Exam in 4 weeks. I AM LOST! I need support...

charmed_one · Feb 1, 2008

HI! omg im taking it too in 4 weeks... we have the same feeling right now..

maybe both of us need help!!! hehehehe..im trying to find saunders cd online so i can buy it but i cant find any..

i finished kaplan qbank (i think) already and doing lippincott now but still thinks im way behind..i dont know what to do anymore in our remaining 4 weeks...=p

shmily24 · Feb 1, 2008

hi worrier! just take a deep breath and relax....

igmirnor · Feb 2, 2008

Hi

I have a piece of advice...maybe it will help you ...if you have Saunder's check Renal meds ..there is this very clear classification given of different types of drug groups.. just do this for every system.. put about 3-4 drugs and imp side effects next to them... It helped me to remember the drugs...systemwise.

since you have 4 weeks... just relax and put things in classified order... remember the test is specific categories... so do specific topics like for eg..infection control, ...This is just my:twocents:..I too get anxious though I have about 6-7 weeks remaining..but I have decided this test is not going to rule me!!.... all the best to you.. will keep you in my prayers..

I am going to take the NCLEX-RN in 4 weeks time. And as early as now, I am starting to panic. Others may laugh, but for some reason I decided not to tell my friends that I am taking the test. Maybe bacause, I am really a WORRIER and I don't want to hear anybody asking how am I doing with my studying as I started to be anxious.
Right, I don't have much support at the moment so I always visit this forum to see what others are doing. I have been studying for the last few months. I am working on Suzanne's plan (2nd tip), read Frye's Nursing bullets, Finished with Kaplan Strategy book and even tried answering different questions from different CD's. But up to now..."I don't feel confident", and everytime I visit the thread for March test-takers...I panic and thought that I have so much to learn. specially Pharmacology which is my weakness.
I have structured my study habits until 2 days before my exam...but up to now, I AM LOST! I could have cried but it's not gonna help.
I am now loosing my confidence and thinking that I won't be able to make it on the day of my exam. I am too frightened!
Can anybody give me advise on what to do? I only have 4 weeks left and I 'd like to make the most of it...
please help me!

ivy120 · Feb 2, 2008

hey worrier! i myself have delt with those same emotions and thoughts... i am actually preparing to retake my exam for the 3rd time.. yup.. 3rd time.. and this time better be a charm! i have yet to set my date put plan for late feb/early march...

i know that my nerves defin got the best of me once i sat down to take the exam for the 1st time.. i did the same exact thing you did.. i didnt tell my classmates, coworkers, friends, family not even my husband that i was gonna take my exam.. just bc i didnt want to deal with the added pressure and plus i wanted to surprise my husband for our 3 yr anniversary but that didnt work out.. i needed all the support i cud get and wish i found this site prior to taking my exam...

but if your feeling the anxiety now.. try exercising.. itll help release some tension and increase your endorphins! i dont want you or anyone else letting their nerves overcome their clear thinking ability.. also.. when they offer you the earplugs.. take 'em.. bc there are other ppl taking other exams that require typing.. and thatll just be another distractor... exercise exercise exercise! goodluck!!!

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2008

Worrier--I had to giggle when I read the one line in your post that you ddnt tell your friends. I too did not tell my friends at 1st. Only one person knew because I had called her in a panic because I got my ATT and my mind was so jumpy I couldnt even log on to the site to pick my test date. I got my ATT on Jan 1st and took my test on Jan 23rd. Here is what I did to prepare.

1st my school had us signed up for ATI. So I logged on to ATI and took all of the core system assessment tests. THere are maybe 10 of them and they are only 30 questions each, they do not give you the correct answer or rational-just an end score. Some of them I scored as low as 63%-renal. and others Muscoloskelatal 87%. So I started targeting my studeis in the low scoring catagories 1st. They got the bulk of my time. I did the Saunders Renal study section where it gives you the test then immediatly give you the correct answer and rational. I would do that until I felt confident in that subject and then take a "test" if I scored above 70% I moved on, less than 70% I would do it again.

I would do practice Nclex test as much as I could through out the day. Some times I would spend as much as 5 or 6 hours total doing questions. As time went on I found myself telling more and more people my test date. My confidence was rising.

I also utilized the Mosbsy/Davis and Saunders books. I readthe chapters on how to prepare for the exam and they really did give good advice. I would also keep a book in my car at all times in case I found myself somewhere where I could do some quesitons. I would do quesitons at the kids wrestling practices, or dentist appointments.

