Just wanted to drop a line of encouragement to those of you taking or studying for your NCLEX. I sat my NCLEX for the first time on Monday 22nd September and I passed in 75 question and was in the exam for 55 minutes.
i am a British registered nurse and have not held a clinical post for ten years although I specialised in children with disabilities in the Uk. Never been in an American hospital and when I started studying 3 months ago I couldn't tell you what a penrose drain was or what needle I would use for what. None of the drug names are the same and most of the nursing terminology is different. I used Kaplan and found it a fantastic resource. I studied every day except for weekends, I got low 50's for all my tests but finally got 67 for my readiness test. If there was something I wasn't sure of I went on the internet to see a video to make it clearer.
I couldn't revise every drug classification so I studied a few important groups, antibiotics, anti psychotics, Parkinson's drugs, ADHD medication, hormonal drugs for cancer and cardiac. Could not retain any more facts on drugs.
on the day of the exam I just told myself to do my best and hope for the best. obviously I can't say what was presented to me but it was not as daunting as I thought. I found the questions on Kaplan much more difficult and complex. I prayed that it wouldn't shut me off at 75 as I felt that if it kept going then I was doing okay and keeping my head above water. when it shut off at 75 I was a bit stunned. I came home and tried to analyse everything that I did wrong and couldn't face the thought of facing the books again. Luckily I found out this morning through BON website that I have my licence. To say I am delighted is an understatement!
please know that if I can do it without the benefit of being trained in an american college or university then you definetly can. Take one day at a team and keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your finger off the mouse and read every word before you commit yourself. I have a 5 second rule of reading and understanding then taking a breath for 5 seconds then pick my answer, sounds crazy but it works for you!
i did a reverse. i completed the qbank and then attempted qtrainer 6. it was a piece of cake compared to the qbank. i haven't done 7 but will do it next week. i hope it is similar to qtrainer 6 as i scored 70% on first try. can you tell me from your experience that qtrainer similar to 6 or not. thanks
Congratulations! I also passed first time (March 2011) as a UK trained nurse who qualified in July '92, with the help of Kaplan. It's opened doors & I have been continuously employed as an RN since then. However, my impression is that current UK training does not meet NCLEX requirements (no psych, paediatrics, etc.) & that non-US-citizens & non-green-card holders are not eligible to test.
fusionfire32
149 Posts
algie,
i did a reverse. i completed the qbank and then attempted qtrainer 6. it was a piece of cake compared to the qbank. i haven't done 7 but will do it next week. i hope it is similar to qtrainer 6 as i scored 70% on first try. can you tell me from your experience that qtrainer similar to 6 or not. thanks