Facing the toughest test of my life.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Sep 13, 2006

It sounds like you've done a lot of preparation for the exam. Try not to put more pressure on yourself than necessary. No one has ever exploded after leaving an NCLEX test site, no matter how disastrous it went.

Heather, R.N. · Sep 13, 2006

No one has ever exploded after leaving an NCLEX test site, no matter how disastrous it went.

That made me laugh so hard I choked on my Dr. Pepper!!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Sep 14, 2006

I'm glad I made you laugh Heather, but I think there's a good chance that my comment might be interpreted the wrong way.

What I meant to say is this: When people get a picture of the worst-case scenario in their heads, it can be highly damaging to their ability to remain calm. Remaining calm is essential when answering NCLEX questions. So instead of thinking of the NCLEX as a life-altering event, think of it as one of those hoops that you must (and will) jump through to continue your nursing career.

We all know that we need to pass the NCLEX in order to get licensed, make more money, etc. What we sometimes forget is that you don't die if you fail. You wait 45-90 days and take it again.

If we can avoid thinking in terms of extremes, we stand a better chance of holding things together on test day.

tobelpn · Sep 14, 2006

I'm glad I made you laugh Heather, but I think there's a good chance that my comment might be interpreted the wrong way.
What I meant to say is this: When people get a picture of the worst-case scenario in their heads, it can be highly damaging to their ability to remain calm. Remaining calm is essential when answering NCLEX questions. So instead of thinking of the NCLEX as a life-altering event, think of it as one of those hoops that you must (and will) jump through to continue your nursing career.
We all know that we need to pass the NCLEX in order to get licensed, make more money, etc. What we sometimes forget is that you don't die if you fail. You wait 45-90 days and take it again.
If we can avoid thinking in terms of extremes, we stand a better chance of holding things together on test day.

Thanks for the reply Eric.

But when i think of the worst case scenarios, that motivates me to work more hard and prepare for the worst case scenario. This is what i have always done and have always been successful in beating any tests i have taken so far.

But the nclex as u know is different.

country_princess84 · Sep 14, 2006

I am taking my NCLEX exam on September 22. I just graduated this past August with 7 other people and those 7 have taken and passed the exam. All have said that it was a lot different than anything we did in school. If you know test taking skills you should do fine from what they have been telling me. Good Luck to everyone scheduled to take an NCLEX exam. One last thing, they have also told me that you pretty much get strip searched before entering to take the exam. You are not allowed to wear jewelry, belt, watch, etc.