I'm about to lose my MIND!!

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Hello Everyone!

I know I probably should have posted this in the NCLEX forum, but I really wanted to ask people who have already taken their boards. I graduated from LPN school this past june. My school has a really high pass rate (95-100%), but my class was an unusual one so you never really know. Several people in my class have already taken (and all passed) the NCLEX, but although I was a really good student, I can't help but to feel extremely nervous. I am CONVINCED I will fail and am almost considering rescheduling my date (which is THIS WEEKEND!:banghead:) just to avoid the embarassment and shame! :chair:

Here is my question: What can I do to prepare? Or better yet, what did YOU ALL do to prepare? I have been trying to commit myself to doing a certain number of NCLEX questions a day off of either my Mosby's CD (way too easy. . I feel like it's a waste of time) or my Saunders CD (MUCH harder!) but I rarely, if ever, even reach 100 questions. I know most of my lab values (aside from the obvious ones, not quite sure which to focus on. . . Urine Specific Gravity?:confused:) and have made drug cards that focus on common endings of certain drug classifications (i.e. Beta Blockers = 'OLOL). I bought a Kaplan book on strategies to use when taking the NCLEX and have read it cover to cover, but I truly dont know what else to do. As previously stated, I was a good student in school (mostly A's, a couple of B's) but my program was so fast paced, I feel as though I was only learning for the test and didn't retain much of the content. Even though the past 3 or 4 graduating classes from my school have ALL passed NCLEX on the first try, I feel as though, with my luck, I will be the one that doesn't.

Everyone that I have spoken to has all said the same thing, "You can't study for the NCLEX". I understand this, but I do think that there are definitely things that you can do to prepare and/or increase your likelihood of passing. Someone told me that you can only get 10% of the questions wrong and in my Kaplan practice test, I scored a 62!!!!!!!

So please, Im begging for you guys' responses and words of wisdom :bowingpur. What did you do that you think contributed to your passing score on the NCLEX? What do you think I am doing wrong or could be doing better?

Thanks In Advance

(Sorry so long!)

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I went to the bookstore and bought the NCLEX-PN book and studied.

Also, don't beat yourself up so much until you know if you passed or failed. I remember doing the same thing as you are doing now. I worried myself into a fit and it took about 2 weeks or longer to get my results back.

The computer shut off at exactly 86 questions and I thought sure I had failed.

Just try to relax and let's hope you passed with flying colors! :)

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

First off, since your boards are scheduled for this weekend, try to calm down.

Second, I also used Kaplan to prepare (for my RN boards, though, not LPN). From my experience with the RN Kaplan review course, anything above a 60% on Kaplan is considered to be a good score, and the student is considered ready to take boards.

I would advise you to relax, because you've probably already done more than enough studying, especially since nothing you could study in the next day or two is going to make that big of a difference. Relax, go get a drink, go hang out with some friends, and try to blow off some of this pre-board stress.

Good luck. :nurse:

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Specializes in Mental and Behavioral Health.

I think you're ready. You have to calm down, though, or you won't remember what you've learned at test time. You should take some time and relax before the test.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
Hello Everyone!

I know I probably should have posted this in the NCLEX forum, but I really wanted to ask people who have already taken their boards. I graduated from LPN school this past june. My school has a really high pass rate (95-100%), but my class was an unusual one so you never really know. Several people in my class have already taken (and all passed) the NCLEX, but although I was a really good student, I can't help but to feel extremely nervous. I am CONVINCED I will fail and am almost considering rescheduling my date (which is THIS WEEKEND!:banghead:) just to avoid the embarassment and shame! :chair:

I'm glad you posted here. :) You sound completely normal to me. NCLEX is probably the biggest, most important test you'll ever take in your life---certainly in your career---it's reasonable to be stressed out.

Tonight---take a long, relaxing bath. Paint your toenails. Light some candles. Get a good night's sleep (but don't drink alcohol because that can interfere with your sleep.) Do whatever you must to relax. No need to study anymore because it will only increase your anxiety.

And when you get to the NCLEX testing site---nail that test!

I felt the same way when I did boards---did the old fashioned way, two days of testing, paper tests. My friends and I were so convinced we'd failed after the first day we considered blowing off the second day and just going shopping. We passed.

Hey, you were a good student in a good program. Good luck to you! :up:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

Hey Kemkem! Listen, I went to a horrible school. It was a 2 year bridge program (1st yr LPN, 2nd yr RN) and against the advice of many before me, 4 students bridged over. EVERYTHING I learned, I learned in the 1st yr. The RN yr was basically a waste except for one class on community health that I loved. Anyway, I am telling you this because I passed the RN NCLEX the first time with 75 questions and really did not think it was that hard. The deal is to definitely know your lab values, drug categories, etc. But, mainly, you will have to know how to use that knowledge and apply it to situational questions. I suggest reading as many practice questions as you can so you can a feel for how they are worded. Also, know your scope of practice compared to an RN and unlicensed assitive personnel and you should do just fine. Good luck. :redbeathe

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I'm glad you posted here. :) You sound completely normal to me. NCLEX is probably the biggest, most important test you'll ever take in your life---certainly in your career---it's reasonable to be stressed out.

Tonight---take a long, relaxing bath. Paint your toenails. Light some candles. Get a good night's sleep (but don't drink alcohol because that can interfere with your sleep.) Do whatever you must to relax. No need to study anymore because it will only increase your anxiety.

And when you get to the NCLEX testing site---nail that test!

I felt the same way when I did boards---did the old fashioned way, two days of testing, paper tests. My friends and I were so convinced we'd failed after the first day we considered blowing off the second day and just going shopping. We passed.

Hey, you were a good student in a good program. Good luck to you! :up:

Thanks a bunch! Your comment really made a world of difference!! I didnt think it would be possible to say (or feel) this, but I actually feel more at ease. Not AT ease, but More at ease! LOL!!

Thank You :redbeathe

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Thank you everyone for your replies (and for all future replies!!). I really feel much better and realize, I shouldn't be doing this to myself! It could end up being a self fulfilling prophecy! I DO neeed to relax, take a deep breath and just realize that if i want to be licensed, there is no avoiding this test. But i still would appreciate any advice or words of wisdom that anyone has to offer. I still feel like there is more i could do to prepare!

Any Suggestions?

TIA

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Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

Calm down, read the question carefully so that you know what they are asking, eliminate the answers that you can and pick the best one left. Studies show that chewing gum increases a person's ability to focus.

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Studies show that chewing gum increases a person's ability to focus.

Thanks. I'll let you know how that works!

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I bought a book on studying for the NCLEX at the local bookstore. Once I felt I had it down I took the test, took a month or so, but I passed. Check amazon to see if they have the LPN NCLEX study guide.

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I was never able to sit down at home and totally focus and do 100 questions straight. I did 20 questions in the morning, then 20-30 after lunch, and some more before going to bed. When I took my nclex I was really nervous too. I cried while driving to the testing center, LOL.

Anyway once you're in that room you WILL focus because you know you have to. So I think doing 100 questions straight may not be the thing for you. If you do a couple at a time and focus on the rationales, it may sink in a little better than doing so many at once.

Good luck!

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