4th attempt at NCLEX was successful!!

Published

Hi there :) finally got around to post on here. When I was trying to pass my NCLEX RN, this site was a place I frequently visited for moral support.

A little bit about me: I graduated nursing school May of 2016. Let me tell you, the road itself to 👩*🎓 was not as easy as I thought. I took the long route and got my LPN first. Then I went back and did the RN bridge program. While I always shined at clinicals and did well with skills, class tests definitely kicked my butt. Nevertheless, I graduated and the "hardest time of my life thus far" was over. My college offered ATI review for NCLEX. ATI is all I knew and was told is the best review out there. Which is so false btw. Do your research!

I took my RN NCLEX for the first time 2 months after graduating (which I suggest to not wait that long - I learned the hard way). Take it as soon as you graduate and while you're still retaining a lot of the info you learned. NCLEX is the hardest test out there in my opinion. 1st attempt, I got 180 questions and miserably failed. I did not take it seriously in all honesty. After the news, I was devastated, felt lost and couldn't understand where I went wrong. It's a horrible feeling. I have been an LPN for 2 years at that point and thought of myself as a "good nurse". So this was a wake up call for me.

With my husband's encouragement, I continued to study my ATI book and took more online practice tests. In September of 2016 - my second attempt - I got all 265 questions. I did not know what to think. I came back to this website to try to research and see how many people passed or failed after taking all of the 265 questions. Unfortunately, 48 hours later, I learned that I failed again. At that time I wanted to just give up. It was embarrassing knowing that my co workers knew that I failed and that my classmates at this point were already 6 months into their RN job fields. So, I researched and signed up for a 7 week course through the NCSBN RN review. It was helpful and I felt much more prepared going in for my 3rd attempt in January 2017. I thought "3rd time should be the charm". This time I got all 265 questions AGAIN!! I felt numb leaving the Peason Vue place after 4 hrs of taking the exam. There was little hope in me then maybe I passed, but unfortunately I failed once again. At that time, I was emotionally, physically and intellectually drained 😭. My poor husband🙄😳 thank God that he's patient and supportive!! I definitely questioned my career choices at this time.

I kinda just gave up for a month or so and tried to enjoy the holidays. Then I made myself "get back to reality". I kept researching and looking for a better study plan. The thing is, even though I failed time after time, the report from Pearson stated that I was getting better and better in the areas that I was below passing the prior times. So I just needed a little more help from the right source. With my friends advice, I signed up for the "self paced" review through KAPLAN. Let me tell you, it was the best decision I have made. It was worth every penny. KAPLAN explained what NCLEX was testing. The study plan helped me understand the test itself and how to think through each question. It also gave me a chance to do it at my own pace while I worked.

I didn't go for my 4th attempt until we got back from Vacation on 7/6/17. I was Beyond nervous and stressed weeks leading up to the test. I am a believer. I knew that nursing is Gods calling on my life. I kept praying and praying every doubt away.

The day came. Unlike all the other times, this time I signed up to take the test at 8AM instead of in the afternoon. And What do you think? My 4th attempt - I GOT ALL 265 QUESTIONS AGAIN!!! It Took me 4.5 hours 😳how do do you think I felt at that time? At this point I couldn't even think there was a possibility that I passed. I went to work the next day still in a fog. On my break, I went to the state board of nursing to see if my name would pop up. Of course it did not. Because I failed so many times before, disappointment in myself almost became a normal feeling. I pulled myself together And went back to work. At lunch, I checked the website again. I could not believe my eyes when I saw my name and a license number. I seriously Thought it was a mistake. I texted my best friend and asked her to look my name up on the state board of nursing website. She checked and we both freaked out because I did in fact PASSED!!😭😊🤗🙌🏼😳 I was still in misbelief until I checked Pearson Vue after 48 hours just to confirm lol 🙄🙈🙊

My journey is a true testimony that through faith everything is possible. Not only did I pass with 265 questions but I feel like I now feel more confident as a nurse. I love what I do and helping people brings me joy. This whole journey was to strengthen my faith and I have learned that Gods promises never fail. My timing is not always Gods timing. Before my last attempt, I truly stood in faith and prayed every day that "I am gonna pass and I did not come this far to fail". I have Learned it is so important to stand in faith and not give up. God is too good and have strengthened me so much through all of this. I pray you don't give up and keep believing in yourself. You can do this!! Keep trying and find what works for you! Blessings!! 😘

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

**1 Peter‬ *5:6-7‬ *NIV‬‬

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

**Ephesians‬ *3:12‬ *NIV‬‬

Up Vote Up Vote ×

God sure has a funny way of showing love. Making you take it 4 times to pass. I had no God calling and passed 1st time. Maybe I had money callings

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!!! I am kind of in the same boat. I graduated in 2015 and took it 2 months after graduating with high scores on all skills and clinicals and luckily passing class tests. In just not a good rest taker. I also found out I was pregnant right before the exam and it was high risk which didn't help. Then after all 265, fail...I gave up hope. I didn't look at another book or note I threw it all away. I took time for my son and an just now trying again. I am using picmonic app and the uworld app since I don't have the money. I'm a stay at home mom until I pass or until the end of the month when money calls :( I don't know how to study. I review do good on practice test on one app and miserable on the other. I wish I could afford the other reviews, but just going to apply this week and pray somehow it all finally clicks. Lord help me!! Congrats to you though!! May you enjoy the relief and succeed!! Any pointers about the exam would be much appreciated. [email protected]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Aug 4 by Atl-Murse, BSN

God sure has a funny way of showing love. Making you take it 4 times to pass. I had no God calling and passed 1st time. Maybe I had money callings

Good for you. Congrats!! Thank you very much for your input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Keep your head up girl and don't give up. There are other ways out there to help you study. I used several free smartphone appts such as: KAPLAN Qbanks and NCLEX RN mastery. Also this book was amazing:Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment - 3rd edition by LaCharity. I bought on Amazon and it's fairly cheap. Saunders review books are good too I heard. Just try to schedule several hours a day and practice questions. I'm sure it's not easy with a child, but you're doing this for your baby and your future. Keep on pressing through!! You can do it! Hope that helps :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion