ducky2000

I think I might be allergic to my mask or having some sort of reaction to it. My hospital has a new supply of surgical masks and every time I put it on I start hacking. I can taste a chemical when I put it on and then cough cough cough. Sadly, it's the only mask we are allowed to wear (only the covid floors can wear the N95s). Funny though, I can wear an n95 the whole night and have no issue, but not these surgical masks. I've spoken to a few doctors, CNAs, and nurses and they said they are going through something similar.

The study material works for differently for everyone. For me, I wouldn't have passed NCLEX the second time around if it was not for Uworld . The first time I used ATI and did bombed it. I think the ATI questions were easier and did not have thorough rationals. Not knocking ATI, because it has a great knowledge source. ATI said I had a 95% chance of passing... well I guess the 5% won out. I think my problem was not knowledge based, but how I approached the questions. I believe Uworld is great if you have a good knowledge background, but need practice with questions. The rationals helped me think of different approaches on how to answer. I also did not just read the rationals, I dissected them just to understand why they chose that answer. I feel the problem with a lot of people who do not pass the first time around is problems with how to approach the questions. Second is not addressing their stress/test anxiety. I was really stressed out before taking the test and did not get much sleep before the test. On my second go, I worked on reducing my stress by meditating (ya I know but I was desperate and was trying everything). I have test anxiety so before the test I turned on a youtube meditation vid that I had been using. My advice, determine which areas you are lacking in based on your nclex scores and putting more focus those topics. You are nearly passing so that's good because the knowledge is there but I think you may need to develop some strategies on how to answer the questions. I heard having a tutor works and look up kaplan decision tree. I hope what I said helps, good luck.

Usually people who have near passing in all topics have the basic content down but may need help with how to answer nclex type questions. Review content (doest hurt) but I'd focus on practicing questions. I'd check out lacharity or u world because I feel they have more challenging questions (especially sata). I utilized the decision tree when practicing w uworld and lacharity questions. Also, read the rational carefully (especially with uworld) and figure out how they answered the question. Good luck in next test.

What you described was how I felt the first time I took the test. At times the whole screen would get blurry. I initially wanted to see an MD to help with my anxiety, but didn't have health insurance at the time. (which is why I turned to this method). Also most of my money went to pay for my review classes and NCLEX. I For the second try, I practiced for ~three weeks before my test on breathing techniques and watched mindfulness medication videos on youtube. I know it sounds odd to practice for a month on meditation and breathing, but I needed for it to become somewhat second nature. I would do this also before and during my uworld exams. I also did Lacharity questions, as well. The day before the exam, I made sure I was well rested and listened to a meditation vid before I went to sleep. On the day of the exam, I made sure I had a good breakfast (no caffeine) and was 2 hours early before the test center (listened to a meditation vid again and worked on breathing). During the test, whenever I felt my heart start to race, I would stop looking at the screen, start deep breathing and remember the words I heard from the anxiety meditation vid (mindfulness helps you focus on the present). You can read more about it here: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/mindfulness-996224.html Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress - Harvard Health Blog - Harvard Health Publications At the end of the test, I knew that I passed (that was around Feb this year). First time i took it, I think I went all the up to 261-264 Second time passed with 75 or 76. As for which review is good, I would wait until you get your test results from the boards, because you will know which areas you need to work on. It's hard to say which review course is good because it depends on how you learn and whether or not you need to focus on content or how to answer the question (or even both). I initially used ATI, hurst, and saunders. ATI and hurst were really helpful for me with content, but not so much with how to answer the questions. My only non passing area was "Safe and Effective Care Environment" and I had alot of SATA on my exam. For the second try, I used Kaplan and excell. Excell was great review for content, but kaplan helped me answer questions with the decision tree. I'm also audio/visual type of learner and and focus better in a class environment. I also signed on for another two months of UWORLD and finished the 700 new questions that were left. After I was done, I would redo all incorrect questions and any topics I got below 50%. Also, uworld seems to add new questions to their qbank every couple of days and I utilized that. I also work on lacharity questions as well. I used those techniques that I learned in kaplan and applied it to uworld and lacharity questions. It helped immensely. I hope that helps and good luck!

It's kind of hard to answer the question since they all are intertwined with each other. Are you talking about ABC priority questions? Although, it's helpful to know the symptoms and disease process, often I find the question is actually asking whether or not the patient is stable or unstable (depending on what the question is asking). I have a couple of vids that helped me out on the topics you are asking about: Nursity — Client Prioritization on the NCLEX - Why ABC prioritization is Sophomoric! Michael Linares (Respiratory Failure and Vents) Blood flow: There are tons of vids on youtube that helped me out. I was also a repeat test taker (passed the second time). My problem was that I didn't know how to answer the question (especially on PPE SATA questions). This is something that I noticed with a lot of repeat test takers. Not saying you should not study for content. I needed to brush up on "„ Safety and Infection Control" topics because that was my only non-passing topic. I also had to learn how to answer NCLEX questions (which helped me pass the second time).

I agree with the previous poster. The test caters to your own strengths and weaknesses. Also, I found that the tests in school greatly differed on the nclex. Cheers for UWORLD. It's a great tool for studying NCLEX questions.

Sorry, quickly read message. I received the payment letter about 14 days after I saw that i passed and less than a month until they posted my license.

It took me a little less than a month that I received the email.

I'm not the best test taker, but did well on it. Practice the ATI TEAS book and memorize the conversion table (you can get it at the ATI testing website or amazon). The test questions in the book are very similar. Most schools who use TEAS pay more attention to reading and math scores. Science is some odd subjects has geology (seriously why would I need to know about rocks as a nurse), but I think they are just testing you if you can read a graph. Some of these schools also weigh in GPA, if your pre-req are completed, and experience. I agree with the previous poster, don't let the schools' entrance exam scare you off. TBH, I found the schools that did not require entrance exams were harder to get into. I was put on UIC waiting list, and by the time I got the acceptance letter, I was ready starting orientation in another school (that I tested in).

Finally got my name posted on the IDFPR website. YAY! Also, got the email that they will not send out paper licenses (I was always checking the mail box LOL). I'm sort of sad and wanted to keep it as a keep sake (sort of my trophy for passing the NCLEX). Yet, I understand why IL did it because it saves state money with printing, paper, and postage and it can help prevent identity theft. Anyways, just wanted to let the word out, especially towards people who did not know a bout and are expecting a paper license in the mail.

I agree with the others about redoing the wrong questions, but I would also redo questions from some of the lower % subjects as well.

Congrats!! WOOT!! :)

I agree with the poster who said it's different for many people. For me, I mostly used Uworld because I could use it on my phone (came in handy during break time at work). I've read that others just used Uworld and passed, For me, I used other materials to further understand some of the rationals. If you have a good understanding of basic content, then Uworld will suffice. Anyways, I hope you get the day before you test to relax. As much as it's important to be mentally ready, your body should be well rested, as well. Good luck!

Will hurst, UWorld and Lacharity be enough to pass the 2nd time? I believe so. Try them out and see if it works for you. Everyone is different. I also used other sources, as well as the things used (ATI ,excel, kaplan). Mostly used u world because it was handy and loved the rationals. Kaplan maybe helpful if you need strategy. Lacharity might help you with some of that psychosocial content. Can't remember if Hurst covered a lot of it. Here's a list that is covered with that topic. Psychosocial Integrity - Nursing Link What can I do to figure out the right answer on something I've never heard of? You can try the Kaplan tree to help you figure out how to answer the questions. Plus, there are alot of videos on youtube about nclex strategy. Also, when you practice with the questions, study how they answer the question and take notes on the rationals. Truth is, having a strong understanding of content will help you immensely and may decrease some of that anxiety. Let's say one of the answers is something you've never heard of or can't remember, but you know what the other answers are. Based on what the question is asking, you can eliminate some of those answers if they do not have anything to do with the question. Studying the rationales will also help you with content. When you retake the NCLEX does the computer already know your weak areas from the last test? For the most part, no. It's basically a new test. I was told that the previous questions used the first time will never show up again (I think it also says so on the nclex site). However, some questions did show up again the second time but was re-worded differently or was very similar... So, cover all areas equally (even your strong areas) just to be on the safe side. How soon should I retest? Everyone is different and it's hard to answer this. I believe it's based on how ready you feel (mentally and physically). It took me a bit longer to retest. First time I took it beginning of august and 2ND was in Feb. After the 1st time, I grieved for a month. Also, I had other things that was going on in my life that delayed my time fathfully devote myself to study. I made sure I was in optimal health when I took it the 2nd time around (the first time, my aunt flow visited....). In addition to nclex study for round 2, I practiced meditating and breathing to decrease the anxiety. I youtubed a ton of videos on meditation which helped alot! Anyways, I hope what I said was helpful. Good luck!

I agree with the other posters about treating NCLEX studying like your job. Even on of my co-workers, a nurse, was surprised that I was working long hours as a CNA (got to pay the rent). She said not only did I have to be mentally prepared but physically prepared, as well. Not just on the day of the test, but for the days you studied for it. I would wait until you get your report to see which areas that you need to put more emphasis on. Your plan looks pretty sound. Good luck!

I found many U world questions were hard and did poorly at first. My scores got better towards the end. Don't focus on scores but on understanding the rationals and redo any of the wrong ones. Good luck!

97% is an great score and I know alot of people who pass with 90% pass NCLEX. However, I got a 92% chance of passing and yet I didn't pass the first time. I'm not saying that ATI isn't accurate, but I feel the ATI tests lack in higher level questions. The tests are great to check which subjects you are weak in and ATI provides tons of content. Also, I'm not impressed with their rationals. Often I would have to ask my VATI teacher to further explain some of the answers to the questions. So, it's good that you are taking Kaplan because I think their questions are harder than ATI. I also suggest checking out UWORLD. The rationals are the best and was one of the main tools that helped me pass the test the second time around (along side LaCharity).

I read through the first part of the books and did some of the questions on the second part (did a few in each subject). I mostly focused on the website questions (did about 300 questions).

I started with 40s and felt so dumb. I evetually worked my way up to 65. I felt LaCharity had difficult questions, but I think it help me with my prioritization questions on the NCLEX.

Saunders is good for content, but I would also do other questions from other sources. I found many of the Saunders questions very basic level (was getting 70-80s). This sort of gave me a false sense of security and I did not pass the first time around. I was also doing ATI, and scored high on their predictor test (92% chance of passing). What really helped me pass my second time was varying my question sources. I used Kaplan, Uword, and LaCharity for questions and my scores sucked initially (30-50s) but I kept at it and it eventually went up (70s). I think it was because they had more SATA questions as wll as high level questions that I found Saunders and ATI lacked. I think practicing helps alot. Good luck on your test.

I read up alot about the PVT and just wanted to give my experience with it. I took the NCLEX yesterday at 8am (stopped at 77 questions 1h and 30min later). 6 hours later, I tried the trick with my actual credit card info. I got the good pop up saying "Our record indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time." YAY! But since I wanted to be sure...Four hours later, I did it again with same card but changed the expiration and the security number on the back. I hit submit but didn't get the sacred red good pop-up box that was on the top of the screen. I freaked and hit submit again...then got the good pop up again. YAY! Today I checked it at 6a m and 10:30 am entering my credit card information with the incorrect expiration date and security code, and same thing happened to me again. After hitting the confirm button, I would not get the red popup box on the top of the screen, and I had to hit the submit button on the bottom again to get the good pop up box. I check with continental service to see if they received my results, but no cigar.. Tried it again for the last time at 4pm but with my correct credit card number information, and just like before ran in the the same predicament. Actually I hit the submit button two more times to make sure the red box stayed (in which it did). Check with continental, and still no results. 7:30 pm I typed the url for the Pearson website, but said SCREW IT (freaked out mom because she thought I failed), and typed in the continental testing service website. I passed, YAY!!!!!! So, PVT sort of worked for me, but it is an evil beast of thing to do by taunting me with a disappearing red box that doesn't really determine if I really passed or not. (yes I know, it was my choice to do it and I shouldn't be reliant on a glitch). I would say wait for your state board, continental testing service, or quick results for an accurate answer.

