Passed 2nd time, I hope this helps for you!

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Hi! I just wanna first thank everyone on this site. I have been lurking this forum since, even before I started nursing school. The information I gained from here helped me so much with everything! Hopefully my post can help many others too.

First time

I graduated nursing school in Dec 2010. I took a little break afterwards because you know, everyone needs a little time to relax after NURSING SCHOOL! Come on. So I scheduled my exam for March 9, after many times postponing. The night before I couldn't sleep & I got lost on the way there for almost 2 hours. I was crying sitting there on a turn signal...Got there right at 8AM! My emotions were everywhere. I tested and it went all the way to 265 questions, the whole 6 hrs. My brain was fried around question 180, with time running out so I started clicking away! Bad move. I failed with all near passing in all categories besides one below in Health Promotion.

What I used: Saunders Comprehensive Review 5th edition & Lacharity PDA (I only did questions from these 2 books)

Second Time

I was really determined to beat this thing. I wrote "You will pass" post it notes EVERYWHERE! On my computer, on my walls, calender, just to encourage me as I was studying. I decided to buy a review course too. I did 75-100 practice questions a day, which I didn't do the first time. After my 45 days was up, I retested. I went in really relaxed. The day before I even got a hair cut & everything. After 2 hours, it shut off at 75 questions! I was freaking out now, because I went in expecting it to go to 265 questions.

What I used: Hurst online review (for content), Kaplan trainers on this site, Kaplan Qbank, Exam Cram, Lacharity PDA

:yeah: I did the PVT trick & got the good up. Did Quick Results today & PASSED!!! :yeah:

Oh yeah, I just wanna say if I can do you can too. I know it sounds cliche. I was an average student in nursing school. It took me awhile to understand the processes after reading it. You just have to work harder at this.

- First understand the content then PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE QUESTIONS everyday, read every rationale.

- Don't go into the test thinking you're gonna fail like I did the first time. Go in there with confidence!

- Read some stories on here for encouragement. I'll post some that I read.

- Study the INFECTION MNEMONIC on here.

- Don't expect the test to stop at 75 questions, test like you expect the whole 265.

- Take breaks. Don't exhaust your self studying, it won't absorb.

- I did pray.

- I didn't tell alot of people my NCLEX date, just to ease the pressure off of me.

If you have ANY QUESTIONS, I'll be glad to answers. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!!! :redbeathe

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Congrats on passing!! And thanks for the advice! :D

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Congrats on finally passing! I'm in the same position as you were and I'm scared to death to get back into studying while working full time too. I graduated December 2010 and took mine the end of February and didn't pass and am taking it the beginning of June again. I'm terrified but I have to get it out of the way because 1., I need a better job, and 2., my dad is getting a knee replacement on June 7th so I have to play nurse at home! lol Studying right now is rough too because for the past week I've had an awful sinus infection, talk about bad luck huh?! I plan on using my same study materials but I hope that my anxiety will be lower this time around because I feel like that is what hurt me before. Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated!

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SSHULER87,

Thanks! What's your study plan? You do got a lot on your plate, but I can tell you have a great attitude going. Keep it up. Don't get too stressed out from that pressure. Have a set number of questions to do everyday before you're busy working. Then study when you're off. I was sick too! It was horrible trying to study haha. Yes, ANXIETY can play a huge factor. Breathe, relax, & have confidence through out this whole ordeal. Maybe you can request some time off to relax right before your test date.

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Hi! Congrats to you NURSE! :) Ill be taking mine in June and currently finishing my saunders book and answering Kaplan Trainers and Qbank. And you're right, I decided not to let othet people know when Im gonna take my exam coz of the pressure too and it really eases me. I dont know yet when ill be taking, probably 3rd week of June or earlier, depends on my performance in my questions. Congrats again! :)) Wish us luck, my only weapon for this exam is to be positive and to trust our Lord. :)

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:hpygrp::ancong!::hpygrp:

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Specializes in med/surg.

i took the test a couple of times and didnt pass been a RN for 10 years in canada....what am i doing wrong...im so confused?

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congrats

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:yeah: I did the PVT trick & got the good up. Did Quick Results today & PASSED!!! :yeah:

For a new nursing student, can you please translate this statement? LOL!

:ancong!: on your success! Hope you find a great job soon!:anpom:

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

What did you think of the Hurst online review? I am purchasing the course next week and looking for any and all input on it.

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Mzoptimistic

Thank you so much! Your study plan sounds like mine. You got this!! I wish you lots of luck. Let me know how you do & if you have any questions :)

Pboychuk

What’s your study plan? I’ll be glad to share some advice. It might be your experience of being an RN for 10 years? I read in Kaplan and Hurst that NCLEX has questions based on a “new nurse with 2 weeks of knowledge” and that you shouldn’t base the NCLEX answers on the real world. In other words, you might pick an answer that’s right because you do it every day in the hospital. But NCLEX might want different answers. If you can be a RN in Canada, you can in America too!! Good Luck!

Cyndi13

Thank you!! The PVT is a trick that you do on the Pearson Vue website to check if you passed or not before your official results. It has 100% accuracy from the people who tried it. Quick results is something some states participate in that lets you know your results after 48 hrs of your test. Instead of waiting for snail mail.

Gcat626

Thank you! I really really liked Hurst online review. I didn’t want to do the classroom because they combine too much info into each day (it’s a 4 day course) & Hurst didn’t have any classes near my area. Online you get to pause and rewind the videos, because she does talk as you fill in the material in your notes & has a southern accent. I liked that method because it stuck in my head better. I got to study at my own pace. I did 2 videos a day. Hurst made me understand the material better than nursing school believe it or not haha. I also really like the practice questions they provide!

If you guys have ANY questions just let me know :)

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Mzoptimistic

Thank you so much! Your study plan sounds like mine. You got this!! I wish you lots of luck. Let me know how you do & if you have any questions :)

Pboychuk

What's your study plan? I'll be glad to share some advice. It might be your experience of being an RN for 10 years? I read in Kaplan and Hurst that NCLEX has questions based on a "new nurse with 2 weeks of knowledge" and that you shouldn't base the NCLEX answers on the real world. In other words, you might pick an answer that's right because you do it every day in the hospital. But NCLEX might want different answers. If you can be a RN in Canada, you can in America too!! Good Luck!

Cyndi13

Thank you!! The PVT is a trick that you do on the Pearson Vue website to check if you passed or not before your official results. It has 100% accuracy from the people who tried it. Quick results is something some states participate in that lets you know your results after 48 hrs of your test. Instead of waiting for snail mail.

Gcat626

Thank you! I really really liked Hurst online review. I didn't want to do the classroom because they combine too much info into each day (it's a 4 day course) & Hurst didn't have any classes near my area. Online you get to pause and rewind the videos, because she does talk as you fill in the material in your notes & has a southern accent. I liked that method because it stuck in my head better. I got to study at my own pace. I did 2 videos a day. Hurst made me understand the material better than nursing school believe it or not haha. I also really like the practice questions they provide!

If you guys have ANY questions just let me know :)

Ounsrey, thank you for your reply. I honestly can't wait to purchase Hurst, i've heard so many good things about it. Can I bother you with one more question? How did you tackle studying meds?

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