The screen turns black, you sit there staring at the screen, trying to come to the conclusion that it’s over. The years of school, countless hours of studying all for this movement, you just finished the NCLEX. I felt an absolute sense of aww, I couldn’t believe that the test was over. My class had started a Facebook group during school it was a constant posting of reminders, memes, and information. As everyone took the NCLEX, they began posting, “NCLEX done in 75 questions”. I understand the pride of 75 questions but to someone who had to answer 150 or 200 questions will really begin to increase the self-doubt of others. The NCLEX is a minimal 75 and maximum of 265 items. The number of questions answered does not mean anything. My advice doesn’t post your count and doesn’t pay attention to those who do post theirs.
I got food on the ways home, the anxiety and stress made me hungry. The rest of the evening I went back and forth between excitement to self-doubt and despair. I thought about my last question, the number of questions I answered. I always got to worst-case scenarios and had a backup plan to how I can fund the NCLEX again. I paid the extra few dollars to have an early result. Knowing a few days earlier will put your mind at ease.
My third piece of advice don’t listen to the myths of the website, it will circulate, it did in my class. A considerable lie began to flow with those of us who had taken the NCLEX if you login into your account and some message pop up that you can’t apply again for the test, that is a sign you’ve passed. Well, that’s wrong. In a desperate rush, I tried this, and the site allowed me to go and signed up for another test time. I was so stressed I thought I had failed, but I passed.
My last thoughts are to be kind. My exam consisted of some maternity, medical-surgical, fundamentals and a small sprinkling of pharmacology. I know a few people who did not pass the NCLEX their first time due to having an exam of mostly maternity or pharmacology. If you pass the first time, that’s great, if you don’t study and try again. But if you pass and someone doesn’t don’t be mean or condescending, with slightly different questions that could have been you.