Yes, I just found out I passed!! I took it yesterday. I delayed my test date until my practice test scores were high enough which showed that I knew my material well. If you went with Excell, I suggest going through the Med Surg section especially the infectious diseases and precautions. Diploma does give out good advice so be sure to write down what she says because it was really helpful on the test. Also check out the book on Lacharity. It was really helpful on delegation questions. Good luck!!

Sorry short rant...kind of funny as well. After I work with a code brown pt (as well as lice, bed bugs, or anything contact related), I leave my work shoes outside my apt door (in a plastic bag hung on the door knob). I know, I should not leave my stuff outside my apt, but some of my neighbors leave their shoes outside the hallway and thought it was safe to do so. No one has ever touched them until recent. The night before, I cared for someone w possible C.Diff (code brown). This evening found my bag of shoes went missing from my door knob...was going to bleach/wash them at the laundry mat in the morning... Kind of feel guilty....Maybe should left a note "CAUTION: CONTAMINATED SHOES DO NOT TOUCH!" BTW, they were inexpensive kmart brand shoes so not a huge loss. Oh wells, learned my lesson not to leave my shoes outside apt. Also, hope the person who took them practices good hand hygiene.

I'm also in the same position. I signed on to EXCELL because a lot of my co-workers' highly suggested it. I didn't do it the first time because of the price, but I sort of wished I did (I mainly did ATI and Saunders). Majority of the course is content based (really its like going through mini-nursing school). As for the course, classes meet 8 HOURS A DAY for 12-16 days (depending on your location. You get one hour break for lunch and weekends you have off. They give you notes and questions to study and which you can jot down notes from lecture. The lecturers were very informative (Krass is a pretty funny lady I enjoyed her Medsurg lecture). The lectures are LONG, so I don't recommend this course, if you cannot sit through 8h of lecture. I can't say this for everyone, but I tend to pay more attention and retain what I learn in a classroom type setting as opposed to studying by myself with a book in front of me. So, it kind of worked out for me. I'm using Kaplan, UWORD, and Saunders CD for questions and noticed a significant rise in score. They are not super high, but it made me realize how content-deficient I was when I first took the test. Overall, if you need to brush up on content and can sit through long lectures without phasing out, then go for it. If not, I suggest looking up Hurst if you need content.

In my experience, online classes tend to be harder than the regular class. Not saying it can't be done, but I found it was hard to concentrate on the class at home and most of the time I found myself procrastinating (like doing house chores). I do not reccomend taking any science/math classes online because (again from speaking from my experience) it was disastrous. A lot of the concepts I had to learn on my own and it was difficult contacting the instructor via email/phone. I did this with stats and eventually dropped it b/c I didn't want to get a C (thus wasting money & time). The next semester I retook the regular class and aced it. I guess it really depends on how dedicated you are when you study. Nutrition and perhaps speech is dooable online but if it's a science or math class please DO NOT TAKE IT ONLINE! If you can't get into your local community college, I would either wait for the next semester to take A&P or find another one that has openings. Actually, go to ratemyprofessor.com to do a bit of prof research. As for which classes Chamberlain will accept, I would check with them personally. I'm pretty sure they will accept the Anatomy and Physiology I and II you mentioned if they both had lab. Again check with them personally to be sure. Actually, I would check with other schools you are planning to apply to, as well. For GPA, retake any class (mostly in the sciences) that is a C or below to boost up your GPA to at least a 3.2 (especially since you are looking to get into an accelerated BSN program which can be very competitive).