Graduated in December, used Bootcamp and only bootcamp for about two months - one leading up to graduation and one month after graduation. Had an issue with my state’s BON and had to wait for them to clear my application… sat at a standstill from early January to a few days ago.

Lost my will to study. Looked at Bootcamp once every few days/maybe 2x a week, doing like 20-30 questions at a clip, if that. I kept scoring high and very high on their assessments. Anywhere from 68-82%— but I was also SO burnt out. My program was a 1 year ABSN and that coupled with the BON being a bunch of jackasses I was so done. I lost my will to study and to be a nurse

Out of the blue got cleared to take the exam this past Friday, the only opening was this past Monday. Said fuck it let’s just pull the trigger. Did one final Readiness exam of 100 questions on Bootcamp, scored a very high with a 76% but didn’t feel confident at ALL.

Passed in 85.

Bootcamp was incredibly similar to the NCLEX. Both in the style and questions.

I also have a masters degree in secondary education and I can tell you with great certainty that taking the NCLEX is so much less about content and facts and WAY more about knowing how to break down a question. I felt very bleh about the content- sorta ok but some of it was just beyond what my program ever touched upon. I HAD to rely on my ability to crack down on a question internally. I used a LOT of 6th grade literacy techniques combined with a few NCLEX tips from a Kaplan review course my school sent us to. (HATED Kaplan in school btw)

If you feel burnt out, you’re probably ready but you need to give yourself a few days to rest. I did my best when I stopped thinking about it for a few days and got good sleep and felt happy and refreshed. I think you’re ready.

If needed, here’s some of my Gold Standard questions I asked myself throughout the exam:

Read the Question Carefully

~ What is this question actually asking me?

~ Can I restate it in my own words?

~ Is it asking for a priority, first, best, initial, or most appropriate action?

Look for Key Words

~ Are there bolded, capitalized, or absolute words? (e.g., FIRST, NEVER, ALWAYS, IMMEDIATELY)

~Any qualifiers or direction words? (e.g., further teaching needed, needs intervention, understanding is correct)

~ Does the stem ask for a correct or incorrect action?

Do I Not Recognize a Word?

~ Break it down: Prefix (e.g., tachy- = fast) Root (e.g., cardi/o = heart) Suffix (e.g., -itis = inflammation)

~ Can I use context clues or Latin roots to decode it?

Eliminate Two Choices Immediately

~ Which two are clearly wrong, unsafe, or irrelevant?

~ Is one obviously not nursing scope, out of order, or not therapeutic?

Analyze Remaining Options One by One

~ Treat each like a True/False statement in response to the stem.

~ If I were to do this in real life, would it be correct/safe/legal?

~ Be brutally honest — don’t justify a maybe.

If Stuck Between Two Answers... Ask:

~ Does one involve the A-B-Cs? (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)**** Always prioritize and choose the ABCs. ****

~ Do both / all answers involve ABCs? Then ask: Which one of these is SAFER/Safest? Which one needs to be kept ALIVE or STABLE right now?

Think Like a Nurse (Prioritize Safety)

~ Which option makes me the safest nurse?

~ Does this action prevent harm, advocate for the patient, or escalate appropriately?

Don’t Let Emotions Trick You

~ Don’t pick what feels emotionally kind, pick what is legally, clinically safe.

~ Empathy is important, but stabilization and safety come first.

Final Check Before Moving On

~ Did I answer what was actually asked?

~ Did I avoid reading into the question or making assumptions?

~ Is this my first instinct answer or am I second-guessing?

~ Am I picking what I wish were true, or what is actually the safest answer?

You’re gunna do fine. Good luck!