Passed NCLEX 3rd time!

[RNSAYWHAT]

So I wanted to write and share my story about my difficult journey passing NCLEX! I turned to this site many times reading what people have done to pass, so I wanted to pass my story along too.

I graduated from a very known Bachelor's nursing program. I was never the best student, but I made it through. Before graduating I knew I would need to study a lot to be confident with passing. I decided to sign up for HURST! I took the classes 6 months before graduation as well as repeating it again upon graduation. I told myself I would study from my HURST book before the NCLEX, but of course I barely studied at all! I took it my first time and received 78 questions. I walked out of there thinking I passed. Get home and get the CC screen when trying to re-register. I was devastated because I was already working at a hospital as a GN. Thankfully the hospital gives you another try to pass and you can continue to work. So about 2 months later I was almost done with orientation and ready to pass my 2nd try. I studied more this time, but couldn't keep focused on it! I went in this time receiving all 265 questions and felt not sure about it. I get home this time and CC screen again. I immediately went into depression mode knowing I would lose my hard earned job now and have much embarrassment with family and co-workers. I knew something had to change the third time around. I decided to buy Kaplan. Which was the best decision ever! Since I was not working, I completed Kaplan like it was my job. I wasn't scoring too well, around 50-65 range. My readiness test was a 60. I took it the day before my test and was so nervous about my score. I go into the test and get 155 questions and was for sure I had failed. I go to the car and try to register again and get the "pop up." I literally cried in happiness!

I want everyone to know that I can be done and you have to ensure that you study, study, study. The practice questions not only give you a lot of content in the rationales, but also help tremendously with learning how to answer questions even when you don't know the answers. My school also does HESI, but fortunately does not make you pass it to graduate. We have 3 tries for HESI and if not passed with an 850, then you receive the minimum passing grade for one of our main lectures. I never received the 850! This shows that's even when you're not the best student and testing isn't your best attribute, you can still do it!!! I'm now registered and in the process of getting my job back!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

welcome to nursing!

[happynurse14]

Congratulations!!! I can only speak from my perspective of ATI vs the Kaplan practice, strategies, and review book (the only things I used to study)... But Kaplan saved my butt with its strategies and tricks to pick out an answer without actually knowing the answer. I'd recommend it to everyone!