I can't pass the NCLEX style tests!

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I am a first year ADN nursing student with hopes to obtain my BSN right after. I am a registered medical assistant, worked in an Internal Medicine office for a year without a single nurse on staff, and realized I wanted to become a nurse more then anything. I got A's in all my MA classes, did many tasks nurses do in the office setting, and continued taking my pre-req's for nursing. I was lucky to be accepted into the first college I applied for, out of state unfortunatly, as Maine where I was residing had a huge wait list. So my husband and I packed up and in less then a month moved to NY to allow me to achieve my dream of becoming an RN. I already have so much knowledge the lectures and clinicals this first semester are review for me. Problem is I'm offically not passing right now. Our tests are NCLEX style to prepare us for the real test when we graduate. I know the information and study really hard but can't pass the questions. I also only got a 70 out of 100 on my math for meds test. We had to self teach ourselves off a CD without a lecture on it. I have never been good at math. Now I am sitting with tutors until I can re-take the math test, and if I don't pass it I can't advance to semester two when we go to the hospital. I also am sitting with the learning center to get help with test taking skills. I bought an NCLEX review book and will be practicing out of that as well. I just feel so upset about this, I did not set out to fail. I made my family up and move and I'm blowing it all. Everytime I take a test I feel so anxious as if my life depends on it. My peers all are getting grades and making comment like "You don't even need to really know the information to pass you just have to study the question." This sounds crazy to me however, I am the one struggling to pass. I know I can become a great nurse, I have no other life plan for what I wan't to do...Sorry this is so long..but does anyone have this problem? Advice or suggestions that helped you?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

The only advice I can add is to practice, practice and more practice from different NCLEX study guides. Most also have a section dedicated to test taking skills that should be helpful. If there is anyway you can try to lower your anxiety, not easy I'm sure, when testing that can only help.

The thing that kind of sticks out to me however with regard to the math is that shouldn't really have anything to do with the style of the exam. Make sure you are 100% sure of how to do the calculations or you won't be able to pass. The good news is that once you have memorized the ways to do the math you will be golden. Good luck.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

If your school has a learning center, ask them if they have any experience with special needs students such as where you might be able to go to get diagnosed/tested etc., and what assistance they can offer you generally on how to manage a potential learning disability. I know this sounds a little radical, but I think if you truly have special needs, then the sooner you have them identified and get the help you need, the sooner you will start to become successful. Clearly, you are smart and quick on your feet learning practical things, but it would be a terrible shame if you failed out because of something you cannot help. Be open with them, and ask them what resources they have that might help you.

Good luck, and don't give up on yourself.

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

kris-

there are tons of threads addressing study and test taking skills for nclex questions and there is a sticky for nursing math.

as for unit tests, i limit my study time to 2-3 hrs/day, prereading (skimming) the units before class and selective rereading afterward. i had to learn how to relax, and acknowledge that just because this is "my job" i don't need to (and shouldn't) put in 40-50hrs/week. good listening in class, and quality, focused studying is the answer for me.

testing advice from saunders, "strategies for success for the nclex-rn examination", i faithfully review (the only studying on test day) them on test day just as a reminder and to take my mind off of all of the "what is this ...?", "did you study that ...?" chatter that comes with test day. then i close my eyes, take deep breaths and go to the beach until the tests are being passed out.

1. avoid reading into the question

2. look for key words like early, late, best, first, initial, immediately, most likely, least likely ...

3. prioritize using abcs and/or maslow's hierarchy.

4. identify true or false response questions. "... it is determined the pt needs reinforcement of discharge instructions if he states" is looking for a false or negative statement.

"what action would the nurse take next?" is looking for a true or positive statement.

5. theraputic communication questions always focus on the pt, pt's family, feelings, concerns, anxieties or fears.

6. eliminate similar options. if options are pursuing the same idea both can be eliminated. the one correct option frequently is the one that is different.

7. eliminate options with absolute words like all, always, every, must, none, never.

8. look for the umbrella option. thats the one answer that is more general and encompasses other correct responses that are provided.

9. use guidelines for delegation and assignment making questions.

there is a more indepth list of these principles in the saunders comprehensive review (4th ed in ch. 5).

there are also sticky threads at the top of the page- https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/looking-test-taking-stratagies-224581.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/nursing-math-thread-264395.html

and here are 2 sources for free nclex questions- http://www.learningext.com/students/qofweek.asp

http://www3.us.elsevierhealth.com/cgi-bin/mosby/cdonline/saxton/question

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Just wanted to add that I finally passed my math for meds, and the 1st semester. I did get the help that I needed, and focused extremely hard. Next semester is my new mission and I am determined to ace it!

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Specializes in Med/Surg n ICU.

:dancgrp:CONGRATS!!!!!!!

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Congratulations on passing the 1st semester! I wanted to add that I was in a simiilar situation during nursing school as well. Since graduating, I am also anxiety stricken and having trouble passing NCLEX. A friend of mine currently in another nursing program gave me some notes her instructor gave her from the book Test Taking Strategies for Beginning Nursing Students. I have notes specifically from Chap 5-7 and I cannot stress how much they have helped me!!

Best of luck as you head into 2nd semester!

luckygurl :)

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