Passed NCLEX-RN on 2nd try!

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Hi nursing friends! My name is Kaylee, I'm 22 years old and I want to share my story with you about my NCLEX experiences and what I did to pass!

So first of all, I'll tell you about my schooling. I went to a small community college that was super close to where I lived. Right out of high school, I did a year of all of my generals for both the PN and ADN program so I wouldn't have to do those during my programs. After that year of generals, I was accepted into the PN program. I wasn't a straight A student throughout nursing school. In fact, I became so busy with life during my second semester of that program, that I actually failed an ATI (which at my school we have to pass.) I was able to finish my summer semester and graduate but then had to take a year off while retaking the class I failed the ATI in. During that time, I worked 3 small jobs (one at an elementary school, one at a tanning salon, and babysitting when I could.) Thankfully, I got into the ADN program in August 2013. I did great in this program because I barely worked outside of school. This program was only 2 semesters so it was like a full time job on top of studying every single night. On TOP of that, I was planning my wedding which was 2 weeks after I graduated in May 2014. After graduating and getting married at the end of May, I studied for about 1 month and took my NCLEX mid-July 2014. I did make a mistake though, I only did a few hundred practice questions. I thought that would be enough to pass my NCLEX, after all I passed my LPN NCLEX with no problem. Turns out, taking NCLEX RN one month after getting married and adjusting to all the changes marriage brings is NOT a good idea. I REPEAT: if you plan on getting married or any major life change, do NOT schedule your NCLEX. YOU WILL NOT BE FOCUSED TRUST ME!!! In the meantime, back in April 2014 before I graduated, I had actually landed my dream job in the hospital near-by in Mother/Baby and Pediatrics pending I passed my boards. So, you can imagine how crushed I was when I failed my NCLEX RN the first time and had to call my nursing manager and tell her I had failed. This meant my dream job wasn't my job anymore... I was devastated for about a week but I decided to let everyone who was rooting for me/praying for me that I had failed because they just kept asking "DID YOU PASS DID YOU PASS" It was becoming too hard to keep reexplaining I had failed. I had failed in 220 questions. So I did what anyone would do (lol) and posted a post on Facebook so I could move on. After this, I was broke and my husband and I were trying to live on just his income so I found an LPN job to gain experience at a local OBGYN office. I've been LOVING it and learning so much. After recovering from my failure, I took 3 months to clear my mind, study, and retake the test. To prepare THIS time, a friend at my job had just passed her test on her 2nd try using Hurst review. She let me borrow some of her materials and this is all I did this time around. I went in this time feeling well rested after 10 hours of sleep, received LOTS of prayer at church and from all my friends and family, and ate a good breakfast. I took the test November 11, 2014. I went in this time prepared to take all 265 questions. I made SURE this time to take LOTS of breaks. I ended up taking 3 breaks and taking 250 questions. I also had started to try the Pearson Vue trick but found online that the trick doesn't work anymore so I decided to just wait. I finally found out at 5 pm the next day right after work on the BON site I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!! I began crying and thanking God in my car at a stoplight (I know I shouldn't have done this while driving lol but I couldn't wait anymore)

So all in all, my advice to those of you who are first time testers or taken it 5 times, be prayerful, confident, prepared, and trusting God that He will bring you through this!!! God bless you all and if you have any other questions, please comment! Much love and prayers to you all while you study!

Kaylee Griffith RN

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Congrats so happy for you! I borrowed my friend Hurst which I watched videos and went over contents videos! I have been doing PDA book and Kaplan Questions since beginning of this month! I'll be testing in less than 3 weeks! I am staying positive but scared!! I had same situation I had to turn my dream job in ICU! Good luck in your journey!! How did you feel staying throughout 250 questions?

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You're gonna do great hmahdoui!!! Having 250 Q is definitely challenging BUT as long as you take breaks every 50-100 Q you'll do great!! It will really keep you refreshed and focused! I'll pray for you that you pass and get your job back!! It's possible :)

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Congrats RN. I am so proud of you on a job well done, with the help of God. Now, go out there and SHINE with the love of God. Thank you for the encouragement.

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