Passed the NCLEX with 86 questions after 4 years of being out of the profession (IEN)

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Hello nurses and future nurses,

I am an internationally educated nurse (Philippines) and I decided to take the NCLEX (to follow the love of my life in the USA) 4 years after passing the board exam here in our country. I did not touch a single nursing book during those time.

Not. A. Single. One.

Also, because of financial constraint plus the fact that I have a very short attention span, I opted to just do self review. I did my research (mostly here in Allnurses) trying to find out what works best for the exam so that I may invest to the best resources.

Being the impulsive person that I am, I scheduled my exam one and a half month after receiving my ATT and that's when I motivated myself to start reviewing.

I did not have a structured plan or schedule while reviewing. I'll just do what I felt like doing at the moment. Sometimes I will :

1. READ CONTENT

-- I used Saunders 6e but I read only until the fundamentals chapter because I figure out that reading it page by page won't make me memorize it and it is sooo thick.

FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BORROW MY BOOK, Please email me at [email protected]

2. ANSWER PRACTICE QUESTIONS

- I used PDA by LaCharity and I advise that you do so also. IT IS THE BOMB!!

- I answered Kaplan qtrainers and I am not even getting above 60%. It is so hard and I wasn't able to finish a trainer within the time limit and it freaked me out.

- I also used NCLEX 3500.

- I followed a bunch of accounts in Facebook and Instagram that post NCLEX style questions daily. They help, I swear.

- and those questions you find at the end of every chapter in Saunders.

- ALSO, always always always READ THE RATIONALE after every question.

3. WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEOS

- (Linares, specifically)

- I also watch testimonials from different people experiencing a certain kind of disease because it makes me understand the disease properly probably because of empathy.

4. browse Instagram (using #nclex, you will find helpful posts from others and also motivation because you will get to see nurses posting their "pass" result).

5. I also utilize the 35-page study guide floating around here in Allnurses. And I thank whoever did that. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

6. If you're getting tired, make it a habit of reading posts here in Allnurses. Tips and all. I learned a lot from these awesome nurses sharing their NCLEX journey. :)

7. BE POSITIVE

- I know it is a long shot to be taking this exam after being out of the profession for so many years and only self reviewing but it never occurred to me, not even once, that I will fail it. I just know and believe that I can do it. That I will pass it.

To sum it all up, all I wanted to say is that :

EVERYTHING'S POSSIBLE IF YOU'VE GOT ENOUGH NERVES. - Ginny Weasley. :)

P.S.

Aside from being extremely impulsive, I can also be easily distracted. So during my exam, I asked for an earplugs halfway through the exam because the test taker next to me was extremely loud when pressing the keyboard (he's like making an essay, I dunno).

Also if you'll be taking the exam in the Philippines, bring a sweater. It's cold out there!

Oh and I finished with 86 questions for 2 and half hours. (Yeah. I was that slow. I kept on listening to sounds around me and I even make faces in front of the camera and doodle in the provided white board because that's how I was when I am reviewing).

Thank goodness I didn't have to go through 265 questions.

My first question by the way was a SATA. (Yeah. It freaked me out at first). Sometimes I had to answer 3 consecutive SATA questions and it is sooo exhausting.

I am pretty sure I got my last question correct so that's what I hold onto while waiting for the result. (I didn't avail of the quick result because I think that I can not change the result whatever that may be by looking at it earlier). I waited for the mail to arrive that took almost a month.

Sorry for the lengthy post.

Again, if you need the Saunders 6e. Email me.

Rock on Nurse! :)

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Congrats!!! And thank you so much for sharing your tips :), btw where could I find the 35 page study guide?

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Specializes in Emergency, Delivery and OR Nurse.

Congrats! We're the same! I'm also from the Philippines, I'll be taking my nclex this feb 26,2015. Wish me luck! ThankYou for your post. I'm glad I'm not the only one whose struggling. God bless you and takecare:)

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https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8687&d=1310076980

there's the link. I hope you'll find it helpful as much as I do. Good luck. :)

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https://allnurses.com/member-443762/

yay! Good luck. Always be positive. Bring a sweater to the testing center. I wish you the best of luck!

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Congrats on a job well done.

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Specializes in Emergency, Delivery and OR Nurse.

Thank you so much! Yes I will! God bless on you're plans. :)

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Thank you!! :yes:

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hi im planning to take the nclex rn next year but I want to inquire on how to apply for saipan...I ve read the requirements but I just want to ask on how to pay for the application...I went to some Philippine banks and they are not familiar with the payment and they arenot sure if saipan bon will accept checks from Philippines banks..pls help me thanks......I already have my credential with me...ty

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