The NCLEX Aftermath: My NCLEX Experience Part 3

Dear Diary,

It has been 16 years since I first brought this little corner of the internet to life. Back then, I was a newly graduated nurse from the Philippines who had just passed her local boards, with so many dreams but little idea of what the future held.

I had no idea where life would take me or how much my nursing journey would change over the years.

Now, as I revisit the lost chapters of my nursing life, let me take you back to one of its pivotal moments: the aftermath of taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam).

After the Computer Screen Went Black

After the computer screen went black, I raised my hand to signal that I had finished my examination.

One of the proctors assisted me as I left the testing room. She completed the final identification checks and gave me instructions on what to do after the exam.

However, my mind was still completely haywired from the mind-boggling NCLEX, and I was having a hard time remembering which locker I had used!

When I returned to the security desk downstairs, the security guard asked me to return the temporary guest identification card he had given me so I could retrieve the other ID I had left with him.

Still mentally exhausted from the exam, I reached into my bag and handed him another ID card—just not the one he was looking for!

The security guard tried to calm me down and reassured me:

“Okay lang po ’yan, Ma’am. Ganyan po talaga pag nag-e-exam.”

(“It’s okay, Ma’am. That’s what happens when you take an exam.”)

Looking back, I can’t help but smile at that little moment. Even the simplest tasks seemed difficult when my mind was still processing everything I had just gone through.

Eventually, I found the correct ID and retrieved my belongings.

I walked out of Trident Tower with one thing on my mind: the NCLEX.

I was already overthinking every possible outcome, and I was so preoccupied with the exam that I completely forgot to take photos after finishing it.

Instead, I went to the nearest coffee shop, ordered nothing else but my favourite matcha latte with almond milk, and called my husband to tell him that I was finally done.

After all those months of preparation, the examination was over.

Now, all I could do was wait.

The Longest 48 Hours

I told my mom that my computer had shut off at 85 questions.

She told me she had a feeling that I had already passed the exam.

Of course, hearing that gave me a little hope, but I was still too anxious to celebrate.

I also messaged my twinnie—my smart twin sister, who had an NLE rating of 83.2 and had passed her own NCLEX in 75 questions, the minimum number during her time.

She reminded me to calm down and accept whatever the result might be.

Meanwhile, my husband and I went out for lunch before returning to our hotel.

I was still overthinking the examination, and I honestly didn’t want to leave the hotel anymore. I was afraid that if I went out and started enjoying myself, I might later find out that I had failed.

Looking back, I realise just how much anxiety can take over your mind when you’re waiting for something that means so much to you.

Then, as I looked more closely at the view from our hotel, I noticed a message displayed on a nearby building:

“IN GOD WE TRUST.”

I paused for a moment.

There it was—a simple reminder that God had been with me all along.

I had spent so much time worrying about the outcome that I had almost forgotten to trust the One who had carried me through the journey.

I took comfort in that reminder, even though I still didn’t know what the results would be.

The next day, we checked out of the hotel and returned to the place where we were staying near Quezon City.

When the anticipated results day arrived, we went out with my in-laws.

My husband asked me to call NEAC (Nurse Exam Application Center) to inquire about my results, but I was already feeling stressed. We were out, there were so many people around, and my parents were also asking whether I had received any updates.

I called to ask about the results, hoping to get some clarity.

However, I was informed that the results might not necessarily be released exactly 48 hours after the examination. There could be delays, particularly because of the different time zones between the United States and the Philippines.

So, once again, I had to wait.

I tried watching movies to keep my mind occupied, hoping that doing something else would stop me from thinking about the results every few minutes.

But let’s be honest: when you’re waiting for something that could change your life, it’s not easy to think about anything else.

Then, finally, I received the email.

I was afraid to open it.

After all the waiting, worrying, and imagining every possible outcome, I was suddenly faced with the one thing I had been waiting for.

I took a deep breath and looked at the result.

And there it was.

PASSED.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I had passed the NCLEX on my first attempt, in 85 questions—the minimum number of questions required during my time.

The dream I had carried in my heart for so many years had finally come true.

I was going to become a USRN.

The news brought so much joy and relief. Everyone was congratulating me, and I was still trying to process the fact that I had actually done it.

