Calming NCLEX Nerves

[_Cecilia_, BSN, RN]

Hi Everyone!

It's about that time that everyone is studying for NCLEX, and worrying about whether or not they'll pass. My school had HESI Exit exams (re-take possible if you fail the first time), and I'm currently studying with uWorld.

I failed both my HESI Exits and scored low on my First uWorld Assessment (granted I didn't study anything extra for it). Because of these results, however, I'm feeling very apprehensive about the upcoming exam.

I've been studying about 5 - 8 hours 5 to 6 days a week, reviewing each topic separately.... but I know that my nerves could still get the best of me, and I could forget everything.

If you've taken the NCLEX already, how did you help calm your nerves? What tips can you provide to anyone feeling this way?

Thanks in advance.

[Cindyel, ASN, RN]

NCLEX looks exactly like UWorld. I kept telling myself that I was just doing UWORLD questions. I found it calming.

If you are scoring low or borderline on the assessments, you may want to consider changing your date. It is free to change your date and it would be better to make sure you are ready than to not be successful on the exam. You want to be one and done with this if possible!

GOOD LUCK!

[ThatChickOmi, ADN, RN]

I was more freaked out bout how calm I was about the NCLEX than anything...and trust me when I say I'm an anxious person.

I did the entire UWorld bank and one assessment, and I skimmed through my Saunders NCLEX Review book and for me, that was more than adequate. I didn't go crazy. I tried the Mark Klimek lecture reviews, but I only listened to a few before I got bored with it. 1-2 hour a day studying, tops, for about three weeks prior to the test. I'm fairly good at answering those kind of questions, so that's all I needed. If you're doing less than the average then yeah, studying that much may be better for you.

I personally think that's too much (You mean 5-8 hours a DAY?). Studying at an excess is just as bad as not enough...your brain just stops retaining after a while and the anxiety makes it worse.

[_Cecilia_, BSN, RN]

9 hours ago, Cindyel said:

NCLEX looks exactly like UWorld. I kept telling myself that I was just doing UWORLD questions. I found it calming.

If you are scoring low or borderline on the assessments, you may want to consider changing your date. It is free to change your date and it would be better to make sure you are ready than to not be successful on the exam. You want to be one and done with this if possible!

GOOD LUCK!

Thank you! That low or borderline was about a month ago, and have been studying since then. I have already postponed my exam, to a date that I'm able to review the material enough.

[_Cecilia_, BSN, RN]

9 hours ago, ThatChickOmi said:

I was more freaked out bout how calm I was about the NCLEX than anything...and trust me when I say I'm an anxious person.

I did the entire UWorld bank and one assessment, and I skimmed through my Saunders NCLEX Review book and for me, that was more than adequate. I didn't go crazy. I tried the Mark Klimek lecture reviews, but I only listened to a few before I got bored with it. 1-2 hour a day studying, tops, for about three weeks prior to the test. I'm fairly good at answering those kind of questions, so that's all I needed. If you're doing less than the average then yeah, studying that much may be better for you.

I personally think that's too much (You mean 5-8 hours a DAY?). Studying at an excess is just as bad as not enough...your brain just stops retaining after a while and the anxiety makes it worse.

Yup, I've been studying 5-8 hours a day haha. I feel like it's enough for me because I'm not reviewing too quickly. I am reviewing the information for each topic, and then doing uWorld questions. Afterwards, I write the rationales down, and review those rationales.

Not going to lie, I am worried a lot about whether or not my brain will be retaining, more so that you mentioned it, too. I take breaks, still.

Our professors did suggest 4-6 hours for 6 days a week.