jst4layne

Hi! I recently passed my NCLEX but this was my 3rd attempt and I graduated 2 years ago. I am now beginning the job search but I am not sure how to word things on my resume and cover letters. From the 1st look at my resume its clear to see I graduated 2 years ago and haven't been working as a Registered Nurse yet. I'm not sure if I explain this in the cover letter?? And I'm really not sure how to explain if so. I don't want to put my personal life story on the cover letter but don't want my resume to be tossed due to the unexplained delay in obtaining my license. Help!! I'd appreciate any advice! Thank you!!

2013rn2BScorpio: I tried to message you back but am unable. My email is [email protected]. If you email me there I can give you my advice on the Hurst review and even send you some study materials I have if you would like. :)

For anyone who has private messaged me, I'm unable to message you back on here but I can be reached at [email protected].

Thank you all!!! :)

Hi Everyone! I wanted to share my story in case it can help someone else out or even just instill a little hope! I graduated from Nursing School in May of 2013. I attempted the NCLEX for the 1st time in July/2013. Like most nursing grads, I planned/hoped to pass on my first attempt but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I was devastated when I found out I failed. And I was also pregnant at the time, so I decided to have my son and attempt the NCLEX again after he was born. Between having a baby and life in general, my 2nd attempt wasn't until January/2014 and again, I found out I had failed. This time I was beyond discouraged. BUT I didn't give up. That is when I joined this community and asked for study tips/advice/support (which helped me IMMENSELY). And my 3rd and final attempt at the NCLEX was this month, July/2015 and I PASSED!!! All 3 times, I made it to 265 questions!! (UGHHH) So you can imagine that when I made it to 265 the 3rd time that I was a little discouraged. But after passing question 75, I took a break, gave myself a pep talk in the mirror in the bathroom, and just focused and took my time. I did the PVT trick each time and it worked for me. The first 2 times I got the bad pop up but the 3rd time it said "another registration could not be made at this time". So in my opinion (for the doubters out there) I believe the PVT trick is 100% accurate. I also purchased the Quick Results all 3 times to confirm. I will include my study materials/methods below. My Study Methods: For the 1st attempt, I used the Kaplan Book and Saunders-thinking that I was just out of nursing school and didn't need much more. I read the Kaplan book cover to cover, and took the test at the end of the book. I also went through the Saunders book, looking at material I was weak in and doing the questions. 2nd attempt-I used Kaplan Book, Hurst Book, Saunders, NCSBN 3 week prep course, and Kaplan Medication Flash Cards. Did questions in the books, reviewed weak content, did the full NCSBN course and also did questions online (any I could find for free). 3rd (SUCCESSFUL) attempt-I SOLEY did the online Hurst Review-I felt being out of school for 2 years-I needed an in depth content review. I watched every lecture once, including the specialty lectures. I then went through each lecture packet and would write out questions in a notebook so I could test myself on the material. I did this with each packet until I knew the material without a doubt. I then did 3 Q-Bank Tests. I gave myself 4 weeks to do all this. I went into the NCLEX feeling adequately prepared. Good Luck to everyone attempting the NCLEX! Whether it is your 1st or 6th time, YOU CAN DO IT! Don't give up! If anyone has any questions or just needs to vent to someone who didn't pass the 1st time, please feel free to message me! :)

Thank you all for your advice and comments! I will not give up but it's hard to not get discouraged. In South Carolina you only get 3 years from graduation to pass the NCLEX...so I only have 1 year left. I'm obviously praying I pass it next month though. I've taken the NCSBN prep course in February. I didnt find it too helpful though. My family offered to pay for me to take the Hurst review yesterday, so I'll be doing that. I'll definitely check out the libraries as well. Thank you all for your words of encouragement. It means a lot! í ½í¸Š Prnstat1-it definitely is so hard juggling studying and life with a little one. My son is 1 and is a ball of energy. He only naps once a day and I'm a stay at home mom currently. So I do my best to study whenever I can but it isn't easy! Plus my closest family is 5 hours away from me and I don't have a babysitter either. But he is my biggest motivation to pass and finally be an RN!

All through nursing school I was an independent learner too. I seemed to get too distracted in a group setting and couldn't focus. I went to nursing school in Massachusetts and now live in South Carolina so not able to make a visit to my old instructors :/

I am coming up on 2 years this month since I graduated with my BSN. I am attempting the NCLEX again in 2 months. I am feeling hopeless and would be grateful for some advice. Being out of school for so long I feel like I need to take a prep course to refresh on content. However I just can't afford Kaplan or Hurst. I am also terrified that I'm going to fail again and I want to prepare the best I can so that doesn't happen. I hate that it comes down to money. I'm a single mom and am doing my best to make ends meet. Any tips or guidance? I just never thought I still wouldn't be a nurse 2 years later..its devastating. 😩

Hi kdishu! Thanks for your comment :) it definitely helps to know there are other people out there in similar situations going through the same thing. Like I said, I did do the 5 week course through NCSBN and I don't think it helped me. I am also using Kaplan, hurst and Saunders too. But I would definitely be interested in a Skype study group! That sounds great. I'm the same type of learner as you. I know we both can and will pass. My email is [email protected] if you want to let me know about the study group. :)

Thank you for your recommendations! I did get my quick results and did find out I failed. But I am motivated to keep going and attempt this again. I am definitely going to do the mock nclex exams like you said-I think that's a great idea. I made a list of content from questions I had on the nclex that I needed to refresh on and just made a small study guide of those. My biggest fear is I've been out of school for over a year and I'm forgetting my content. But I cant and wont give up. Just going to keep tackling it until I become an RN. Glad I found this community. Thanks again to both of you for your advice! :)

So I graduated in May of 2013 and took the NCLEX for the first time July 2013 and had 265 questions and failed. I was pregnant at the time and had my son and life got in the way for a while. I just took the NCLEX for the second time today and am pretty certain I failed. I did the Pearson Vue trick and didn't get the good pop up So I'm looking for any advice...I am pretty discouraged and don't know how to go about preparing/studying for my 3rd attempt at this. The first time I used the Kaplan book (couldn't afford the course) and I did tons of questions, any I could find. The second time I used the Kaplan book again, I took a 5 week NCSBN prep course, and used the Hurst book and did tons of questions. I went in to take the NCLEX today feeling so confident and it was like a blow to the stomach...I don't know what I'm doing wrong. The med questions I got today were meds I've never heard of and I used Barron's med flash cards this time. Help! Any advice/tips are appreciated! Thanks, (feeling defeated)