That evening, my husband and I celebrated the wonderful news over dinner with my in-laws. After days of worrying and waiting, it was such a relief to finally put the anxiety behind me and enjoy the moment with the people closest to me.

My twinnie, my parents, my in-laws, and my friends all shared in my happiness. I also received a congratulatory message from my local review centre, INAP (International Nurses Academy of the Philippines).

Photo courtesy of INAP (International Nurses Academy of the Philippines), used with permission.

After all those years of dreaming, studying, sacrificing, and hoping, I had finally reached another milestone in my nursing career.

I had passed one of the most challenging examinations of my life.

And I had done it on my first try.

More Than Just 85 Questions

Whenever people tell me how smart I must be to have passed the NCLEX in 85 questions on my first attempt, I’m reminded of the hard work, prayers, sacrifices, and support that brought me here.

Passing the NCLEX was an individual achievement, but the journey was never mine alone. I’m forever grateful to my family, my husband, my friends, and everyone who believed in me and cheered me on along the way.

It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it. 💜

Who would have thought that the simple probinsyana who once thought her world had turned black and white after failing the Nursing Licensure Examination on her first attempt would one day earn these titles?

PhRN. 🇵🇭

NZRN. 🇳🇿

USRN. 🇺🇸

Life certainly had a different plan for that girl. And if there’s one thing I wish I could tell my younger self, it’s that one setback doesn’t define the rest of your story.

Sometimes, the chapters that hurt the most become part of the story we’re most grateful to tell. 💜

Until the Next Chapter…

In the next chapter of my NCLEX series, I’ll share how I prepared for the examination, the resources I used, my study routine, and the lessons I learned along the way—including how I processed my eligibility and Authorization to Test (ATT).

If you’re preparing for the NCLEX, I hope my experience can offer you some encouragement.

Until then, trust your journey and never underestimate the power of a dream you’ve carried for years.

Love,

Maica 💜

A little note from Maica:

Some images featured on Simply Maica are AI-generated and are used for illustrative or visualisation purposes only. These images are intended to complement the content and help bring stories, ideas, and experiences to life. They may not depict actual people, places, events, or circumstances exactly as they occurred.

Unless otherwise stated, personal stories and experiences shared on this blog are based on my own experiences. AI-generated visuals should not be interpreted as photographic evidence or exact representations of real-life events.

I aim to be transparent about the use of AI-generated imagery while preserving the personal stories and experiences behind each post.

Thank you for being part of the Simply Maica journey. 💜

The Day I Took the NCLEX: My NCLEX Experience Part 2 🇺🇸🩺

Dear Diary,

As I begin weaving the pages of my Nurse Diaries, I am reminded of the painful chapters of my past. But these memories have also reminded me of the grit and determination of my younger self, who worked so hard to get to where I am today. 

Looking back, I realise that I still carry that same grit and determination with me, and I brought them along as I faced one of the most challenging exams of my nursing journey — the NCLEX.

The 5 AM Jollibee Breakfast & Pre-Exam Jitters

Finally, the big day arrived!

In the early hours of that morning, I couldn’t sleep because I was overthinking everything. So, I started scrolling through posts in one of the NCLEX review groups I had joined.

One particular post caught my attention. Someone had just taken her exam and was surprised that she hadn’t encountered as many case studies as she had expected. Instead, she had received plenty of standalone questions about prioritisation and delegation — a topic I was struggling with during my review.

Then it hit me.

I hadn’t even finished the Prioritisation and Delegation lecture from INAP (International Nurses Academy of the Philippines)!

So, I watched the video and tried answering the questions covered in the lecture. Honestly, it helped me understand the topic so much better. Sir Balicha’s lecture on prioritisation and delegation was a gamechanger!

After that last-minute review session, I managed to get a few hours of sleep before waking up at around 5 AM to shower and get ready. My exam was scheduled for 7 AM that morning.

My hubby woke up early, too, and bought me a Jollibee breakfast because he wanted me to have a proper, filling meal before my exam. 😂❤️

We booked a cab to Trident Tower, and I spent the entire ride praying about the exam that lay ahead.

We arrived very early — around 5:30 AM — only to discover that the building was still closed!

So, we headed to the nearest 7-Eleven and waited while having coffee.

I managed to take just one photo that day: a picture of me and my hubby. I had wanted to take more photos to document my exam day, but my nerves were getting the better of me, and I couldn’t bring myself to take any more.

Little did I know that this would become one of those days I would look back on years later.

High Security & Vanishing Composure

When Trident Tower finally opened, the friendly security guard directed me to the testing area.

Once inside the testing centre, I quickly realised just how seriously everything was taken.

The Double Phone Dilemma: Since I was in the Philippines, I had brought a backup phone for my local SIM card and left my main New Zealand iPhone at the hotel. Naturally, I had a mini-crisis trying to figure out how to turn the backup phone off! 😅

Biometric Verification: The staff verified our identities individually using our passports before proceeding with biometric scans.

The Locker Cleanout: We had to remove all our jewellery, including our watches, and secure our personal belongings in lockers.

Constant Surveillance: The staff explained that cameras monitored the testing area to prevent cheating. Even going to the toilet required a staff escort. Everything was closely monitored. 😅

I had been feeling relatively composed because I had deliberately taken it easy the day before.

But the moment I was asked to enter the testing room, all that composure disappeared.

I started coughing and felt as though I was about to throw up. 😅

So much for being composed!

Before looking at the first question, I closed my eyes, prayed, and surrendered everything to God.

And then, it was time to begin.

Inside the Testing Room: The Mental Rollercoaster

My first question was a Select All That Apply (SATA) item about an endocrine disorder. I breathed a huge sigh of relief because I actually knew the answer.

Then came Question 2, which asked about a specific cranial nerve.

I completely blanked. 😂

I essentially had to guess.

The first ten questions were incredibly tough, covering concepts I hadn’t encountered during my preparation. As I progressed through the exam, the questions continued to challenge me until I reached my first case study, which covered psychiatric nursing.

From there, it was a whirlwind of obstetrics, paediatrics, psychiatry, and medical-surgical nursing.

I encountered three to four case studies, alongside a massive wave of standalone questions on prioritisation and delegation. I was incredibly grateful that I had finished Sir Balicha’s lecture that morning because the strategies I learned helped me work through those questions.

At one point, I started overthinking everything.

The exam didn’t seem quite as brutal as the horror stories I had read. Was I actually passing, or was I failing miserably?

I had prepared myself for the worst, but I kept going.

Then I reached Question 75.

It was a case study about a maternal condition. I convinced myself that I was answering the questions incorrectly and began to panic. Would the computer even shut down at the minimum number of questions?

To make things even more interesting, I encountered questions on nursing informatics — a topic I hadn’t even studied!

After about two hours, the screen asked whether I wanted to take a break.

I clicked “No.”

Why? Because I was actively manifesting that the end was near. 😂

Looking back, that was quite a gamble. Had the exam continued all the way to the maximum of 150 questions, I might have ended up hungry, exhausted, and completely drained.

But at that moment, I was determined to keep going.

Then the screen advanced to Question 85.

I took a deep breath and told myself:

“I’m going to keep fighting, even if I have to answer all 150 questions.”

And then, to my utter shock…

The computer screen went completely black!

Until the Next Chapter…

The system prompted me to complete a feedback form about the testing centre, but I just sat there, staring blankly at the reflection on the screen.

What just happened? 😅

And just like that, my NCLEX was over.

But did I pass?

Well, that’s a story for another day.

The next 48 hours were filled with the kind of mental torture that only comes from waiting for an exam result that could change your life. Every thought, every doubt, and every what-if deserved a chapter of its own!

So, if you’ve been following my NCLEX journey, I hope you’ll join me for the next part of my Nurse Diaries, where I’ll share what happened after I walked out of that testing centre.

Until then, remember that sometimes, all we can do is prepare, pray, and keep fighting — even when we have no idea what the outcome will be.

Love,

Maica 🩺💜

A Little Disclaimer from Maica 💜

This post is based on my personal experience taking the NCLEX-RN in the Philippines. The examination format, testing-centre procedures, and types of questions may vary depending on the candidate, examination date, and applicable testing policies.

The topics and questions mentioned reflect my recollection of the experience and are not intended to represent the actual examination content or predict what other candidates may encounter. This post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not replace official NCLEX resources or current instructions from the relevant regulatory and testing authorities.

Some images in this post are AI-generated illustrations inspired by my personal memories and are not photographs of actual events. 💜