H-E-L-P...taking NCLEX October 11

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Your friend is right. Don't delay the NCLEX. It won't help.

Studying a lot of content probably won't help a lot. Learning to think critically is the key. Remember, most of those questions will have more than one correct answer, and it's up to you to think through and find the right answer.

Dont' get heavily into the pathophysiology of things. Think nursing interventions and priorities.

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I am taking the NCLEX October 11 and I am only on Chapter 9 (of roughly 72 chapters). I have studied off and on, but not hard-core. I was reading every detail of the chapters, for instance, with ABG's, the chapter starts out by telling what electrolytes, ions, etc are. My former classmate told me that she goes over the major areas, so with ABG's, she would be sure to know what the s/s are of certain imbalances, and how to interpret ABG's. Do you all agree? I mean at the rate that I'm going, there is no way that I can finish the book. I graduated roughly a month ago (for whatever that's worth). Also, I work night shift, so I don't really study on the days that I work (3 days of the week). I was thinking of moving my date to later in October. The classmate that I mentioned said that I should keep the date that I have, b/c extending the date will only prolong my anxiety. I'm thinking I might keep the date, and with the remaining time that I have until my test, try to focus my studying on the major areas, and not go so in depth. Plus, in the past when exams were postponed, I didn't study any more than I did before the postponement....know what I mean? Tell me what your thoughts are...study for the remaining roughly 3 weeeks, or change the test date to later in October-that is, if there is a date still available b/c they seem to be filling up fast. Thanks a lot. Sorry this was so long.

Oh, I've also heard stories of people who studied for only TWO weeks b/f taking their test..if there are any of you who did that, how did you cover so much information in only 2 weeks time? You must have been honor students throughout the nursing program!

What my nursing school did, was have all the seniors take a diagnostic test. This test helped identify one's strenghs and weakneses in OB, patho, peds etc. I also studied on my own and with friends.

I was a dean list student, but that doesn't have anything to do with passing or not. Many honor students flunk the test. I passed the first time because I practiced a lot. My last semester in nursing school my kids and husband did not see me. Really. But they understood and were very supportive.

The NCLEX is not a memorization exam. Some people go in to the testing center thinking that it is like the exams in school, where one answer is the correct answer. Memorizing is not the name of the game.

If you do decide to postpone your test date, be aware that some testing centers will not let you reschedule after 24 hours or whatever their policy is.

I recommend investing in a good study guide that has one of those diagnostic discs and keep practicing as many test questions as you can. Enlist the help of your peers by forming a study group and ask each other NCLEX questions. When you feel ready to take the test go for it.

I wish you much success and remember to think positive. Tell yourself that you will pass. Do not worry if you end up taking all of the questions. AS LONG AS YOU ARE ANSWERING QUESTIONS YOU ARE STILL IN THE GAME. Some people have the standard 75 questions others have the max. Don't start panicking if your neighbor is done in 1 hour or less or more. Focus on your test .

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What my nursing school did, was have all the seniors take a diagnostic test. This test helped identify one's strenghs and weakneses in OB, patho, peds etc. I also studied on my own and with friends.

I was a dean list student, but that doesn't have anything to do with passing or not. Many honor students flunk the test. I passed the first time because I practiced a lot. My last semester in nursing school my kids and husband did not see me. Really. But they understood and were very supportive.

The NCLEX is not a memorization exam. Some people go in to the testing center thinking that it is like the exams in school, where one answer is the correct answer. Memorizing is not the name of the game.

If you do decide to postpone your test date, be aware that some testing centers will not let you reschedule after 24 hours or whatever their policy is.

I recommend investing in a good study guide that has one of those diagnostic discs and keep practicing as many test questions as you can. Enlist the help of your peers by forming a study group and ask each other NCLEX questions. When you feel ready to take the test go for it.

I wish you much success and remember to think positive. Tell yourself that you will pass. Do not worry if you end up taking all of the questions. AS LONG AS YOU ARE ANSWERING QUESTIONS YOU ARE STILL IN THE GAME. Some people have the standard 75 questions others have the max. Don't start panicking if your neighbor is done in 1 hour or less or more. Focus on your test .

Cyberkat is SOOO RIGHT. Focus on prioritization and nursing interventions.

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I agree with cyberkat. I basically flipped throught the NCLEX studyguide for about 3 days...I then took 3 practices tests, 2 of which were on CD-ROM (with rationales). I also went over things that i was not too sure about. Truthfully i think you will never feel prepared for the test, changing the date will only make you more nervous and be a big headache. Do lots of practice questions!! Good luck!

Pearl

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I took the NCLEX on September 10. In retrospect, the material on the test was nothing I could have prepared for in two weeks or twenty weeks. When I walked out that door after 75 questions, I absolutely, positively knew the answer to...1 question. With the other 74, I applied the Kaplan test taking strategies (Maslow, ABC's, rule of opposites, etc).

If you got through nursing school you already have the knowledge base. What you need to know is how to take the test.

The guy who graduated third in our nursing class failed NCLEX. The girl who graduated at the bottom passed. The guy didn't use a Testing Study Guide, the girl used HESI.

A HESI review was part of our last week of school but I didn't particularly like it. Kaplan made more sense to me.

Good luck!

oldnewnurse, RN

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Listen to everyone. Also, remember, you've been through the program so you don't need to relearn all the content. Trust it is packed away in your brain. Practice, practice, practice questions.

The only memorizing you should do are normal ranges of lab values (ABG's, K+, Na+, H&H, etc...) and some common drugs. When used those things determine if you know your stuff and can make the appropriate CLIENT FOCUSED decision on action.

Keep the date. Good luck!

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The only memorizing you should do are normal ranges of lab values (ABG's, K+, Na+, H&H, etc...) and some common drugs. When used those things determine if you know your stuff and can make the appropriate CLIENT FOCUSED decision on action.

Keep the date. Good luck!

Yep!. Thanks babynursewannab for the correction.!! I should of not said "not memorize..." My mistake.

You should memorize these important lab values.

all of us want you to pass!!!!!! And you will!!!!:)

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At my school, we did that mock NCLEX test also (sounds like the Hesi) that some of you mentioned.

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I took the NCLEX about three weeks after I graduated. Didn't study a bit. By now you know it or you don't. Just take it and then breath out.:)

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