I had a box of Mosbys 4000 note card questions. I kept those next to my chair in the living room, at night while watching TV with the family, I would be thumbing through note card questions. I didnt keep score, I just did them.

When I would get tired of doing my Davis/Saunders/Mosby disk, I would surf the internet for Nclex style questions. Kaplans has a handfull of free quesitons adn rationals you can take.

I am also a big beliver in positive thought. I would tell my self over and over the test will shut off at 75. I would envision the screen going blank at 75. I think I have some form of ADD/OCD and I knew I could not sit still long enough to take 265. I had to finish in the 75.

About 5 days before the test I felt like I could not retain any more so I backed off, way off, maybe only taking 20 questions a day. by Jan 20th I was reading readers digest and ladies home journal and not nclex. I rented movies, I made nice suppers for the family.I took the dog on long long walks.

I think taking the thousands and thousands of practice questions is what helped me. I was so confident when I walked in that test site. You already know the basics. By doing the practice questions it helps you to take the test even if you dont know the disease you can almost narrow it down to two choices.

Example: A patient with dumping syndrom needs more instruction when he says:

1) I will eat 5-6 small meals a day.

2) I will take a brisk walk after lunch.

3) I will consume my liquids after my meals.

4) I will sit up right for half an hour after meals.

OK so say you dont know what dumping syndrom is. You have two options that tell you what to do after meals. Either take a brisk walk, or sit upright. So I would think the right answer has something to do wtih after meals. Then you narrow it down to taking a brisk walk, or sitting up right. Well who exactly would you advise to take a "brisk" walk? Take a walk, maybe..but a brisk walk???

Anyways---long story short. I passsed my boards. 75 questions and was out of there in 45 minutes. I knew the second I hit submit that I passed and that is a wonderful feeling!!!! I did not have to stress out, it was just a matter of wating for my lic number to pop up.

The more practice quesitons you can get in the better. You made it through school, you know the content. Dont read too much into the questions, they are what they are. Go wtih your gut instinct.

Best of luck. I am excited for you!!!

worrier · Feb 2, 2008

Thanks guys for the encouraging words...I know now that someone understands what I am going through at the moment. At least I know I am not going CRAZY!(LOL!)

Honestly, after posting this thread and reading your replies...it made me feel much better and so relieved. I Know prayers can move mountains, but I also have to do my fair share. You're all right...I should take a deep breath. Instead of moaning about the fears, I might as well compose myself and do the work. I only have 4 weeks to go. It doesn't matter what the outcome is as long as I know that I prepared and worked really hard for the test.

Maslow's hierarchy...Physiological vs Psychological needs! Leave the fears behind and work hard for the best.

I will stand by my motto, A little bit of knowledge + a little bit of confidence + a bunch of Prayers = SUCCESS.

eldragon · Feb 3, 2008

HI! omg im taking it too in 4 weeks... we have the same feeling right now..
maybe both of us need help!!! hehehehe..im trying to find saunders cd online so i can buy it but i cant find any..
i finished kaplan qbank (i think) already and doing lippincott now but still thinks im way behind..i dont know what to do anymore in our remaining 4 weeks...=p

I got my Saunders at Amazon.com

Good luck! I test the 14th!

worrier · Feb 22, 2008

I only have 2 weeks left before my test...I am terrified.

Any advise for the last 2 weeks preparation? I am not sure if I can still recall what I've studied for the last few months(LOL!). I need words of encouragement...please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RN_2008 · Feb 22, 2008

I only have 2 weeks left before my test...I am terrified.
Any advise for the last 2 weeks preparation? I am not sure if I can still recall what I've studied for the last few months(LOL!). I need words of encouragement...please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!! You WILL pass!!! bc you've studied so much and you know so much more than you think.

Good luck to you!!! Just remember to stay calm. Try not to study the day before the exam. Take slow, deep breaths.

gwafuh_rn, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2008

i will also be taking the exam next next week..im doing a lot of study in the saunders cd..hope i'll pass the 2nd take.

worrier · Feb 22, 2008

Good luck to both of us Gwafuh!

I'm also a Filipino and I know how difficult it is for us to take this sort of exam...especially for me that I qualified my nurse training years ago and nursing in UK is somewhat different from how I was trained back home.

can you share with me your last minute preparation? it might help. thanks!:)