Hi everyone... it has been a while!! Failing that exam last summer really put a halt to my test taking!! Anyways, here I am with the worst exam left - NC 5 and creeping up to that nasty September deadline! I am signed up to take Microbiology this fall at my local CC (I want to ensure everything transfers in case I go on!) and that starts August 30th. I've taken a LOA from my job so I was hoping to knock this test out on Thursday so I can spend next week job hunting for part-time work. But of course, the practice test score was less than desirable - 64! The EPN NC-5 board is dead, so I am posting here to see if I'm the only one feeling the pressure?
I don't find this material challenging, it just seems so much more than the other exams! I'm trying to review constantly, but it takes me so long just to get through one or two disorders/diseases that it's difficult to get through everything. I keep trying to make a "study plan" everyday, and I end up freaking out and changing my method. I've been studying for almost 4 weeks (full time, no job right now!) and I'm about ready to pull my hair out. There are books everywhere through out my house and I'm basically tired of living like this!
So, is there anyone out there feeling the same way? Or am I crazy?
how's everyone else doing getting through the last of these exams? i personally am still not studying..ugh..however, i am at the library now and am planning on staying here all afternoon till my daughter is outta school....there are just way too many distractions at home to study there and with the deadline breathing down my neck it makes focusing even more difficult...im praying that the library will be just what i need (:typing if i can get off the computer and actually go study..lol..im going im going)
i failed that exam too! it's the only test i didn't go through and "double check" all my answers. i bombed the musculoskeletal area which was my best area on my practice exams!! i later found out that the chancellor module i was using didn't address half of the diseases listed in that section. that was last summer, i didn't take another exam (nc7) until march of this year.. and the only reason i took that one was because my test date was going to expire. when i hit the submit button i was thinking "well, you got a d before, you know what it feels like." i was so relieved when an a popped up! anyways, the second time around on nc 6, i forced myself to use the books and the content guide and outlined each and every disease and procedure. i was scared to death of failing it again. i was shaking so bad when i hit the submit button. i didn't remember a lot of material that was questioned, but was pleasantly surprised with an a (which took forever for the lady to hand it to me!). :) i have also been using an nclex review book. it has a great section in the front about test taking strategies. however, i don't feel that excelsior's questions are worded anything like nclex style but it did help me identify key facts of each question. this lisa arends, study group 101 notes drive me crazy.. too disorganized and unstructured for me to follow. not that i'm perfect, but i love clean, table type material to review.
so yes, now i'm worried i'll screw up nc 5 (which i postponed to next wednesday) and then what? i'll have to take two more exams, plus retake whatever is equal to nc 5, and the fcca... or whatever it's called!
i'm so mad at myself for letting it get to this point! but, i quickly learned that i was not able to self study while working a 5 day/wk job.. i know some people can, but i couldn't get the gumption to do it.. when i get home from work, the last thing i wanted to do is critical material! i did force myself to complete all of my general ed through my local cc online except for micro.. at least i did that! all of my nc tests except for two have been completed during the summer months when i'm off.
i'm incredibly happy to stumble across some other people who are as freaked out as me. :)
so how's the studying going for nc5?? you ready? i'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!! let us know how you do...and as far as study group 101...uh yeah...horribly disorganized...so bad that i can't even use them..o well at least it was only $10...newho..good luck!!!
Thursday is the day.. I'm not sure why I postponed it, I don't feel like I've done that much extra studying. Every time I think about taking it, I want to throw up.. Thank you so much for your support!!
Am going to test for NC7 Sept. 1, hope this one is easier. Made an A on NC5, I really concentrated on the fluid/electrolyte, diabetes, dialysis areas alot because I knew the Psych was going to be difficult. I found the Practice Exams very helpful with this test and concentrated my studies on the areas the tests went over. They are well worth the money. I made in the 60s on both tests. Dont give up, no matter what!!
I have 4 tests left (I've studied for them all in bursts but get 'distracted' mainly due to military obligations). I am doing 2 one week and then the last two weeks do 1 each. I happen to test out of order, but I have recently found out there is another person attmepting to finish them all before the deadline at the base I am utilizing here in California. I am excited. However, my campus classes started this week so I'm all over the place at all times. I am going to continue with the same study method but have been forcing myself to stay more focused. I WILL finish before the deadline. Hope everyone else is doing good with their studies. We can all do this.
P.S. I learned postponing for 'extra study time' leads to not taking the test for a long time so just get 'er done. Oh and the practice tests really do help as everyone else has said!!!
I too have NC5 with the deadline hanging over me. I admit I have not taken a test in over a year and tested around NC 5 after failing it. It is my last NC test and it is kicking my rear end. I am sched for Sept 21 with an ATT deadline of 9/24. At LEAST I'm not cutting it close right? All advice, comments and heartfelt prayers are welcome.
Pagentnurse: You can do this!! My only advice is to do the actual reading. Don't get caught up with lab values and numbers. Understand the diseases and it's underlying process. I wasted a ton of time fearing this exam, when I've decided in the end, it's really no different than the other ones.
I was freaking out so bad on the EPN, Joanne finally told me to write a note to myself saying "I can do this." I did that, and it definitely helped for whatever reason.
EverNurseRN
148 Posts
how's everyone else doing getting through the last of these exams?
i personally am still not studying..ugh..however, i am at the library now and am planning on staying here all afternoon till my daughter is outta school....there are just way too many distractions at home to study there and with the deadline breathing down my neck it makes focusing even more difficult...im praying that the library will be just what i need (:typing if i can get off the computer and actually go study..lol..im going im going)