How do I know if I'm ready for NCLEX???

caliotter3 · Jul 13, 2010

You don't. You find out you are ready if you pass it. Nobody feels they are ready before they have taken it. Good luck.

Mommycakers · Jul 13, 2010

I did not feel ready, but I took it and passed. I wanted to reschedule, too, but I just stayed with my original date because no one around me wanted me to put it off. My concern was that I didn't have enough time to go over Meds as I would have liked. I think that for this kind of test, it is just hard ever to feel ready. You said you did a Kaplan review course, so does that mean you did the Qbank questions everyone talks about? If you decide to put it off, I recommend the LaCharity book and taking the extra time to relax. Good Luck!

Badger4lfe262 · Jul 13, 2010

Remember, the longer you put it off, the more information you will probably forget and the more anxious you will become. Make sure you know your lab values and common endings for drugs. Other than that, it sounds like you are doing lots of questions. NCLEX is like children. If you wait until you are ready, you will never do it.

Good luck, remember, the worst part of NCLEX day is all the dang palm scanning and fingerprints, the rest you have practiced all through school to do.

anggelRN · Jul 13, 2010

I was not sure I was ready for the NCLEX. I took Kaplan only as a review course. I got an average of 60% on my Qbank questions. I passed the NCLEX with 75 questions and did not find it difficult. Don't stress; all you can do is prepare. Take care and best wishes.

Leonardo Del Toro, RN · Jul 13, 2010

You are taking the test tomorrow, so now just try to relax, but don't go to the gym before the test for that is a profound mistake, your HR will go up and never come down. All I can say besides good luck is: you are either there or you are not. There is no mistake with the NCLEX. If you are there, bingo, if you are almost there...than next time you will pass. Don't worry if you are freaking out. I think freaking out is better than if you are too relaxed or over confident, trust me.

howcanthisb · Jul 13, 2010

Thanks so much for your thoughts and good wishes, everyone. I love all of the constant, undying support on this site. It truly is a community like no other. :):redpinkhe:redbeathe

I feel better knowing that many, or maybe even most, never truly feel ready. It's good to know that I'm not alone. Maybe it's just the great fear of the unknown that has me more neurotic and anxiety-ridden than ever before. With our NSG school exams, we know the content we'll be tested on, and we probably even have been given a good test plan from our instructors. With the NCLEX, it's anyone's guess. I know there are lots of fundamentals-type questions, so I have spent a reasonable amount of time studying things like proper posting for different illnesses and have spent countless hours on Infection Control, as everyone says that is a vast area for questions and focused on delegation, yada yada yada just to refresh my memory. But there is so much that is just a big unknown, so I am so freaked not knowing what to expect or how the day will go. Could I possibly have reviewed (and will I remember) every possible disease, condition, med, etc., that I might get a question on? Did I study enough? Just very scary, as you all know. I even have myself all worked up because someone told me we couldn't bring water in, and I am ALWAYS thirsty. I carry water everywhere. So now that has me all worked up. (Is that true, by the way?)

But as for today, I am reviewing stuff for the last time. I will try to get to bed at a decent hour. I test at 8:est and have an hour's drive to get there, so I'll be at them very early. I don't think I'll have the courage to do the Pearson trick when I return, but we'll see. Thanks again for the kind words and the encouragement. I will post my results once I know how I did. And GOOD LUCK to all of you when you sit. (I can't wait til this is all behind me.)

Mommycakers · Jul 13, 2010

You can bring water with you, just not in the testing room. They will give you a locker with a key to put your stuff in, like a purse, snack, or drink. You have to raise your hand each time you feel like you need a break for a drink, and the test escort will walk you out of the room. Every break you take counts against your time; you get two scheduled breaks if you choose to take them. I didn't take a break because it shut off at 75; I planned to take the first break offered to get to my diet coke. You will be fine.

USRN2Be · Jul 13, 2010

I feel the same way too! I am taking it this August, and working full time, having a baby, and studying is hard, but I am keeping it positive. Good luck to us!

butching15 · Jul 13, 2010

I'm taking NCLEX RN in August too. I'm a full-time mom (3 yr old kid), and I keep on my mind to become positive, and I can do it. I'll pray for you, and keep us posted.