Extremely HARD TEST

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg, gynecology.

Obviously there are a million threads nearly identical to this one, but...

I took the NCLEX-PN today. Didn't study a whole lot, although I did do 25-75 practice questions each day for the last 2-3 weeks. I finished LVN school with a 4.0, and generally retain a fair amount of what I learn. Also, everyone kept telling me that the HESI (my school required students to pass the HESI in order to complete their program) was far more difficult than the NCLEX, and I passed the HESI in the 98th percentile.

After today, I don't agree with them at all. The NCLEX seemed much more tricky than the HESI. In fact, it seemed that every question posed to me left me thinking "what the ****??". I had several (maybe 4-5) calculations, TONS of SATA (which I hate with a passion), and a few related to drugs I'd never heard of. For the questions relating to drugs/disease processes I was familiar with, it seemed like there were always at least 2 correct answers. I feel almost certain that I failed.

Is there anyone who felt this way post-test and still passed? I know I need to just clear my mind and not think about it until my results are in, but I just feel so down.....I have never felt this way about a test before!

Thanks for listening.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Everyone feels the same way, and there is no place that states that this exam is just like the HESI. You may HESI call it that, but not the people that wrote the NCLEX exam.

How you did while you were in school has no bearing as to determining on how one will do on this exam; you are going to need to wait until you get your results. No way to even attempt to second guess.

Best of luck on your results.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took the NCLEX-RN today and I know how you feel. I have been studying for over a month and nothing could have prepared me for that awful test. It is a thousand wonders that there are any nurses. My husband tells me not to stress over the things that I cannot control.........he hasn't taken the NCLEX!:specs:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know I'll get slammed for this but........how one did in school having no bearing on NCLEX pretty much describes what's wrong with NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, gynecology.
I know I'll get slammed for this but........how one did in school having no bearing on NCLEX pretty much describes what's wrong with NCLEX.

Exactly. What was the point of my hard work in NS if no amount of studying could have prepared me for that dreadful exam???

The test was just a mind game. I worked hard in school, and feel like I have a thorough understanding of the nursing process, med-surg nursing, etc. But when you are given a question, and three of the four answer options are virtually identical, the exam is no longer an assessment of your ability to practice nursing, but rather a cruel torture created by some ivory-tower test writer who wants to see how well I can read his/her mind.:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Sometimes I think it is the school and how they prepare you for the exam. Someone posted on here recently that they had to do x amount each term and get over I think it was 85% each time. Hopefully they may come along and say more

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, gynecology.

Don't know how I did it, but...I passed!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Glad to hear that you passed the exam. What you were feeling is routine.

And the entire idea of the exam, is not to test you on what you have been tested on in school but to see how you will do when you are in the real world and begin your career. Everyone thinks that it is a test of what they already had in school, but it wants to see what you are going to do with the information that you already have in your head.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Congrats

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion