ONEHAPPYNP

I agree with Erin, the Kaplan strategies book was very helpful. I know money is a bit tight now, but is there any way you can borrow study materials from a classmate who already took the exam? I did that and it helped a lot. I understand that it's frustrating too to study 100 Qs/day. But really, practice practice practice. It helps. Maybe take breaks between? I found that having a notebook by my side and writing down random facts from the rationales of questions I got wrong helped me a lot. For example, I wrote down random lab values, drug interactions, drug names, weird diseases I've never heard of, etc. and reviewed them later on. It kept me actively involved with my studies to write something down. Keep going, you can do it! :)

CONGRATSSSS! :clpty:NURSE SOXCHICK11!!!

LOL :rotfl: The title certainly got my attention and I have to chime in! Good job! You're done! It's over! And me being a firm believer of the PVT... cheers! :beer: I had a crazy amount of SATA, drug questions, prioritization, and delegation questions. ZERO calculations. It's different for everyone though! Congrats again!

Hi Shonda, I always tried to aim for at least 70% or above to be safe. For the second time around, I just studied as if I hadn't taken the test. I approached the exam different. Instead of trying to recognize facts, I tried to break apart the question. Really, it would be impossible to know EVERY little fact. For these test taking strategies, I studied Kaplan 2010 NCLEX and NCLEX for Dummies. They broke down the questions and how you should look at each type of question. NCLEX for Dummies also had a nice summary of nutrition, lab values and meanings, and little facts you should remember. I plowed through those two and did the questions for both. I also did the NCLEX 4000. I actually borrowed the CD from a classmate. I practiced and did all those questions and read EACH rationale. I did it as if I was taking the exam. 75 questions at a time, then I worked up to 265. It lets you customize. Practice Practice Practice. I cannot stress that enough. For pharm I studied Kaplan's 200 meds you should know for the nclex. I just flipped through it when I had time. It's nice to be familiar with common meds. However, I would try to familiarize yourself with the common endings of certain meds (same family of meds, etc.) and know common side effects/contraindications. It's impossible to know all the meds. I had med questions I had on my NCLEX I haven't even heard of...but I just recognized med endings, and made an educated guess from there. Also, I also had RNotes that I flipped through when I was on the go. Had some common procedures, etc. If you need a review book...I used Davis's NCLEX. I did not go through the whole thing. Whenever I had trouble on a question, this was my reference. I looked things up in my weaker areas. I found it a little dense...but it was very thorough in explaining things. KNOW your infection control backwards and forwards for all the common diseases. CDC website is a good reference. I think Dummies or Davis may have an infection control section. From my classmates, I heard Lippincott and Saunders were good, but I never went through them. If you have time for more practice questions, it wouldn't hurt. If you feel that investing in a course may help, you can try. My classmates felt it helped them to pass. To give them that extra boost of confidence. I didn't do it because I was already strapped for cash, and I honestly felt I could discipline myself to study harder the second time around. It really depends on how you best study and if you feel that you could benefit from the course. I hope that helped! Please message me if you have any more questions and I can try to help some more.

Yes, from what I remember it's broken down into eight areas: management of care, safety and infection control, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, basic care and comfort, pharmacological and parenteral therapies, reduction of risk potential, and physiological adaptation.

Hi mamajo, I'm sorry to hear that happened, but you CAN do it. I know where you're coming from. I didn't pass on my first try, but I did on my second. I know it's hard, but take some time off and then pick yourself back up again. I'm not sure if you had your questions answered. You'll receive an letter in the mail giving you your official results with the areas you need to work on. A number should be included to call for test retakers. I'm not sure what it is in Texas, but I called up and paid 75 dollars to get another ATT. Then you have to register for an exam date at Pearson Vue and that was another 200 dollars. Hope that helps and good luck! You can do it!

Hey soxchick, Congrats! You're finished! Weee! I hear you though! When I took the exam, I went out and had a drink with friends. It's definitely a good way to unwind and pass the time. Definitely try to keep yourself busy in the next couple of days...exercise, shop, hang with friends. I remember I had a whole bunch of SATA and med questions on mine. After the exam I felt like crying and throwing up at the same time. A rather unique feeling... But yes...the 48 hours is long, torturous wait! It really is unfair!

Hi Lisa1980, It is 45 days since you last took your exam. You will have to apply for a new ATT and once you get that, you can register for a date 45 days after your last attempt. You can apply for an ATT now so you can pick your registration date. Hope that helps!

Hi Lisa1980, If you were near standard passing, I would just study all those areas again. Definitely do more practice questions and read each rationale. Since you were close, I think the practice questions/exams may do it. I did the NCLEX 4000 and I also read up on Kaplan 2010 NCLEX guide and NCLEX for Dummies for test taking strategies. I thought those two were pretty helpful guides. Pharm was definitely one of my weaker areas, so I carried around Kaplan's Drugs You Should Know for the NCLEX and quickly browsed through that when I was on the go. Just getting used to to picking out familiar drugs... But I do agree with Silverdragon...practice questions. Read the rationales. Practice practice practice.

Haha, I used BOTH the earplugs and the headphones over them. It helped block out all the room noises. Really...I have difficulty concentrating when I hear the person next to me breathe. Hehe.. Good luck though!

Hi Lisa1980, Quick results will let you know in 48 hours. It will probably take a week or so to receive an official letter in the mail about your areas of weaknesses (each area will indicate whether you were above passing level, below passing level, or near passing level). Speaking from personal experience on my first try. Hope this helps. -ONEHAPPYNURSE

Good luck everyone. Stay calm and keep focused. It's an awesome feeling of relief when you finish...followed by n/v for at least two days. Love to hear from you all after the big test is over! Sending positive vibes...and best wishes!

Hi JBreezy! I'm glad you were able to find some encouragement from my little post! To answer your question, I got the NCLEX 4000 from a classmate. It's a good idea to utilize your classmates! Especially when I was strapped for cash. I totally understand not opting for a review course. I briefly considered it, but when I realized the cost it was to retest on top of a $400 review course...I felt I was better to just review on my own and use review materials from classmates. When I didn't pass on the first try, a classmate let me borrow her review materials because she was already finished with the exam.

Hi JBreezy, I'm very sorry to hear about that. I know how devastating that can be because it happened to me on my first try too. It really is an awful feeling...and I totally empathize with you. I wish I knew about this forum before because there is so much support here! When I failed the first time, I wanted to hop straight into studying. NO. Take some time off. A few days. Try to gather your thoughts and figure out what didn't work right the first time. Did you do enough practice questions? Was it anxiety? In a few weeks, you'll get the official results telling you what areas you need to focus on so that can help guide your studies as well. I know I needed help to reschedule everything. I had no clue what to do. I was so confused and lost and in this strange, quasi-conscious state. No one really helped me. So I snapped out of it, and made sure I did the necessary steps and rescheduled my exam. I gave myself two months. I did not want to take it too early or too late. However, I did the bulk of my studying in the last month. Take as much time as you need to prepare. Next, I started on new study guides. I picked out these: Kaplan Review 2010 (good for strategies) NCLEX for Dummies (don't laugh. this book has a really great summary of lab values and strategies) RNotes (if you're on the go and just want a quick summary of stuff) Medications you should know for the NCLEX (nice book to carry around if you're on the go. Pharm was a weak area for me and I skimmed through this) NCLEX 4000 (practice questions. practice practice practice. read each rationale. the last couple weeks or so, I was buzzing through this.) Davis' Review (This I only used if I needed better explanations or needed to review a topic. It is VERY comprehensive and a little dense...but things are explained well.) To me, I felt what really helped me were practice questions and testing strategies (Kaplan and Dummies...Thank you!). Do as many practice q's as you can. Read the rationales. Practice in a testing environment (no tv, listening to music, etc.). Train yourself to sit for the whole 265 questions with breaks in between. If I didn't have time, I'd sit for 75 questions exam and check out how I did. If you feel that you can benefit from a study course, INVEST in it. Many of my classmates went to one, and felt it gave them that extra boost of confidence. I opted not to and felt I just needed to practice more. I really disciplined myself. It really is up to you and how you best study an absorb information. Do not despair if the test does not stop at 75 or if it goes all the way to 265. People have failed and passed at 75 and 265. I've said it before: Really, the NCLEX is truly an awful exam that tests you on perhaps the most obscure things you've learned in nursing school. We all have to go through it, and we will all get there. Failing on your first try does not mean you are a bad/stupid/[insert negative adjective here...believe me, I've beaten myself over it] nurse. Hey, you've already made it past nursing school. You're one smart cookie! I know you have a lot of pressure on you to pass on the second time around, but you WILL. Be confident and you CAN do it. You have a lot of support and encouragement here! -ONEHAPPYNURSE Wow...I just realized how much I've poured out. I hope this encourages you, JBreezy... and anyone else who has made it through my post.

Oops, sorry! Congrats again! :beer:

I'm praying for you, kalop! Relax, and keep focused!

Woohoo! Congrats to a newly minted RN! :clpty: I took mine 5/17 and I passed too! It really is a wonderful feeling. I cannot even begin to describe. Again, CONGRATS! You deserve it!

