i have been a member on allnurses.com for several years now and was constantly active on the random facts sticky when it first started back in the summer of 2007. i learned alot from that thread and am so grateful for the oppurtunity to have contributed to it!
it's official!!! on my 6th try i have finally passed the nclex-rn!!!! i took my test tuesday, july 20, came home and did the pvt and it showed the "good" pop up. it confirmed my results today, 2 days later!! i graduated nursing school in december '06 and have struggled to pass this dreaded test ever since. i have had anywhere from 89-265 the past 5 times, and this most recent attempt had 75-76 questions!! i had 15 sata, 1 math calc, 1 traction question, and what seemed like more med, infection control (thank you to the original poster of the infection control mneumonics), and some priority/delegation questions. i didn't have any ob questions. i took my time, my test started at exactly 8am and i was walking out of the testing center at 10.20am. i honestly don't know how i felt when i left there. i didn't know if i bombed it or if i passed. as i was leaving, i had to stop to get some gas. i didn't notice this homeless person sitting in the corner outside the gas station until after i paid and finished pumping gas. i just remeber thinking i am so grateful that i am not in that situation, and that no matter if i passed or failed, at least i wasn't in the situation the homeless person was in. i went in and purchased a drink and some food for this man. i walked over and gave it to him and he was so appreciative, it felt so nice to know he was getting something to eat. i got in my car, drove off and just started crying. i still don't know why--whether i was crying because of my exam or that this homeless person crossed my path that day. i just wanted to share this story because in a way he showed me that i can be kind and good in ways where some people might take for granted.
for my review: i started with kaplan when i first graduated for my 1st attempt, and renewed the subscription for the 2nd time (i should have just got a refund!!). the 3rd and 4th time i strictly used saunders comp review and q&a and followed suzanne's plan, but it didn't work because i didn't do my part and stick to the plan (had i stayed focused and did my part daily, i am sure i would have passed using her plan). on my 5th attempt, i used exam cram and some of the kaplan course book. for my 6th and hopefully my final attempt, i took the 3 day sylvia rayfield course in june and they not only go over questions, but also some content as well. they provide 2 books, one a study tool to help you remember what you learn, and another book with questions. i can honestly say this class and my instructor (she was phenomenal) and lots of support, confidence, positivity and prayer is what helped me pass. i went in to each of the first 5 tests feeling so nervous and having so much anxiety, it was to the point where it could have become an anxiety attack. i think the key to my sanity this time was that i kept calm, and stayed confident and positive. i did not surround myself with any negativity, every day i would tell myself, i want this badly, i will be a nurse!! in the end, i think my calm nerves and deep breathing really helped!!!!
thank you to allnurses, and everyone for your support and encouragement!!! to show my appreciation to allnurses.com, i will be upgrading my membership next week!!! thank you for reading my story and experience!!!!!!!thank you! thank you! thank you!!!!!!!!!! :tku: :tku:
time for a celebration and celebratory drink tonight!!! *wine
:yeah: