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... )
You can pass on your first try. Just being frank, some of the stupidest people in my nursing class passed on their first try. Believe me, if they can do it so can you. I completed NCLEX with 75 questions in 20 minutes. I passed the first time. I felt like throwing up the whole time I took the test and almost did in the parking lot after I got done. I went in with the attitude that if I didn't pass it the first time, then I would try again.
Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.
Some of the test sites will occasionally ask all 500 (or however many there are) questions. I know 2 nurses that this happened to and they were in a total panic. The test took them 5 hours but both passed. I guess it's a quality assurance check or something. Many of us felt like we didn't pass- but the beauty is- you can retake the test! Good luck to you- you'll do fine.
The day before I took the test, I had the mindset of "okay, if I feel like studying, i will...if not, then oh well, I am going to relax." I passed 12 days ago with 75 questions. Thank god, becuase I don't think my GI tract could have endured another round of NCLEX woes :rotfl: . Just do your best, and I know you have probably heard this millions of times, but just relax when you are there. Go to the testing site a day or two before so you know how to get there. Then allow yourself plenty of extra time to get there the morning of the test. When are you taking them?
I couldn't agree more. Trying to re-study everything that you've done over the years in nursing school is just going to make you more frenzied and nervous. There's no way to cram it all back in. The most important thing is to practice the kinds of questions you'll find on the boards. There is a pattern to it, and once you get into the grove of what they're looking for, things are much easier.
Plus, it was a lot more fun to just sit at the computer and do practice questions for hours on end, than to have my nose in all my old nursing books.
I just passed NCLEX and I wasn't over confident,but I was advised by my mother who is an RN not to let anxiety cloud my thoughts. She said everyone who takes the test knows the content(you wouldn't have made it this far if you didn't) Usually anxiety is what causes people to fail. I prayed the night before and meditated prior to my test.I also utilized the earplugs given to me in the testing center and honed in on that exam.I didn't even look at the number of questions I had nor at the amount of time I used. Hope that helps!!!!
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... )
I passed on the first try with 75 questions. I took Kaplan's review course(though I wouldn't recommend it), I really liked the Saunder's book and cd-rom (review with Q and A), I also used Mosby's CAT. Do lots of questions, get together in a group if you can, make note cards with lab values, and put around the house, especially in the bathroom to look at "while you go". While studying try reading aloud and recording yourself, then listen as you do housework, drive, etc. I went in nervous but confident, when it cut off at 75 I was scared, but I thought I passed. Still walked to the car crying with shaky legs.
Don't you know some nurses at work, or from clinical that make you think, "If she/he passed, I know I can pass".
Hi Michelle, I passed my NCLEX on July 1 on my first try & the computer shut off after 75 questions. I had been an A student in nursing school & tested well all throughout school, but despite all that-I felt nervous going into the test. I knew I knew my nursing content & knew I prepared very well for the test. I had answered over 5000 questions from NCLEX Q & A CD-roms since I graduated in May, 2005. Going into the test, I was nervous & anxious (I kept thinking, wow, I am sitting at my actual NLCEX!!!) :) But I tried to stay as calm as possible. And during the exam, I felt like I didn't know what to think cuz my questions kept getting harder and harder & more obscure. When the computer shut off after 75, I was feeling somewhat numb & knew I either passed with flying colors or really bombed it. Thank god I got good news 48 hours later on pearson vue's web site! Those two days waiting for my results were incredibly looooooong & difficult-I literally did not know what to do with myself-I was obsessed with finding out how I did! I think most people walk out of the test feeling like it was horrible-but most do pass the first time. Good luck to you!!!! :)
Ok the first thing to do is calm down - no need in freaking out about it because odds are youll pass and if not its not the end of the world, you just take it again. I took 2 review courses and answered about 3000 questions. I also read thru a review book - just to hit the basics one more time. The day of the test I didnt feel confident and 75 questions later when the computer cut off I had no idea how i did. 1 and 1/2 weeks later I found out I passed. So just relax, buy a good review book and take a review course and you'll be fine.
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?....................................Thanks...
Michele
Hi Michele :)
I passed first time around in spite of the extreme stress I was under with all that was going on in my family life that year. God knew I would need to pass because I needed the means to support myself and children -- about to be divorced and all. Just imagine the "mindset" I was in at the time. Rough I tell you. But, I truly thank God for being with me, and helping me get through that two day all day written exam! :)
Thanks all for the great responses. I'm a little embarrassed here. :imbar Sorry I wasn't more clear (I didn't think that was possible!) but I'm still just muddling through the prereqs at this point. I won't even be looking at my nclex till probably 2009..However for me, time really does fly! (it's probably the getting older thing) I don't suffer from test anxiety per se, but I do go almost numb before any test...however I start to relax during them, when I realize I do know my stuff...I usually over study.
I had been reading a lot on the nclex forum when I posted this a while ago..and I just really became freaked out! I really do appreciate all the insight though of people's mindsets...b/c I just am not overly confident walking into any test situation even though it'll turn out I did know it...I just wondered if there were others that were the same, or if confidence somehow helps boost performance.
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
...well, our tests in clinicals were essentially N-CLEX style questions so we were used to the critical thinking, "ivory tower nursing" type questions. So I went to our local and college libraries and borrowed N-CLEX books to help study for my tests. I borrowed and bought one my last semester, that was current.
I scheduled my N-CLEX for early afternoon, and drove to Lansing, MI, about 2 hours from home. I drove there, arrived 2 hours early so I could find the place and then had lunch. The night before I went to bed for a good nights' sleep. I didn't look at anything the day of the test. I was nervous, it was the weirdest test I'd ever taken. I prayed just to stay calm and not rush thru and not to doubt myself (not easy to do for me).
I liken it to labor, it sure ain't comfortable but most of us make it :rotfl:
Don't wait too long to take the NCLEX once you get out of school. It's best to take it while you are still in that "exam" mind set. The NCLEX books are great, but I recomend getting one you can do on your computer, because that is how you take the exam.
There are certain "tricks" too. For instance, if the question asks "what should the nurse do first?" the answer is going to have to do with assessment, because that is the first step in the nursing process. Regardless of what information is thrown in to confuse you.
Do mock exams nightly, 2 or 3, by the time you are sick of them, you'll be ready to take the NCLEX. Get plenty of rest the night before. Eat a light but healthy breakfast, DO NOT LOOK AT ANYMORE QUESTIONS, TEXTBOOKS or TEST MATERIAL the day of the exam. I passed on my 1st try with 91 questions. Most of my class passed with 75 questions. If the test ends after a question you believe you answered correctly, chances are you passed. Let us know how you did!
Now why can't HE listen to that advice?
)
Just imagine the "mindset" I was in at the time. Rough I tell you. But, I truly thank God for being with me, and helping me get through that two day all day written exam! :)
schroeders_piano, RN
186 Posts
You can pass on your first try. Just being frank, some of the stupidest people in my nursing class passed on their first try. Believe me, if they can do it so can you. I completed NCLEX with 75 questions in 20 minutes. I passed the first time. I felt like throwing up the whole time I took the test and almost did in the parking lot after I got done. I went in with the attitude that if I didn't pass it the first time, then I would try again.