I am sharing this experience, coz I want to inspire others as how others inspired me here. Before I took my exam, I have read a lot of posts here that helps me to keep positive most especially to those people who did self-review, coz I did the same.
I graduated in Philippines, became Registered Nurse there, went in the USA in 2014, got my ATT in July 2015 and I started studying after. I started answering the book of SAUNDERS QUESTION AND ANSWER REVIEW 5TH EDITION together with the EVOLVE, then SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 6TH EDITION (I was not able to read the whole content, only used the question and answer from EVOLVE), PRIORITIZATION, DELEGATION AND ASSIGNMENT BY LA CHARITIY 3RD EDITION, decided to enroll 5WEEK COURSE OF NCSBN (and the same thing I was not able to read the whole content because of the lack of time so I just used their Qbanks for answering questions) and everyday night before going to sleep I was watching the HURST VIDEO.
The day before my exam still I was not sure of myself If I am prepared coz I only did self-study, for me my effort was not yet enough.
September 30, 2015 at 8am was my exam date. I woke up at 5:30am, left home at 6:30 and my husband drove me to the test center, before getting there got light breakfast from panera bread, and went straight there.
I got there and checked-in, and started answering until 265!!! I got tons and tons of SATA, and few drugs (only generic name), few prioritization and one calculation (output including diaper converting gram to mL), so far that's what I remember. When I reached #75 and I was really hoping and thinking when it would end coz I already lose hope that time but still I keep answering at the same time praying, until I reached the max #. And I WAS LIKE, OOooooo OKAY, I FAILED. I got out from the test center so nervous and feels so depressed!
After an hour, I was reading about PVT, and I was so eager to try it, so I did. I got good pop-up, so it helps me to feel a little bit better, but of course still its not sure, I did PVT again aftr 12hrs, 24hrs and the same thing got a good pop-up, and continued praying, wishing I could have the quick result already cant wait for 48hours. Before I went to bed at October 1, I checked the MI BON, still my name was not there, my anxiety increased and fell asleep while watching movie, I woke up at 5:30am this morning and checked again the pearson vue if they already have the quick result, but then still they don't have.
So I went to MI BON website, I checked my name there and found out that I PASSED!!!! I AM NOW RN!!
Thank You Lord!! It is His will, and always believe that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM.
My advice is, do your best, answer questions and read rationale carefully, memorize the labs and values, do not overanalyze, and always pray because I do believe its the most powerful of all.
That's not how it works. There is ONE exam, nation-wide (hence the name NATIONAL in the name of the test). You get licensed in the state you live in and you will need to get an additional license for Iowa, since Illinois is not a compact state.
Hey there! Congratulations on passing! You are going to be a wonderful RN! I took my NCLEX for the second time yesterday (Oct. 1) and I went all the way to 265 questions as well. At 75 questions I was just thinking to myself, "Please shut off!" But nope! It didn't! I had a LOT of priority questions (a lot of which seemed like repeated questions), 3 med calcs (which kept getting harder), at least 20 SATA's, and a good amount of meds and delegation.
The first time I took it I failed in 75 questions, but I honestly barely studied for it, so I'm not surprised. I have a Kaplan Integrated Program through my college, so I utilized that as much as possible! I live in IL, but tested for the state of Iowa because that's where I have a job lined up. I looked on the NurSys license verification site and looked myself up, nothing yet. I also looked on the Iowa BON, nothing yet there either. Not sure how long it takes for Iowa to do all that though! I'm hesitant to do the PearsonVue Trick because I don't have an expired Visa card or anything like that. Anyways, I'll look at the Quick Results tomorrow morning and see how it went! I'm making my mom look for me because I'm too nervous! Congrats again on passing the NCLEX and best wishes to you in your nursing career that has begun!
Took NCLEX on 10.13 and waiting for the 48 hrs quick results. I went up to 135 Q's and the wonderful blue screen appeared. I had around 15 SATA, no drag and drop, no priority. Just multiple choice and a few SATA. Tons of pharmacy q's, med-surg, some MH a few OB and like 2 peds. Only a few lab values. The MC q's were way tricky! I am thinking the test will vary by state somewhat. I have read a ton of blogs and each person's test is totally different. I feel the CAT knows your weak areas and full steam ahead with your weak areas. Just always keep in the back of your mind during the test, NCSBN wants you to succeed, they don't want you to fail. They want you to be a safe nurse!
Awww how wonderful, you are so sweet and seem like you have a great heart. Yes i agree that prayerful is most powerful. That is what helped me through nursing school in the first place. I am happy you did not give up and stayed positive. Congrats. Congrats. Congrats.You deserve it. Mrs RN ;-)
Please pray for me, I graduate this December and hope to take NCLEX by Feb or March !
A lot has changed since I took the boards in 1984. I took it on paper and didn't finish it all, but one thing she mentioned that worked for me also, and that is....Studying and Lots of Praying and more Praying!!! Congrats!!!
Congratulations I also received 265 questions and passed! The first time I received 265 and failed but their was a difference in my mind set the second time. The first time I was not mentally prepared to go pass 75. The second time I had took a brake and regrouped and conquered! Hint: the Pearson vue trick worked both times!
Took NCLEX on 10.13 and waiting for the 48 hrs quick results. I went up to 135 Q's and the wonderful blue screen appeared. I had around 15 SATA, no drag and drop, no priority. Just multiple choice and a few SATA. Tons of pharmacy q's, med-surg, some MH a few OB and like 2 peds. Only a few lab values. The MC q's were way tricky! I am thinking the test will vary by state somewhat. I have read a ton of blogs and each person's test is totally different. I feel the CAT knows your weak areas and full steam ahead with your weak areas. Just always keep in the back of your mind during the test, NCSBN wants you to succeed, they don't want you to fail. They want you to be a safe nurse!
Hey @yukonriver did you pass the exam? And I torally agree on what you said that the CAT knows your weakness because when they start knowing which part it is, they going to give you one after another one.
And of course yea, we cannot get our license if we our not safe nurses that we could kill our patient.
Awww how wonderful, you are so sweet and seem like you have a great heart. Yes i agree that prayerful is most powerful. That is what helped me through nursing school in the first place. I am happy you did not give up and stayed positive. Congrats. Congrats. Congrats.You deserve it. Mrs RN ;-)
Please pray for me, I graduate this December and hope to take NCLEX by Feb or March !
Hey @MadisonG thank you! Sure I will do pray for you. For everyone who will take the exam, I am including you in my prayers. God bless! Let me know what's the result.
Hi! I took the exam yesterday and I did 265 questions. And now I'm really anxious cuz they said if your last question is below level, most likely you fail. How was yours?
How was yours?
BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN
3,520 Posts
That's not how it works. There is ONE exam, nation-wide (hence the name NATIONAL in the name of the test). You get licensed in the state you live in and you will need to get an additional license for Iowa, since Illinois is not a compact state.