Any final words of wisdom?

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

OK...so I am scheduled to take NCLEX-PN this Wed. @ 0900, and I am FREAKING OUT.

I literally spent all day studying today because I panicked that I would fail boards. (I started studying about a month ago, so I should feel prepared, but I don't).

Here is what I am wondering...for those who have passed PN boards, did you find that it was better to cram until the last minute, or to maybe study for a couple of hours the night before & rely on what you already know for the test?

Also, has anybody studied using just the Saunders comp NCLEX-PN review CD? That is mostly what I have been using for the past month (I have done roughly 2500 questions). Does that seem like an adequate amount of preparation for the exam?

I appreciate any input/advice you can give me. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok, you really didn't ask me, as I took RN exam and not PN. But my suggestion, I think, is valid for both :)

Please take tomorrow off! Seriously, if you absolutely cannot contain yourself, do some VERY LIGHT reviews in the morning only. Look at some flashcards, go over the lab values. NOTHING HEAVY. There will be NOTHING on that exam that you will be cramming into your head at the last minute that will help you. MANY here can tell you the same thing :)

Cramming for this test is pretty useless. The only, ONLY exception is like I said earlier: light review of material that is memorization only. Lab values. Factoids. Nothing more.

You need time to decompress, and you will NOT "lose" anything by going into exam this way. People here have said that stuff they studied up until the last minute wasn't even ON their tests! So please, don't kill yourself now.

Specifics of the PN exam I'm sure others can give you. But I stand by my advice :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.

I have taken LPN and RN boards. I passed both the first time around. Here is what I say. TAKE A BREAK!!!!! The day before LPN boards I treated myself to a manicure and a pedicure and enjoyed the day at an indoor pool. But went to bed really early to get a good night sleep. The day before RN boards I cuddled the kids, packed a bag and left the kids with their Dad. I spent the night at my brother's house(his kids were at his ex-wifes house and he was on his last 24 for the week). This way I was not getting awakened by little children saying "Momma I wanna sleep with you tonight" or "momma I had a bad dream" or.....I was miserably pregnant but went to bed early got a good night sleep. Both days I ate a light breakfast. I wish you the best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!!!!!!! I think I just needed somebody to tell me to relax. (and a mani-pedi would really be nice!!) I just want this whole thing to be over with, so that I can go be a nurse already!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Shan. I too test on Wed. I will take the others advice because I do agree wholeheartedly. From here on out it is just critical thinking and strategizing. Look carefully at what the question is asking eliminate, narrow down further and go from there. I just need to remind myself to slow down and trust my first instinct because when I go against my first instinct, I end up getting the question wrong. I don't know why I haven't quite figured that out yet. We will relax. Take deep breaths. And I pray we will succeed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yep - relax! You've spent a TON of time preparing yourself to become a nurse and you have a ton of knowledge in your head from all of that preparation. I just don't think you're going to stuff THAT much more in your head in one day. Best of luck to you on the exam!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

I took the nclex pn in June and passed with 85 questions. I studied saunders and did at least a 100 questions a day for 4 weeks. Now, I am the type of person who did do questions the night before the exam, probably not a good thing, but I have always been this way. Everybody does was feels right to them, so I say do what feels right, rely on the ABC's and Maslow's Heirarchy and critically think each and every question and of course take your time, do not rush through the exam (I say this because I am a fast test taker) and I had to slow down for the nclex and pay close attention to the question. The very best of luck to you on wed. You can and will pass!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment