UWorld, NCLEX-RN, & the PVT

[NurseOfTheLittlePeople, BSN, RN]

Just wanted to drop in here and give some advice and encouragement to anyone gearing up for the NCLEX-RN!

I recently graduated with my BSN and decided to take my NCLEX about a month out from there. I was on the fence about what program to use to study, but due to good reviews and the monetary commitment, I decided to go with UWorld. I will tell you right here and now that I am so incredibly glad that I did!

I exclusively used UWorld to study. I took multiple 75 question tests, both timed and untimed, tutor mode and regular test mode, with varying percentages that ranged from my very lowest being in the mid-40s and my highest being in the mid-80s. I made sure to read every rationale, even the correct ones, to learn how to answer the questions correctly and get the best out of the program. I finished about 1400 questions in total, so not the entire question bank but enough. I finished in the 90th percentile, with a percentage in the upper 60s. I also took the two predictor exams. These, I scored only a 58 and 60 respectively, but was labeled 'very likely to pass' despite this!

When the day came to take my NCLEX, I can say that I was still terrified, despite all the studying I had done. It was reading up on Allnurses that really helped alleviate just a bit of anxiety. While taking the test, I was pleased to see that NCLEX really was similar to UWorld's style. It helped make me more comfortable. The questions on NCLEX were somewhat different, but still close enough. I finished in 75, after what I would gauge was around an hour and a half. I walked out of that test absolutely terrified that I could have failed, so please be assured that this is NORMAL.

I did the PVT about twenty times waiting those 48 hours for my quick results. Each time, from the moment I got the confirmation email until right before the 48 hours were up, I received the "good pop-up." And exactly 48 hours later, I received the news that I had passed my NCLEX! For me, the PVT worked. It helped just a tad, seeing that pop-up, but I was in no way confident. I'd heard of it being wrong before, so I took the pop-up lightly.

As I embark on this new journey as an RN, I just want to tell everyone that you can do this! Take your time on each question but don't second guess. Get a good night's sleep the night before (if you can!) and eat a good breakfast - or lunch, depending on when your test is. Breathe. Pray if you're religious, meditate if it works for you, trust in yourself and your hard work to get here! You can do this!

[Nursetobe89]

Congrats!!!

did you use process of elimination.. the NCLEX question are a bit vague.. what helped you the most not to second guess and get nervous on questions that your familiar with the answers?

[NurseOfTheLittlePeople, BSN, RN]

Congrats!!!

did you use process of elimination.. the NCLEX question are a bit vague.. what helped you the most not to second guess and get nervous on questions that your familiar with the answers?

The NCLEX questions are indeed rather broad, especially compared to UWorld. But by learning some things from UWorld, such as focusing on safety, focusing on ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), and prioritizing according to those things, I was able to narrow some things down, even if I didn't quite know the answer. For prioritization questions, I would find myself thinking, 'Who could die if I don't see them first?' or 'Who could die FASTEST if I don't see them first?' Make sure you read the question itself THOROUGHLY because sometimes they stick little hints in there that you skim over the first couple of times and if they mention particular things about a patient (such as 'type 2 diabetic' or 'sickle cell anemia') in that question, it likely has something to do with the answer choices. Trust your knowledge and nursing instinct!!

Good luck!

[StephanieJillRN]

I went with my first answer I thought stood out. During nursing school I was notorious for changing my answers. Once I selected my choice or choices I would NOT change them! I passed with 113 questions!