RNTN

I would first off like to thank everyone that has posted to this website for success stories about the NCLEX-RN. I took the NCLEX the first time in January with 265 questions and failed. I was absolutely crushed. I took the HURST review course and felt confident that I would pass with 75 questions, but clearly I was wrong. I recentely retook the NCLEX on March 7 with 76 questions and found out that I passed! I'll keep this short and sweet, because I remember looking through post simply looking for ways to do things differently the second time around in efforts to pass. So... THINGS I DID DIFFERENTLY THE 2nd TIME: -I bought the Que Test on the Kaplan website for $299. I did ALL of the questions (about 1300). I usually did about 50-150 questions a day. My scores were ranging in the 60's. Kaplan says they want you to be in this range. The last quiz I took I got a 75 and was thrilled. I felt this was a definite indicator I was ready! -I did the 45 day remedial course from Kaplan. On the days I would work (I was working full time), instead of doing que questions, I would just review a section, whether it was endocrine or respiratory. I would go over the section 3 or 4 times, then answer the questions from the remedial packet. -I purchased LIPPINCOTT'S REVIEW FOR NCLEX RN book.This book was WONDERFUL! When I would go over a section such as Oncology in the Hurst book, I would go over the same chapter in this book to do review questions. This helped me apply the core information and to see exactly what the NCLEX thought was important. -I purchased LaCharity's Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment book. I had trouble on the first time on these topics and this book HELPED A LOT! -I went over infection control. On my first test, I didn't review this at all. So I remembered this little saying to remember the precautions to take. AIRBORNE PRECAUTION My - Measles Chicken - Chickenpox Hez - Herpes Zoster (Disseminated) TB - TB Private room Negative pressure with 6-12 air exchanges per hour UV Mask N95 Mask for TB DROPLET PRECAUTION think of SPIDERMAN! S - Sepsis S - Scarlet fever S - Streptococcal pharyngitis P - Parvovirus B19 P - Pertussis P - Pneumonia I - Influenza D - Diptheria (Pharyngeal) E - Epiglottitis R - Rubella M - Mumps M - Meningitis M - Mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia An - Adenovirus Private room Mask CONTACT PRECAUTION MRS.WEE M - Multidrug resistant organism R - Respiratory infection - RSV S - Skin infections W - Wound infections E - Enteric infections - clostridium defficile E - Eye infections Skin Infections: V - Varicella zoster C - Cutaneous diptheria H - Herpes simplex I - Impetigo P - Pediculosis S - Scabies, Staphylococcus Private room Gloves Gown When I finally was ready to retake the NCLEX, and my 45 day waiting period was over, I signed up for another test. This time, however, I signed up at a completely different testing center. I wanted to be at a completely different place, not thinking of what happened last time. The day before the test, I didn't do ANYTHING. I simply relaxed. It was a pretty day outside, so I took a walk. I watched a few tv shows. This time, I didn't tell ANYONE I was taking the test, so I wasn't getting any text the day before telling me "good luck." I did this on purpose because I didn't want this too add to my anxiety. -IF YOU HAVENT READ ANYTHING ELSE, PLEASE REMEMBER THIS STEP: PRAY! I was very specific in my prayer. I asked God to allow me to have 75 questions. I'm not good with Pharm, SATA, or math questions so I asked to not have very many questions on those, but if I had to have some, I prayed it would be something I knew like the back of my hand. I ended up getting 0 math questions. The pharm questions were ok. I was able to guess based on the ending of the name of the drug. Whenever I would feel discouraged and overwhelmed, I would say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." A few days before my test, I saw a poster with the words "You can't worry and pray." I felt like the Lord was speaking to me. I had been praying all along and worrying at the same time. From that day on, I told myself to have faith. By repeating scriptures and having faith, God allowed me to pass my test on the 2nd try. I am now a registered nurse! Don't give up! Praise Him in Advance!