Passed Nclex RN (4 times)August 2015

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hello everybody!! Just wanted to first start off by saying how wonderful this website is. It has really helped me along my journey of conquering Nclex RN.

It took me 4 times to finally get this Nclex thing right.

1) Used Kaplan, did the whole in class thing & I felt like it was a good program to do IF you have a solid knowledge base. Its mostly used for strategies & what not. Took the test, stopped at 76. Waited patiently for my results to come in the mail....FAILED. I was 50/50 on all the categories! I felt misable! but I was determind to start studying again & take it as soon as my 45 days was up. Time for round 2...

2) This time, I gave Kaplan another chance along with the saunders as my guide. I didnt read the book, just used it as a reference. Test day rolls around the corner...218 questions...waited for my results...FAILED! All near passing except for 2 categories! (Mind you, I didnt want to do the PVT...I was too nervous)

3) Round three: i dont know why but i decided to keep using Kaplan because I believed in it & really wanted it to work for me. But I also used La Charity, Lippincotts Alternate questions book & the 35 pages of nclex floating around here somewhere). Took the test again... went all the way to 265, got my results & FAILED!!! ALL CATEGORIES WERE NEAR PASSING! I was soo ready to give up & switch careers! but with the help and support of my wonderful husband and family, I was able to pick myself up & start studying again...

4) Round four: I dropped Kaplan altogether. I knew it wasnt ever going to work for me (its not for everyone) I started using NCSBN & this new program called UWorld. Let me tell you, UWorld changed my life! I believed the questions were much harder than Kaplan & the rationals were awesome!!! I was skeptical at first because it was a newer program but I tried the free trial & I knew I just had to buy the program. So finally, test day rolls, 265 questions later & 3 days later Bam! PASS! Thank the Lord!! I finally Passed!!!

Im writing to tell you guys that you can do this. If you really want something, work hard, Pray, and get down to business. Ive had my share of failures in life but you will also have your successes & when you do...it truly is the greatest feeling in the entire world. Dont let this test defeat and it definately doesnt defind you. YOU CAN DO THIS!

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Congrats!

Did you complete all the UWorld questions?

I took the NCLEX a few days ago also and used UWorld, sadly I did not pass. But I was only able to finish about half the UWorld questions before I had to take the NCLEX. And now i'm beating myself up for taking the exam before completing my full UWorld course. I remember getting a few questions on the NCLEX that were very similar to UWorld. I'm just depressed thinking that if I did finish the course I could have passed. Sorry, i'm venting.

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im so sorry to hear that.... you can do this! you got through nursing school for a reason. no, i did not finish all the questions, i had a good majority of q's left in the qbank also. i do strongly believe Nclex is heavly content based as well as strategies. Uworld helped me out content wise and used some kaplan strategies to get me through the difficult ones. I know the struggle of not passing is tough, but just know that you are meant to be a nurse and with persistent perserverance, you too with kick Nclex in the butt! I suggest to take a deep breathe, take some time off (if needed) and go get that title we all worked so hard for! Goodluck!!

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Thank you for sharing your struggles and progress and CONGRATS!! I'm two weeks out from my second attempt at the NCLEX and currently using U-world as my primary study tool. I'm more than half way through the questions and intend on finishing them before my test date. Going over rationales and writing down ones that I truly didn't understand... I'm already feeling much better about the NCLEX this time around and feeling confident!

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yes! confidence is key!! I couldn't have said it better myself! It is definately important to go in there with a positive attitude and a positive outcome. My husband tells me all the time that I lack confidence which is probably why I was unsuccessful all these times.

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hi april, congrats did you write rationales down of the ones you got write or wrong? any helpful tips would be greatt thanks :)

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hi april, congrats did you write rationales down of the ones you got write or wrong? any helpful tips would be greatt thanks :)

hi there! yes, I did write down topics that I felt I needed to read up on. I also watched videos on youtube or searched for photos. See, for me...im more of a visual learner and repetition really helped dug the information into my head. Just remember, this test isn't meant to fail you but to test minimum competency. I know that is probably hard to believe but its true. The week before I tested, I made sure to always get in good meals each day (food that fuels my mind), get lots of exercise and do questions the same time I had scheduled my test. I also took lots of breaks during my exam, went to the bathroom, paced in the front, anything I could do to keep my blood flowing. Hope this helps!

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Congrats. I took nclex today for the second time and I stopped at 85 questions. Which really pissed me off. I felt like I have so much to prove to the computer. I don't know what's considered Above passing standard or below. I just feel like all my life I have been cursed. Let's hope I get the license.

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thanks April for sharing your tips :)

Im like you far as taking frequent breaks when i study for my nursing exams so i have 4 months left and on this nclex board heavy because i love reading others experiences like yours and it keeps me motivated for when i need to buckle down to study for nclex in jan

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

congratulations on Passing! :)

Did NCSBN help you more or Uworld? i dont know which one to purchase.

any pros and cons on the two?

Thank You!

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I used NCLEX 3000 and it had two similar questions on the NCLEX the questions are harder than Saunders and had alot of SATA questions to practice

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I know how you feel. Its a frustrating feeling knowing that the computer will determine your fate in getting your license or not. any update?

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