NLN today, need encouragement...

twarlik · Sep 7, 2003

Well I didn't have to take the NLN, so I can't offer much encouragement with regards to that. Personally, I think if you managed to pull a 4.0, then you probably did much better on the test than you think. I can't believe they didn't let you use a calculator! That's insane!

What school are you looking to start in January? Do they place a lot of emphasis on the NLN? I have to imagine your great GPA would place you at the top of the applicant pile!

Good luck with everything. I hope that you're admitted into nursing school for the spring.

EyesForward · Sep 7, 2003

Thank you Todd. I am hoping to get in the Palm Beach Community College program in Florida. I read a post from a girl who had a similar perception/reaction to the test, but ended up doing better than she thought, and getting in her program right away. I hope it's the case with me. Thanks for responding. :)

twarlik · Sep 7, 2003

I've heard PBCC has a very good nursing program. I grew up in West Palm Beach, but I've been living in Tallahassee since '95. Good luck again with gaining admission!

angelaRN2b · Sep 13, 2003

Wendy,

Hi, so how did u do on NLN? I am taking tomorrow and am so nervous I had to log on to see if anyone feeling like me!! I also attend PBCC and am hoping to make it in January.

Take care,

A

EyesForward · Sep 13, 2003

Dear Angela,

I've been agonizing all week, but have not heard anything yet, and won't for another two weeks, probably. If you have been using a calculator for your long math you should practice tonight without it! Time is a big factor, and although I could find the formulas pretty easily I lost a lot of time doing the kind of math on paper I haven't done since high school (20 years ago!). Most of my language section was reading comprehension. Long articles to read, and questions pertaining to the article, such as "What would be the best name for this article", etc. If you don't already know the science facts, oh well. DON'T leave anything blank, you don't get penalized for guessing. Try to work fast! Go to the bathroom before you get started, because if you're like me there was not a minute between the three sections to take a break, other than to stand up and stretch. Good luck, and let me know how you do, too! What are you taking this semester? I am in A&P II, and Phlebotomy training at night. My clinicals start at Bethesda Hospital in two weeks! My imagination has been going crazy all week about the NLN, and I'm convinced I had the lowest score in the lower south-east. But, you go in there, and knock 'em dead! I'll take the Nurse ProCalc this week, which I think will be easy. Take care!

angelaRN2b · Sep 15, 2003

Hi Wendy,

I took the NLN Saturday. It was a grueling 3 hours to say the least. I sucked!! I thought I would do much better. I now know what you mean about the math portion. We were not allowed calculators or paper to do our problems. We could write in the book but you had to flip around for a page that allowed enough room so that was frusterating. I think I did ok in the Science Portion. Its going to be a nail biting 2 weeks- :rolleyes:

Right now I am taking Microbiology and Lab. I dig it, its not as hard as I thought.

I am also taking the Procalc this week.

Good luck on your test and let me know how you did!!

Take care,

A;)

EyesForward · Sep 15, 2003

Hi Angela,

Thanks for the follow-up! I wonder if the fact so many of us walk out of there with the same perception means we are part of the median (which in my case wouldn't be too bad)? It's cool you are enjoying Microbiology, and I bet I'll enjoy it too next semester. I hope to get Ramsammy. I was surprised to be so excited about A&P, which blew me away with amazement, and is just as riveting this semester. Privacky had us doing cat dissection within 1/2 hr on the first day of lab (poor kitty)! Digestive was really interesting, but endocrine is not my favorite; glands and hormones, glands and hormones, blech. Well, I'll be thinking about you this week, and will most certainly let you know what my result is, which I should get sometime next week (?). See ya's! :cool:

Nusss · Sep 15, 2003

Hi! there. I didnt take the NLN, but the NET test. I did poorly on the math too. We couldnot use calculators and it suck! I have to retake the NET again. My score was too low! I wish you all the best of luck on your tests!!!

EyesForward · Sep 15, 2003

Nusss, did you get your NET result? Do you know you did poorly, or is it your perception? Can you retake? We cannot retake for one year, which means my score is the one that stands if I hope to make this Jan. or next fall cut at the latest. I should have all the points I need by June, with or without a fantastic result on the NLN. Good luck to you too.

BTW, I bought book that really helped me brush up on my math (I noticed a prior post of yours asking for help). I read everything, and did all the exercises, which will help you too if you are the kind of person who can learn on your own without the aid of a teacher/mentor. It's called Math Smart by the Princeton Review.

Nusss · Sep 16, 2003

Hi! there Wendy! its nice to meet you! I hope you get to go in the program in January. Thanks for telling me about the book! Yes, i have took the NET twice. My score was 41 the first time and 45 the second that was the composites. The first time i didnot know to study. The second time i thought i had enough. But my math scores is what is bogging me down. We can take the NET up to 3 times at our school, then your out. So i have to be ready when i do it. I have all my prereqs done except Microbiology. Our school wants us to score around 70 on the NET and have a good gpa. Mind is a 3.O i wish it was better. I didnot know when i first started that it would be so competive to get in. I know now thats for sure! I look to take the test in The spring again. I hope to be in next fall. Thanks for your help and time to write!!!

___________________

JoAnn, prenursing student

MQ Edna · Sep 17, 2003

I'm also a student at PBCC in south Florida like Wendy. I just took my NLN around 10 days ago. Several of my buds have gotten their results. One of them scored 86% and she walked out feeling like she totally bombed. In fact, she christmas-treed the last 20 math problems. I walked out feeling like I did well. Hopefully this doesn't mean I'm going to bomb! I almost beat the mailbox up when i got home to find it empty yesterday.

I feel like you. I've done, and am finishing, a great year of prereqs with a 3.8 GPA. To think that this could all be wiped out by one test... ugh.

The book I used to study that was sold in our bookstore, the study guide for nursing exams, prepared me for something more difficult. Especially the math. I was expecting every problem to be a word problem. Was I one happy clam to find out that only a few were word problems. I found the science section to be particularly challenging with its heavy content on general science and physics. I mean what the (*))#)#*( do I know about ohms or how fast sound travels in a closed environment?

My advice to anyone taking the exam is to get the actual NLN study guide and study from that. Also to start looking up general science websites and start memorizing facts about whatever comes up. Sounds awfully vague I know but it helped me answer at least 5 questions that I doubt anyone else knew the answers to.

Kathy