Okay everyone,

I'm soooooo nervous. I was fine all before until I realized that I only have three more days (06/28) until my test. I am soooo scared, is it normal to feel this way. I don't want my nervousness to affect my performance on the exam. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to control my anxiety/nervousness? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks "V"

Test taking anxiety is hard to deal with, especially with the NCLEX! I just went through it yesterday (results still pending), but I managed to keep my calm.

Take a deep breath, and keep telling yourself that you can do this because you have prepared as well as you could. Take your time (but not TOO much time!)... don't rush. If you feel yourself getting too jittery, take another deep breath, close your eyes for a second, or if you need to, get up and take a break from the test. I almost started to hyperventilate and I cupped my hands around my nose and mouth and told myself to breathe more slowly and to calm down. What is that again, respiratory alkalosis, right?

Good luck with your exam!

here are some things that worked for me....

• get it out now - i'll tell you, days before the exam, i did all the crying and ranting, denial, fear and all the other emotions you swing thru. i was set on letting it now, rather than the day of the test.
  
• the day before - give your self only 2 hours to get out your last "study". i know they say, don't study the day before...etc. but if your like me, i felt too guilty, and paranoid, i felt that one more day could be the difference in passing. don't do it, but instead set a limit, for example, i was still paranoid about meds, so i reviewed them 2 hours that morning. then - rent funny movies, eat what you want, laugh, laugh, laugh, and enjoy the day...and let go.............
  
• the night before - try to go to bed early, it will be hard, but you have to. say your prayers, deep breath, and sleep.
  
• that morning - eat a good breakfast, but no so much carbs in it that you feel like your going to fall asleep at the test. arrive early, and stay calm. i sat in my car and listened to relaxing music, deep breathed, and chanted i can do this, i can do this.
  
• during the test - deep breath, slow down and read, take a few minutes to deep breath with your eyes close after so many questions if you feel panic set in. and then again repeat, i can do this....millions of nurses passed, so can i.

i really think the talking to myself, and believing it; i can do this helped....

i'm sending you positive vibes and prayers your way...good luck

I didn't have any jitters before my test... until I had 20 minutes to get there was 10 miles away and traffic was at a dead stand still.

"OH GOD if I m late I forfeit the test" I said.

I 411'ed the test center and they helped me calm down by telling me I had 30 minutes leeway and when I finally got there 20 minutes after my appointment time they were sooo friendly and assuring That I was able to get my mind back of my anxiety. I took the test this morning and it shut of after 85 questions I don't know if thats good or bad. I felt like every answer i marked was wrong.

So Now I have the DID I PASS? jitters.

I'm still praying.