Failed NCLEX due to anxiety! Need new review course!!

Lisa.fnp · Jul 21, 2016

I too suffer in the past from test anxiety. A product called GABA might be worth considering. It's technically an amino acid sold in vitamin and health stores. I'm not suggesting to take this product but their is products available that claims it can help with anxiety. GABA For Anxiety

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Jul 21, 2016

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and we appreciate your honesty. It seems like you have the right mind set but need some guidance to maintain it when stress levels are high. I suggest listening to "self- compassion meditation" everyday. Its a way to let go the thoughts of not feeling good enough and being okay with yourself. This test does not define who you are or will never take away the joy you have inside to be a great nurse. You have to believe in yourself and give yourself compassion. *hug* Its off subject but remember when you were a young child and you were fearless? Invite her back into your life. I may be a little off but sometimes we need to be encouraged to others in a deeper level to overcome obstacles. You will do fine just give yourself to forgive and forget this moment go and learn from it. Its the past and now in the present create a plan. stress comes when you feel overwhelmed with big things...create a plan filled with small chunks and goals and study a little at a time. nclex questions have distractors and traps for you to get the answer wrong. learn those first if you need to understand why the traps and distractors are wrong and why the correct answer is right. Tell yourself you are still proud of yourself and see you at the top!!

Yogsdaleo,RN · Jul 21, 2016

Thanks!! I appreciate your advice. I'm actually ok with myself and confident I will pass. What I'm not ok with is little small spaces. And feeling trapped. I felt like I was going to get up and leave when I took my break. I suffer from anxiety already.

I know how to answer the questions. My readiness on Kaplan was 62, and majority of my scores on Uworld were high 60s.

I just want to know another review course to take me thru these 45 days because 300 questions isn't going to hold me!!!

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Jul 21, 2016

Uworld has SATA and priority questions which are weighed more on nclex exams. The only qbank that i used was UWORLD. Hopefully you find what you are looking for :)

Yogsdaleo,RN · Jul 21, 2016

Uworld has SATA and priority questions which are weighed more on nclex exams. The only qbank that i used was UWORLD. Hopefully you find what you are looking for :)

I was hoping for something to go along with this. I have it already with only 300 questions left. And 45 days til exam day!! :wideyed:

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Jul 21, 2016

That is plenty of time for you:) create a study plan. Go over what you are weak and build each day. If you have the money reorder a 30 day UWORLD if possible for the full 1800+ questions. It will be worth it to get the best question bank that is harder than nclex questions since you are great at knowing what the question is asking and understand how the body systems work together. I'm sorry but I didn't use Hurst or Saunders so I cant speak on NCLEX study tools. during study time practice timing yourself and utilizing your anxiety stress reliever as if you are taking the actual exam. :)

Yogsdaleo,RN · Jul 21, 2016

during study time practice timing yourself and utilizing your anxiety stress reliever as if you are taking the actual exam. :)

I wish I could put myself in a small room and take practice questions! :)

Guest957596 · Jul 21, 2016

If you need drugs to take a test, you don't need to be a nurse. You can't take drugs to handle the stress of taking care of people.

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ducky2000, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

What you described was how I felt the first time I took the test. At times the whole screen would get blurry. I initially wanted to see an MD to help with my anxiety, but didn't have health insurance at the time. (which is why I turned to this method). Also most of my money went to pay for my review classes and NCLEX. I

For the second try, I practiced for ~three weeks before my test on breathing techniques and watched mindfulness medication videos on youtube.

I know it sounds odd to practice for a month on meditation and breathing, but I needed for it to become somewhat second nature. I would do this also before and during my uworld exams. I also did Lacharity questions, as well.

The day before the exam, I made sure I was well rested and listened to a meditation vid before I went to sleep. On the day of the exam, I made sure I had a good breakfast (no caffeine) and was 2 hours early before the test center (listened to a meditation vid again and worked on breathing). During the test, whenever I felt my heart start to race, I would stop looking at the screen, start deep breathing and remember the words I heard from the anxiety meditation vid (mindfulness helps you focus on the present). You can read more about it here:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/mindfulness-996224.html

Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress - Harvard Health Blog - Harvard Health Publications

At the end of the test, I knew that I passed (that was around Feb this year). First time i took it, I think I went all the up to 261-264 Second time passed with 75 or 76.

As for which review is good, I would wait until you get your test results from the boards, because you will know which areas you need to work on. It's hard to say which review course is good because it depends on how you learn and whether or not you need to focus on content or how to answer the question (or even both).

I initially used ATI, hurst, and saunders. ATI and hurst were really helpful for me with content, but not so much with how to answer the questions. My only non passing area was "Safe and Effective Care Environment" and I had alot of SATA on my exam. For the second try, I used Kaplan and excell. Excell was great review for content, but kaplan helped me answer questions with the decision tree. I'm also audio/visual type of learner and and focus better in a class environment.

I also signed on for another two months of UWORLD and finished the 700 new questions that were left. After I was done, I would redo all incorrect questions and any topics I got below 50%. Also, uworld seems to add new questions to their qbank every couple of days and I utilized that. I also work on lacharity questions as well. I used those techniques that I learned in kaplan and applied it to uworld and lacharity questions. It helped immensely.

I hope that helps and good luck!

IGOTMYBSN28 · Jul 21, 2016

IMHO - BoardVitals is TERRIBLE!!! Please don't waste your money on that. Just keep doing UWORLD over and over and over and over and... you get the point.

Yogsdaleo,RN · Jul 21, 2016

If you need drugs to take a test, you don't need to be a nurse. You can't take drugs to handle the stress of taking care of people.
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If you read carefully, because it's fundamental, my fear is enclosed spaces! And please. I know people who have taken meds to relax for a test because they have a fear of them. And FYI, I already work in a hospital. ER to be exact. And have no issues dealing with crazy and stressful situations.