lily1622

Hi Galyndrial! I just saw your post, I'm glad my story inspired you. Hope your studying is going well. Study hard, stay focus and good Luck!!

Hello A555! I prepared about 1month and half straight no breaks. I took a 1month refresher course and at the same time I was reviewing Hurst review plus took lots of questions. I know this seems a lot because I really did force myself to do all of that to PASS. But with your situation, you may want to take your time to study and take it when you feel ready. Don't rush it... With your hectic life, Wow!!! I am proud of your dedication to keep on keeping on. Stay FOCUS.

Hi bless11! I'm proud of your fighting spirit...think PASS :). Sycamore is more of a quick refresher course in the classroom for 1month, 2 times a week...the instructor helped me more on positive thinking more than anything. So, I would recommend HURST review over Sycamore because it gives you more details on each systems and they will give you handouts to follow while Marlene (the instructor) talks on the video. She gives you pointers on how to answer the questions. Also, they give lots of questions to answers...and the questions are more similar to NCLEX. In my opinion, I passed because I feel more comfortable reviewing the Hurst review.

hi thywillbedone! hang in there...it's not the end of world, the great thing about it is you can take it again. you're doing the right thing, you have all the study materials, all you need to do is FOCUS and study hard. Good Luck! You can do it :)

Tips to all! In my opinion, it doesn't matter what books or study material you are studying...In fact, you can study only one book wholeheartedly and answer all the questions. Understanding is the key. The test is all about PSYCHOLOGICAL...be mentally prepared, answer the questions confidently...guaranteed you will PASS. I understand the test is hard but try to lessen your anxiety and negative thinking. Remember: Things happened for a reason, if you don't pass the first time...it's ok. There's always a chance and it's not the end of the world. Your time will come and that license will be yours :) I wanna spread positive energy to all and good luck!!!

PVT trick works for me :). I took my test last 5/16 in California...I had a good pop-up after a few hours I took the test. Make sure it says, delivery successful. And after 4 days my name is on CA BON. So, Good Luck Everyone!

I've been reading Allnurses posts for a couple of years now. But I was never a member, I decided to become a member after I passed NCLEX. I just want to say THANK YOU for all the words of encouragement. Now, it's time for me to share my story… Here it goes…I graduated BSN last 2008. Yea, that long ago. After graduation, while my classmates were busy studying for NCLEX, I took a long vacation to relax and reward myself after four long years of college. I did not bother studying because I thought I will be OK passing the test. Well, I thought wrong. My first test, the computer shut down at 75. Which was a bummer because it means I did not understand the questions at all. So, that was the worst feeling ever I felt in my whole life…YES, I am serious. All my classmates passed the first time they took the test. So, go figured how I would feel. (Lesson of the story: Take the NCLEX asap while your mind is still fresh with all the information you learned from school). Btw, first test preparation was Kaplan, I was scoring badly around high 50s. I did not even get to finished Qtrainers because I ran out of time. Also, DO NOT TAKE THE TEST WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR SCORE IS NOT A PASSING STANDARD and you do not feel ready at all.) I understand, we all do not feel ready and we will never feel ready to take this hard test because anxiety is taking over us, but as for me my gut feeling tells the truth. On my first test, I was not feeling it at all.) For the 2nd test, I studied just the questions on LIPPINCOTT and I got 86 questions. I felt really bad after the test, I knew I failed. Lo and behold, I did. Believe me, I was losing hope and I wanted to switch career at that time, but my family and close friends never gave up on me. So, I realized why would I give up when I have all these support from my loved ones. I felt like the most dim-witted person in the whole wide world. I remember my mom told me: Do not think you are a loser, because losers are the ones who gave up easily and never tried. She instilled that in my head over and over again. So then, I tried again for the 3rd time after 45 days. I studied Saunders (I recommend this for reading. It's very detailed). But I was rushing to get the test done, I did not even get to do a lot of questions. So I failed again and I got 75 questions For the 4th time, I combined reading Saunders and answering questions from LIPPINCOTT but I guess I was not FOCUS enough to pass the test. I got 265 questions. For the 5th time, I got 265 questions and failed. This time was an eye opening. Yup, it took me awhile to have this big realization that I needed to change my study habits. I enrolled for a 1-month class…it's called SYCAMORE LEARNING CENTER FOR NURSES. Very quick class to refresh all you've studied in school. The instructor was very encouraging and dedicated into teaching for you to pass. Also, I studied the Kaplan Qtrainers on SLIDESHARE.COM (take advantage of it, it's free). Then, Hurst review (really good review, I highly recommend it). So, on the 6th try, I PASSED! after a long journey…I am finally RN. My study regime: Study everyday max 4hrs for me at least, meditate, exercise for 30mins, eat healthy to feed your brain, & sleep right. These really helped me to relax and focus on studying. Find a quiet zone where you can study (Park or the Library). And if your brain is fully loaded while studying take a break and relax your mind, listen to your favorite music, read magazines, reward yourself with your favorite dessert/food (for me-- Chocolate, YUM!). The most important of it all is PRAYERS… trust, HE will never leave your side when you need him. TIP: - For some of you who are working or have kids, ask help from your family & friends and take a time off. You really need a time to focus on studying for at least a month. If not, when everyone's sleeping and everything's quiet, find time to study. - Reschedule your test if you are not ready. Trust me, on my 6th try, I rescheduled it a gazillion time until I felt right… - UNDERSTANDING the material is how I passed NCLEX because if you are just answering the questions without understanding it…imagine the real world scenario and ask yourself…would I be able to deliver a safe practice? Of course not, If you do not know what you are doing. - Remember: it doesn't matter how many times you failed, what matter is how you get up and win that battle Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.