To the 1st Time Passers

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

This series of questions is intended for all of the people who passed NCLEX on their very first attempt.

What did you do to prepare so adequately? Any tips, techniques, and guidance would be so cordially appreciated. I completed school last month and am waiting to hear from the state's BON about my eligibility. Thereafter, I can schedule the NCLEX. I simply want to know how certain people passed on the first try and what, if anything, they did to ensure their success on the examination. Thanks in advance. :)

[JentheRN05, RN]

What I did? Personally, I didn't study at all. During my education I went through all of the NCLEX study books using them as practice tests for my school tests. As it turned out, my school tests were harder (by far) than the NCLEX :)

This of course may not work for everyone. But it worked for me

[cindyRN 2006]

I think when I took my boards that getting over the initial anxiety of taking boards was 3/4 the battle. IF you think about it you hear about taking boards from the time you consider becoming a nurse, you hear how hard they are and how the pass rates are so bad and on and on. It is hard to not get involved with all that hype and freak when you get there to take the test.T brush up on your knowledge I would recommend Saunders 2nd edition NCLEX-PN. (It worked for me) I would recommend that you go buy the book tomorrow and start working through the short tests, this will tell you your weak areas then focus at least 1 hour (in 20 minute intervals) studying each night. When it is one week pretest then drop down to 30 minutes per day. The night before the test RELAX, go to bed at your normal time but go out have a relaxing dinner with whom ever in your life is calming to you and RELAX. You have the brains or you would not have made it through your practical nursing year. Remember You have to talk positive to yourself and know that you can do it.

[yankeesrule]

I didnt take the test immediately after I graduated. I waited till Feb. But during that time once a day i reviewed class notes, flashcards, used my mosbys study book. I dont think it was more than 30mins if that a day. When I sat down to take the test I asked the proctor if there had been a mistake, did I get the RN exam. She laughed, I didnt. almost 150 questionslater it shut off, I waited 3 long days forked over the 7.00 bucks and got my results. One of the best days of my life. Good luck to all who are reading this and studying for their test. Take a deep breathe, get enough sleep the day before, and relax... :)

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

I studied for both my LVN and RN tests for about 3wks prior to taking my NCLEX. On my LVN I just used one of the study books, but for my RN I used a couple of different study books and went to a review course.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Good luck to all who are reading this and studying for their test.

And thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my question! I really appreciate it.

[JaneyW]

I had the Saunders and the Kaplan books and felt the Kaplan was the closest to the real thing. However, I felt that the Saunders helped me to cement the knowledge. I actually walked out (after a shut-oss at 75) feeling kind of ripped off. I felt like I had just worked my butt off for more than two years and it was all decided in about an hour of questions that had little to do with what I had studied. Good luck. Keep it calm--you will do fine.