by kjbridges

congrats to everyone who has won the "game" and passed boards. I have taken boards twice and i just found out today that i did not pass for the second time . i am so frustrated . i know that i am smart and i know the material. however i do have bad test anxiety. i felt like there were a lot of priority questions and none of my books prepared me for that. there were also disorders that i had never heard of. any suggestions?

Re: Frustrated!

Hi kjbridges,
I know exactly how you feel. I didn't mention in my other post about my own test anxiety. But I had it the first time. Alot of mine was because I knew I wasn't prepared and many questions seemed to be of diseases or meds I hadn't studied or just couldn't remember. This time around, I prepared myself for the content of the exam. Knowing there will always be some area I wouldn't be familiar with. But through my study guides, I learned how to narrow down the answers and take my best educated guess. This time, before the test actually began, I wrote down all my lab values, acid-bases, medications therapeutic levels, herbs, etc...any and everything I could think of. Just in case I got so nervous, I forgot them during the exam. When the first question came on, my heart pounded so loud. After 3 deep breaths, I read the question and looked at the 4 choices and threw out 2 immediately and picked the right one from the last two. I could feel the anxiety leaving me and plowed right through the questions. I paced myself, as the first time I was done in an hour with 141 questions. This time it took me 1 hour and 50 minutes and it stopped at 75...and I read each answer thoroughly before I chose one. Once I threw one out, I never looked back at it (has always been my problem). I know you can do this...like you said, your smart. I will be praying for you.

SasRN

Re: Frustrated!

SasRN,
thank you for your confidence. i did the same thing this past saturday before i even touched the mouse or keyboard i wrote everything down to get it out of my head. both times i took the test i had the full 265 questions. the first time it took me 4 hours and 30 minutes and this second time it took me 3 hours and 30 minutes. i feel like i did rush but i am always afraid that i will run out of time. i still feel like the things that i studied just weren't enough. so frustrating!

Re: Frustrated with You!

I know exactly how you'r feeling. I've failed the NCLEX twice and the second time I sat it in the U.S. whilst on vacation as I thought it would help and it did.

I know now that I really didn't study anywhere near enough. I just thought the fact that I did well at nursing school and have been working as an RN in would get me through. I concentrated on Kaplan and tried to use strategies to pass the exam the second time (the first I didn't even study - I didn't know what I was getting myself into!). I'm now going to start the Saunders Comprehensive Review Book with CD, as recommended by Suzanne4. She has really helped me out. I feel that this will be the last time I sit it so this is my last chance and I will therefore not be sitting it until I'm getting good results. Becuase of the Nursing Board I've sat with, I have to do a formal review course to prove my likliehood of passing which will probably be no bad thing as I need all the help I can get.

I wish you all the very best and hope you feel much better soon. Stay +

Re: Frustrated!

I think it might help you a great deal to work on relaxation... I had a friend who flunked it for the same reason, he went to a hypnotist and was able to pass with very little test anxiety when he retook it. Some people also get mild sedatives prescribed (take one as a test dose a few days prior to the NCLEX so you will know how it will affect you.) Whatever it takes, the important thing is that you are smart enough, you know the material, and once the anxiety is under control you WILL pass!

Lori

Re: Frustrated!

I just want to wish the best of luck and keep your head up because you can take it as many times as needed.

Huges....I am sorry that you're going through this! Perhaps taking review courses designed to help with test taking strategies will help reduce your anxiety level?

I personally took Kaplan's Online review course because it was convenient for me to do so. I'm a "night" person & I'd find myself using the program at 2am. It was great! I had ampule time to go through the course...at my leisure. And I found when I took the NCLEX exam, those questions most resemble those I practiced with on the Q-bank/CD-ROM. I found the NCLEX-RN questions weren't content based...but those requiring critical thinking...forget the term for now.

I know Kaplan can be "pricey"....but you've invested too much time & money not to make an additional investment. Afterall...Kaplan will stand behind their course & will refund you money if you don't pass (the second time) after taking their program.

Good luck to you ~ cheers,
Moe

Re: Frustrated!

I suggest taking a weekend review course...and relax. Don't overthink the questions. Choose the first answer that pops in your mind and don't change it. There is more buried in your brain than you realize. Good luck!!!