mason1

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for Medical-Surgical Nursing By: Linda LaCharity Definitely used that book a lot... along with saunders 4th edition. I also used the CDC website for infection control information! Know your infection control information it will help you so much!

I graduated from college last May with my BSN. I took the ATI review course soon after and took my boards for the first time in June. It was horrible. I had no clue what the answer was to the first question and freaked out ... it went down hill from there. I failed with 75 questions. I was completely devastated and could not believe that I bombed the test that bad. I was always a good student in school and never imagined failing my boards with 75 questions ... everybody else I graduated with was passing their boards with 75 questions. A month later, I got married and went on my honeymoon. As soon as I got back I rescheduled my boards for mid September. I wanted to take my boards as soon as I could because all I wanted to do was pass. My second time around, I used ATI along with my Saunders book. I started reading the book - starting at the front cover ... only got through a small section of the book by the time I took my boards for the 2nd time. I went into my boards this time thinking it was a fluke that I failed the first time. This time, I was obviously going to pass right? Well 4.5 hours later, my test finally shut off at 243 questions... I definitely felt better about the second time around but still was unsure of what the results were going to be. After waiting 48 hours ... I found out that I had failed again!! I felt like a failure and could not understand why God would let this happen. After I thought about things for a while and got past my grieving. My husband helped me realize that it wasn't my time to pass the second time either. Between the second time and third time to take my boards, I waited over 6 months. I needed a break and decided to just start working at the hospital as a nurse tech until I decided to take my boards again. I felt stupid having to tell people I hadn't passed my boards but I truly believe it made me a stronger person. I started studying at the beginning of January this time. I had to gain confidence in my self and I did that through doing questions over and over from my Saunders CD. I also used Suzanne's plan that is no longer available. I didn't follow it exactly but pretty close. I made sure if I didn't know an answer to a question I looked it up right then and there and made sure I understood it. I also took notes. I took notes according to each category: cardiac, renal, peds, ob, etc. This really helped me because I only put down on those sheets the things I really didn't know. I would look at these papers everyday until I had it all memorized and understood everything. I also made sure to know all my lab values. I also used the Delegation, Prioritization, and Assignment book. It really helped out because you definitely have a lot of those questions on boards. Lastly, God played a huge part in my studying this time around. I could not have done it with out his help and guidance. I went into my boards on Friday March 13th. Yes it was Friday the 13th (which is now my lucky day). I prepared my self to be there for 6 hours because I knew the last time I wasn't prepared and my brain definitely shut off after 200 questions. I started taking my test this time and the weird thing was was that I actually knew a lot of answers!! This test was so much different this time I felt like it was easy! If I wouldn't have studied the way I did I'm sure I would have struggled again! The third time around I had 75 questions and kicked the test in the butt! I was still a little nervous when I left but knew there was nothing I could do to change it! I had a lot of medication questions, delegation, and infection control. I did not have any med calc or pictures and I only had 2 SATA.... The next 48 hours I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be. I knew that it was in God's hands and if I didn't pass I could always take it again because it wasn't the end of the world. When I saw my results I had never been happier in my life! To all of you who have struggled, keep trying and don't give up because it will happen!! My advice - Do not take your boards until you truly feel that you know everything you are studying because if you don't you will struggle! Good Luck to you all!! And don't forget to look to God for help! He is the one who helped me through my test. "I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me" (I wrote that at the top of my white board I had during my test and when I got flustered I took a breath and read that verse)

I agree with most of the posts. Don't rush yourself.... If you are not ready do not take the test. But keep in mind you will never feel completely ready! Just keep studying the areas you struggle with and once you feel comfortable with those areas and feel that you are more prepared for the test then that is when you should take it.

I take my RN boards for the third time in one week! I am so nervous..! I feel better prepared this time but I still have my doubts. I always did good in school but I just have never been a great test taker. I have been trying to study delegation and infection control because I remember a lot of that being on my last tests. I just need some words of encouragment and/or some helpful studying tips for the last week I have to study! I pray to God that this is the last time I will have to take this test. I hope he can help keep me calm and help me get through this test one last time. Everytime I start to think about the test I get anxious and I have never had anxiety problems with anything before besides this test. I guess it's not even so much the test but its those two days waiting and then having the words fail pop up on the screen.

