Passed NCLEX-RN in Illinois!

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I just wanted to share my excitement in that I found out I passed my NCLEX-RN that I took on Monday with QuickResults through PearsonVue. It was my first attempt, 75 questions, 45 minutes. I always did well in nursing school - not straight A's, no C's, and I never had to retake a class. I think it's because the information made sense to me, somehow, and I maintained a life outside of school (kept relationships just as close, watched my favorite TV shows, did yoga, etc). I'm so very thankful that I have an incredibly supportive boyfriend and no family (yet) that depends on me. That definitely made school easier.

I studied some, not excessively, and always attended my lectures, clinicals, and labs. After graduation, I really felt like my school had prepared me awesomely. I elected not to take the $500 Kaplan review class because it seems like the class teaches you test taking strategies and the types of questions asked. If you need help with that, and have the money, it's definitely not a bad idea to do a class.

Personally, I used various portions review books (Kaplan, Lippincott, Saunders) and a couple AWESOME apps on my phone. NCLEX RN Mastery was my favorite ($30 for ~1600 questions) and the Kaplan Mini Q-Bank (free for ~150 questions). Since the beginning of my last semester, I practiced many questions a day; I would do anywhere from 30-100. About 4 weeks ago, I signed up for the 3 week NCSBN review course. It was a wonderful condensed content review with quite a few questions. Kaplan's setup was closest to the actual NCLEX, but I found all the questions included in those sources about equal. The 35 page review guide floating around here is a WONDERFUL resource. I'd also suggest stapling a list of common lab values to it.

In total, I probably studied about 3 hours a day, 4 days a week for a fews weeks leading up to the exam. I had to travel about 80 miles to take my NCLEX, so my boyfriend and I went down the afternoon before for a hotel, scoped out the testing center, had a delish dinner, and a few drinks. I had to take 1mg of Ativan to get to sleep, but I was out by 10PM, up at 6AM, ate a hotel breakfast, and was at the testing center by 7:30AM. They started me early since I was there early (test supposedly began at 8AM). I remember finishing around 8:40AM, but am not entirely sure when I started. The testing center was quiet, provided noise canceling earphones, earbuds (which I fiddled with the entire time), a dry erase board, and a marker. The people running the place were very pleasant. They have to take your palm scans when you get there, when you go into the testing room, and when you leave the testing room.

I did the PVT a few times in the two days that I waited on my quick results. I used various credit cards and put in the wrong expiration dates. It worked every time - however, take that with a grain of salt. It worked for me, but maybe I was lucky, I don't know. It did ease my nerves. Your life will be on hold until you find out your results. You will feel absolutely miserable, even if you walked out of the testing center feeling okay. You'll make it through though, tens of thousands of nurses have before you.

If you fail, so have MANY other nurses. Some of the best nurses I know had to take the NCLEX multiple times. It sucks that it's extra money, but it says nothing about your credibility as a nurse if you have to take it a couple times. The test is weird and hard; nothing really prepared me for the moment I sat down and started. I read so many horror stories on here, so I think it's important that we share our successes.

Please, keep positive. It's a scary time, but if I can make it through, then so can you!:yes:

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congrats, sounds like you nailed it :)

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Congratulations!! I love what you said at the end about some of the best nurses you know having failed it once. I'm not a great test taker and I'm SO nervous, but you're totally right. Also I'm glad you said NCLEX Mastery was worth it! I've been wondering if I should get that one. It seems like it would be really nice to review on my phone wherever i am. :) Way to go!

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For how many months did you study? Congrats RN :)

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congrats, sounds like you nailed it :)

Thank you SO much - I've never been so proud of my accomplishments.

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Congratulations!! I love what you said at the end about some of the best nurses you know having failed it once. I'm not a great test taker and I'm SO nervous, but you're totally right. Also I'm glad you said NCLEX Mastery was worth it! I've been wondering if I should get that one. It seems like it would be really nice to review on my phone wherever i am. :) Way to go!

It's totally normal to be nervous! If you feel crappy afterwards, you feel crappy. If you feel good afterwards, then you'll worry about feeling good; it's a lose-lose situation, hah. NCLEX Mastery was definitely my favorite. The interface was awesome, rationales thorough, great questions, and a great ability to track your progress. Good luck, and thank you!

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For how many months did you study? Congrats RN :)

I only really studied for a month and a half. I did practice questions casually throughout my last semester of nursing school. And thank you!

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Oh, you're a nurse, as I can see in this blog. Congratulations on getting your license, but it seems to me that you may be that person who doesn't believe in teamwork. It's all good though. I wish you nothing but the best. :)

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Oh, you're a nurse, as I can see in this blog. Congratulations on getting your license, but it seems to me that you may be that person who doesn't believe in teamwork. It's all good though. I wish you nothing but the best. :)

You're so observant! I love your support - it truly is a hallmark of a wonderful coworker. I'm sure you also noted the rehab facility experience I have as a CNA and my experience in the medical-surgical world of the hospital as one also. We need more genuinely kind and sincere people like you in graduating from RN programs - you really know what you're doing! I wish you could have sat my boards for me. :)

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