Passing the NCLEX

[NewERRN24]

I am not a fan of writing on blogs or making threads but when I was struggling for 3 months during my NCLEX era, I used this website to gain faith and hope. I passed the NCLEX on my second try simply due to my lack of confidence my first time taking it. I passed in the first 75 questions my second time around and the whole time taking that exam I smiled because I was fully prepped for it.

I lost a lot of hope and faith when I failed the NCLEX my first time at 265. I was in a serious stage of depression and felt like there was no out besides passing the test. I kept asking my self why did I give up during the exam, because around question 180 I just clicked next before even reading it fully. My girlfriend also took the exam same day as me and passed her first time which I wanted to be happy about, but my failing did not allow a bit of happiness in my life.

I really wanted to thank everyone who kept positive on their blogs and threads. I had no motive but I woke up every morning and went to the library and studied for at least 5-6 hours a day. I was so depressed throughout my study session for the second attempt that I asked myself if I even learned anything today after completing my day.

I just wanted write this and tell everyone that it is possible to pass this test because this test does not make you a better nurse it only helps you gain confidence. It is sort've like getting a driving license, you were able to drive before you obtained the license but once you achieve it, it gives you that boost to drive even better.

People who got "lucky" and said to me "I don't even know what was on my NCLEX but I passed" made me truly upset because i studied so much both times. I almost lost my girlfriend over just a simple test because she tried to cheer me up everyday but nothing could cheer me up. But once I passed my NCLEX I was offered an ER position within a week of my passing.

Never give up and think positive. I walked into that testing center the lady said to me, "hey you are an hour early but I can seat you now" and I said please give me 5 minutes so I went to mentally prepare myself and I came back and finished in 65 minutes, 75 questions. I'm not a dumb guy, but I panicked and questioned my ability. So do not think negative and punish yourself.....Enjoy the day and the studying will be more effective.

Material I used to study:

• Hurst Review (my main focus due to the base content that I felt I lacked, so I knew Hurst inside out)
  
• Kaplan Questions (I completed the Kaplan q bank for the first attempt but I did them again)
  
• Nclex Mastery app
  
• 35 page review
  

[dianah, ASN]

Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your strategies!

[ckp93]

I just decided to make an account on here because I really need some nursing school motivation. I'm currently in my first year and struggling with confidence. Your post really helped me and encouraged me. I've been doing good with all the chaos until about last week when it just all became too much. This is what I needed to read. Thanks a lot for this post!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

People have many different motivations for entering nursing school, and different motivations when approaching the NCLEX. Sometimes things just don't work out well the first time through!

Good to see you picked yourself up and beat back your fears for Round Two. Congrats!