Passing the NCLEX...one and done!

Published

Hi everyone!

I, like many others, used to come on this website for advice throughout my 4 years in nursing school. Whether it was fretting over an upcoming MedSurg test, desperate for words of wisdom, or just wanting to read about what it feels like to be a real nurse, I always enjoyed coming on here and reading your thoughts. It wasn't until now that I decided to make a profile so I could leave comments and try to offer advice where I can. That being said, this post is about what I did to prepare for the NCLEX-RN and how I passed in one attempt and 75 questions.

(NOTE: this is just what worked for me personally. I can't attest to it being universally-applicable. But if it does offer at least a little insight/peace of mind for you, that's all that matters to me :up:)

Here are the methods I used to prepare...

-2 review books (Kaplan NCLEX-RN Premier 2014-2015 with 2 practice tests as well as Saunders Q&A Review for the NCLEX-RN). I cannot recommend these books enough. The Kaplan one had amazing strategies and stated everything so clearly, it definitely led to a lot of "ah-ha moments". The Saunders had almost 6,000 practice questions in it and the rationales helped me so so so much. I liked having 2 different books because there was a lot of overlap and a great juxtaposition (did I use that word right?).

-my school used Elsevier Evolve and specifically the EAQ (adaptive quizzing). Good for practice and seeing weak areas. I did about 3,000 over the course of 6 months and sadly I never got any better. These quizzes are tough and make you think, but I would say they helped. However, if it's not required for your program I wouldn't buy it since it's $100.

-Mark Klimek review course after graduation. This is only for those of us in the Ohio tristate region but if you happen to live here, I would strongly support it! He did content review in a way that made so much sense and also gave great mnemonics and test-taking strategies (much like Kaplan). He helped a ton! But I have heard great things about the Kaplan course as well...if you are able to do any of these, they are very informative.

-Lastly, I downloaded several NCLEX apps on my phone and would do some practice questions in the 3 weeks leading up to my test. There was a Kaplan mini Q bank and an "NCLEX RN Mastery"...both free and both awesome.

And that's it in a nutshell! My "real" NCLEX studying didn't begin until after I graduated in May 2015. I then took Mark Klimek in late June, studied (almost) every day for a good 3 weeks, and took my test on July 21st and passed in 75 questions. Again, this worked for me and I hope it can help you too. Everybody is different. I remember hearing how one of my classmates was so excited to pass after studying every day, 8 hours a day, for a month. That worked for her, and I'm happy for her. I am the type of person who can only study maybe 1 hour at a time, so that's what I did. I broke it into chunks, begged my mom to ask me questions out of the review books and read the rationales on the ones I missed, and most of all kept the stress to a minimum.

Take walks, go shopping, watch a baseball game, read books (besides the review books I mean!), scream the lyrics to "Shut Up and Dance", hang out with friends, and just breathe. The stress only clogs your brain and causes it to not focus correctly. One of the most important things I can say is: in the weeks leading up to the test, say your name over and over and over with "RN" at the end of it. Imagine yourself passing and feeling on top of the world. Visualize it daily, believe it will happen, and you will accomplish it. The best advice I got from a seasoned nurse is that the hardest part (nursing school) is over...if you made it through that, why wouldn't you pass the NCLEX? Remember: this test is not designed for failure! They just want to make sure you're a safe nurse who can think on his or her Dansko-wearing feet :laugh:

And that's all I'll say for now....sorry it was so long winded. I hope this helped and good luck nurses!!!

-Emily RN, BSN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

CONGRATULATIONS . . . . NURSE. Welcome to the tribe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome and congratulations.

Moved to the NCLEX forum where it will help others on deciding a way to study the exam

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Congrats on passing NCLEX :)

I agree, this site has been so wonderful through our nursing school journey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CONGRATULATIONS :nurse: and thanks for your suggestions about NCLEX study material! I too am a strong believer of positive affirmations and imagery. My motto is "If you believe it and can see it, then you can be it". Once again, congratulations and I wish you the best in your nursing career!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations! Its awesome of you to put in the work, pass the exam and then come back and share your experience, and tips with those of us who will be taking the exam in the near future. Best of luck on your future endeavors!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Very inspiring story, thanks for sharing

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all so much! I'm so honored and excited, as well as chomping at the bit to get started with work! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion