RickyD

On Trainer 1 my score was 48 then on the rest of the Trainer Tests my scores were 69, 63, 60, 64, 62, 65 and the Readiness Test was 66. I thought that Kaplan was good at showing strategy for test taking. I would recommend it; however, I thought the NCLEX was much harder than Kaplan. I know that viewing the rationales helped me to look at the questions strategically and gave me insight into eliminating answers. I watched the online videos and did the Q bank questions too. The rationales for the Diagnostic Test and Readiness Test are really good. They give background info plus a good rationale for each question. The math problems that I encountered on Kaplan were much easier than the ones on the boards. If I had to retake it, I would definitely brush up on the math. There is a lot of good info on this site under the thread for Fast Facts...really good info. Check it out.

I only had 2 peds questions and a lot of infection control. I suggest knowing which diseases fall within the different precautions (airborne, droplet, contact) and the safety measures for each. Also, brush up on patient room assignments - knowing which patients can share rooms together and which ones need private rooms. Also brush up on your math..flow rates, conversions such as mcg to mg...etc. All the best to you!

I highly recommend doing the Kaplan course. I did it online and really liked the online tests. Be sure to do all of the tests and review each of the rationales for all of the questions. I would brush up on doing math problems, Kaplan was a little weak in that area. I also used the Mosby Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX RN Exam and thought it was a great source for content. I wish you all the best. This seriously was the hardest test that I have ever taken and only feel that it is by God's grace that I passed it. He is faithful and will help you. All the best...sending good thoughts your way!

I took the NCLEX on Friday after preparing for months. I felt pretty good about taking the exam since I did both the Kaplan and HESSI review classes. I also used the Mosby Illustrated Study Guide (which is a great resource for content). I arrived at the testing site at 1:30pm, got signed in, and was taking my exam before 2pm. After about 30 minutes into the exam, I began to feel my anxiety and blood pressure rise with each question. I had studied so hard and yet was feeling bombared with questions and answer choices that looked unfamiliar. I found myself trying to make educated guesses, but with each click of the mouse feeling less and less confident. While preparing for the boards, I took all of the Kaplan tests online and received passing scores; however, during the NCLEX I felt like the questions were incredibly hard and narrowing down the answer choices became increasingly difficult. I felt like I was guessing on most of them. I felt worse whenI got my first math problem and my brain immediately went blank. I couldn't figure out how to set it up to save my life. I had successfully did these types of math problems in school but for some reason I drew a blank. I couldn't believe it when I kept getting more and more of the same type of math problem...my anxiety went through the roof...I could feel the blood rushing to my head with each one. I also got a lot of the SATA (select all that apply) questions. I was told that it was a good sign to get those types of questions but wasn't sure if I answered them correctly. When question #75 came and went...my hope of passing this exam got dimmer and dimmer. Once again I got another math problem (same as all the others), made my best try at it, clicked submit, and the computer shut off. My heart fell to the ground. I left the testing center feeling like I failed the exam. It wasn't the feeling like in school where you take a test and didn't feel like you did good...but deep down you felt ok about it. I felt like I totally failed the exam. The entire rest of the weekend was sheer torture. I thought about all that would take place if I had to retake it and what it meant to my job offer. I seriously felt so sick to my stomach all weekend and couldn't sleep. I read someones posting on here about wanting to get into a fetal position and retreat (I felt the same way). I got comfort from talking to my other classmates who took the NCLEX over the past 2 weeks and all of them felt the same way..yet they passed. One of my classmates told me about the Pearsons Vue Trick but honestly I didn't have the strength to do it until yesterday morning. I woke up around 4am yesterday and began checking the board of nursing website to see if my name appeared. I knew that it would only be by God's grace that I passed. Yesterday morning around 9am, I finally tried the Pearsons Vue Trick and it wouldn't let me reregister to take the exam. It stopped me before the payment screen appeared (which I was told was a good sign). Well, this morning at 3:30am, I woke up out of a deep sleep, felt another wave of anxiety, opened up my laptop, checked the board of nursing website and...there it was...my name appeared! I am a registered nurse!!! I am so thankful for the support of my friends, answered prayers, and the postings on this website. I have read through many of the postings and found comfort in knowing that many others shared my experience in taking the boards. I am humbled and so thankful for passing. I am praying for my classmates that are still prepping for it and will be there for them as they wait for their results. I am so honored to join the profession of nursing and can't wait to serve along side fellow nurses. I can now get some rest and celebrate!