June 2008 NCLEX support group

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This thread is for any upcoming graduates taking NCLEX in June of 2008.

To start off with I would love to hear if anyone is taking Kaplan, or Drexel or other prep courses and why did you choose the one you did? I am looking into them and I am just not sure which one is best and why.

Thanks!

Specializes in Operating Room.

Well, I haven't taken it, but only relaying what I've read on AllNurses for the past 4 years...lol

I think the NCLEX review questions would seem easier because we're not stressed out why 'studying'.

The "HESI CD" questions seemed REALLY hard to me, and I thought the questions on the HESI were AWFULLY HARD, but I did very well on the actual HESI, actually. (...Hoping the 'statistics' prove correct!) ha

I really think answering as many practice questions as you can , although probably easier than the NCLEX, and reading ALL rationales, helps. You not only learn from the correct answers, but good rationales teach you about other topics from the incorrect options.

I've been to 3 reviews....(The NSNA mini-review, MedsPub 4-day review, and UTSW 1/2-day review), and most seem to discuss the same things.

First, we all must remember to decide who is the client (pt, family, LVN/LPN, CNA), if the question is looking for a true response, or a false response, if there is only one answer, if we need to use ABC's or Maslow's to come up with an answer.

Then, try to answer the question in your mind without looking at the choices to get a general idea of what to look for in the choices. If one answer does not stand out, determine why each wrong answer is wrong, and why the correct one is correct.

Thirdly, if you get to two answers that seem correct, but can't decide, look for the words that would "USUALLY" rule that particular choice out....like "always", "never", etc.

I've been told it is basic nursing. You have to prove you pass the standard of the basic new nurse....not specializing in anything. Being a good test taker is in your favor.

I would really like the opinions of those who have taken NCLEX as well on the questions you asked.

Okay one more quick question... its hard not to overanalyze and worry :) I keep seeing everyone write that the questions are much harder than the study questions from any of the study programs etc. I typically am an okay standardized test taker, we did lots of HESI tests in nursing school and I always had a positive outcome on those; on the study materials I feel that I have reviewed really well and have been pleased with my progress and percentage of questions that I am getting right. :specs:

I guess what I want to hear (or at least discuss) is that in your opinion (OR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS TAKEN IT)... even though the questions are harder and sometimes out there, do you think that the practice questions in general and NCLEX reviews adequately prepare you to take it one step further for the NCLEX questions?? :confused:Like I keep looking at the study questions and think...how much trickier, harder, more obscure are they going to make it?? In your opinion, do they pick really out there content...or is it the stuff that the reviews focus on, except the questions are much more tricky. Just curious...and getting nervous :no:I suppose :)

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I took my test this afternoon (June 5th), and it shut off at 75 questions. Hoping that's a good sign... I didn't feel that the last ones were too easy, but hard to say for sure. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight - I'll get my results in the morning!

Hope the new is good, and you have the NCLEX behind you for good!! :cool:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, orthopedics.

Ok, I just need to vent! I am taking my NCLEX on June 21st and I took Kaplan and have been doing the qbank questions and just completed question trainer 3. I CANNOT score above a 60% on any of the tests that I take! To make matters worse-I have scored the lowest on question trainer 3 which has a harder level of "passing" type questions! At this point, I am feeling that there is NO way I can take the NCLEX in two weeks and pass it! I feel like there is a ton of content I need to review but there is just not enough time! At this point should I be reviewing content while practicing questions or should I just practice as many questions as I possibly can and hope that I can answer questions based on strategy? Can someone please give me some advice, hope and encouragement?! My anxiety is really starting to get to me! I just want for this test to be OVER with so that I can start living my life that I haven't had for the past two years!

:confused:

Good luck to everyone taking the test within the next couple of days and weeks!!!! We all deserve to pass this test and I pray that each of us will! God Bless!

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I cannot sleep. I can only hope I can my results tomorrow. lol

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I took the test last tuesday...I got the maximum number of questions....I am so scared right now....but still hoping to pass this time in Jesus name.

I now it's been a rough journey, hang in there. I take my test the 16th. It has been a three year journey for me to get through two years of schooling, my father passed away during my second semester unexpectedly, and I failed that semester, had to wait two semesters before I could return. I could not understand why God would not allow me to pass when I had such a difficult event to deal with, but He new what was best. I was a nervous wreck during tests and in clinicals that whole first year, so when I failed, I decided to go to work as a CNA to help overcome that. I didn't want to lose the abilities I had gained and hoped to strengthen some skills. In the midst of all of that I found out that I had Graves disease, which explained the "nervous wreck" feelings I had. The Graves is fixed and I graduated in May.

