Repeater, Passed RN w/ 2 Exhibit Questions!

[Hollywood RN]

I can't believe it folks! After 3 tries... I have finally passed the boards. I seriously didn't believe I did. I felt like after 3 reviews including taking Kaplan 3 times, I didn't feel comfortable about the questions. But when I took the ATI (an exam that approximates your chances of passing given by some reviews and nursing schools) and it said 95%, I thought let's make the best of this week and then go in for the kill. It feels so good to get it over with.

So if you're doing well in your Question Trainers and other questions, go for it. It is totally different from studying for nursing school exams. And like everyone says over and over, you feel like you fail. And as Kaplan says, that's because we miss 50%. And yes that feels awful and leaves you with such uncertainty.

I was around questions numbered in the 60's, and had to go to the bathroom bad.. but I had another half hour before the 1st break. I said 75 is coming up, if I get to 76 then I'll raise my hand. I got up to 77 and took my break.

I was taking deep breaths in the bathroom, resetting my mind. Thinking positively and preparing to take 265 questions and being there for 6 more hours. Once I pysched myself that I was ready to do that, I went back in and did #77 and #78 and I told myself, slow down now.. make sure these answers are right. Then my computer shut down.

It was a relief to be done.. but then the anxiety kicks in again with what does this mean? what does this mean?

I really suggest doing a few LONG pretests.. so you're used to the pace ad energy required. my first time, I didn't do many tests. so EVERY question after 75 I was like, oh no! oh no! oh no! oh no! I was probably boarderline at the point and probably had a chance to pass if I just focused but I think I just went downhill from there.

The second time, I really took my time to where I ran out of time and I probably needed more questions to get me out of the boarderline area.

I think just taking a lot of questions help with feeling comfortable. And being used to talking yourself through difficult ones.

So back to this exam.. I had probably 15+ meds. I don't know if it remembered from previously that my pharm was below passing the first time... and near passing the second time.. but I had a lot. And not stuff that was in my Kaplan book. Or if it was in the book the answer isn't found in the book. Even in my other review books. I guess that's where critical thinking comes in.. or maybe these were the higher level questions.

Now on to the Exhibiti questions. I know the tutorial covers how to answer Exhibit questions. You can even practice that on the NCSBN website at home. Make sure you know how to use that and flip through the tabs. I used to work in administration so that helped me.

I was surprised when I noticed my first one since I never receieved it before. Then I was worried that maybe I had another before, where the rest of the patient's information was in the exhibit, but I overlooked the directions and the little tab at the bottom. So be alert!

Good luck to everyone! I hope this gives hope to all of you, especially repeaters. It was discouraging to hear how much our chances of passing decrease as a test repeater....but this proves that when you put your mind to it and put the work in, we can beat the odds! I also prayed very hard... and friends and family said they prayed for me too.

God bless all of you!

[thatgirl1976]

Thank you for that, I now have some hope. Although I haven't received my results I just feel like I failed. I know, for a fact, that I got my very last question wrong and I feel like that was the question that put me over to the failing side. So if I do have to repeat, your post made me feel a little better.

Thanks

[Hollywood RN]

glad to hear that girl! ooh 1976.. the year i was born.. my bday is this weekend. i wishing the best for you sista!

[janina08RN, RN]

hi there. tahnks for your post, ill be taking the exams for the 3rd time too on August 16. Oh pls pray for me. I hope to pass to this time. thanks!