I need tips on passing the test

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Sep 17, 2004

Maisie, stop worrying about the NCLEX. When it's time to take it, you'll do fine.

Don't even think about what you will be learning in nursing school right now.

Your job as a prenursing student is to learn the material in front of you. Pay attention to what you are learning in A&P and Micro. But you do not have to learn in such detail and with such intensity that you will be able to ace a test in two or three years, just pass the test coming up. That is more than enough.

And don't even worry about how it all fits in with what you will be doing next semester or next year.

All you have to do is what you are doing right now, and you will be building the foundation for what is to come.

Trust in the system that has been preparing nurses since the late 1940's. (You did say you were going to an ADN program--that's when those started.) It works! You do not have to worry about whether you will arrive at your destination when you first start out, right? You worry about putting one foot down and the the next and then the first and then the next. If you don't do that, you can forget about your destination all together!

I just took the NCLEX and pased it comfortably. You will too. Trust yourself! When the time comes, you will recall what you need to know, in the manner in which you need to know it.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2004

I agree with Chris at Lucas RN. If you do well in the pre-reqs you will do well in nursing school and on the NCLEX. There is no magic bullet for passing NCLEX. More than 80% of people who take it pass the first time. What you are learning now will be added to the new knowledge you gain and by the time you graduate they synthesize into nursing knowledge and skill. It all comes together in the end. So just concentrate on doing your best now. BTW, nurses tend to be compulsive, like you seem to be. We often have to bring down the anxiety level of our colleagues. You sound like a good conscientious nurse already.

NurseKate · Sep 17, 2004

I agree with what everyone is saying...focus on what's in front of you right now and make the most of it. You will find, however that your education really builds on itself. There will be things you will learn and not retain, but there are so many things that you will hear over and over again or see so many times that it will just get stuck in your brain. The tendency is that you will learn new things that will build off of your previous knowledge. The thing about nursing is you learn so much while at the same time find out that there's so much more out there you don't know. There's constant learning in the field.

It may be helpful to study in small groups with people to really get the information stuck in your head. That is usually helpful to those who are able to concentrate in small groups. Other suggestions are to make flashcards of meds and basic concepts you need to learn. Sometimes hearing some else's perspective on the material makes it all click better so it sticks in your head. I'd also recommend that you don't wait until the last minute to start studying for the NCLEX. As you go through your nursing courses study out of the NCLEX prep books or CD ROMs so you start reviewing the information and get used to the NCLEX format. Our professors also helped us by including NCLEX prep questions on their exams for class. If your professors don't do that then maybe you could suggest that they try including some if you think it will help.

Good luck to you. Seems like you don't have to worry about the NCLEX now seeing as you are working through your pre-req classes, but try to retain that information because it will come back to haunt you later as a nursing student and even in your career. :)

zambezi, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2004

I agree with what everyone else is saying....relax for now and concentrate on school (at least try to relax while concentrating on school)....you need to pass your classes before taking "the test"...

that said...always remember your ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) you patient priorites will come back to these things...also work on your prioritization...why would you check person a before b, practice your thinking skills, learn and remember delegation--who can do what and what is in your scope of practice...most of all--have fun!! Find a group of people that you enjoy and can accomplish your goals with...make the information you learn meaningful to you...find your own learning style and system and to help you remember the basics...remember how things relate to one another...you don't necessarily have to remember everything from A to Z (even though it might feel like it)...Always be thinking, "what can I expect next" (with patho/meds/a new admit, etc...it dosen't matter)

Anyway, good luck, you will do fine, worry about the NCLEX later..you have plenty of tests inbetween to think about for now!!

Maisie · Sep 18, 2004

Thanks to all for your tips.