Ain't too proud to beg...for some encouragement!

lavender59 · Jun 20, 2012

What you are experiencing right now is not uncommon. To get rid of that anxiety, take the exam as soon as possible. The amount of information to digest is indeed overwhelming. Believe in yourself, be positive, and PRAY hard. Read positve results in this forum when you are feeling down. Good luck.

AllieR RN · Jun 20, 2012

I took my exam last week, only about 6 days after getting my ATT. I hadn't study as much as I should and when I started to try to review weak content areas on top of doing practice questions... I literally had a break down. My husband delt with 36 hours of no sleeping and no eating and a lot of crying. Finally, the day before the test ... He took me shopping, went out to dinner with my family and watched a movie. Moral of this post: nursing school has prepared you for this very moment and you know a lot more than you think you do. Trust that your judgement is good, and when you don't know... Just go with your gut! Also, I would highly recommend not studying the day before your exam. You need to find a relaxation technique that really works for you. At a few points, I just put my head down on my desk and took 5 deep breaths. It was very helpful. I had 142 questions with 21 SATA. Have confidence in your abilities and you will conquers the last step to becoming a nurse. You can do it! A positive attitude is key to your success! Keep us informed!

leanjess · Jun 20, 2012

My dear RN,

I can tell you this: I feel exactly like you right now! I'm also using NCBSN review, and I know what you mean about TOO much information. My test date is 16th July 2012 (and I've promised myself NOT to change this date for any reason whatsoever). All I can say is that I'm trying my best to do ALL that I can. I practice questions and study learningext topics each day. My biggest fear is that at the end: I will blame myself for not trying to study as much as I should have done. So with that in mind, I'm trying to finish up ALL topics on NCBSN, with help from Saunders to make things less wordy and overwhelming for me. I practice with Lippincott Alternate format, La Charity and Kaplan (alternating them each day..doing this before going to bed).

This is what I know, and I know it WELL: The Lord that has brought me this far in my life, WON'T suddenly abandon me. SO with that said, my dear..just do your very BEST and trust in the Lord (or a higher power, if you are not a Christian).

jagged777 · Jun 20, 2012

i felt the same way a wk left before i tested. i had completed my study plan, but i felt like i did not retain anything besides what i knew already. yes i freaked out, i had a out of body experience, felt like a failure ( i know i am very harsh on myself), no confidence of what so ever. i prayed and fasted for one day. i started reading the allnurses study guide which i think is a blessing in disguise and most people take for granted. i read the kaplan strategies practice and review and did exam cram. i had to force myself to beleive and know that i can do it. positive reaffimation and meditation which i have not done in a while i just started doing it. whenever i start having negative thought i say to myself i will pass my nclex exam in jesus name. i took it on 6/11, did the pvt trick as soon as i got home and got the good pop up. fast foward to 6/13 checked quick results and i passed. also there was a post on this site that gave me the last bit of motivatio i need check it out https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/my-nclex-story-739920.html. so if you have the time follow this steps, good luck and dont give up.

(step 1)i would suggest focusing on the content areas you know that you are weak/struggle/have problems in first. review it as much as you can till you are comfortable with it, then review the areas that you already know next to reinforce the knowlegde. (step 2)get the kaplan strategies nclex pn, practice and review 2012-2013 book from amazon like $22. read it cover to cover 3 times, practicing and understanding how to use each strategy step by step till you can identity which is the strategy to use when answering a particular question. do not cram the steps/ strategy it won't work. after reading all the strategy, now you can attempt the questions on the back and once you answer the question on the back, read the rational for both right and wrong answers trust me it worked for me. i had so much more insight on how i arrived at the right answers and wrong answers.(step3) pda book ( priortorization, delegation, assignment) this book is a must have, practice , apply the kaplan strategy with each question and read the rational for both right and wrong answers. (step 4) exam cram 3rd edition with 1000 questions including the cd. apply the strategy with each question is work, it all about pratice, practice, practice (allen iverson voice lol :rotfl:). with the exam cram start with the study mode to fill it out by doing 50 ques, then 75 ques, then 100 ques applying the strategy and then proceed to the exam mode still using the strategy to answer the questions. (step 5) the last 2wks or wk before your test, practice sata questions through www.nclex.dover.edu/nclexpn3000 click on review - under alternate items only click on nursing topics- click select all - the next part is key practice 30 questions from the alternate items daily and reading the rationals. in that same wk review the allnurses study guide https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?...7&d=1310076980 3 times. review it the day before your exam and on your way to the test center.(step 6) mediating, working out and positive reaffirmation everyday(saying i will pass my nclex exam and believing in what u say). you have come this far and quiting is not an option, success the the only option and it will be yours. think of a time when you were confident or passed an an exam and felt good about yourself and tap into the energy and use it for motivation. last but not the least i dont know your religion, but whatever it is pray and fast it helps. on the day of your exam relax and control your breathing. take breaks if you have to or when its offered. remember that the pain that u feel right now is only temporary and success will eventually take its place which will be permanent. but if you quit now the pain will be forever. there is a video on youtube by eric thomas on success type in "how bad do you want it success" in the search bar on youtube the video comes up and its very motivation/inspirational. so now make a study schedule for youself and stick with it. figure out what study style is best for you and stick with. i know you have heard everyone here say this, "you can do it, just believe, know it and claim it.

pockunit, ADN, RN · Jun 21, 2012

Ok, So after an emergency I've had to bump up my test date. I have been studying my a** off since I received my ATT but I had a nervous breakdown today!
I've been doing the NCSBN course along with many many MANY practice questions and I have been reviewing a system each day (GI, renal, respiratory, etc..) but it is sooooo much information and I KNOW there is NO way to retain all this information. After having this realization today, I lost all hope .
I am in MAJOR need of some encouragement!! Does anyone currently feel the same way I do? If you do please share your feelings with me:thankya: it'd be great to know I'm not alone.lol
If you have passed NCLEX, did you ever feel like this before taking the exam?
HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS FUNK???!
I just feel unprepared and like everything I'm doing is wrong...HELP ME I'm LOST!

You don't need to retain information so much as apply it. That's the key to the test, understanding what the question is asking, and understanding what you've been learning enough to answer the question. Don't waste your time memorizing exact labs, for example, but know the ranges, so you know if they mention someone's K is at 6, you know that's off and a critical number. That, for instance, is likely to be a person you prioritize over COPD complaining of SOB after ambulation. Well, duh. Of course they are. And the post-abd sg is going to be in pain. Those can wait. That lab can't.

Read carefully, think, and DO NOT CHANGE YOUR ANSWER unless something is clearly wrong in how you answered it ("requires further education" vs "understands the teaching" for instance).

I prefer it to in-class tests because you get more opportunity to show what you know. So long as you aren't bombing, it lets you keep going until you show you know your stuff. WAY better than 50 questions and you're out, like school IMO.