Passed NCLEX-RN!

Published

First and most importantly, I would like to thank God for His ongoing love, support, strength, and encouragement. Please know that ALL things are possible through God's love and blessings.

I know there are many posts from those sharing how they passed NCLEX. I knew that I wanted to share my story also and share the power of God and His works if I passed, so here I am today!

I graduated from my nursing program back in March and took Kaplan at the end of the month thinking that I could test as soon as possible. However, I guess my school lagged in turning in all of the paperwork and stuff, so I did not my eligibility letter until early May. Needless to say it was a little difficult to study knowing I didn't have a scheduled appointment to take the NCLEX-RN. I did do some Kaplan questions, but I wasn't studying like how I should have been. Nevertheless, I received my eligibility from the BON and scheduled my NCLEX for the 24th of the month, giving me about 19 days.

I tried different things to get me to study. I reviewed some content own my own, but wasn't all that productive with it. I took Saunders' evaluation test which provides you a study schedule (Created a schedule based on this, but didn't end up following it.) The list that was posted on this website with a break down of what to study (broken into categories of the NCLEX, such as physiological integrity and health promotion and maintenance) is actually very useful and was what I wanted to study. I completed most of the first page and then stopped doing that too. It was a great guide though and actually helps put NCLEX studying into perspective. However, I didn't finish this list (though for those who can, I strongly recommend it). It was just too time consuming for me. This is what I used to study most of my content though, and made a lot of note cards and used that to study. Used Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX-RN Review to study content, barely used the Kaplan book provided for the live class.

Mainly, what I did were questions. I did all of the question trainers for Kaplan (my scores were mainly in the 50s, with a 62 on question trainer 5, and 58's on question trainers 6 and 7) and most of the question bank also (started off scoring somewhere in the mid 40s, ended up getting high 50s to low 60s later on.) I didn't do the question trainers in order though, taking 7 before I took 5 and 6. The reason for this is because I wanted to see where I was at (Kaplan says if you score over a 60 on their question trainer 7, you are NCLEX ready) and ended up scoring a 58 two weeks before my test, which I was happy about considering I still had subjects to review and study and questions to do. I would do anywhere from 50 to 100 questions a day, sometimes more. I also used NCSBN's questions (I scored from the 50s to 60s, highest is a 70 I think) which was a great tool also. The key is going over the rationales for questions you got right and wrong, and understanding why you got it wrong (or right). I know people have stated this a countless number of times on this website, but that's because it's true!! I recommend going through Kaplan (if you're using their qbank) in tutor mode, answering the question, then reading the rationale right after, but don't change your answer to the correct one if you got it wrong before moving on, so you know your true score rather than giving yourself false reassurance. Questions are key though. Just going through so many you learn how to answer these questions. I would rarely use Kaplan's decision tree and barely used it (if at all) on the actual NCLEX. What I also did was post the mnemonics for infection control around my room and would look at them periodically until I studied all of them and went over lab values also! (Didn't focus much on lab values until a day or two before my test though!)

I also posted "tips on passing the NCLEX" in two places in my room and #1 was pray. Before studying I would say a prayer reading these Bible verses "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" and "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed". I would also ask Mother Mary, St. Joseph of Cupertino, and the patron saint of nurses to pray for me.

I told myself the day before the test I didn't want to study, but ended up studying anyways! Took some melatonin but ended up waking before my alarm, probably due to anxiety, and went to mass at 8am. Drove to the testing center around 12:30, my appointment was at two. The people at the testing center ended up letting me start my test early. I said a prayer before I began and then started the test. I got to question 72 and it offered me a break. I took it for it had been about 2 hours since I started. Sat back down and once I reached 75, I was kinda hoping it would stop, but once I submitted my answer it gave me another question. I wasn't too discouraged though and just continued. I remember specifically that I got two select all that apply then a prioritization question before my computer shut off right around 80! I was sort of surprised, but kinda nervous though because that was such a random number to stop at. I got 11 select all that apply, a good number of infection control (so study those mnemonics!), and a lot of prioritization. It was odd though, because I didn't get a bulk of the priority questions until towards the end. Nonetheless, it took me a little over two hours to get through 80 questions and I was on my way home. I tried the PVT and got the good pop! The next couple of days I just wanted to know my official results though! I would check the BON early in the morning hoping to see my name. Then this morning, my girlfriend woke early up to study for her nursing program, so I woke up to check to see if my was on the CA BON. And after 3 days, I found out a little after 5am that I was officially an RN!

