...am I supposed to know everything?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Specializes in Med Surg.

Well, so I graduated from nursing school last month and i am going to take my NCLEX next month. I have worked in a hospital for 4 years... and all of the sudden, I feel like I don't know ANYTHING!! :bugeyes: I am so nervous for the NCLEX, and so nervous to start as an RN on the floor. What's happening to me... before I got so close to the end of school, I felt like i knew a lot...where did it all go!?!?

...Any tips to relieve NCLEX stress?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

No way are you supposed to feel like you know everything. And the new grads that go in with the attitude that they "do know everything" are the ones that are guaranteed to fail.

Feeling like you don't know anything is exactly how you should feel ...... but it'll get better with time.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.

I believe nursing is an on the job training career and nursing school barely scratches the surface.

As far as preparing for boards I am a believer in you cant do too many practice questions. I probably did thousands of Nclex style questions at home on my computer. My favorite disks were Davis/Saunders and Mosby-in that order. I also did the Kaplans book one time through because I borrowed it from a friend.

For 3 weeks pretty much all I did was questions-laundry and cook for my family--in that order!!!

Best of luck...dont worry that you feel like you dont know anything, you made it through school so you know enough to pass boards, and hopefully you will find a job with a nice orientation period.

I hope I never met the nurse who has "learned it all."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You're exactly where you should be. You just have to trust the system.

Your curricula was designed around NCLEX. Your school's continuing accreditation rests on the success of its graduates. If you made decent grades, you are going to be fine. Believe in the predictive power of statistics :coollook:. Everything has been arranged so that 'success in school' pretty much means success with NCLEX - Just Breathe.

As a (self-appointed) duly authorized representative of the experienced nurse population, I hereby give you official permission to be a learner throughout your first year or so of employment post-graduation. You will work alongside mentors who will facilitate your learning & provide you with feedback to improve your confidence in your own abilities. W have ALL been there.

If you need more re-assurance, there are several varieties of practice tests - some online. Your school should be able to hook you up with one if you need it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

OK..

First.. take a deep breath.

Second.. take a deep breath. :)

Heck no.. you are not supposed to know everything.

As for the NCLEX... it's ALL about test taking strategies, not about how much you know or don't know. Utilize your critical thinking skills and brush up on your test taking strategies.

And most importantly.. try and stay calm.

My one and only suggestion for the NCLEX. Start mental aerobics. Start doing questions. Begin at 25.. work your way up depending how long you have till your exam.. until your at least at 100questions in one sitting. The hardest part of the actual test is staying focused. After 50 or so questions... you'd be amazed at how hazy your head will feel if you don't prepare.

Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We will never know everything and that is what is so great about our new found profession. Never a dull moment. i agree with other posters. Start doing questions and try to study some everyday. There is tons of great advice on where to get good questions from the other posters. One tip I have is when you practice med calculation questions use your computer calculator as that is what you are allowed to use on the test. There is also alot of good advise on the NCLEX threads under the students section. Know common EKG strip rhythms too. Like others have said it wouldn't be normal not to be scared and nervous. Before my job started in Jan. I was having alot of nightmares plus started to grind my teeth (YIKES). After passing NCLEX nightmares went away but I still grind my teeth!!! Good luck and congrats on finishing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele.
Well, so I graduated from nursing school last month and i am going to take my NCLEX next month. I have worked in a hospital for 4 years... and all of the sudden, I feel like I don't know ANYTHING!! :bugeyes: I am so nervous for the NCLEX, and so nervous to start as an RN on the floor. What's happening to me... before I got so close to the end of school, I felt like i knew a lot...where did it all go!?!?

...Any tips to relieve NCLEX stress?

:wink2:I felt the same way as you did a few months ago.

and you are not supposed to know everything, you are supposed to know A LITTLE of everything to prepare for that tst.

tips to releive nclex stres.......

  • eat whatever you want (me-thai food)
  • look forward for buying yourself something special the day before your test (me- britney spears blackout album)
  • on the day of the test - wear whatever you are comfy with (me- my britney spears t-shirt and some old sweat pants)
  • read that book 3x the kaplan strategies book (great book)
  • study and study and study and tell yourself that you will pass that darn test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Questions, questions, and more questions!!! Do not try memorizing new material, just keep doing questions. I stopped doing questions 1 week before I took the NCLEX so I could have a clear mind going into it. Get a good night of sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast and take a deep breath!!! I began to panic when I sat into my chair at the computer, but I took a minute before actually beginning, I took a deep breath, and knew I just had to work through it question by question...do not worry about what question will be next just work on the one in front of you. Good luck!!! You will do great!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

Thank you all SO much for your support and GREAT advice!! I'm taking it in the middle of May. Hopefully all goes well.

THANKS!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg ICU, NICU.

I, like you just graduated last month. I passed NCLEX and am working in an ICU. I was having a bad day, felt like I new nothing my preceptor noticed and she asked me what was wrong. I just told her that I felt like I new nothing. She smiled, patted me on the arm and told me that I was going to make a fine nurse it is the ones that come out of school and think they know it all that fail miserably. It really made me a lot more at ease with asking tons of questions.

Now about NCLEX. I agree with the other posters and would like to add something that I wish I had done. Find something to do with yourself until the test results come in. I didn't have anything to do the afternoon after I finished my exam and spent it on the Pearson Vue website continually looking at my account to see if the results were in. (Yes it says 48 hours but don't they know that should not apply to me ? :) Go to lunch with a friend something, anything to keep you busy for 48 hours.

Best wishes to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

may i ask?..

uhm im not yet a nursing student..

but im a graduated hs student.. and thinking of choosing Nursing as my course..

what's the strategy.. i mean... it is useful to make QUESTIONS about the topics?? then answewr it alone?..

i have no idea bout nursing but i like to know some backgrounds of it before i enter... i know this is stressy..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment