(Estimated reading time: 6 minutes)
ROWENALYN VARGAS – NCLEX PASSER
I graduated in the year 2008 in nursing, and a lot of nurses were asking how I did it. How I started the process knowing I’m working in KUWAIT as an OFW. How I started my NCLEX journey.
I was able to make it thanks to the help of IPASS Processing. When I started in December 2018, they are nothing but helpful all throughout my journey. They’re all accommodating in answering all my concerns and questions. I just submitted all the requirements they needed online. Additionally, I accomplished all the necessary steps for my NCLEX quickly and hassle-free.
I would say the hardest part was the study plan. Basically I was never an artsy person. So when I saw posts where they write their notes in a very colorful way, do some wallpaper art, and more of those artsy stuff, I was a bit dumbfounded. What I did instead was ask my friends Mara and Myla for help. Since I don’t prefer studying online/digital resources, I printed and made a book out of those review materials as an alternative. I wanted something I can write on despite my handwriting, and I love taking screenshots whenever there are certain topics I don’t know. Additionally, a friend of mine purchased the Saunders book which helped me a lot because if its content.
Whenever I’m on my way to work, I close my eyes, and listen to Mark’s Audios. They were very helpful especially with ABG interpretations. RegisteredNurseRN on YouTube was awesome too. Whenever I’m on a bus going to work, I watch their videos for a better understanding of pathophysiology and nursing interventions, would highly recommend. Then the UWORLD, where I subscribed for 3 months and renew it for a month. It’s a bit expensive but it’s been the talk of the NCLEX community. My Rz purchased it for me. When I started my 1st assessment, my scores were terrible. I scored only around 20 percent which ranks very low by their standards.
Questions in Uworld were very hard but those rationales were helpful all the same. Uworld helped me answer SATAs and critical thinking questions. It really helps you master answering hard questions, however, I admit I wasn’t able to master as much because I lack knowledge about their content. Without a better understanding of their content, it’s hard to understand NCLEX questions.
La Charity is awesome when it comes to prioritization and delegation like omg I didn’t finish the whole chapters of it but it was still a great help.
On the last week of my review, I studied summaries of some NCLEX topics and the ROADMAP TO NCLEX book from IPASS. I highly recommend you go through the book because it guides you in a way that is easily comprehensive and structured. It summarized NCLEX topics and the disease process that you might encounter in NCLEX.
What I learned was that 3-5 hrs of study time is enough for me. Of course with the help of Gingko Biloba at Glutaphos studying was comfortable because without them I’m nothing.
My ATT came out with the help of IPASS scheduling me to sit for the exam. Only 3 people knew that I’ll be taking the NCLEX. I did not inform my family about it, I kept it a secret. I got my Tourist Visa to India and booked my hotel accommodation. By Saturday I took the exam. I had to make up excuses at work just so they wouldn’t know that I will sit for the NCLEX.
I stayed at ORANIA B&B Hotel in NEW Delhi. During the examination day, I took 4 tabs of Glutaphos before I faced the beast. I wore my favorite color – yellow and even bought an Onitsuka tiger, a yellow shoes in SELECT CITY WALK MALL IN NEW DELHI for $120. I consider it as my lucky charm plus my yellow shirt. Before I went to the testing center, I called my dad, I asked him to pray for me and he asked ‘why’ and ‘what happened’? I told him I just needed to finish some errands for my license here in Kuwait. And he agreed and we prayed. I was weeping while my dad was praying and I lift up to God all my anxiety and fears. I simply put all my trust on Him because I know that He will fulfill his promise♥️
It was 2 PM in the Pearson Vue testing center, I was calm, maybe even calmer than I should be. After the registration and checking, I drank a glass of water and went to the toilet. When I sat down, I discretely kicked the wall underneath the computer. All doors I exited and entered, from the hotel, car, and testing center, kicking them discretely 3x- meaning “ I Will Pass”. It’s the same process I did when I took the PNLE back in 2008.
Anyway, I prayed before I started, and asked God to PLEASE GIVE ME 265 questions. Then boom! SATA came 1st and every question gets harder with more prioritization and delegation and SATA, Drag and Drop, Calculation, ECG, and I saw it went up to 77 and it continued. In every question, I prayed to God to help me because it’s really hard for a 5-hour and 35 minute long exam. Finally, I finished it with NO BREAKS, going out of the testing center smiling. I was so happy I finished the 265 questions giving my best. Although i was uncertain of the results, I know God heard my prayers and that was all that mattered at that moment.
That night, I went out with the hotel driver Manoj somewhere fancy and ate dinner. When I went back to the hotel I promptly prepared my things because at 2 AM, I have to go to the airport for my 7 AM flight. Then, I arrived in Kuwait at 9:30 AM the next day, headed to work at 12 noon without any rest and sleep.
The agony after taking the exam was ok because I already prepared myself in case i was going to fail. Even then, deep inside I was hopeful. Recalling how I did that time, with me answering the questions, I can say I failed. I even prayed to God if he can amend my answers in order for me to pass. After 3 days, I got the news from IPASS that I PASSED.
That was a teary moment, I was crying of joy remembering that after all the hard work this battle is over. Although I know I’ll be facing another battle soon I’m done with the 1st step of NCLEX. GOD is good all the time to me. He was there I knew it. So if I did it, I know all of you can. Don’t worry about the numbers, just pray to God that you’ll pass and get over it.
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