You know, I've been where you all have been with the nclex-rn. I know how crushing it can be after finding out you didn't pass on the first try. I can only imagine multiple tries. But the key is, being able to pick yourself up and getting back in there to pursue your dreams! Try to figure out what you did wrong the first time. Not enough time to study? Anxiety problems? I realized that the first time around, I wasn't as serious about studying. I studied when I could, but it wasn't consistent. The second time around: I dedicated 2 weeks solid to studying. I practiced questions from the NCLEX 4000 (review EACH rationale). When I was on the go, I took the RNotes handbook as well as a pocket NCLEX Medication book along with me to review normal labs/infection control/procedures/common drugs. I went through the Kaplan 2010 NCLEX review book as well as NCLEX for Dummies (don't laugh. this had a great summary and overview) for general test-taking strategies. I also liked Davis' NCLEX review book (for more in depth explanations. However, if you plan on going through the WHOLE thing...you might give yourself more time. I just did select sections I had trouble with). Other friends used Saunders, Lippincott, and books on prioritizing/delegation (I forget the name!). USE those CD's included in those books! If you feel you'll benefit from a review course, go for it! I never did a review course, but others who did felt it gave them that extra boost of confidence. They also felt that hearing the material reviewed to them helped them remember things better than just reading. KEY: Practice, practice, practice questions! READ the rationales! If you're still not sure why something is...pull out your old nursing books and review those procedures/illnesses/treatments. If in doubt: always go back to MASLOW. Safety, ABCs. Fighting fatigue: Prepare yourself to sit through 265 questions. Don't expect it to shut off at 75. And don't rush through these questions either! Read each question and answer carefully. Do practice questions in a controlled environment and train yourself to be mentally and physically prepared to sit for all 265 questions. Try to simulate it at home or wherever you study and take breaks when you need to. If you do go past 75 questions, don't freak out! Remain calm. Use those breaks during the exam! You CAN do it. Keep it up and don't despair. You've made it through nursing school...and that's a feat in and of itself. You are NOT stupid. I've said it before, the NCLEX is this terribly awful exam that tests you on probably the most obscure things you've learned in nursing school. But you know...I tried again and I made it. And YOU can too! -ONEHAPPYNURSE

Woo! Congrats AmazingD-RN!

Hi goodstudentnowRN! Oh, yes, hahaha, I did find out I passed the day after my exam with the good pop-up. Just trying to help clarify chui's posting though...I hope it works out too! -ONEHAPPYNURSE

hi chui0112, i tried reading all your previous postings. forgive me if i missed something. it allowed you to go to the cc page when you first tried to register after the exam? did you put in your cc information then? and did have "delivery successful" as your status? what does your status say now? i took the exam 5/17 too and i got this exact pop up message: "our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. please contact your member board for further assistance. another registration cannot be made at this time." it did not allow me to go to the cc page.

Congrats smallkitty00!!!

Hang in there lgrb02, After I took my exam, I felt like throwing up on myself. I couldn't eat. I had difficulty sleeping. Headaches. Shaking. Wired. You name it. Even when I felt crushed and I tried to isolate myself, a friend of mine encouraged me to come out and have dinner. I'm glad I did. Go out, spend time with friends. Go jogging. Retail therapy. Celebrate that the exam is over and you got through it. The waiting time is awful...I know...but you WILL get through it.

I know it has been mentioned on this board that the website "fixed" the PVT so it no longer works. I honestly don't know what happened there, and I'm sorry to hear that. I can't offer you any real explanation as to why that may have happened...only support. Please don't be discouraged or lose hope, but continue to study diligently and believe...you WILL pass! You CAN do it! To those still waiting...I can attest the the predictability factor of the PVT. I took the nclex-rn on 5/17, got the "good pop-up," and found my name posted on the BON the next day. If they "fixed" the PVT since the update, then they didn't fix it very well. PVT worked for me (sounds like a jingle...haha) as well as others who have poured out their experiences in the last 800 pages or so. I think we can all reasonably decide whether or not to believe the PVT. I know I believe. -ONEHAPPYNURSE

greetings everyone. after this emotional rollercoaster, i will say that i believe in the pvt. it works. confirmed. i took the nclex-rn back in march and the computer shut off at 75 questions. i heard about the trick from a classmate, and when i got back home from the exam, it allowed me to go straight to the cc page. no pop-ups--nothing to barricade me from that awful page. i was devastated. two weeks later, i received my letter. more devastation. i took the nclex-rn this past monday 8am. the computer shut off at 196 questions. i felt much worse after this exam than the first. sata questions kept popping up like weeds (nooo! stop!)! unknown drugs (ugh! what the?!)! zero calc q's (perhaps the only ones i was confident in! where are you?)! after 5 hours of testing (despairing and pulling out my hair), i called my classmate in tears ("that's it. i blew it. i know nothing."). i got back from the exam, and did a quick web search and i stumbled upon this page--a community of nurses/nursing students who were supporting each other. the pvt thread popped up and i followed the directions. not even an hour after the exam, i tried the trick (my status was "delivery successful"). the "good pop-up" came up ("our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. please contact your member board for further assistance. another registration cannot be made at this time"). i kept checking throughout the day and even early tuesday. still a "good pop-up." this helped ease my anxiety, but i still had doubt. around noon, my bf called to congratulate me. he had been checking the bon religiously and made sure that he was the first to tell me---i passed! you know...i will say that the nclex is a terribly awful exam that tests you on the most obscure things you've learned in nursing school. from my experience (as well as many of my classmates), we all felt we came out of that exam knowing next to nothing (whether you had 75 questions or 265 questions). but...you know...we all have to go through it! to all those who are taking it or repeat testers, hang in there! i've been there and i know of your struggles! you can do it! i only wish i knew about this thread earlier so that you all could have followed me along on my little journey! what a crazy rollercoaster ride that was. now, a new chapter begins...as a newly minted nurse! -onehappynurse