYTHING! I literally only had 6 this time and I still passed.

If you are testing and it feels like you don't know anything, you are getting ABOVE competency questions. If you immediately know the answers, they most likely are not at competency.

Having tons of delegation/prioritization questions also does not mean you are above competency, once again I probably only had 5 delegation questions and about 7 prioritization questions.

The second time around I had TONS of CONTENT questions. Knowing body systems, signs and symptoms of when something is wrong, and how to handle it. I had about 7-8 medication questions and one dosage comp.

When I left the testing center I felt like I didn't get enough "above competency questions" based on my belief that I would have had a ton of SOA's, prioritization and delegation questions BUT I didn't. And I still passed!!!

I used Kaplan Qbank, Qtrainers, sample tests and content reviewsI did atleast 75 questions a day and I reviewed every question, read the rationales, and tried to change my thinking to fit their rationale. I also purchased LaCharity's assessment, delegation and prioritization. THIS BOOK SAVED MY LIFE!!!! Not only does it focus on those areas but the rationales are extremely descriptive and helpful. To round out my studying I also went back to my patho days and DREW out all the different body systems and the major things that could go wrong for each system. I made medication sheets related to those areas. I used these while taking my practice tests to solidify the information in my head as I was practicing. And last but not least, two days before my test I used my 5th edition Saunders textbook and did the 75q comprehensive review in the back. Read the rationales and called it good. The day of my test I read through lab values, LPN/NAP duties, and the worksheets I drew, and I stayed calm.

The first time I tested I only took one break in 4 hours and 265 questions. The second time I took FIVE BREAKS, I brought water, snacks, candy, and I meditated. Everytime I got nervous or anxious I took a break. I still was a hot mess the last two days waiting for my results but I just FELT more confident overall. And hey I'm now an RN! Wooooohoooo!!! Good luck everyone you got this!!!!

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Congrats RN! Glad to read a positive story. I took mine on Monday and expecting the results today. I had 89 questions. Most prioritization and meds. I didn't get a bunch of SATA. I only had 1 med calculation. The feeling was mutual I also felt like I didn't get enough competency questions and questions being asked of me I barely know or have not even read or heard of them. I wanted to cry right after I exited the testing center. For months I studied hard and felt like I wasn't asked for what I know. I felt like a new grad entering nursing school for the first time, I didn't even get a chance to prove that I can handle being a nurse. :(

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That is exactly how I felt! It was like I was studying a different subject. Luckily what really saved me was knowing word endings. Even if I didn't have a clue what the disease or disorder was if I saw "itis" I had an idea of what was happening. I also felt like they are trying to trick us by not putting priority nursing actions but like the 4th or 5th step that I would take with a patient. Which is why reading rationales was soooo important!!! I bet you passed! Lots of positive thoughts heading your way. And this test will be behind us forever!

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Congrats chelshnurse! Hope the best for you kawaiibows :) I am taking it Friday and woke up feeling anxious. What did you do the last 2 days before your exam?

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Congrats RN! Glad to read a positive story. I took mine on Monday and expecting the results today. I had 89 questions. Most prioritization and meds. I didn't get a bunch of SATA. I only had 1 med calculation. The feeling was mutual I also felt like I didn't get enough competency questions and questions being asked of me I barely know or have not even read or heard of them. I wanted to cry right after I exited the testing center. For months I studied hard and felt like I wasn't asked for what I know. I felt like a new grad entering nursing school for the first time, I didn't even get a chance to prove that I can handle being a nurse. :(

i hear you dear, I had 80 questions asked to me, and California boards are slow as of what I hear, It's my 12th day after my exam, worked my ass off but the computer has to ask just the questions I have no clue about........sigh....

and still not sure if I passed, I am already strategizing how to study next if I don't get thru...... Tears me down,my husband, my lil toddler(probably does not have clue), my family all were hoping I passed.....

So did I......this is torture..... A silly computer assessment software gets to prove that I cannot work as a nurse after all the hard work we put in, trust me we will beat and outwit the computer .....

does not seem like u have received ur results yet? Rt?

hope for the best....

we pray to a powerful God who can help us thru even the toughest of times.... We get thru this this time or the next time...

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That is exactly how I felt! It was like I was studying a different subject. Luckily what really saved me was knowing word endings. Even if I didn't have a clue what the disease or disorder was if I saw "itis" I had an idea of what was happening. I also felt like they are trying to trick us by not putting priority nursing actions but like the 4th or 5th step that I would take with a patient. Which is why reading rationales was soooo important!!! I bet you passed! Lots of positive thoughts heading your way. And this test will be behind us forever!

Congrats to you dear......

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Thank you! Do you guys not have quick results? Can you call the licensing board? I hope you passed!

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No quick results....all u can do is wait to see if our name shows up in the website... Or call n they say it's processing, if it does not show on website well most likely u did not get thru....

the funny thing is I was confident that I would get thru this time ....sigh....

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Stay positive! You may have passed. Patience.

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Congrats chelshnurse! Hope the best for you kawaiibows :) I am taking it Friday and woke up feeling anxious. What did you do the last 2 days before your exam?

The 2nd to last day before my exam I did the comprehensive review test in my Saunders book. Read the rationales and called it good. I missed 23 out of 75 and but I still felt pretty confident. After I took that I went through each body system I was weak on and reviewed critical areas. The day before the test I SLEPT, drove to the lake, ate lots of yummy food, and did anything I could to keep my mind off the test. I went to bed early around 9pm cause I had to wake at 530 to drive to the testing center. On the drive up (my dad drove) I reviewed lab values, the 6 patho sheets I had drawn myself, and LPN/NAP duties, and that's it. Lots of positive self talk and smiling, POWER STANCE, stretch, breath and TAKE BREAKS! Bring snacks!!!!

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That is exactly how I felt! It was like I was studying a different subject. Luckily what really saved me was knowing word endings. Even if I didn't have a clue what the disease or disorder was if I saw "itis" I had an idea of what was happening. I also felt like they are trying to trick us by not putting priority nursing actions but like the 4th or 5th step that I would take with a patient. Which is why reading rationales was soooo important!!! I bet you passed! Lots of positive thoughts heading your way. And this test will be behind us forever!

Glad it went well for you. After walking out the testing center I couldn't even recall a single question. I took the exam at 2:00 pm so 39 more minutes till quick results. I am so nervous.

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I did my quick results this morning, after entering my cc info I closed my eyes and could barely breathed, peaked through my fingers, saw a P and threw everything in my hands and started jumping for joy!!! I thought for sure I failed again!! But nope! They loved to make us feel super incompetent apparently because it was like reading a different language. But a pass is a pass! I'm an RN! Aaaah!

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