My NCLEX Experience!

So, I've been studying almost nonstop for the NCLEX. I started in May, but I didn't really study hard core until after I graduated and applied to take the exam. I didn't over study, but I didn't not study either. I think I did about 800+ questions between Saunders 4e and LaCharity's Priorization, Delegation and Assignment. I also studied Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy. I did a couple questions on Facebook ( onsome nursing community) and did HESI and ATI exams. I have to say that nothing really prepared me for this exam. The NCLEX was a rude awakening. I felt like I knew absolutely nothing on that test. I guessed on pretty much everything except the math questions.

My exam consisted of prioritization, psych, 2 math problems, 4-5 select all that apply, nursing roles, elder abuse and, nurse conference teaching material and medications...lots and lots of medications, most of which I didn't recognize. I got 76 questions before the computer shut off. When I finished I nervously left the testing center and went to wait for my sister to pick me up.

The drive home from Macon was crazy. I kept thinking about the exam. I barely remember the trip home.

I checked Pearsonvue and the Board website for results almost every hour. I tried the pearsonvue trick and got the good pop up. The good pop looks like this:



If you don't know what the good pop up is check Allnurses.com. They have full threads on how this trick actually works. I was excited about that. I actually freaked out when I got the credit card screen the first time I tried, but I think that's because I was trying to register without signing in. >_<

I didn't get my results the day of the exam (Wed June 29), but around 7:20ish today (June 30) I checked the board website and it said that I had no application. I freaked out again. I tried 3 more times before I finally went to the site homepage and checked to verify my license status. I didn't know I had a license at this point so I didn't think it would work. I left the license number blank because I didn't have one. It worked. It said my license was active. O_O <--- That's how my face looked after I read that!!!!! I'm so happy right now. I told my mom and my sister and then called my other sister and my cousins. They were all happy for me. XD I also told everyone on facebook because I've been keeping up with classmate results on there too. So far everyone on my friends list has passed. XD

NCLEX was hard for me. It's nothing like the questions in nursing school or Saunders. They make you actually think instead of being able to pick the obvious right answer. No answer on that exam is obviously right or wrong. They all look right and you have to think 'what will kill my patient faster', 'what side effect shouldn't my patient be having with this medication.' I didn't know the signs and symptoms of those medications but obvious nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea weren't the right answer because almost all drugs may cause those.

As for prioritization, I got a lot of questions asking which patient should the nurse see first after getting report. All of the patients in the options were sick, but you had to think about which one would decline the fastest if you didn't see them immediately. In some of the questions all of the patients were stable, but you had to decide which one would you see first, not based on critical situations, but on diet specification (insulin before breakfast or procedures to be completed in the morning. I also got one ml/hr question and one critical care math question that dealt with mcg/kg/min. I didn't even study math but I think I got both of those questions right simply because I took critical care last in nursing school.

Well, that was my experience with NCLEX. I'm glad it's over. Now to do well at my new job! I can't wait to start!

Good luck to everyone still waiting to take NCLEX. Breathe, relax and you'll do fine!

Me

Not a nursing student anymore!

I know I haven't updated this thing in ages. I'm sorry. The past few weeks have been hectic, exciting and just...yeah. But I'm done with nursing school. Yep. I graduated on May 9, 2011 from school and have been enjoying the happiness ever since.

So, I passed PCN 4 with flying colors. I went on into preceptorship on a med surg floor. I was assigned to work with a charge nurse which was very interesting. She not only had her four patients, but she also had to make assignments for everyone else. To say the least it was an interesting experience. My 96+ hours on that floor will be memorable. I have to say I got a bit too attached to my patients up there, but it's hard when you spend 12 hours taking care of them. You learn more about people when they are sick I tell you. I got a great evaluation and left their feeling like a nurse. It was a great experience.

I did not go to the pinning ceremony. I just didn't see the point. I had a pin, but I just...didn't want to go. I didn't get overly attached to the nursing program so being pinned wasn't something that meant much to me. I believe I'll be happier about my accomplishments when I'm actually a licensed nurse. I honestly think pinning should take place after you take and pass the NCLEX, but that's just me.

Um, I attended graduation. It was hot as hell that day. The black dress I wore soaked up most of the sweat, but the drive to the center was torture. The program took forever to complete, but it was nice for what it was. My family was there to congratulate me which was all I really cared about.

I just went to my first nursing interview on Friday. It went well for the most part, but I'm sure I could have done better. Nerves...they will be the death of me. Hopefully I'll hear back from them soon about whether I got the position or not. -crosses fingers-

I got my ATT to take the NCLEX. I've been studying here and there using saunders, but to be honest studying questions just seems like a waste of time. I'll keep at it. I've done about 200 questions so far.

If any of you are in the process of preparing to sign up for the NCLEX please take note of the following prices. Had I known it would be this expensive I would have saved more than the money I did.

NCLEX- The actual exam is $200
Board License Application- This pays for the license you'll get when you pass the exam- $40
Background Check- $50

Total= $290

The process to sign up is fairly simple. I signed up right after the first HESI attempt which sped up the process after I graduated.

1. Sign up and pay for the NLEX exam. http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/
2. Go to your state Nursing Board site and pay for your license. In my case I had to go to http://www.sos.georgia.gov/plb/rn/. You MUST go to your own state's website.
3. Get your background check. We used Cogent. You must pay online. Print the registration code and take that with you to the site. This is the website we used. http://www.cogentid.com/index.htm

After you've done that your school will email your transcript to the board and they will make sure that you have everything else completed (application and background check). To check on your status you can log into the board website. Everyhing should say Completed and not Pending when everything is done.

The Board will send you a ATT (Authorization To Test) through your email if you put an email or by mail/phone etc. I chose email since it's faster. You log into the NLEX website on Pearson and schedule your testing date. That's it. You're done.

I wish someone would have explained that to me before hand. I have to say I was lost. Hahaha

I'm waiting to hear from my sister. She's driving me to the testing site since it's almost an hour away and my car won't make it. I'll hopefully get to take the exam this month. Wish me luck.

Well, that's all for now. If you have any questions email me at dragonlvr452@yahoo.com. I don't check the comments sorry.