How I (eventually) Passed the NCLEX

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... need two posts to finish a topic.

Okay, so now that you know part of my background story, I'll get to the stuff you really want to know. If I didn't pass the NCLEX on the first try, what did I change? What did I do differently when I had a second chance? The most important thing, I truly believe, was that I changed my mindset.

After taking (and failing) that first test, I was definitely the most depressed I've ever been. What got me out of that funk, in all honesty, was my mom reminding me that I was smart, and that I could pass it. After all, if I could get through four years of nursing school, I should definitely be able to pass this test.

I then moved to motivational techniques, as I pointed out in my last post. I changed the lock screen of my phone to the picture I attached, and added this picture to the background:

It sounds cheesy, and it was... but it worked!

Once I was back in the game, I got to work. I researched what would work best for me, and also looked back on what helped me pass the HESI exam (again, I'll come back to that topic another day).

1. My first step was to purchase the three-week course from NCSBN Learning Extension. I had utilized this resource for the first NCLEX, but I had only done the content review. In my opinion, I don't think that reviewing content was as important as practicing questions. This course also offers hundreds of questions, which I completed multiple times in the 45 days before taking the second test.

2. I also purchased LaCharity's PDA  book, as these types of questions are frequently asked, and important to know. I found prioritization questions to be my downfall, and this workbook definitely helped me to realize what kind of answers the test was looking for.

3. My friend (who had passed the first time) let me borrow her Saunders Comprehensive Review and the Saunders Q&A Review. I focused mostly on the subjects I was weaker in, and really read through the rationale for each question. I felt that the Saunders books did a great job of explaining why some answers weren't correct, which better helped me to understand the NCLEX in general.

4. Finally, I spent a lot of time on allnurses.com, which was a good and bad thing for me. I found a lot of helpful tips on the forums, but it also caused me to worry way too much on things I wouldn't have known if not for the website. So, definitely use the resources... but at your own risk! I really reviewed two study guides I found on the site: Study Guide #1 and Study Guide #2. Again, I can't confirm every fact on these study guides, but I read over each twice, and passed!

The day before the text, I read over each study guide once. I had planned on not studying at all, but I felt like I should. You have to do what feels best for you. I got my hair done, otherwise, and tried to relax the rest of the day.

On the day of the test, I felt much different than I had felt the first time. My dad drove me to the testing center, which I would recommend if possible, because it helped me to stay calm. The entire experience was so different that it was unbelievable. I sat down, and began the test... before I knew it, I was on question 75. When I hit the submit button, I couldn't believe that it shut off. A smile spread across my face, and I knew I had passed it.

For any of you with severe testing anxiety, know that it is possible to stay calm during the test. I did the second time, both because it was a familiar setting, and because I had practiced so many questions in the 45 days following my first. If I can give you one piece of advice, it is to practice, practice, practice all of the questions that you can. It will help!

If any of you guys have questions, please feel free to comment. I will be glad to answer/help in any way that I can!

Second Chances

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... need a practice round.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a creature of familiarity; new situations, especially when it comes to high-stakes testing, gives me some anxiety. Fortunately, I have not found this anxiety transferring into the clinical setting. If that were so, I would definitely need to reconsider this occupation.

No, my anxiety mostly seems to come about only with testing. The kind of testing that is seemingly pass/fail. The kind of testing that you have to pass to become a nurse. To give you a better understanding of my anxiety, I will list the tests that I have failed on my first try:

1. My driving permit test. (Seriously.)
2. My driving license test.
3. The HESI exit exam (I will elaborate on this topic another day).
4. The NCLEX-RN exam.

Of course, none of these tests were truly "one try" tests, but I had it in my head (of course) that I needed to pass on that first try. This simply set me up for failure, because my anxiety only heightens with that pressure. I'm sure there are many current nursing students with this issue, and I hope that my story can give you the confidence to know that you can pass this test, if not on your first try.

My first time taking the NCLEX, I think I was as nervous as I've ever been in my life. I couldn't sleep the night before, and I was constantly seeing Facebook posts from the flood of fellow nursing students who had already passed. I went into the test ready for it to be over, and while I took the test, I had trouble focusing on anything but the question I was on, and the time I had left.

Although my testing track record may not confirm this, I have never had a very difficult time in school. I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, and that must be somewhat true, as I had all 265 questions. Despite my inability to focus, I was able to somehow keep myself in the game until the very last question. After I left the testing center, however, I was sure I had failed... and I was right.

After days of depression, and jealousy of my friends who had passed, I picked myself up and decided that the only one who could change this outcome was me. And I did! So, if you'd like to know exactly what I did to pass the NCLEX-RN, stay tuned. I will be posting shortly, I just didn't want this post to be too long.

I added this quote to my phone's lock screen
when I decided to get back in the game. It helped.

The Beginning

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I.... start a blog.

I've decided to start this blog after months of contemplation. I've always had an excuse for not writing; I've either been busy with finishing school, or studying for the dreaded NCLEX. Finally, though, I've finished both of those tasks and can now call myself (with great pride) a Registered Nurse.

Through this blog, I hope to share my experiences as a new nurse. I plan on speaking about my NCLEX experience, as well as the adventures of moving back into my parent's house. I'm not quite sure what my life will be like in the coming years, but I can promise that I'm in for a world of change.

I hope you all will join me on my journey... I welcome new nurses like myself, veteran nurses, nursing students, and those who just like to read! I'm an avid reader, I have a passion for organization, I'm into interior design, and I'm looking to try out new baking recipes. Although I will be the first to admit that I'm one of the least athletic people you will ever meet, I'm also seeking a more physically-fit self (although the baking might cancel that out). The possibilities are endless for this blog, because like I said: I am a nurse, but sometimes I do other things.

I may decide to reveal my identity, but until then, here's a picture of my dog.