GabRNBSN

I got 265 questions and I legit freaked out. I sat down, took my time with each question, and breathed. I knew the material. I took the Kaplan Self-Led course, which was wonderful. The questions from that course were significantly harder than what I came across on the NCLEX, especially in the Select All That Apply (RIGHT?!). I also practiced and studied with a friend who had purchased UWorld. That is another great program with excellent rationales, however they don't dissect the questions quite like Kaplan and the Decision Tree do. So I saw the number of questions in the top right hand corner slowly but surely ticking up to 265. I left thinking "You blew it. You'll have to take it again." which was unfortunate, because I have a job lined up to start in the end of August (thankfully). I waited the 48hrs, distracting myself as best i could. I work on the beach as a lifeguard in Long Beach, and my coworkers that day (rainy day) were SUPER supportive and comforting. As soon as the "purchase" button popped up on my results page I signed into, I felt my heart sink. I felt like I'd vomit. I was sweating profusely. My boyfriend drove across town to be there for the big reveal. He stood as I sank to the sand, and I paid the $7.95 to seal my fate. He was by my side as I saw the unofficial "Pass" and I started to cry. My coworkers clapped and then a group of kids walking by started to clap as well. I felt great. I even had a little girl come up to me (told by my coworker on the lifeguard stand) and say "Congratulations! My daddy just caught a shark!" It was just adorable. SO moral of the story, DO NOT get discouraged if you get all 265, and just don't freak out if you got any number between 75 and 265. Try. It's difficult, like probably the most difficult 48hrs. I almost purchased another study course (haha). But for real. I've never been so excited especially because i was pretty sure I had failed when I walked out of the strange, FBI-looking building in Lake Success where my exam was held. Keep your heads up everyone. My nurse preceptor, who i LOVE, said to me, "You got this. You've been studying since you started nursing school, if you think about it. You're a smart cookie. You'll pass easy." Her words stuck with me, because yes we have all been studying since the second we sat for our first nursing school quiz, exam, practice exam, whatever. Every professor loves to hear their students passed, and they especially love (as well as program directors) to hear that their school has a huge passing rate. I went to LIU Brooklyn and i can honestly say that they prepared me VERY well despite some crazy stuff we dealt with over the 2 years. SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP again and just breathe. Take your time. Even if you're not the best of test takers, like myself, just study, maintain the confidence, and you'll be OK. Sincerely, A very HAPPY RN, BSN!