For all the RN's that passed nclex on 1st shot

cube · Jun 17, 2005

According to the Pearson webpage, Approx. 80% of people who take the NCLEX pass it on the first try, so don't be discouraged. You will do fine, and it is ok to be confident. It will save you a lot of needless worry and maybe help you on test day. Many people fail due to test anxiety.

TypicalFish · Jun 17, 2005

How did you do it?
I thought about posting this in the nclex forum, but it seems more people are freaked and/or comforting each other and those that need to take it several times.
I think it's possible to pass on the first try, (please say it's possible) but what I'm getting at is what was your mindset? Did you go in confident or is that impossible with this test? I'm familiar with the content as I've read numerous posts on it, and I've even leafed through Springhill's book at the bookstore, I plan to start getting the various books around Christmas b/c I want to try to read a little each year, but maybe that's impossible.
Right now even though I'm doing well, I also feel these are basic classes and something would be seriously wrong if I couldn't do well! :chuckle I go into my tests, prepared, but still a bit nervous, I generally have a feeling for how well I've done, but I'm wondering for those that passed nclex on the 1st try, did you go in with a kick a** attitude, or did you think "oh I hope I pass". I fall to the later catagory even though I'm doing well...I like not being overly confident for some reason..and it seems to work well for me! Perhaps I have self esteem issues? :uhoh21: ...or perhaps I should just stop studying Psych...those folks ARE a bunch of nut jobs.
Sometimes I think being overconfident can also be deadly with tests and that's really at the core of what I'm getting at. Ex: I'm doing well with my Psych tests, I felt pretty confident about my next one, but I go online and take mock tests and really bombed! Either my cc is really dumbed down, or it matters what version is being taught! My son said just don't get cocky and study more! Now why can't HE listen to that advice?
Thanks...(and sorry you guys for my uber long posts...I just like to be clear ...I'm trying to give as much background so you understand the why's and what not but maybe it's TMI!...and once I get typing...I can just fill up space!)...my mom always did want me to be a writer (see? there I go again... )
Michele

Michele;

-I am like you, and not overly confident-It is too hard of a course of study to feel super-confident/even though I did well

-most people pass on the first try :balloons:

-find out what the passing rate is for your school-mine was 98.6% so it gave me some peace of mind

-If you are a good student, and handle tests well, in all likely hood that will carry you over

-I can assure you that you will likely feel like you failed it, or feel like you have no idea how you did after taking the NCLEX-every nurse I knew told me that that's the way that the felt; and I felt the same way, as did all of my friends---and we all passed in 75

-think application of knowledge interwoven with knowing your facts

Good Luck

Peace

Dawn

LET ME HOW YOU DID/[email protected]

mommatrauma, RN · Jun 17, 2005

I did about 100 questions every night from an Nclex review book for about 3 wks...the week before the test I put the books away...the closer it got the more I worried and the less information I retained...so to stop from confusing what I already knew...I put the books away...I did not open them for the entire last week...I did not sleep the night before my test...too nervous...I thought I was going to vomit the whole ride there...I took the test...I had no idea how I did...I cried all the way home, probably just all the pent up stress and the relief that it was finally over...A few days later, called the nursing board and I passed....1st time...It is stressful, short of loading up on benzo's its very difficult to relax...and I am a very laid back person....Just remember...deep breaths, and take your time....don't read into the questions...If you hear horses, don't look for zebras....Good luck!!

TypicalFish · Jun 17, 2005

I did about 100 questions every night from an Nclex review book for about 3 wks...the week before the test I put the books away...the closer it got the more I worried and the less information I retained...so to stop from confusing what I already knew...I put the books away...I did not open them for the entire last week...I did not sleep the night before my test...too nervous...I thought I was going to vomit the whole ride there...I took the test...I had no idea how I did...I cried all the way home, probably just all the pent up stress and the relief that it was finally over...A few days later, called the nursing board and I passed....1st time...It is stressful, short of loading up on benzo's its very difficult to relax...and I am a very laid back person....Just remember...deep breaths, and take your time....don't read into the questions...If you hear horses, don't look for zebras....Good luck!!

I agree-I did a total of about 3,000 questions-but the last week or so, I just began to get confused and put the books away

stillsmilin · Jun 18, 2005

Michele,

I passed the NCLEX last year on the 1st try, and so do app. 80% of all nurses that take the exam. That statistic alone should calm your nerves. All I did to study was buy a NCLEX review cd-rom that would give rationales for answers that I missed. They guaranteed that you pass the 1st time or your money back! Most nursing schools begin preparing you from day one for the NCLEX. The exams that seem so difficult at first are designed to have a format similar to questions as they will appear on the NCLEX. So, good luck and I hope this will help you sleep a little better.

