Passed NCLEX the 3rd time!

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I told myself that once I pass, I would share my story so that hopefully people who have failed the NCLEX won't feel bad about themselves.

I graduated in Dec 2013. I figured that I didn't necessarily need to study, considering I just graduated nursing school. lol. Nope. To "study" for the test, I was took Kaplan online. I thought, at the time, that I enjoyed the class. However, I think it was mostly because I was hearing how good it was, but not because how it was affecting me. I was also using Hurst. I took the NCLEX in February for the first time and failed after 80 questions. Of course, I assumed I passed just because of the low about of questions that I had. Well, I didn't. I ended up taking Kaplan again for free due to the fact that I failed. I studied how Kaplan wanted me to study and did everything that they wanted me to do. However, in May, I failed again with 76 questions. Unlike the first time, I knew walking out of there that I had failed. I had major anxiety during the test and I was getting all sorts of easy type questions. As you can imagine, I was heartbroken. I felt like I was a failure and even second guessed if Nursing was even for me. So I took about a month from studying to gather myself before I tried again. I was studying from some of the material that I had from Hurst that I printed out the past two times. However, I knew it was not enough and I needed practice questions. Well, I have to say, I did NOT want to use Kaplan again. Even though they have good reviews, Kaplan was not for me. I won't say its not a good program, cause it does work for some people. However, it did nothing for me. So I decided to go for NCSBN. LOVED IT, LOVED IT LOVED IT! If you find yourself not liking Kaplan, I would definitely go for NCSBN. To me, their type of questions were more like the NCLEX and I even found them harder than both the NCLEX and Kaplan. I really did love it. I ended up taking the 3 course 3 times lol. That's because I was too nervous too take the test, so I just kept ordering the course haha.

Well finally, on December 5th, I went to the testing center with NO anxiety at all. I spent the couple months prior to the test praying for God to take the anxiety away. I knew that If I had anxiety going into the test, I would never be able to pass. I thank God that I was able to take the exam free from nervousness. I took 3 hours to take the exam (I wanted to make sure I go slow and pick the right answer) and it stopped at 75 questions. I did not do the check on my phone to see if you would take me to the "credit card" page. After the exam, I wanted it all out of my head lol. I waited about 5 days, until they sent me a letter telling me I passed, and that's how I found out! It was much better that way!

So I repeat, NCSBN IS A GIFT FROM GOD!

To everyone who has failed, it does not mean you are a failure! You will be an amazing nurse! I really do believe that prayer changes everything!

Good luck everyone!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

CONGRATULATIONS on passing NCLEX!!!!!

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Thank you!!

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Congrats! I am also considering to take the ncsbn course, but I don't know what it looks like and if it will fit me. Can you tell me a little about it? are their resource video format or slides?

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Congrads! I did the NCSBN I liked it also. I agree that the questions are harder but it really got me prepared to answer challenging questions.

AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS NURSE!:)

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It is actually neither video or slides. They are just notes but in different subjects. So if you wanted to freshen up on peds, then you would go to that category, then there will be sub categories like 'cardiac' if that makes sense lol. I actually learned a lot from their notes. There were information in them that I have never even heard of before. Also, after each category of notes, there are questions regarding that category. Then after all the notes, there are TONS AND TONS of practice questions. I would definitely recommend at least the 5 week course. I thought the 3 week course went by too fast and I found myself rushing.

I hoped that helped!

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Exactly. They were even worded in difficult ways sometimes, which made you really pay attention to what the question was asking. It helped a lot!

And thank you!

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Thank you! Right now I'm reading Saunders, I wonder which one is better. Saunders or ncsbn course?

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Congratulations! Your determination paid off!

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I hear Saunders is good, but I don't know personally. I only used kaplan, hurst, and NCSBN - and I only liked NCSBN. However, it may not hurt to try saunders!

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Specializes in ORTHO, TRAUMA, MED-SURG, L&D, POSTPARTUM.

Congrats!!! I love hearing new grad success stories! :laugh:

I did not sign up for the NCSBN, but a friend let me take some of her practice questions and I agree they are very challenging and on point with the level and style of NCLEX questions. I wish my school wasn't so stuck on ATI, because ATI didn't do much for me despite how much it cost us. In my opinion, ATI is a good course to use through school but a horrible final NCLEX prep course. I felt it was very repetitive and I wasted of my time studying material that I didn't need to focus on. I used Hogan Nclex review, Lippincott Alternative Format Questions and Lacharity. All were good sources, but still not as difficult as questions on the NCLEX. If I had to do it all over again, (thank my lucky stars, I didn't), NCSBN would be my choice hands down.

Thanks for sharing your story. Now on to land your first job!

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I have heard that ATI is kind of more general type questions instead of NCLEX style. I didn't use it though, so I don't know. Awesome job passing the exam early on! I have a few friends who are still in nursing school and I keep telling them to not to waste their time on anything else. lol. To just NCSBN.

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