There wasn't a day I didn't pray and trust God, although it was VERY tough at times, but through it all He strengthened me. This is one of my favorite scriptures and stood on this the whole way through. The word says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path." The operative words in the above scripture are TRUST and ACKNOWLEDGE, because He knows what is best for us, His timing is perfect, and He will guide us no matter what the outcome. Rest in Him!!!!:saint:

I hope this is encouraging to you, that is why I shared. I haven't posted in probably a year,but you caught my attention. I said a prayer for you and I know God hears.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
I now it's been a rough journey, hang in there. I take my test the 16th. It has been a three year journey for me to get through two years of schooling, my father passed away during my second semester unexpectedly, and I failed that semester, had to wait two semesters before I could return. I could not understand why God would not allow me to pass when I had such a difficult event to deal with, but He new what was best. I was a nervous wreck during tests and in clinicals that whole first year, so when I failed, I decided to go to work as a CNA to help overcome that. I didn't want to lose the abilities I had gained and hoped to strengthen some skills. In the midst of all of that I found out that I had Graves disease, which explained the "nervous wreck" feelings I had. The Graves is fixed and I graduated in May.

There wasn't a day I didn't pray and trust God, although it was VERY tough at times, but through it all He strengthened me. This is one of my favorite scriptures and stood on this the whole way through. The word says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path." The operative words in the above scripture are TRUST and ACKNOWLEDGE, because He knows what is best for us, His timing is perfect, and He will guide us no matter what the outcome. Rest in Him!!!!:saint:

I hope this is encouraging to you, that is why I shared. I haven't posted in probably a year,but you caught my attention. I said a prayer for you and I know God hears.

you are right i didnt trust God with all my heart because fear overcomes me all the time...I have faith but I know it is not enough.

You enlightened me so much, as I am replying to you now, me and mu husband is embracing each other and crying....thank you so much for those inspiring words....

I will TRUST the Lord above all.

Thank you so much.

I will pray for you too and I know God never left me...He is always with me in my journey....

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you are right i didnt trust God with all my heart because fear overcomes me all the time...I have faith but I know it is not enough.

You enlightened me so much, as I am replying to you now, me and mu husband is embracing each other and crying....thank you so much for those inspiring words....

I will TRUST the Lord above all.

Thank you so much.

I will pray for you too and I know God never left me...He is always with me in my journey....

Hang in there! I haven't taken the test yet and obviously don't know how much you know...but I would say that if you really apply yourself these next two weeks you will be okay! I have heard (from my brother in Med School) that answering questions and then reading rationale for the right and wrong answers has a better "brain" retaining level then pure studying...probably associated with the emotional response to getting the question wrong or thinking it through and getting it right.:eek: Besides that, I would make sure you memorize only what is necessary to memorize: lab values, electrolyte values and S/S of low or high etc. Know the main disease processes for liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc... and as you answer more questions about those you were start to learn more specifics such as proper positioning etc. (Does this make sense at all??)

For instance, since I take my test on monday and have been doing a ton of questions, I have decided there are a few areas I'd like to review today: antipsychotic and antibiotic medications, developmental milestones and vaccinations for Peds, and a few lab values. I think there will be medications I have never heard of on the NCLEX...and can't prepare myself for knowing the names of every one...but if I know a prototype and can somehow figure out what type of medication it is by hints of breaking down the name...I may be able to make a smart guess!! Antipsych and Antibiotics are big on the Side Effects and Adverse Effects from what I gather. :banghead:

That was some more practical advise from someone who hasn't taken it yet...I'll try to post after taking it to see if my method has worked :) Besides that, know that you have graduated nursing school, you have learned everything...just maybe need a quick refresher, and you have the capabilities to think through even the difficult questions! Plus, nursing is a ministry and a lifes calling... if you apply yourself and trust in God to calm your heart and let your hard effort be rewarded...I think you will eventually come out okay :) One thing's for sure..nursing certainly isn't the easiest pathway we could have taken...but it sure is rewarding, isn't it!?:saint:

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Well, I haven't taken it, but only relaying what I've read on AllNurses for the past 4 years...lol

I think the NCLEX review questions would seem easier because we're not stressed out why 'studying'.

The "HESI CD" questions seemed REALLY hard to me, and I thought the questions on the HESI were AWFULLY HARD, but I did very well on the actual HESI, actually. (...Hoping the 'statistics' prove correct!) ha

I really think answering as many practice questions as you can , although probably easier than the NCLEX, and reading ALL rationales, helps. You not only learn from the correct answers, but good rationales teach you about other topics from the incorrect options.

I've been to 3 reviews....(The NSNA mini-review, MedsPub 4-day review, and UTSW 1/2-day review), and most seem to discuss the same things.

First, we all must remember to decide who is the client (pt, family, LVN/LPN, CNA), if the question is looking for a true response, or a false response, if there is only one answer, if we need to use ABC's or Maslow's to come up with an answer.