I have read a few different ways of which way is the right way to dons gloves and gowns and to remove them. I was wondering if somebody could give me the correct way. This is what I believe it to be Donning Gown Mask Eyewear Gloves Removing( I have heard of people doing this a few different ways) Gloves Mask Gown Eyewear I am just confused because I figured you would take the gown off first and the gloves last since you will be touching a soiled gown and or mask if you take the gloves off first. Please help me to learn the correct way! Thanks so Much!

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I took my boards the first time and failed with 75 questions... i knew I failed when I walked out of there the second i had 243 questions and felt a lot better about everything but i still didn't pass.. i currently am studying for the third time around. It is hard to build up confidence but i know thats what I have to do because I struggle with that and get very anxious. When God is ready for us to pass we will whether it be now or in a few months from now it will happen when the time is right :)

First of all congrats on passing your boards that is awesome!! Can you tell me a little bit about the hurst review? Is it any where comparable to the ATI review if you have heard of that? I have currently taken my boards twice and failed and am looking for new ways to study for the third time. I am trying out suzannes plan so i hope that helps also. Thanks and congrats again!

I know it sucks failing boards I have been there and so have plenty of other people but you have to realize that it isn't the end of the world. Yes, it does suck having to family and friends that you didn't pass but just because you didn't pass doesn't make you dumb or stupid you can still be a great nurse and not pass your boards. Just give it some time take a break from studying and start back up in a couple weeks. I am currently using suzannes plan... I am on the first tip right now and hope to move to the second tip soon. Keep your head up high and God will help you through this tough time.

I actually just bought the Kaplan book. As I was reading it everything seemed to make sense with the practice questions and how they explained it but I found it a lot harder for me to use their techniques by myself especially since the rationales wouldn't let me which technique they used. I have heard really good things about Kaplan and some bad things also. I thought the book would really have helped me but I was a little disappointed that I still have trouble answering questions.

Don't feel alone because you aren't. I have failed my boards twice and am going on to take my boards for the third time in a little over a month. I was discouraged especially when i didn't pass my second time but I know when the time is right I will pass. It's just important to keep positive and know that you can do it. I was a great student in school so when i didn't pass it made me feel stupid but i know i can do it and it will happen when God thinks it is right!! Just keep your head up!

congrats on passing! I am in some what of the same boat i have taken my boards twice and haven't passed and have been hoping that third time will be a charm.

I would call them to change your name before you go to take your test. Have you signed up for a date yet? I got married last July and took my boards in september and I called the board of nursing to change my name and also changed it online on the Pearson website.

I'm sorry you didn't pass I know how it feels because I have not passed my nclex-rn boards twice now. It is hard and really makes you feel depressed at first but you got to keep your head up! I really isn't the end of the world life will go on and you aren't the only one who hasn't passed. You will pass though but you may just struggle with test taking more than others like me. Like you I also got pretty good grades in school so it's not all about how well you did in school its about your test anxiety and how well you take tests. So just relax for a little while give your self time for it to settle back in and start studing when you are ready. Also do not rush into your test for the third time God will let you know when it's time to take your test again and he will help you come up with the money needed. Hope that helps :) Good luck!

I also graduated from a school with my bsn and have taken my boards twice and have failed both times. I am planning on taking my boards here again in a couple months. I think it just all depends on how well you take tests and your anxiety level.

I just want to let you know that you are not alone. I am in the same boat as you. Along with you I have failed my nclex twice first with 75 questions and then with 243. I felt like a failure especially after failing the second time but then I came to terms with it. Everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for us. He doesn't want to us to give up so we have to keep trying. Along with you everybody I know from my nursing school has also passed their boards which makes things even worse. After I didn't pass I the second time I debated whether or not I should start working at the hospital as a nurse tech until I passed. I eventually started a month ago and it was probably the toughest thing I have ever done. I hated feeling stupid and telling people that I haven't passed but everybody was very empathtic and encouraged me to keep trying. I currently am working on suzannes review course. I have heard good things about it so I would reccommend you trying! Well good luck and keep trying it will happen for both of us.