Hello all! I recently passed the NCLEX-RN this past week. I failed it the first time earlier this year, and I am kicking myself for it. Although I am very blessed for the 3 months I've spent as a CNA, I wish I could have been working as an RN.
One thing I wish someone would have told me before taking the exam was about the priority questions. I read something the week before the test that changed the way I took the test. Marlene Hurst (author of Hurst NCLEX review book) says in the first couple chapters, that the writer of the question wants to know that the nurse answering the question is a competent, safe PRO-ACTIVE nurse. By this she meant that when a question asked what would you do FIRST, or what is the PRIORITY, or INITIALLY, it doesn't always mean "assess". I always was tought that "We are nurses, and blah blah we assess and blah blah." Well, that caused me to fail the first go around. Mrs. Hurst says that these questions mean that if there was ONE thing that you could do to keep the patient safe, or, in many cases on NCLEX, alive, what would you DO? If the answer says to assess breath sounds, or assess vitals, make SURE there isn't an option that is giving a life-saving action. I STRONGLY recommend that you read this book (at least the first 9 chapters or about 175 pages.) It took me a few hours to read, and I guarantee that it is the reason I passed. It doesn't have the greatest wealth of nusing knowledge, but as far as test taking skills, this one beats them all.
Just a little word I wished someone would have told me.
Also, His almighty plan doesn't always agree or coincide with our's! I found this out the hard way. Me and my wife have grown leaps and bounds over the last couple months after failing the first one, but He will always be there with His hand on my shoulder loving me with all His might until we meet again in Heaven. Thank you Lord for showing me humility, humbleness, compassion, and unconditional love over the last couple of months; I sure am lucky to have you in my heart.
You can't be no more right. I took NCLex in Feb. and passed the first time, but I think if I had not read Marlene Hurst's book I might have failed. Her book is not filled with a bunch of easy NCLEX questions like most NCLEX books, instead she teaches you how to find the right answers. Her strategies were great and I went into the test thinking, which pt should I save first and I'm a new nurse everything is important. I would reccomend that book to any new grad it is a wonderful way to prepare. Congrats!!!!
RNtoday
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You can't be no more right. I took NCLex in Feb. and passed the first time, but I think if I had not read Marlene Hurst's book I might have failed. Her book is not filled with a bunch of easy NCLEX questions like most NCLEX books, instead she teaches you how to find the right answers. Her strategies were great and I went into the test thinking, which pt should I save first and I'm a new nurse everything is important. I would reccomend that book to any new grad it is a wonderful way to prepare. Congrats!!!!