Hi to everyone out there. I just want to share my story re: my NCLEX testing. I was scheduled to take the NCLEX 6/19 at 1pm. I prepared for it by taking the entire week off self-studying and reading the entire Kaplan course book and answering test 3 on the Kaplan question trainer night before the test (I didn't have enough time to answer all the test). I did well on the Kaplan question trainer (70s) so I decided to sleep early for my test tomorrow. I was so anxious for the NCLEX that night that I was not able to fall asleep. I prayed real hard and still I can't sleep. My heart was beating fast and my mind kept on thinking about the test. I took several deep breaths because I know that I need to relax but it's no use. So anyway, I slept for a total of 5 minutes that night and I felt headache when I got out of bed. I tried to eat a healthy breakfast, took a shower, took time dressing/grooming myself, reviewed a little bit especially common diseases, then took off to the testing center. I arrived early at the testing center so I decided to eat lunch and try to review at the same time. I went back to the testing center 15 minutes before my scheduled test, went for a bathroom break first, then decided to go for it. They gave me a locker for my stuff, took my picture and fingerprint, then assisted me to my computer.
When the first question appeared, I was smiling because I know it. Then the second question was harder but I thought that I can still analyze my way through it. Then the third question was a select all that apply question (I thought ***!
if they're going to give me a lot of this questions, I'm surely gonna fail!) All in all, they gave me around 10 select all that apply questions, a lot of prioritization questions, 3 med questions that I dont know, 2 delegating questions, which patient to put with another patient on a room, isolation questions, psych, OB, and peds...practically everything that they can throw except med calculations. After the first two questions on the test, I felt like I was guessing the entire test. I didn't know how to answer the questions! All the choices look right, I can only eliminate 1 choice most of the time, and I kept on looking at the timer thinking that I'm answering the questions too slow, kept on looking at my blank scratch board...in short, i was panicking that I didn't know anything on the test. I felt so helpless
. I wanted to cry right there but it would make the situation worse. After 2 hours of test-taking, I took a break, went to the restroom, tried to breathe deeply and relax myself. I told to myself not to think too much of the question and go for my instincts. I went back to my computer (question #58 or so) and answered the questions as fast as I can without putting too much analyzation. 20 minutes later, the computer stopped at item #75. I was relieved a little bit because my mind was not focused on the test anymore. My mind was thinking more of the consequences of failing the NCLEX...how I would lose my job, my parents and friends reactions, the embarassment of telling that I failed, etc. I felt so stupid after the test. I studied well for it. I know most of the information at the back of my head but somehow I was not able to use it. I read someones post in this forum that nothing can really prepare you for the NCLEX and it's true. The test was so hard that my mind stopped functioning. My confidence level dropped, and I feel soooo stupid. This is probably the most important test in my life and I blew it. I only got 75 qs but there is no way that I could have aced the test...NO WAY! I was thinking that it's better if I get more than 75 qs so that I know I really didnt messed up...but no, the test stopped at 75... aced it or bombed it...I bombed it. I can't believe this...I didn't have problems like this in nursing school. I did well on most of my tests but this one is really different. The hardest test I took ever! And the 48 hours of waiting for the results are probably the worst moments of my life.
I apologize if I'm blabbering too much. I'm just so anxious and can't find someone who'll understand what I'm going thru right now. All my friends are telling me not to worry and saying that I probably passed it because I did well in school...but no. I know if I did something well or not and I'm pretty sure that I didn't do well on this test. Anyway, thanks for reading my long post. Goodluck on those who will take their boards. It's hard not to be anxious on the big day but please try to take your time, take deep breaths coz it helped me to relax a little bit. We can do this.
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Took the NCLEX yesterday 6/19/06
