I PASSED! You can too!

NCLEX_CareBear · Oct 12, 2004

Hi Redhead RN! Congratz! I'm so happy for you! I'm writing the NCLEX-RN on November 1. I was wondering what type of questions did you get (i.e. medical condition, medication, calculations, priorizations, etc)? Did you get any "new format" questions? How many? I would appreciate any tips and suggestions on studying and on writing the exam. Again congratz!!! =)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2004

Congratulations Christa! Woot!

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2004

Just took NCLEX on 10/7, shut off at 75 questions, felt horrible about it.
But I did it! Hurray!
BTW, I graduated eight years ago and studied like a dog the last two months.
If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO!
Must go celebrate now...
Keep the faith!
Christa

Congrats

That's a pretty impressive feat considering you have been out of school for 8 years. Way to go.

mona

Ari RN, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2004

Thats great news!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Redhead RN · Oct 13, 2004

Hi Redhead RN! Congratz! I'm so happy for you! I'm writing the NCLEX-RN on November 1. I was wondering what type of questions did you get (i.e. medical condition, medication, calculations, priorizations, etc)? Did you get any "new format" questions? How many? I would appreciate any tips and suggestions on studying and on writing the exam. Again congratz!!! =)

Thank you!

I would say most questions were prioritizing (which of these patients would you see first? which action would you do first?), then a mix of delegation, patient teaching, medication, calculations, etc. I got about 4-5 calculations, all but one were fill-in-the-blank. I got about 3 other new format questions, mostly the "check all that apply" kind. Yuck.

I will say know your math. There may not be too many questions about it, but knowing how to do them is basic. These were the only ones I knew I definitely got correct. They should be considered "gift" questions. No guesswork, no "BEST response" or "MOST appropriate"; just one possible answer. Know your conversions. If you can't remember what a microgram is, or how many cc's in a teaspoon, brush up.

With most of the priority questions, you have to realize they're just asking you to think about disease processes, risk factors, abc's, Maslow, etc. This is why there is no better study process than do practice questions until you're blue in the face! You graduated from nursing school, therefore you have the knowledge. You just have to practice using it.

My favorite study books were Kaplan's study guide (to teach you how to think) and Springhouse's NCLEX-RN Q&A made Incredibly Easy & their cd-rom(for sheer number of practice questions). I rounded out with Frye's 3000 Nursing Bullets and Lippencott, etc.'s 250 New-Format Questions (both of which I carried around everywhere for those compulsive moments). Check Amazon or eBay for good prices (mine are going back there).

The only other advice I have would be:

1) If you get a disaster triage question, a person who appears clinically dead is NOT the first person you see. Yes, he has the most serious condition, but you probably can't save him. Move on!

2) Relax! You aren't expected to know everything and your brain works better when you are calm and confident.

3) As a good friend pointed out: Remember once you pass, you NEVER have to take this stupid test EVER again!

Oh, and if you feel like you are failing before, during, or after, join the club!:rotfl:

GOOD LUCK!