Week 1

I graduated in December 2020 from gateway, I am a single mom of 2 and they both have several appointments a week, I got COVID the week after I graduated and it almost took my life, I was in the hospital for a couple months and then treatment for life threatening events for months after, still following up with doctors, however this gendered study time, mind ability etc. I already have tons going on and I’m always being pulled a different direction especially with working in healthcare.

This being said, I would pull my all into testing for weeks and months and drill things into my head, high test anxiety always took me in the wind before sitting down for my test. I get high or borderline average in every testing app and other online classes I’ve taken however I’ve failed now 4 times and I felt defeated.

I met Nick through St. Elizabeth when my manager referred me to the program after all my coworkers are ready for me to have the RN behind my name. I was finally able to meet with Nick during his 4-day review and I’m now taking his 6-week class. The 4-day review already had me prepared however with anxiety I want to be 100% ready. With the vibes and content, we are doing, I feel I will walk out after the next test with a pass. Thank you nick!

Week 2

I’m feeling uneasy as I lack confidence within myself because of my past experiences with the NCLEX, however I feel like my confidence is starting to improve as I’m putting puzzle pieces together. I’m starting to build a foundation on knowledge bases as I now know I lacked in some areas before like pharmacology. It’s definitely exciting to start learning and recognizing meds as they come up in my daily questions. 

I know being held accountable was a big thing for me coming into the 6-week course and Nick definitely provides that and the positivity DAILY that I definitely need and don’t get elsewhere. Repeating and building on foundations is really starting to put puzzle pieces together. Nick explains things in ways you just get it in your head. I’m looking forward to the weeks forward. 

Week 3

My test results are starting to drop on daily Uworld. This is discouraging to me, but Nick provides encouragement and positive outlooks on things I continue to do and information I know which helps keep my confidence building and doesn’t discourage me from pushing forward. He helps by giving me advice and maintains focus this week. 

Week 4

Wow! I’m actually recognizing everything and it’s pretty exciting! Nick breaks things down and repeats it from A to Z and then Z back to A so it’s not just something your memorizing, you’re actually retaining it! We go down “worm holes” and bring it back to where we started. This has created and established not only my foundation but true confidence in knowing I am a Nurse I just need to pass this test! Daily Uworld hasn’t been discouraging as much because I’m now taking it as another learning tool rather than “testing my ability” because I already know I have the ability! 

Week 5

Anxiety has kicked in as this is a BIG thing for me and has made me push off testing for months and months!! Positive vibes and accountability definitely helps so I’m not avoiding fears like anxiety. I’m really recognizing how meds affect each system and how they work WITHIN the system process which is HUGE, we didn’t get this at the college I attended and this was the key I needed to put everything together in my brain! I’m recognizing so much more and not having to fry my brain to retrieve an answer, things have become natural! 

Week 6

dang, this journey feels like I’m living a whole new nurse life than I was 6 weeks ago! My confidence has got better but isn’t 100% however being a nurse you don’t need that all the time, it helps in medical setting so that you question yourself as if it IS the best solution to the situation. I’ve learned 4 pages of meds and can almost link any med to a class and system! I was nowhere near there before! My puzzle is set and I’m ready to start a new chapter as a RN after I take my test. Nick continues positivity when I feel completely negative as my anxiety likes to bring me down too, which is a huge help. He pushes us forward and on. He tests us to our NOW ability and knows we can do it. You can’t really explain this course in just a short response but if you’re on the fence about doing this class, DO IT!!!!!  Nick and my classmates have all become friends cheering each other on and holding each other accountable. This has been an experience that not only has helped me tremendously but will definitely help me become the nurse I wanted to in the beginning and it’s all the more exciting. Prayers and good vibes to all of us. I can’t wait.! 

Post NCLEX

With 145 questions I felt defeated, as I had failed AGAIN, I was trembling when I walked in and knew I just needed to talk to Nick to remind me, I’ve got this…. During the test I found myself at point slouching and taking the test like I would at home, relaxed and smooth. I corrected myself and reminded myself, “this is serious! “. It passed 75 and I felt defeated, I remembered Nick saying “ breathe in positivity, exhale the negative” I reset myself and found myself at 120, again I had that voice and took a moment to rest.

I got out instantly calling Nick “there is no way, I got 145, I had this and that , no way did I pass” his response relaxed me and brought me back to positivity along with “well getting those advanced questions should tell you something. Should remind you that you got this. “

I was back to knowing I just went in and killed it. Getting pass results was a feeling that you can’t explain after all the defeat I had felt previously when it came to testing. I was ECSTATIC!! I immediately again had to call Nick and celebrate!! Finally I had taken the step and accomplished this for my kids and I , finally I overcame the anxiety , the fear and the test itself.

Doing the 6 week review was the best thing I’ve ever done to move forward, I’m officially a registered nurse and owe it to this!! If I could take all my tuition from my ADN and give it to Nick I would, no doubt. I came to a point I wasn’t only memorizing things, or what they connected to, but I retained everything and can correlate it to any given scenario. THAT is what it takes! However, I had to be dedicated, devoted, and accountable , from Nick saying to do DAILY questions and what questions, and reading while speaking OUT LOUD , taking notes and reviewing them almost daily, reviewing the meds, correlating the meds , showing up to every class no matter what, so many things Nick told us and pushed us and encouraged us to even the DAILY positive  affirmations!!! That was huge with me, I needed his positivity and to keep me accountable, just because I am a single mom , sole provider and have a hectic life doesn’t mean I didn’t owe myself to dedicate 6 weeks for the good of my kids and I. No words or speeches can express how grateful I am that I met Nick and took this 6-week course! We DID it! I DID IT! I can’t wait to move forward in my new position!! Thank you, Nick!!!