here i go again !!

SarasotaRN2b · Jul 2, 2008

What strategies did you use to pass in nursing school? Just passing nursing school is a pretty big accomplishment. Chances are it isn't the material but the anxiety. Is there someone you can talk with? Someone perhaps from your nursing program? Many schools have testing centers and assistance from trained personnel.

My anxiety doesn't come from taking the test, but actually after I take it and I'm waiting for the grades (LOL!).

Kris

sweetmya · Jul 2, 2008

I don't know if this is what your really looking for. But 1 of my instructors did this therapy thing on all of the students in class. At first, I thought it was cheesy and lame but then I tried it out just for the heck of it. I actually tried this therapy out before I took my exit exam and it worked. Sort of relaxed me and made me put away/aside my personal problems & helped me focus just on the exam. I will try this therapy on the day of my board exam too.

Here are the steps:

1. Sit down and relax & close your eyes

2. Inhale and exhale slowly

3. Keep your eyes closed and put all of your fears/anxiety/worries/ what ever issues you may have etc. in a BALLOON!!

4. Pop that balloon once you think your ready to move on and get on with a new life!

5. THink of all the positive things that will occur after you'll get your license. THink of future accomplishments!

Hope this helps and hopefully I made some sense lol.

IT was so much easier when the instructor did it. =) Good Luck hun.

dabmtcuRN · Jul 2, 2008

Chrisjoy,

It sounds like you know the content, it's the anxiety that gets you. I'm sure you've been to the doctor for your anxiety, what do they suggest? Have you contacted your school for help/techniques to handle the anxiety, it is their best interest to help you pass. Your positive attitude will get you there, you will get this done and be better for it, you will have a unique experience and be able to help others in the future in the same situation.

chrisjoy · Jul 2, 2008

You are so right. the Doctor wants to perscribe xanax ,for me within 3weeks before i go and retake the exam . i hope it works!! during school i took ritalin for ADD and a beta blocker for anxiety right before i took the exam and that got me through nursing school C = RN. i excell in clinicals and that is my strongest area .but now i have to conquer nclex its no joke when you get back your results from BON and in ever catagory you see near passing in all areas . As for my nursing school i'm too huminalited to ask for help all of my friends have moved on and i feel so embrassed. besides theirs was a lot of competition amongs the nursing students. so i rather stick with all nurses. com you guys are my friends. i will take any advise.thank you chrisjoy

buddiage · Jul 2, 2008

Heck, if a doc was willing to do a beta blocker, I'd try that again.

I don't admire a first time test passer like I do someone that has a "do or die" attitude like you do. You have inspired me. I have been whining about how I think I didn't pass yesterday's boards, and you come along and make me feel like a wimp!:zzzzz

Just keep it up. It sounds like it isn't content, it's anxiety- that needs to be snuffed. :twocents:

jadu1106 · Jul 2, 2008

hi chrisjoy~

You seem to know content and its test anxiety that seems to get you. (its my problem too as I will be testing for the 4th time in late sept or early oct)...have you considered hypnotherapy?? My nursing school actually actually knows someone who does it free for students who have graduated from their nursing program. I have had many people tell me it works. I personally have used beta-blockers as well....but to me it would seem like xanax would have more of an impact on your mind and do more bad than good as your testing. Talk to someone at your nursing school and see what they say....maybe they may have resources on hypnotherapy. Hope that may help you.

Good luck to you!

p.s. When do you plan to test again?

suzanne4, RN · Jul 2, 2008

My program works quite well for retesters. Looks like your issue is with your nerves and not anything else.

I would not do any other review at this time, if asking me. You just need to focus on getting thru the exam, and adding in more information to the pot makes things worse, not better.

But that is your choice.

dabmtcuRN · Jul 2, 2008

Chrisjoy,

If you try the xanax, I would make sure you take it several times in the weeks before the exam so you know how it affects you. Have you tried the beta-blocker before the nclex? Isn't it funny how we all have different experiences that get to us? For me the day before and the morning of clinicals was horrible. I would be sick, have palpitations and got to the point where I needed Clonazepam to sleep. Even though I worked 20+ yrs as an LPN I couldn't get over it. Once I got to the floor and started taking care of my patients (for clinicals) I was in my element, it was the anticipation that got me. On the other hand, I don't really have test anxiety. The hypnotherepy also sounds like a great idea!!! I have no doubt that you have the content down pat so using other test prep programs aren't your answer. We need to figure out how to tone down that anxiety, I know, easier said than done.

brwnsuga83 · Jul 2, 2008

I feel your pain, I will be re-testing for the 3rd time in August and I have been doing ok with my nerves but the fact that the exam is next month is already getting to me. I am currently using Suzanne's plan and I plan on looking for a relaxation class the day before my exam because I have very bad test anxiety. I did pretty well in nursing school which adds more to my test anxiety because I'm not used 2 failing this way, on top of that I feel like a complete failure because so many of my friends have already been working for 1 year and I'm still studying. I wish u the very best of luck, you are an inspiration to me. Please keep us posted on how you did :)

chrisjoy · Jul 2, 2008

suzanne you are so right . you just saved me from spending $550 on another review course. i took kaplan the frist year out of nursing school and for me that was a waste of money. i really believe in suzanne plan . i would recommend it to everyone because the price is right . suzanne you rock, and I thank you very much . even though things did not work out in my favor your program gave me the best review that money can buy. I know for sure it's not a content issue for me its my anxiety. and i will take care of it. Note : i wanted to tell you i had purchase learning ext. and that program is just like the boards i scored 87% on the pretest exam of 150 q. and thats was because of suzanne plans, but i fell short at the boards. guys what i'm trying to say is i have severe test anxiety . even with my own private room i still freak out. i come to understand that i'm the opposite from most people. some people need peace and quite in order to concentrate . not me it drives me nuts (ADD) lol. will i'm the opposite i get neverous because it's to quite.( LOL) .thats why i work so well in the ER drama and trauma with some blood and guts.( LOL). working ER for 8 years as a tech gave me my destiney. trust me when i say i found my purpose in life i love ER #1. :up: when i had the opportunity to work as a new grad in the emergency room i felt like a superstar.:loveya: they had no clue this was my passion . all the senior nurses would praise me," say dam your good , you know what your doing, you have a nack for this. i would just smile and say to my self i made it. you see how passionate i am about nursing . i felt so proud of myself. just writting this story makes my heart cry i have tears in my eyes.GOD why me? you guys i love my job and my career nursing is #1:heartbeat. now you know what drives me today . i promise you i will pass nclex what ever it takes. If raised 5 kids as a single parent did not bring me down, i refused to let this take anxiety/ nclex thing take me out. i love nursing with all of me and thats all i know . you guys thank you for understanding chrisjoy :redbeathe