Passed the NCLEX-RN w/ 75 Questions.

[MikeHale01]

Hello to all Nurses!

This is going to be a long post. 😁

I've been a follower of this site for a couple of years now. I'm glad and thankful to those who have shared their stories.

I am a Foreign Educated Nurse. I am from the Philippines and currently residing here in Texas. I finished my BSN in 2011. I've been working as a CNA for almost 2 Years and just recently , I passed the NCLEX-RN.

Here's my journey. I got my ATT in Feb. and I scheduled my Exam 04/16/15. I didn't tell anyone about me, going to take the test but I decided to tell my Mom, Step-Dad and my BFriend 2 weeks before my test. It turned out, great. Haha anyway, few days before my scheduled exam day. I had a fever and a constant slash consistent tension headache. I've decided not to study the day and a half before my test. I knew that my brain needed some break.

Examination day, I arrived at the site 30 minutes before 1PM. I had my palm scanned etc., before leaving the house, I made sure that I brought my Vicks VapoRub and a couple of tylenol with me. I was in pain during my examination, I was nauseated. I answered 75 questions in a span of 3- 3 1/2 hours. I know, it was long and tiring but I needed to make sure that I understood the questions really good. Take your time esp when you're answering the first 75 questions and most importantly plan to spend the next 6 hours at the testing site, better be ready. I had my first break after 2 Hours, I was at number 48. I spent 10 minutes for my break. I was feeling okay and hoping that I'm going to pass. I went back inside the room, answered the questions until 75. The computer went off, I was confident that I did the last question right. It was a SATA. I've had 30-35 SATAs, 3 ECGs, 3 or 4 Exhibits, 3 Drag and drop, 2 or 3 Computations and the rest were Prioritization/Multiple choice. I went down to the lobby, I opened my phone and searched about the last question while waiting for my ride. I knew, that I was going to pass but still in doubt though. Haha it was a pretty strange mixture of emotions. I didn't do the PVT, I waited for 48Hours for the quick results and I had my Best Friend checked the results just because he wanted too. 😀 It was an agreement between the two of us. LOL we found out that I, indeed passed yesterday. I am so happy as well as the people who prayed for me.

Study materials:

I attended Hurst review for 3 days. They gave us the student manual and I also had an access online. I studied 3-4 Hours a day for 4 weeks. Not that long, 'cause I'm working full time as a CNA. Two weeks before my exam, I told my Nurse Manager that I needed to take a break so that I could study well. For two weeks, I spend 8-10 Hours studying a day. I pushed my self and it was worth it. I've read and watched the videos and the materials online. I only answered the Qreview numbers, 1-3. My scores were Q1- 78/125, Q2- 74/125 and Q3-71/125. I freaked out because they told us that when you score 84+, you'll be doing okay. I was doing okay. 60%-84% with Saunders, Kaplan (Mobile App) and NCLEX-Mastery (Mobile App) btw, the apps were just for free. I didn't buy them. I only tried the free ones. Guys, don't freak out about your scores. Read the rationales! I recommend that you take the Q review on Hurst. Finish everything if you can. It was so helpful. It made the NCLEX-RN looked easier. Just know your content and as stated by Aunt Marlene, Repetition, repetition, repetition. I went through my Students' Manual 3-4 times. Lol Pls. Know your Labs and read the miscellaneous online. Hurst is really good. 😍😍😍

I also used my Kaplan Book, the purple one. I went over some topics that Hurst didn't cover. Just read and memorize the basic nursing procedures on this one. I also used the free kaplan app on my mobile. I scored 62%.

I have answered the PDA by LaCharity too. This one helped me with PDA (Prioritization, Delegation and Assessment) I scored from 60-80ish%. I didn't finish the whole book. Just the chapter tests.

I also used Saunders Practice questions online. I have the book but I didn't read it. I focused on their practice test online. This one is helpful too. I was ranging from 60-84%.

I also read the 38 pages study notes that I found here. I really didn't study Meds. Just familiarize your self with the suffixes/classificatios and important toxicity levels/signs and symptoms of toxicity. That's it! 'cause there's no way to learn every single drug out there. Memorize your Lab values PLEASE!

And that is my journey...

If you need any help especially to those Kabayans and other Foreign Educated Nurses. Just leave a message. I am more than willing to help. We're all in this together! If I passed, YOU CAN TOO. Don't lose hope to those who have failed before. Always remember that there is no such thing as failure, only delayed success. God is great! Good luck and God bless to all!

[letmebeanurseee]

CONGRATS RN!

[forevertravelin]

Congrats, kababayan!!! I'm based in Australia, and I just passed my NCLEX-RN! :)

[miles214, BSN, RN]

Congrats

[edjr143]

hi kabayan, im taking my test for the second time this may. ive been reading rationales but im not sure if im doing any good. how did you study? just answer then read the rationale?

[MikeHale01]

What are your materials? I made sure that I know my content well before I take any practice exams especially in Hurst. Yep, I will take about 25-125 questions a day depending on my mood. Afterwards, I would check and read the rationales. I made sure that I study 2-3 hours a day weeks before the test and I studied intensely two weeks before. Take a break every 2 hours. A long break sample, if I study 7-9, I would stop by 9 and resume by 10. I allow my brain to rest, but as mentioned above I had tension headache few days before, during and and even after my examination.

[MikeHale01]

Thank you!

[MikeHale01]

Thank you Kababayan! Congrats to you too.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Congratulations, and welcome to the fold

[MikeHale01]

Thank you so much! í ½í¸˜

[Mercedes_RN_]

congratsssss proud of u!!!

[MikeHale01]

Thank you! í ½í¸‰