nursing85

Can you give me a little more information, i.e. when you graduated, have you taken the exam before & how many times, etc.? I feel your pain. I was in your shoes quite a few years ago. I developed my own method to studying and believe it or not I PASSED -- the first time taking it, after quite a few years of being out of school. I could see if I was willing to help you or simply direct you, if you like. I live in Central MA. Regards, Linda

All I can tell you is that I studied for 3 mo's prior (on & off). I used the Kaplan Q Bank, the Nsg Made Incredibly Easy & the Saunders review book. YOU CAN'T CRAM! I did the review books 1st and kept a notebook on the topics that I was weak in - then studied that info so I knew it better. Then I used the Q Bank and did questions every day. A few days before the exam you want to try & clear your mind. Just review info that you have noted down and topics that need reinforcing. I went shopping the day before, to get away from the books and the computer. I thought I would definitley fail & was planning on having to take the exam a couple of times before passing, BUT lo and behold, I passed. If you take it seriously & devote enough time, I know you will pass too. There aren't any tricks -- it's just a matter of knowing info to practice nursing safely. I wish you all the luck in the world. Try not to stress. (PS it's a financial investment buying the review materials & registering w/Kaplan, but think of all you've already invested. My opinion, it's worthh every penny!)

I had 265 questions & guess what -- I Passed! Your chances are just as good! God be with you! Linda

I don't know if you're gonna believe this, but....I graduated in '85, from a BSN program. I took the boards and failed. I got married, entered a lucrative career in hi-tech. Now my kids are bigger and I was DRIVEN to pass the boards. I bought all kinds of stuff to review, Kaplan on-line QBank, Kaplan Flip-O-Matic drug book, Saunders review, "Incredibly Rediculously Simple Review". I took the boards after 3 mo's of INTENSE studying on Oct. 26 -- I'm now an RN! You must know you need an ATT before you can even apply to take the exam. I called the school I graduated and met with nsg. dept there to get old records, etc. Then proceeded to BON in my state (not TX). It took a lot of work, but I was up for the challenge. If you are determined, YOU CAN DO IT. It MUST take your 1st priority...over grocery shopping, picking up kids, dinner, laundry, dr. appt's etc. I hope this helps you. Talk with your school 1st. If they authorize you an ATT and then you talk with BON in TX, you should be in good shape. GOOD LUCK -- let me know how you do.

You know that the # of questions doesn't signify pass or fail. I heard that you can also try checking on the BON web site and check to see if your name is there. A couple of weeks ago, a girl took the test and was waiting for results. She was going crazy and checked the BON state web site and lo and behold saw her name and license #. (Just a thought -- you never know). Also, everyone feels like they flunked when they walk out of the test. Keep positive. I truly believe that helps. Best of luck and keep up posted. Happy Thanksgiving!

No way -- my opinion: I agree with the other responders here -- Saunders was a great content review, but the questions on NCLEX were much harder. Conclusion: you need to "layer" your studying. I mean use a bunch of different tools, in order to cover all of your bases. Saunders is your content review, Flip-O-Matic was my drug review, Q-bank was my NCLEX question-style review, etc. Best of luck and give yourself plenty of time to be as prepared as possible for any question that they may give you. :)

Hey, haven't you heard.....3rd time's a charm! It was for me anyway. Think positively, you've taken it before and are familiar with the format and amount of time & concentration required to take the exam. You're already ahead of the game. I have a good feeling for you -- I took mine for the 3rd time on a Thursday about 3 weeks ago and I passed -- you can & will too! The day before the test, I went shopping. It was a great distraction. When I got home, I reviewed info. that had been tough for me, just to confirm it in my head. Best of luck to you & I'll send a prayer your way too!:balloons:

My own experience that worked was, first get a review book (i.e. Mosby) read it and do the practice quizes provided (to do content review), then practice NCLEX type questions (i.e. Q-Bank Kaplan), so you know how to eliminate wrong answers and then choose the right one (sometimes you can eliminate 3 wrong answers and the one left is right). Also, if you only studied how to "attack" questions, how would you answer med questions? That's important too. I hope this helps. Everyone is different, but the common denominator is, Know Your Facts. Think about it, you're going to be nervous walking in to take the test. You'll want to have your facts firmly studied, so you don't get confused. Best of luck.

Listen: I took the NCLEX-RN a few weeks ago and had 265 questions. I was sure I failed, but I didn't! I passed. My advise is a combo. of things. Know your basics, have a good review book (i.e. Saunders), do the Kaplan Q Bank and have a study plan. For ex. that you'll study 1 or 2 hrs a day. That you'll give yourself 3 mo's to prepare. That you'll keep the day before the test free -- so you can unwind and try to focus on something else. Like shopping, etc. Then listen to some inspirational music that gets you "reved up" and walk in there that day prepared to "kick butt". And don't forget, pray to God!

Thank you! It's so nice to be able to communicate with others going through similar experiences -- taking the exam, etc. AllNurses is one of the best resources I found while preparing for the exam. Reading the stories, etc. confirmed so many of my own feelings. Hugs to all of you!

I just took the NCLEX-RN last week. I had 265 questions and also used the Kaplan QBank (only). I used Mosby book & "Rediculously Simple NCLEX-RN". I just found out I passed. From what I know, the number of questions is no indication of whether or not you passed. I walked out and felt like I had been hit by a bus! I looked like it too! My initial assessment was, there were questions I definitely knew I got right, some I was very uncertain of and a good number that I took educated guesses on (eliminated two answers and was stuck with two that were VERY close in definition). I found the Q-Bank to be very helpful. The style and content were close to NCLEX questions. I had some really of the chart questions that I had never reviewed in the books or seen on the Q-Bank. But, if your basic knowledge is strong, you can analyze the question and eliminate the wrong choices. Best of luck to you with all my heart. I know EXactly how you feel. linda

For the past 2 months, I have been reading the e-mails/notes on this site. My story (I believe) if very unique. I graduated a 4 yr nsg school and received my bachelor's degree. Two weeks later, I took the NCLEX, back when you used a pencil and filled in the dots! To my horror, I failed. Three months later, I took it again. I hadn't prepared additionally for the second test. I was in shock. I didn't pass then either. I was engaged to get married and just totally engrossed myself in the wedding plans. Six months after marriage, I was elated to find out I was pregnant. Now it has been 21 years since graduation. Blink, and time flies by, especially when you have children. This summer, my oldest child was entering college and I decided to finally put this unresolved embarrasement of not passing the NCLEX to rest. I bought the following books; "Rediculously simple RN NCLEX test prep", "Mosby Review with CD", "Flip-O-Matic Drugs" and then finally ordered the three month Kaplan Q Bank questions. The only day, during the past three months that I did not study, was the day we moved my child into college. I had a "fire in my belly". I wanted to do this for me. Not for my parents, or anyone else. I decided to finish what I started. My best analogy is, I felt like I ran a marathon and the last five feet, I sat down and never finished. I took the NCLEX-RN last week. I found out over the weekend that I passed! I don't know what the future in nursing will hold for me. I have known ever since I decided to take the exam again, that I want to "do good work". My goal is to help young girls who are in troubled pregnancies. At this point in my life, I want to give back.... I feel that the best way we can feel complete is to give to others, to help and contribute. If you are someone who pursued nursing, you all must feel that too. I didn't mean to ramble on. I just want to let all of you know that you owe this to yourself. That you should never give up. Even if it takes 21 years to put your boots back on and charge into the abyss! We have such a gift, the knowlege and compassion to care for others. Let that motivation drive you! Linda