Then, try to answer the question in your mind without looking at the choices to get a general idea of what to look for in the choices. If one answer does not stand out, determine why each wrong answer is wrong, and why the correct one is correct.

Thirdly, if you get to two answers that seem correct, but can't decide, look for the words that would "USUALLY" rule that particular choice out....like "always", "never", etc.

I've been told it is basic nursing. You have to prove you pass the standard of the basic new nurse....not specializing in anything. Being a good test taker is in your favor.

I would really like the opinions of those who have taken NCLEX as well on the questions you asked.

Okay I think you have the same exact thoughts as me :) I did good on the HESI too (before taking any review course or intensely studying) and am really hoping that statistic is true too! hehe. I am worried most about SATA and really specific out-there medication questions (which are hard to study for in my opinion). I think at least some of the SATA will be tester questions but hard to say! I wish they never included those in this test..they are just plain difficult! :confused: Make sure you let m e know how your test goes! I'll write back after Monday. Wish me LUCK:up:

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Hello all!

Taking NCLEX Monday, and right now I am a nervous wreck!!!! My biggest fear is that my brain is gonna turn to mush on me!! I've been doing as many NCLEX questions as I possibly can (Honestly, I think I'm some sort of question junkie). Im using Saunders Comprehensive, The Saunders ? book, Lippincott, NCLEX 3500, NCLEX 4000. Im normally scoring in the 70-90% range(although, there were a few 60's). My fear is that I'm gonna forget something on Monday, like something simple or like everything is gonna be something I've never seen before in life. Im sure that its just my nerves getting the best of me, and I'm determined to have faith in God. Ive taken Hesi, and I'm praying that those statistics are true.

To those of you who have taken it NCLEX and conquered it, did u find the ?'s to be straightforward? Or were they tricky like those mean HESI questions?

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hehe I scheduled my exam and have been studying for it without telling ANY of my former classmates :) No facebook "studying" statuses, not telling them what I've been doing all the time...etc! My family of course knows but I just didnt want any fellow nurses know that I was taking it! I think I will be one of the first to take it... Somehow it has reduced my anxiety. Also, I didnt want to talk about it with any of them so if one of them is taking it around the similar time then I won't be checking to see if their license has posted before mine or something!! I highly recommend this method..it just takes out any "nervous competition" and only leaves the competition to myself!!!

PS sounds like you will be fine with your practice test scoring, your HESI score, etc. You've done all the preparation you can do. Just try to keep your body in MODERATE anxiety during the test so it can do its highest functioning! Don't rush too much but try to remain focused on each question :) I have the same fears as you....that my studying will go out the window when I get in there, that the questions will not relate or be at all on the same material (I know there will be no duplicates...but hopefully same 'important content.'). My husband said something good..that these companies would be out of business if they weren't adequately preparing enough people. I think if you are a horrible test taker or seriously didn't apply yourself that is one thing..but an average, studious person will be able to handle the difference between study questions and NCLEX questions. Come back on here after you take it on Monday...I'll write back too and probably will be stressed :)

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Specializes in Cardiac, Critical Care, LTC.

Here is another Bible verse that someone shared with me today and I want to share with you guys

Let us not become weary on doing good for in proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

I know this is hard to practice but it makes sense to me.

I pray everyone studies is goting well.

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Hello all,

I took the Nclex Rn 10 hours ago and I have yet to settle down (think I may puke). This CAT testing program with the delay in notifying us of results is really harmful to the health!

I studied for about 80 hours for the exam. I went through the HESI book and Saunders as well as practicing about 1000 questions (averaging 65-85% on practice tests). When I took the HESI, I placed in the 97th percentile of the country. I was pretty confident going into the exam I would say.

Then, dunh dunh dunh duhhhhhhh....the Nclex. Whammo! It was a joke. The questions touched on areas I had not prepared for AT ALL. I got about 20-25 SATA's. No calculations (which is my ace in the hole). And practically all med/surg questions. I'm not sure if I got any of the questions right! They all seemed vague? The computer shut off at 80 and I was thinking to myself "Come on, give me a chance to get a few right here!". I feel like I failed, but after reading all these posts it seems like I am not the only one. I think I may have done better than I feel I did. Feeling horrible is the nature of the test. It is constructed that way. We all need to remember this.

So, the reason I am posting is to say to everyone "don't worry". No one will be prepared for every question they throw at you. Prepare yourself until you are comfortable and then try to relax and do the best you can ( You CANNOT cover every base). Some questions will be hard and some will be easy. Just get in there and look at the questions as if you are a writer for the exam and do your best.

Good luck to all!:smokin:

Hey "Lauren", I saw you took it today too. What did you think?

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