I know it's a long story, but just wanted to share the power of God and prayer with the people here, for that is the main reason why I passed this difficult exam. Keep studying, stay focused, and pray! Tell yourself you can pass the NCLEX!

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I really liked reading your story as I am taking my test on June 1st and am freaking out right now. I too am using Kaplan and my scores are extremely close to yours so it made me feel a lot better! Thanks and Congrats.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

Congratulations for passing!!

I get very relieved as I read NCLEX passers' Kaplan scores don't have to be perfect to pass this exam. Because my Kaplan scores are around high 50's to low 60's. I haven't done Qbank except for 50 questions, but I have been doing trainers. I am hoping my percentage will go up as I do more.

Where and what is the infection mnemonics that everyone's talking about? is there a topic about that here in this forum?

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wow congratulations to you!!! thanks for sharing bible verse.

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:ancong!:

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COngratulations:clpty:

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Transmission-based Precautions: ADC

A - Airborne

D - Droplet

C - Contact

AIRBORNE PRECAUTION

My - Measles

Chicken - Chickenpox

Hez - Herpes Zoster (Disseminated)

TB - TB

Private room

Negative pressure with 6-12 air exchanges per hour

UV

Mask

N95 Mask for TB

-----------------------------------------------------------------

DROPLET PRECAUTION

think of SPIDERMAN!

S - Sepsis

S - Scarlet fever

S - Streptococcal pharyngitis

P - Parvovirus B19

P - Pertussis

P - Pneumonia

I - Influenza

D - Diptheria (Pharyngeal)

E - Epiglottitis

R - Rubella

M - Mumps

M - Meningitis

M - Mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia

An - Adenovirus

Private room

Mask

--------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTACT PRECAUTION

MRS.WEE

M - Multidrug resistant organism

R - Respiratory infection - RSV

S - Skin infections

W - Wound infections

E - Enteric infections - clostridium defficile

E - Eye infections

Skin Infections:

V - Varicella zoster

C - Cutaneous diptheria

H - Herpes simplex

I - Impetigo

P - Pediculosis

S - Scabies, Staphylococcus

Private room

Gloves

Gown

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From a previous post!

Transmission-based Precautions: ADC

A - Airborne

D - Droplet

C - Contact

AIRBORNE PRECAUTION

My - Measles

Chicken - Chickenpox

Hez - Herpes Zoster (Disseminated)

TB - TB

Private room

Negative pressure with 6-12 air exchanges per hour

UV

Mask

N95 Mask for TB

-----------------------------------------------------------------

DROPLET PRECAUTION

think of SPIDERMAN!

S - Sepsis

S - Scarlet fever

S - Streptococcal pharyngitis

P - Parvovirus B19

P - Pertussis

P - Pneumonia

I - Influenza

D - Diptheria (Pharyngeal)

E - Epiglottitis

R - Rubella

M - Mumps

M - Meningitis

M - Mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia

An - Adenovirus

Private room

Mask

--------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTACT PRECAUTION

MRS.WEE

M - Multidrug resistant organism

R - Respiratory infection - RSV

S - Skin infections

W - Wound infections

E - Enteric infections - clostridium defficile

E - Eye infections

Skin Infections:

V - Varicella zoster

C - Cutaneous diptheria

H - Herpes simplex

I - Impetigo

P - Pediculosis

S - Scabies, Staphylococcus

Private room

Gloves

Gown

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Nice to read your perspective! I did my NCLEX yesterday! It stopped me at 75! I am really freaking out now because I feel like I did not answer any question right! I got really anxious! I read threads of emails that say check for good pop up. I did check and I got the good pop up but is that true? Oooh I do not wan't to go through a lot of study again. I studied full time for this exam!:crying2::crying2:

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Congrats!!! you passed. Can you tell me where is the list that you mentioned that is posted here to help you to study? I do not know what list are you talking about since I can't find it. I appreciate it if you tell me where it is.

Thanks! :yeah:

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Congrats on passing the NCLEX!!!:yelclap: Thanks sooo much for sharing your story because you so right if u give it to God & believe (which is key) He can do all things. Thanks for the tips.

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