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

Published

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.

On 6/15/2020 at 6:26 PM, hopeful999 said:

You all raise good points. I understand wearing a mask is a necessary precaution in large public spaces, or when physical distancing is not possible, in some cities. It is difficult to comprehend doing this where I live, where the incidence is very low. They can also just ensure we are the appropriate distance apart from each other.

Perhaps I am selfish, but I do believe when it comes to a licensing exam, that the conditions should be neutral - not working against the applicant.

Another point to consider is that most hospitals and clinical environments that you are likely to work in if you pass the NCLEX will also require you to wear a mask at work. Mask wearing is the new normal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
9 hours ago, RN-to- BSN said:

How is this helping?

Thank you. And to the others who have treated me respectfully in this thread.

I did not expect this to turn into such a *** of a conversation.

Nurses really do eat their young. I'm done here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just a heads up, most hospitals require you to wear a mask during the entire shift- for all employees, not just nurses or nurses in specific jobs. If wearing a mask is a problem, you will likely have bigger problems than successfully taking NCLEX. We are definitely living in weird times, but as a nursing professionals we have to adapt- it’s just part of the gig.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I think you can adapt. If you made it this far you can make it through this hurdle. It’s crazy how fast covid PPE started to feel normal for me. You’ll be just fine!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
3 hours ago, hopeful999 said:

Thank you. And to the others who have treated me respectfully in this thread.

I did not expect this to turn into such a *** of a conversation.

Nurses really do eat their young. I'm done here.

I find them particularly yummy with tomato relish

You've come on a nursing forum complaining about having to wear a mask in the middle of an international pandemic.

It is what is is. You have several choices

- decline the mask dont do the NCLEX IMO dumbest option

- Wear the mask, use it as an excuse for not doing well during NCLEX

- Or go 'yip, this is a rubbish situation and I dont want to have to wear a mask, but gosh darn it I am going to go into this exam and do the very best I can and pass and make an awesome nurse"

I'm a fan of the last option. This is a rubbish situation, the best advice I can offer is do what you have to do to get through your exam so you can start your working life and be an awesome amazing nurse ❤️?

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 6/15/2020 at 2:10 PM, guest1059427 said:

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.

Get used to it- I wear an N95 while running around as a nurse for about 9 hours straight 5 days in a row. Maybe try practicing it at home prior for a few hours each day?-you get over it and if you do it out in public your protecting yourself and others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK guys, enough is enough. Please keep to topic. The op has already mentioned an update so no reason to keep going on about wearing a mask

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
On 6/15/2020 at 2:10 PM, guest1059427 said:

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.

In my state, masks are actually mandatory in any public place. No options. I honestly have just learned that this is the new way of life. At least things are opening back up and you CAN test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Glad you got used to wearing the mask. You will most likely encounter other things that as a new nurse may seem unpleasant, but know that with time, you will get used to them and not be bothered by them.. Good luck with your nursing career! Congratulations on all your hard work thus far!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in oncology.
On 6/15/2020 at 5:26 PM, guest1059427 said:

Perhaps I am selfish, but I do believe when it comes to a licensing exam, that the conditions should be neutral - not working against the applicant.

This is not working against you. Adding a "victim mentality" to things shows little respect for those who truly are victims. You do know it is little more than a competency exam.

During March and April, tests were canceled and many new graduates had to wait for test times to be scheduled and find the soonest they could test was several months away. Not only a lag time for applying your new knowledge but 4 - 5 months of no gainful employment.

On 6/15/2020 at 7:05 PM, angelsare44 said:

I was lucky to get a test date that was so soon because they had shut my local centers down completely for a while. All my classmates who I graduated with in May have to wait until October to test and many are very upset to have to wait that long to be licensed because the longer you go between graduating and testing the poorer the testing outcome. The testing centers where I live are only allowing 50% capacity to attempt to lower the risk of COVID transmission even in a low-incidence area. I think getting as many nurses licensed as is safe is best for communities right now and doing all we can to avoid infecting the caregivers is huge which includes masks and distancing. That being said, if it's that bothersome for you and you feel it will impact your testing performance, why not reschedule your exam for a later date and hope that they won't be requiring a mask? I hope everything works out for you!

Ah! A solution! I hope you will rethink your attitude regarding this. I hope the attitude we saw doesn't spill over into all your life activities. You are very fortunate to get to the licensing stage and I hope you have many years of productive working.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

In my state, any essential worker is required to wear a mask indoors. My husband works at a power plant in an office and has to wear them for his whole 10h shift ever since this whole thing started, even before the hospital I work at started requiring it.

Question for the people who have been wearing N95 during their whole 12-hour shift: Are you required?

We wear them in the rooms only, and I'll be honest, it's really hard to breathe especially if we are doing more physical work like bed baths and repositioning. Am I wearing them wrong?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

You should probably find another career because you’re going to have to wear a mask, for 12 hours, in the hospital so.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion