Wow!

What a story! First, let me tell you  that you are an amazing woman! You are also creative, resourceful, and whole! You made it through with all those obstacles.

Have you taken a Nclex prep class (review class?) When my daughter was going through preparing for boards, I got her a set of Nclex review cards *by saunders I think)  You can take them with you wherever you go.

You know this stuff. Take a deep breath and believe in yourself!

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN

Thanks for the encouragement HerbalNurse, I know that I have been thru a lot in a short period of time.  When my husband was deployed, I managed to squeeze study time in, but it seems like NCLEX studying is WAY different.  Which I knew it would be.  It's not a test you can cram for or bullshit thru.

I have a huge pack of notecards and it covers all aspects of nursing.  Everytime I get one wrong, I write the rationale down and of course read why I got it right!  I am also thinking about making med cards since that was my weakest category. I think if I were to put in 3 hours in the am before the kids wake up, and then 3 hours in the evening after the kids go to bed, I will be able to get a good flow going. I am elgible to test again, but I want to go into it knowing as much as possible. Unlike last time!

Dear JSHERB08,

Teresah and Herbal Nurse are so right on!!!!!! You know this stuff-I used a comprehensive study guide with a CD-ROM!!!! It contained over 5,000 questions and divided the NCLEX into every catergory: MEDS,OB,PEDS,GERIATRICS,MENTAL HEALTH,MED-SURG!!!! Also had 4 client needs and divided that into 11 subcatergories to test your skills on!!!!!!!! Perfect study guide for me!!!! There are so many-Kaplan, Saunders, Prentice Hall just to name a few!!!!! I say go to your local bookstore or on-line to search for a comprehensive guide to NCLEX-RN-believe me, you can't be too prepared!!!!!!! I was able to utilize the different modes on my disc: quiz, test, and exam-helped me tremendously!!!! Helps you to narrow down your weaknesses-no need of studying material you already know,wastes time!!!!!!!!

Keep using your note cards-very creative!!!!!! You're exactly right-can't BS your way through this exam-trying to determine your competency to practice safely!!!!!! You're doing what you need too, I hope my 2 cents helps, GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS!!!!! My name is Shonna or 09157238, and welcome to NL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, I commend you for accomplishing graduating from nursing school,in the midst of your 3rd pregnancy,( Whew!).

 The primary objective at this point is to concentrate on your children,arrainging their schedules,needs,comfort and stability.

 Check with your MD,re:continuity / effectiveness of the antidepressant you're taking.Avoid persons who tell you:

" It's all in your head",re: post-partum depression.Everyone recovers at a different pace;don't feel ashamed because of it.

  Once you are absolutely certain,proceed to tackle the nursing exam.Good luck,God bless!

You should love yourself , for being a Nurse ,a responsible Mom

& mostly a struggling person.

I took NCLEX  recently and passed.

The one thing  you have to prove to the Board is that you're a safe Nurse

I tried various studying matterials but  Kaplan was that "absolutly breakthrough ".

You learn how to take the NCLEX ! There is a technique into it.

Keep trying. Your'e the only one that can help you,

Good luck 

You guys are so awesome. Thank you all so much for your advice and understanding. I am the only one that can do this and I need to just take what I learned and go only forward. 

I am not able to attend  classes at Kaplan due to schedules, but I hear they have a really good online question bank.  So the class and question bank, any other types of study services from Kaplan?  Questions questions questions, I gotta do em!  Just wondering how long I should do them for.

I will let you all know my progress.  So far the antidepressants aren't doing much besides giving me wonderful dry mouth, lol..........but I know it takes time for them to set in.  I am on week 3, so we will see. Helps with mood swings, thank goodness :)

You're doing great.

I was not on anti-depressants until my third year of Master's school (about 1994). 

Really helped for getting my head together to finish my MPH, PhD, and deal with the deaths of my closest friend, my in-laws and my father (all in about 4 years).

Seventeen years on Prozac.  Still going strong. 

So I finally got into a groove with studying yesterday!  Mornings I do questions and then in the evening I go over them AGAIN and rewrite the rationales I got wrong.  I also got a CD with over 5000 questions, and believe it or not, I am actually answering questions based off the rationales I am reading after I got other questions wrong!  It's working the way its suppose to and even had a dream about questions last night, haha.

Its kinda like I am back in nursing school but at my own pace and just REVIEWING! So far, so good :)

Just keep looking forward, and things willwork out for you... Hugs,Teresa

Ditto, hugs,Teresa