How did you do it?
I thought about posting this in the nclex forum, but it seems more people are freaked and/or comforting each other and those that need to take it several times.
I think it's possible to pass on the first try, (please say it's possible) but what I'm getting at is what was your mindset? Did you go in confident or is that impossible with this test? I'm familiar with the content as I've read numerous posts on it, and I've even leafed through Springhill's book at the bookstore, I plan to start getting the various books around Christmas b/c I want to try to read a little each year, but maybe that's impossible.
Right now even though I'm doing well, I also feel these are basic classes and something would be seriously wrong if I couldn't do well! :chuckle I go into my tests, prepared, but still a bit nervous, I generally have a feeling for how well I've done, but I'm wondering for those that passed nclex on the 1st try, did you go in with a kick a** attitude, or did you think "oh I hope I pass". I fall to the later catagory even though I'm doing well...I like not being overly confident for some reason..and it seems to work well for me! Perhaps I have self esteem issues? :uhoh21: ...or perhaps I should just stop studying Psych...those folks ARE a bunch of nut jobs.
Sometimes I think being overconfident can also be deadly with tests and that's really at the core of what I'm getting at. Ex: I'm doing well with my Psych tests, I felt pretty confident about my next one, but I go online and take mock tests and really bombed! Either my cc is really dumbed down, or it matters what version is being taught! My son said just don't get cocky and study more! Now why can't HE listen to that advice?
Thanks...(and sorry you guys for my uber long posts...I just like to be clear ...I'm trying to give as much background so you understand the why's and what not but maybe it's TMI!...and once I get typing...I can just fill up space!)...my mom always did want me to be a writer (see? there I go again... )
Michele

nursejennie76 · Jun 18, 2005

Well I passed on the first try just 2 weeks ago. And to be honest I had not looked at anything nursing since my last final exam. I had taken the NCLEX-PN before so maybe that helped with the confidence. My friend who graduated by the skin of her teeth passed on the first try also.

Mystery5 · Jun 18, 2005

I'm good at taking tests. My school had a 98% pass rate anyways. I took a prep course offered by my school. I excelled at the academic portion of nursing.

Nurseboy1 · Jun 18, 2005

I took a review course, and studied with my classmates prior to taking the NCLEX. I signed up for my test in Wilmington, on purpose. I went down the night before and didn't take a single book with me. I swam in the pool the entire evening. I woke early took the test knowing that I would know the information, or wouldn't and after it was over I went straight to the beach and laid out for a couple of hours.

BTW I passed at 75, don't stress it'll only make it easier to be confused with test questions.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2005

I dont know that anyone is "confident" about NCLEX. I went in nervous, but resigned that i had done all i could to pass. I felt totally exhausted when i left (i had 76 questions) and thought i would toss the cookies in the parking lot. Ive never felt like that after a test in my life.

Go in knowing you have done all you can and do the best you can. God willing and the river dont rise you will come out on the first try. Good luck and remember you only have to pass it once and you wont ever have to take it again.

grimmy, RN · Jun 18, 2005

i, too, passed on the first try, and it was a new version of the test, too. i took a 2 day review course, which gives really good tips on basic test-taking skills (definitely a plus) and those pesky "pick the best answer" types of questions. i think that going over 10-20 test questions per day is a good way to go. i don't study well with other folks around, so i prefer just my quiet spot at home. and, of course, because of the way the test works, my test shut off after the 75 questions, so i knew i either a) really passed or b) really failed!! i sweated it out for 2 days until i found out.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2005

1. Take N-CLEX as soon as possible after graduation, while it's all fresh in your mind and you're still in a test-taking mode from finals, etc.

2. Do not try to cram the night before the test, you'll just get yourself more panicked.

3. Do practice tests in the weeks leading up the the boards - I honestly would spend more time on this than actually studying the material. Practice, practice, practice!!!

4. Read the question, read all the answers, and if your gut tells you one of them is correct, choose it and MOVE ON. Do NOT overanalyze every single question!!! This will make you more confused and it will take you forever to finish. Most of the people I know who didn't pass on the first try ran out of time or were there for hours, obsessing over each answer. My friends and I who passed trusted our instincts - I had 84 questions and the test took me about an hour, so less than one minute per question on average!

5. For the questions you don't have a gut feeling about, try to eliminate two of the answers right away. Then for the remaining ones, prioritize - this is why doing tons of practice tests helps.

6. Finally, remember, there is ALWAYS something you can do for the patient BEFORE calling the doc or other staff members for help. Remember Airway-Breathing-Circulation.

Good luck!!!