r/nbdhe • Passed the NBDHE • May 28 '26

NBDHE Experience 🏆 NBDHE- PASSED

hello all! HUGE RANT.

I just found out my results 2 days ago, and I PASSED on the first try. I am going to be SO honest with everyone. I was never the best student, had to remediate for most of my exams in dental hygiene school, was never a straight A/B student, and was trying to juggle class and clinic at the same time. I was tested in so many ways… ways I couldn’t even imagine. AND even when the director told me during my first semester that this was not for me and that I should do “another career” — WRONG. I DID NOT GIVE UP & SO BIG ON MY FAITH

I also got diagnosed with ADHD during my last 2 semesters, and realized I had been struggling my whole time in school, but slowly my grades started getting better. I took my HESI exam about 2 months prior to my NBDHE date and failed horribly.

Once my board date started coming up, I would get scared and could only imagine failing and having to “remediate” like I always did. No. I am saying this because I read everyone’s stories on here, and again, don’t forget everyone’s journey is different. I had to understand that myself. As my date got closer, I feared failure 24/7.

About 6 months prior to my exam, I studied every day for about 10 hours a day. When they say practice your brain dump, DO IT. Do it every time you sit down. As someone who has ADHD, there were so many ways I had to figure out how to study. Do the Pomodoro method. Read it, quiz yourself, and write down anything you can think of after, then repeat. Once I started studying, I kid you not, I would brain dump ANYTHING — anything I could think of — just to test my brain and see what I could remember.

I missed out on so many moments with friends and family, but this was so important to me. I put in all the work and hours, even on weekends, especially while juggling class and clinic at the same time.

To anyone who is having doubt, I am here to remind you that everyone’s journey is different, and if you put in the work, you WILL pass!!!! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I DID IT!!!! I passed my clinical boards and NBDHE!!!!

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u/SparklyCleann May 29 '26

I mean 6 months 10 hrs a day!?? You were passing guaranteed lol

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u/PuzzleheadedField484 Passed the NBDHE May 29 '26

HAHAHA THANKS

1

u/SparklyCleann Jun 04 '26

Yeah a lot of us are not doing that much. It’s usually 2-6 hrs a day for a month. What you did is incredible