Took NCLEX today (in Texas)

Published

Specializes in Gastroenterology, PACU.

Hi. I feel like a bundle of nerves, and none of my non-nursing friends seem to understand, and all my nursing friends are bundles of nerves themselves, so if you don't mind listening, I'll share a bit here.

I took my NCLEX-RN today at 2PM. I was preparing for the long haul all day. I took Pepto (because, er, shall we say my bowels become a bit hyperactive when I'm nervous) before the drive to the testing center and again when I was there. So glad I did that. Also ate pretzels on the drive over, because... carbs. LOL. I'm one of those people.

Anyway, I took the test after a scare with a palm vein scanner thing almost left us unable to take it at all. I took ten minutes reading the instructions and doing the practice questions carefully. Then I got to question 75 at about 2:40. And then it cut me off.

I got home and got the 'good pop-up,' so I'm hoping I pass. I know people say that if you think it was hard/that you feel like you failed, that it's good, because you got higher level questions. Well, I honestly did not think it was hard. And I hate to say that, because so many people here pour their hearts and souls out about failing, so I almost feel as if I've got a bit of survivor's guilt going, because... like I said, I'm so calm and nonchalant.

I had a lot of alternative format items. I didn't count, so I'm not sure if it was in my perception, but... at one point I got 5 SATAs in a row, then one MC, and then two ordering questions in a row. Without talking about content, I will say that I felt like I had lots of questions on a few topics and none on the majority of other topics. So it was strange.

Anyway, I'm nervous to get my real results, but... I actually am significantly less nervous than I was before.

And for anyone wondering what I did as prep, I did the Lippincott point question bank, which I signed up for last summer. I've been doing 150 question a day since graduation, and... a lot of things I was tested on, I remembered from reading rationales from those questions. So I dunno. I did the Hurst review on DVD and had the Saunders book and a few other books, but... I do better doing practice questions than studying, so that worked for me.

Anyway, good luck to everyone else, and I'm trying to pass my zen onto you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats! I take mine on Friday (Texas also:)) wish me luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gastroenterology, PACU.

Good luck, good luck! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for sharing. I'm not exactly scared of the test, just curious. I don't understand why it's just a nerve wracking experience to some people while some I know just went it, took it and passed like nothing. I've studied non stop for the past 6 weeks since graduation (yes, including Christmas and new year). I can say the most time consuming is reading ALL the rationales (both right and wrong answers) and write down stuffs I need to remember. I hope that I'm going on the right track. I'll take the test this Wednesday in Houston.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took mine on Thursday . Got the good pop up. I just paid for quick results. I passed

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yay ! Congrats. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion