Passing the NCLEX

chipee · Jul 3, 2015

Hey Everyone!

I'm a long time lurker/new member. I've went through these boards starting at pre-nursing and now I'm posting as a new RN!! I found out that I passed my boards today! I just wanted to tell a little about my journey, and hopefully it will help calm some nerves.

I did pretty well through nursing school, but I was by no means a straight A student. I lurked on the NCLEX boards about different studying methods and to see kaplan scores from other students. My school required us to purchase kaplan and it was integrated throughout our program. I began looking for what others scored on their kaplan tests to see if where I needed to be to take the dreaded NCLEX. I became SO discouraged when reading posts about others scores. I only averaged a 61% on all the QBANK and I also completed all of the trainers. My highest I scored was a 57%. I thought there was no way I was going to pass with those type of scores. My kaplan instructor recommended pushing the test date back with any score under 60% on trainer 7. I only scored a 54%. To say, I was very discouraged after getting that score is an understatement.

My point of this post is to follow your gut. Even though I wasn't scoring high on kaplan, I felt I had made strides in figuring out how to prioritize and critically think throughout the questions. I finally got my att (I had to wait a month after graduation for it) and scheduled it within 4 days. I felt I wasn't going to learn anymore content and I've practiced my fair share of questions. I PASSED in 75 questions and felt confident through the test. I actually walked out smiling because I just felt good..of course the aftermath set in and I started thinking about all of the questions I didn't know and the doubt came full force.

I just want those of you that don't achieve the desired scores on kaplan to be confident in yourself and not be discouraged like I was. TRUST yourself. If you think your ready, go for it regardless of what a study program may recommend, but in hindsight if your not learning and continually becoming more confident/improving then you may need more time. It's not all about content, but how to apply the content and information you know.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL FUTURE TEST TAKERS!! YOU GOT THIS!