My story:
Brace yourself because this is a long one!
Today, I passed my NCLEX with 75 questions. I'm beyond ecstatic but I couldn't do it without the support of my family, my fiance and of course Jesus, Mary, God and all the saints that I prayed to. I want to thank you for this site as well. This site helped me a lot!!
First Attempt
I would like to share with you what helped me and what didn't with this journey of mine. I did Kaplan first time but that didn't work for me. The questions were higher level and that's good but the problem was that it doesn't tell you an in depth reason of why some choices were wrong. My first exam the computer shut off at 75 questions. I had a lot of OB and peds and also basic questions. I left the site feeling that I did not pass. I did the pvt trick and sure enough I knew I did not pass. I was not successful first time so I had to do something differently. I received my results and had 3 below passing standard, 2 above standard and the rest was near passing.
Second Attempt
After 3 days of grieving, I needed to get back in the game. I started using Saunders because I needed content review especially on Maternity/OB because that was my downfall with my first attempt. So, I did the 6 week plan from Saunders and I also utilize Suzanne's method. I did the chapter quizzes and if I get below 75%, I will go back and read the chapters and make notes. I focused on fundamentals and Peds/Maternity. I was halfway with the book when my friend passed his NCLEX. He bought a 30 day subscription of Uworld. He only used the Pretest and 25 questions from the qbank. He gave me his password and told me to use it since he doesn't need it anymore. I've heard a lot of good things from Uworld. So, I was open to try it. I'm telling you Uworld made me feel confident with SATA. When I used Kaplan I would always get them wrong but not with Uworld. I was able to analyze the question and figure out what to eliminate. I was also able to familiarize myself with priority questions. I was very focused in tackling this beast!!!
A month passed and I did about 30% of the qbank. I renewed the subscription for another 2 months. I was hoping that I will be able to finish the qbank by that time. So, I continued to do the quizzes. I did mostly on tutor mode and 25 questions at a time. I would do about 4 to 5 sets of 25 questions a day. Sometimes I'll do 50 or 75. Read the rationales!! I cannot stress this enough. If I get the question right I move on and if I don't, I read the rationale. If the topic seems unfamiliar to me then I'll read the rationales. Uworld is great because the questions are redundant but worded differently. For example, I got 6 questions throughout the qbank about Intusseption. I realized this because I wrote it in my notes about 3 times. Lol. This means I had to reread my notes. I also listened to Mark Klimek audios. He helped me a lot with basics and priority!!! He had ways to easily remember information. I was very happy that I was able to listen to him. There was a moment in my exam that I could hear his voice with a priority questions. "Don't look at the age.....since a patient is a patient regardless of age....."
I finished the qbank with a 59% overall average. I wasn't able to finish the incorrect questions though. So, I had one more week left before my exam. I needed something to keep my brain stimulated so I used LaCharity book. I utilized LaCharity book when I was doing Saunders but I stopped because of Uworld. Let me tell you, this book will prepare you for the priority questions in NCLEX!! Like seriously!! *eyes wide open* There were times when I disagreed with the book especially with the drag and drop questions but the most important thing to know the rationale. I was planning to do the Uworld post test. However, I did not have enough time to do It. I thought it took me 3 months to prepare for this exam and I believe in my grades and notes from Uworld so I know that I can do this!!
Day Before Exam
They said not to study but I did anyway. I finished reading my notes. I had 1 and half college ruled book filled with notes and maybe about 30 printing papers, front and back, with basic information and topics that I'm weak with. I read half of my notebook at least twice but the rest was just once because I felt that The newer information was still fresh in my mind. The important thing is that I read them at least once before my exam. I was going crazy with my last minute studying. I was still writing notes the day of the exam! I had to stopped. So, I stopped studying in the afternoon. I relaxed and spent time with my family. I figured that my brain needed a rest because tomorrow is when I need my brain to really work and focus. I kept telling myself I know I will pass this test!! I know I can do it!!
Exam Day
My big day. I had a good night of sleep with an exception of waking up early because I was trying to figure out what antibiotic had a black box warning. Lol. Yep. So, I had breakfast with my family and we went to church. I quickly memorized my lab values. My parents dropped me off at the testing site and wished me good luck. The feeling was so different compared to last time I was there. I felt relaxed and positive. Even the proctor was super nice!! She was the same proctor last time. It just felt different this time!
I started my test. I decided to hide the time and the question number. I felt like they will be a distraction. When I was doing my exam, I was thinking dang....I'm getting a lot of easy questions!!! I must be doing so bad. I had a lot of patient teachings and "follow up" questions. I had not seen a priority question yet and I am halfway to 75 question!! Midway I stopped and prayed. I prayed that I will pass this exam and that I will get questions that I know or familiar with. So, I resumed my exam. I didn't even have that break sign! I was already in the 50s and I was like I need those priority questions!!! Then, I started getting who would you see first or what to delegate with the UAP. I'm telling you LaCharity!!! Priority questions were similar format. I couldn't believe it. It felt like I was in my room doing practice questions. I was like these are the type of questions that I came to love because of LaCharity! Lmaoo!
I was nearing the end. I had several priority questions and SATA. At one point, I had 5 consecutive SATA then I got a question about basic cranial nerves which I was pretty sure I answered incorrectly! I was no!!! Where's my priority questions!! I remember that my 75th question was a priority. So, I was like here we go!! I clicked next and then I got the blue screen! I was like OMG!!! Give me more questions!! I'm just hitting the harder questions!! I was practically begging the computer to bring it all back.
I left the site with an ambivalent feeling. I was nervous, sad, yet positive and optimistic. I went to church and prayed.
Aftermath
I went home and goofled a lot of questions that I could remember. I was pretty sure that I messed up and failed again!! I was literally getting easy questions!!I decided not to do the PVT trick this time. I was just going to wait for my name to show up or not at the PA board of nursing. So, the next day, I went to church and prayed. My mom and I went to Starbucks for breakfast before she went to work. The time was 9:06. My mom coaxed me into checking my name. I told her what ifff....and she told me to just believe in myself. There it was my name at the BON!! I was crying!! My mom and I were crying and hugging hysterically. A lot of people were looking at us. My mom was like "My daughter!! My daughter just passed her boards!! She's an RN!!" We left the place crying!!! I was in disbelief!! I am a licensed nurse!! RN!! Me!!
Prayer
When I failed the first time, I was very humbled by my situation. I felt grief and at lost. Among my friends I was the only one who did not passed. I kept telling myself, God has a plan for me. I just know it. I prayed and prayed. Prayer was the one that help me. I prayed to St. Jude, St. Therese, St. Rita, and St. Joseph of Cupertino. They are saints of the Impossible. I prayed to St. Therese. They said if you see roses that means that she is listening and will help you. Sure enough, the day of my exam, I saw a bunch of roses. This calmed me down because I know I have someone watching over me. My parents and fiance and friends prayed for me as well. I thanked them with all of my heart because without them I wouldn't be here today writing about my own story.
Advice
I beat the exam. It was such a roller coaster ride. I failed and I passed. This exam will play with your emotions and mind. It will drive you crazy to the point of giving up. However, it is not impossible to pass it. Utilize your resources. Believe in yourself and also trust in God. Pray pray pray!!
I used Saunders, Uworld, LaCharity and Mark Klimek as my resources. My main source for content is Uworld!! Uworld uworld!!! For priority was LaCharity!!! Seriously buy this book!!!!
