I can't believe this - wearing a mask during the test?

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I'm really upset now that I found out we have to wear a mask while we write the NCLEX. I overheat easily and believe this is going to negatively impact my performance. How is this fair?! If they're that worried they should just postpone the exam. I wonder if any other professions (law, medicine, accounting..) are requiring their candidates to wear a mask during their licensing exam. I doubt it.

For what it’s worth, I just want to say that I had to wear a mask for the first time during a 12h shift. And it realllyyy wasnt that bad. I just got panicky when I heard that about NCLEX. Never having done it before, I jumped to the conclusion it would be unbearable. Not unlike me to jump to worst possible scenarios - I know I need to chill.

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You'll be fine, don't start psyching yourself out. Start practicing with a surgical mask or cloth mask. I wear an N-95 with a surgical mask for 12 hours each shift while being extremely active.

Keep in mind, you're a beacon for the community to look to as a role model on public health. Also keep in mind, you are taking the NCLEX so that you may enter the nursing workforce, in which case you WILL be required to wear a mask.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
18 hours ago, hopeful999 said:

For what it’s worth, I just want to say that I had to wear a mask for the first time during a 12h shift. And it realllyyy wasnt that bad. I just got panicky when I heard that about NCLEX. Never having done it before, I jumped to the conclusion it would be unbearable. Not unlike me to jump to worst possible scenarios - I know I need to chill.

Going forward in the future, you may want to be cautious about throwing around the "its not fair" complaint. I'm glad you were able to gain some perspective with this scenario.

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Specializes in ER.

If you are concerned about sitting at a desk wearing a mask, how are you planning to work 12 hour shifts in an N95?

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On 6/17/2020 at 1:31 PM, hopeful999 said:

For what it’s worth, I just want to say that I had to wear a mask for the first time during a 12h shift. And it realllyyy wasnt that bad. I just got panicky when I heard that about NCLEX. Never having done it before, I jumped to the conclusion it would be unbearable. Not unlike me to jump to worst possible scenarios - I know I need to chill.

I'm glad you figured out it is doable for you. Masks are annoying, but are required everywhere in this line of work at the moment (as far as I know). Best of luck to you with your exam!

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Specializes in LTC.

I feel your pain. Having to wear masks everywhere is getting to be overkill.

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Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

Try a cloth mask! Much more comfortable. Best of luck with your exam. we are rooting for you!

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
On 6/15/2020 at 6:28 PM, hopeful999 said:

Why can't they just space us further apart? Probably because they'd lose money doing so.

No, I'm not sure I'm in the right profession. I understand what you are saying - but there are many different types of nursing jobs - some may/may not require a mask. Some people don't live in areas that are highly affected, and people deserve a fair chance to write a licensing exam without discomfort.

How do you think you will cope when you have to wear a mask for an entire 8 or 12 hour shift?

Why are you that uncertain in your nursing knowledge you think having to wear a mask for a few hours is going to stop you from doing your best

You live in a country with over 2 million infected with covid, and over 110,000 dead. Many states are showing a marked resurgence in infection rates.

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7 hours ago, Tenebrae said:

How do you think you will cope when you have to wear a mask for an entire 8 or 12 hour shift?

Why are you that uncertain in your nursing knowledge you think having to wear a mask for a few hours is going to stop you from doing your best

You live in a country with over 2 million infected with covid, and over 110,000 dead. Many states are showing a marked resurgence in infection rates.

So I made a more recent post in this thread saying that I realized I overreacted. But fwiw, I don’t live in the USA

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Specializes in SCRN.
On 6/15/2020 at 5:27 PM, RNmmg said:

If you aren't able to wear a mask while sitting quietly at a computer, are you sure you are in the right profession?

How is this helping?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Being in an area that has a low incidence of COVID is truly a blessing. The question is, how do you know that the person sitting next to you or in the same room as you has not been exposed? There have been reports of individuals denying exposure so that they could board a plane, only to later be revealed as COVID positive persons who then exposed everyone on that plane for their own selfish reasons.

When I was in nursing school back in the early 80s, my instructor told us, "if it's wet and it's not your's, wear gloves. That advice has guided my practice to this very day. Basically, this statement means that when it comes to contagion and protection, we should not put too much trust in anyone but ourselves.?

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On 6/16/2020 at 1:57 PM, meanmaryjean said:

Right now- nearly 100% of nursing jobs require a mask- despite the local conditions. You are being given a fair chance because EVERYONE has to wear one. Also- you get fewer questions to pass so...

....and I sometimes have a hard time envisioning offices re-opening that don't look like medical clinics! Why should they be any different? Shouldn't all professions basically be wearing masks?

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