RESPECT the NCLEX

“Respect the NCLEX” – that’s what one of my nursing textbooks said. NCLEX-RN stands for National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. If you can’t pass the NCLEX, then graduation means nothing. No NCLEX, no job. Simple, right?

Well, the only problem is that the NCLEX is one of the most nerve-racking, difficult tests in a Registered Nurse’s life. Talk to any RN out there, and you will find that not one of them would ever want to repeat their NCLEX experience. It has a very unique way of making a competent person feel like an idiot.

This past Monday, I had the joy of taking the NCLEX. I really was excited to see the first question and just get it over with. The first question was no problem, but the second question? Halfway through the test my mind began to turn to mush. I got increasingly nervous with each question that I was sure I bombed. But all of the sudden, after I had answered 90 questions, the computer screen went blank, and those terrible words appeared which mocked me, “Congratulations, you have completed your test!” Yeah, right.

I spent the rest of the day trying to forget the NCLEX. Much to my dismay, I realized that I had to wait until Wednesday morning to find out if I passed or failed. But Wednesday morning finally came, and I nervously typed in my credit card info for the “find out your results early” fee. I waited…and waited…and waited for at LEAST 3 seconds for the screen to load, and there was the 4-letter word I could hardly believe I was looking at – pass.

I promised the Lord that I would make sure He gets the glory for my passing, because He gave me the desire to become a nurse, He carried me through all my courses and even caused me to LOVE anatomy and physiology and chemistry, and He graciously answered many people’s prayers that I would pass the NCLEX.

Respect the NCLEX? Sure.
Praise the Lord? Definitely.

Just for the fun of it, here is an example of an NCLEX-style question:

-You are the nurse teaching a community health program on the topic of stroke prevention; a 52-year old female corrently understands the information when she says:

A. I am at low risk because I am not over 60 years old
B. I am at moderate risk because I drink 1-2 glasses of wine with dinner
C. I am at high risk because I take medication for atrial fibrillation
D. My friend smokes and is a marathon runner, so she is at low risk

*I’ll post the answer tomorrow!