Calling All LPN's

Betty_SPN_KS, LPN · Jan 7, 2005

I didn't do very well on a review program my school had. But I did fine on the NCLEX. Since you've just finished school, and you've been reviewing for a couple of months as well, I would guess you're in fine shape to take the test. We were told of statistics that those who wait longer don't do as well on the test. I'd say go ahead and take it.

I graduated last May and became an LPN in July. I couldn't get in to take the test sooner because there were no openings once I finally got my ATT (also, my state BON had to wait on some old transcripts). You have an advantage having graduated in Dec instead of May. As one of my instructors would say, "Don't let any grass grow under your feet."

Let me know how it goes. I'm sure you'll do fine.

Hairstylingnurse · Jan 7, 2005

:) Hi Nurse somebody. You can do it. Just review some everyday until Mon. and then Mon. night go to bed and get a good night sleep, eat a good breakfast, and keep a clear head. If you get nervous at any point deep breathing excercises like you'll teach many a patient(very soon) are extremely effective. I took my nclex in Nashville TN. about 4 yrs ago. And most importantly have faith in yourself. You have absorbed alot in the last 11 months or so, and it is all in your head ready to come back out. Don't listen to negative nclex horror stories and you'll be fine. Best of luck and let us know how it goes. If your weak in any areas post on here and people will help you with your question.

ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 7, 2005

I graduated in December , just got my ATT for the N-Clex . I have an appointment for next Tuesday to take it . Now here's the deal: I don't know about the rest of you, but my school provided a N-Clex review book with a CD for my computer. I have been using it for a couple of months now, and my best score on a test so far has been 85%. The question is, is that a good enough percentage to pass the N-Clex????? I feel I am not adequately prepared for this, and I'm on the verge of panic. I can postpone the test, study more and try it later, or just plunge on in and hope for the best. What do you think? (No, I'm not trying to get you to decide for me, just need a little input!) Did you have a review like this at the end of your course? What were you scoring if so on it? Thanks in advance for any insight you can share.:)

Generally, we were told as long as we were scoring 75-76 consistently, we would be okay.

I am sure you will do fine. Good Luck.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2005

Good luck. Absolutely 85% is good enough to pass. If it wasn't a whole lot of us wouldn't be passing.

Congrats on graduation. :)

bobnurse · Jan 7, 2005

whats your schools pass rate........thats a good indicator of how well they prepare you for the boards..........

stevenking, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2005

Mu ha ha ha ha!

Seriously, don't sweat the NCLEX - it's hard to properly determine what "they" are looking for because the emphasis of the exam changes every few exams. For instance, when I took the NCLEX in 2000 it focused on teaching - I had one question dealing with lab results (and it was obvious) and a few questions dealing with drugs (they too, were obvious). What caused a mental dilemma for me was the vagueness of the test. I had been told that if you leave the testing center feeling as if you bombed the test you probably did fine. That was my case...

I assume you're taking a computer based examination. If so, the test will automatically increase the difficulty of the the questions as long as you're answering correctly. If you happen to answer one incorrectly, the test will automatically lower expectations so you can be successful once again. They key is: don't read anything into the question. Answer what it asks from the choices you have...employ good thinking. Look for words such as ALWAYS, NEVER, etc. In the year I took the NCLEX a typical question would read as follows:

You are an LPN assigned to a med surg floor teaching a group of CNA's about blah blah blah. What statement from a CNA student shows they understand your teaching about blah blah blah. Then it would list four statements from hypothetical students and you had to select the best one.

Additionally, the computer based exam will automatically shut off when you have answered sufficient questions to show you have nursing competency. Mine shut off at 75 questions...don't be alarmed if that happens to you.

Good luck!

The Kingster

kesneysmom · Jan 7, 2005

I agree with all of the above, there is a such thing as studying too much. I left the test thinking to myself " Well great I was only certain on about 3 questions" Most of the test I kept thinking "What? We never went over this stuff!" You will be fine, deep breathe, chew pepperment chewing gum, wear comfortable clothes that you wont get to hot or to cold in, and say a little prayer(that never hurts) and you will be fine. Also at least one night this weekend put the books down for a while and go have some fun. You can do it. Let us know.

Nurse Somebody · Jan 9, 2005

:angryfire As far as I know, there was only one student in the last class who had to retake the nclex. However, I was part of a "special" class that was funded by the state, and I feel they really didn't make it as hard on us as it should have been. We got several grade curves and extra point activities to keep us all passing.....seems that future money for the classes such as the one I was in (I.E. our "special status")is to be tied to how many of us actually passed the course, not who passes the exam. By way of explanation, I was in a group of displaced factory workers rounded up by the state for education and retraining, with an allocated hunk of money and a "Good Luck". We, as a group, felt ignored by the main school and the director of our program, and felt we were treated as a group of rejects from day one. We even heard a rumor that one of the instructors had referred to us as her "factory rejects" due to the fact of us being laid-off permanently or displaced by plant closings. Almost all of us were there because we wanted to be nurses, though a few appeared to be there to continue drawing the weekly check without having to "work" for it. [Though I have to admit that I have had factory jobs much MUCH easier than those classes and clinicals were.] Our class was held off the main campus, and we were in a decrepit old building with a couple of dummies that fell apart everytime you touched them{ever tried to cath someone only to have a leg fall off mid-insertion??LOL}. Imagine our stunned silence when we actually got to go to school with the big kids one day due to a schedule problem only to see the lab they got to use was NOT in the same classroom where the lectures took place, that all the dummies they had actually were made post 1957, looked lifelike, and they had scrub sinks and a medicine room as well as proper linens for all 6 modern hospital beds (as opposed to our 3 hand crank jobs with not enough linens to go around). They had incubators and infant dummies, and soooo much more accessible and modern equipment to learn with. Our supply closet had several items with expiration dates(bandages and such) with a 1957 expiration date. All I could say was, "WTF????" But we were told we were getting the same education as the other class? Excuse me??? Anyway, sorry, I didn't mean to rant like this, I just got to thinking and wondering if I have really recieved an education at all. I actually think the classroom we were in was a CNA classroom for years. So I guess that would explain a lot. Any way, thanks for the support, y'all, I will pray and weep and wail before I head out Tuesday morning, and know that I have the support of many "sisters and brothers" out there. God bless you all!:)

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2005

You have all my wishes.

Good luck to you.

Nurse Somebody · Jan 13, 2005

Ok, it's done.:chair: I took it Tuesday the 11th. I wasn't late(worry number 1, lol), started on time, got 75 questions, and it took an hour and a half. I gasped when it stopped on me, almost had a heart attack! And I know it scared some of the others in the room with me. I was expecting the mother of all tests, and I got a little one!:rotfl:

The instructors told us that it should be the hardest test we ever took in our lives. Mine didn't seem so bad.....does that mean I'm just too stupid to see a challenge???? Oh well, let the wait begin:uhoh3: .

ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 14, 2005

Did you take the early notification option by e-mail or web? I have heard it only costs something like $8 and am wondering if it is worth it.

Let us know as soon as you know, but 75 questions sounds like good news, I have never met anyone who flunked at that number and have only heard of one person who did.

Good Luck!