Passed NCLEX on my 5th attempt

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Yes. You read it right. I passed the NCLEX on my 5th attempt.

It wasn't an easy journey for me. I almost gave up after taking my 4th exam. I felt hopeless. I cried my heart out after I found out that I failed again for the fourth time. I didn't know what to do. I felt like I did everything I could possibly do to prepare but I guessed I wasn't.

I was telling myself that maybe it is not meant for me. After I've regained all my senses, I realized I needed a break from everything, from everyone, from the pressure they have been putting me through for the past years. It wasn't easy, but I quit my current job and took a one way ticket to South America. It turned out that all I needed was a break.

This time I finished the whole Lippincott, PDA by LaCharity and Uworld. I also printed out materials from nurselabs like the antidotes, position charts and etc. But this time, I didn't exhaust myself too much in reviewing. I had low scores in Lippincott, but what is important is that you learn and retain the information. I realized that I had so much to learn. To those who have poor contents, I recommend Lippincott book. Come PDA and I had better scores. And my final average in Uworld is 55%.

I took my exam last 01/19/2016 and shut off at 75 with atleast 17 SATA, took a break 3x(once every 25 question), and used 2 writing boards. I was expecting to reach atleast 100+ because the last time shut off at around 190. I'm not really sure if I'm on the right track because I read somewhere here that you are on above passing level questions when the question contains bold modifiers like initial, best, priority etc. I had questions that doesn't contain this modifiers and I felt like I am on the below passing level. Question number 75 was a bit tricky but 75% sure that I was right because I googled it right away.:)

I did the PVT trick after 5 hours and got the "result on hold" which is not the good pop up. But still, it was better than the cc page I had from ALL my previous failed exam. I checked it again after 24 hours and still "result on hold". I was shaking and nervous everytime I do the trick. Praying and hoping that it would be a "good pop up". And this morning I checked the quick results right away after waking up and it says PASS. Best way to start the new year :up:.

So to those of you who feel like quitting now and feeling lost and hopeless. Don't be. I'm not telling you guys to buy a one way ticket to where like I did. Maybe just relax. Lessen your stressors and PRAY. I prayed everynight in my sleep. I swear this help me through a lot. It made the burden less heavy knowing eventually everything will just fall into place.

To everyone who failed the test and taking it for the first time, Best wishes and God bless. If you need help and questions with anything just PM me :yes:

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Congratulations! You deserve it!

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That's awesome! A trip to South America sounds idyllic right now with an impending snow storm.

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Thank you very much for sharing! You are an inspiration for people ! Have a good journey as a nurse !

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Which lippinicot you used is it the Alternative Format Questions thats what I have; I failed board multiple times. I have used u world before I am going to use it again. PDA I will use it again. Any advise how you prepared without getting exhausted? how many questions you have done. How many hours were you studying a day. Congrats on passing.

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Thank you! I'm on my job search now

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Which lippinicot you used is it the Alternative Format Questions thats what I have; I failed board multiple times. I have used u world before I am going to use it again. PDA I will use it again. Any advise how you prepared without getting exhausted? how many questions you have done. How many hours were you studying a day. Congrats on passing.

Hi hmahdoui!

I'm using the Lippincott Q&A. Try borrowing it from your local library. This is what I used for my content. I studied 3 months this time. 1 chapter/day. I answered it in the morning. I had a freetime in the afternoon and read the rationales before going to bed. After finishing Lippincott, I used PDA then Uworld. By the time I'm using Uworld I had better content knowledge. I also wrote down every rationales I understood and didn't understood. I have used 3 notebooks all in all on which I read days before my exam. Also, write down on notepads or post its and stick them to your wall important information like medications and lab values so that you always see them. I also printed out cheat sheets from nurselabs. Just take a break whenever you feel like doing so :yes: Hope this helps

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Thank you for the reply!

I will purchase the book; I also have same book but in Alternative Format ; I will do PDA again but I have done u world multiple times I have done their questions twice I also wrote all the rationals. You think will be good idea to do u world again or purchase kaplan q banks?

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I can't say. If you think you already understood the contents in Uworld, you may, but if you don't then you can do it again. I also borrowed the kaplan book from the library and find it easy

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I think that's awesome - you passed. I, too, did not pass on the first try and that was tough. Congrats. You're the best

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Thank you! It was tough, but I did it. :up:

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Congratulations! All the best for your job search!:)

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