My NCLEX Experience

I had been dreaming dreading the NCLEX exam ever since I heard about it. I knew I had to take it but deep down inside I was wishing that I didn’t. I started saving for the Hong Kong trip since this was the most practical destination for NCLEX test takers from the Philippines. I even tried to rationalize that I didn’t have the funds to go to Hong Kong just so I could get out of taking the darned exam. Unfortunately/fortunately a testing center opened up in Makati and I knew then that I had no choice.

I took a 3 month leave of absence from my school and began to study. At first it was fun and challenging but as the days went by I began to feel bored. I had internet access 24/7 so I spent most of my time surfing and blogging when I knew that I should have been studying. The first month passed and I realized that I hadn’t even read 20 pages of my review book. Two months, 3 months and then the big day came.

It was like a bad dream but there I was, in front of Trident Towers in downtown Makati. There were about 30 other nervous wrecks. There was no turning back. The elevator ride seemed like forever and then there we were on the 27th floor. By that time I was freaking out inside, smiling to mask my emotions. I told myself to calm down, breathe deeply.

As I sat in front of the computer I thought it wasn’t that bad. The first couple of questions were easy and then the torture began. “Select all that apply” questions came flying at me and I had no clue whatsoever. Medications which I had never encountered in my life were being asked. Lab values which I didn’t memorize came out one after the other. I knew then that I was in deep shit. However, I was hoping that the torture would be over in 75 questions.

The 74th question came and when I answered it I told myself that I had one more to go. When I pressed the next button at question 75 I expected a blue screen but what I got was another question. And another. And another. By this time I was losing hope, questioning my knowledge, my capability, my brain. All around me, test takers were leaving, apparently finished at question 75.

I had no choice but to go on and so I did, numbly reading each question. Before I knew it I was at the 200th mark but it still kept going. My stomach was growling and my eyes were beginning to fail me but I knew I had no choice. 210, 220, 230, 240,250,260. Man, was it even possible? 261,262,263,264 and then came 265. I clicked the next button, answered the questionnaire and then raised my hand. I smiled weakly at the proctor and walked out of the room.
Alone in the elevator I tried to hold back my tears. I was sure I’d failed. Definite. Certain. On the bus ride home, the rains began. How timely, I thought to myself, since my eyes were pouring buckets too.

The wait wasn’t that brutal for me, after all, I was sure I’d failed. But then 3 weeks and 2 days later I got a small envelope stating that I’d passed the exam. Was it even possible? Disbelief. Realization. Relief. Thank God, I passed!

NCLEX TIPS:

1. Understand the test. Read about the CAT.
2. Don’t over study. Learn the basics like common meds, lab values, special diets, treatments.
3. Familiarize yourself with the exam. Do the Kaplan question trainer since it’s similar to the real thing albeit a bit harder.
4. Get the yellow Gapuz reviewer.
5. Do the NCSBN online review. It’ll give you confidence.
6. Sleep early the night before the exam.
7. Be confident, believe you will pass.
8. Do something while waiting for the results. Doing nothing will drive you crazy.
9. Learn to pray. And pray. And then pray some more. God listens.







by: y-d-a blogspot