June 2008 NCLEX support group

[IamRN08]

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!

[mellowyellow0526]

Congrats to those of you who found out you passed. Meditate and keep busy for those of you awaiting results. I had my full body deep tissue massage and I am drifting off to bed thinking "what test?" I'm testing tomorrow and using a list of things I wrote down that I have to do from the time I wake up to the time I test. I don't want to be preoccuppied and brainfart on my way to the testing center.

Oh, could those of you who passed let the rest of us know what prep course you used, your average scores on practice tests, how long you studied for, that kind of thing. I know that so many people get swept up in the joy of passing that they forget to come back and support the rest of us still waiting to test or take results. If only I had a crystal ball........

Good luck to all you taking the test this week. I wish you all the best.

I am so grateful to be among people who truely understand what I'm going through.

Hi all! I did say some of this stuff before I had the news that I passed...so I will repeat it now that I know I did pass! PS I got my license in the mail today...it feels like a credit card, light blue, and SO DARN CUTE! I am so excited....I thought it would be paper or something.

First of all, I came out feeling pretty confident after spending 4 years in a good, 4 year program. I didn't necessarily remember everything (needed lots of refreshing...) but I knew that I was taught the skills necessary to pass. I did a TON of self talk...telling myself that I was not the type of person to fail the exam. My goal was to have the test shut off at 75 because I knew if I was to fail, it would at least be at the 265 mark, not 75.

I started in January just reading through the strategy portion of the Kaplan book (no big review or tests). As the semester got busy, I stopped studying really. Then, the last weekend in April I took a 3 day HESI course that was mostly content review versus Kaplan's strategy review. I really enjoyed the book and reviewed it 1 time after the course in addition to taking a full test at the back. I was getting maybe 50-60 percent right. I also did an online review from Delmar (the hospital I will be working for gives us access to this). Again it was mostly content but reading the rationales really helped refresh my mind. The questions were not really "tough" ones like Kaplan or NCLEX. Then I did a few questions from the Saunders book...but time was running out.

I came onto this site almost every day and kept reading posts from people who had taken the test, were sure they failed, then passed. This prepared me for knowing that while taking the test I would not feel good about it but would probably pass anyway. Oh and also I wrote positive self talk on the bathroom mirror! When I went in to take the test, and when I came home...I reminded myself that it is hard for everyone, the questions are weird...but that I WOULD PASS! I was surprisingly calm on the day of the test. The hardest part was waiting for the confirmation.

I wish you all the best of luck... you will, and CAN do it! The best advice I have is to think POSITIVE!!!

[loboscon08]

Ok, so I am officially BURNT out of studying! I test on Saturday and have been studying my behind off every day and am to the point of exhaustion! I took kaplan and CANNOT get above a 58% on my question trainers but have gotten 66-75% on some of the qbank questions. Kaplan suggests getting above a 65% on all question trainers and that equals a passing score on the NCLEX. I have been reviewing content like crazy and am showing NO signs of improvement. At this point I feel I should reschedule and take more time to study....what do you all think? I don't want to take this test and fail it...but I'm also to the end of my rope with studying and preparing for this test! WHAT SHOULD I DO???!

[mellowyellow0526]

I didn't take the Kaplan trainer...but I did take review questions and tests...and it felt about normal to get about 50-60% right. I wouldn't overthink the kaplan trainer score. I would stick with your test date and just go in there confident. You already said you are going bonkers studying anymore. GO IN THERE CONFIDENT!!!

[travel soon]

loboscon08,

I know you are feeling like you don't know a half of what everyone else does but listen, I told you when you posted that question yesterday, you know the one the infection control SATA. You can't let that feeling take you over now. Just keep telling yourself that the test you took in nursing school are so much harder[because they are] the NCLEX is just simple worded straight foreward questions, it is just that the answers are so like that you need to be calm enough to be able to use your mind. I know you can do this, if I can. Come on have some faith in yourself. Try that thing I do about picturing yourself actually in the senerio when doing each question and see if it works for you. It must have for me because I have never been good at those SATA questions. I was also to burnt out to study so I didn't and I am so glad now that I didn't. Just look over your infection control or work on just taking questions with rationele given with the answer. I think the NCLEX 3500 disc is the best trainer for that. You won't have any trouble, because you already know this stuff, you just have to keep reminding yourself you do. Well I have to get ready for work and I am doing it a little tired but with a smile this AM because I am an RN and you are too you just need to take the test to prove it. Talk to you later tonight. Have a good one.

[need_to_be, RN]

Loboscon,

I am also testing on Saturday. I've been doing Kaplan and my scores are in the high 50s to 60s with a few 70s on the qbank questions. I saw a big improvement when I reviewed the how to approach the exam section online. I don't know if you have access to that or not. If not just review the strategy portion of your book. I've been completely freaking out lately but I was also burnt out. So I planned fun things to do last weekend and during this week. And when I come back to studying after a fun thing I am so much more focused. What time do you test on Saturday?

[MzKGoRN]

hello all,

i had to work today and was supposed to stay until 7pm but of course i was just to nervous and since there were too many of us in the orientation phase they let me leave.

i can and will be happy to eat my own words now because of all the hours i spent thinking everything was wrong it turns out i must have done alot of those satas right because,

i passed you all!!! omg

it sure has been a long two days.

did not mean to hit the thank you button

but anyway congrats, i am so happy you passed.

everyone else who has passed congrats also

i started my first day as a rn yesterday (monday) and i am off today (lol). it was very boring orientation but i got piad so whatever.

congrats again travel:yeah:

[LyndseyER]

ok so I just finished nclex and I know I failed I had no delegations but had prioritys,2 math 6 sata and lots of teaching what do u think am. I one of the fail at 75?

[cuty24]

Thanks a lot. I am just so nervous. I took the test yesterday and even though I know the results won't be available before tomorrow i'm still checking the website. I just want to alleviate the anxiety. My test was the same as yours. mostly prioritization, 2 med calc and a few sata 6-10. I think you did well at 75. I started worrying when the computer passed 75. I got 110. Hopefully we both passed.

[Jazzy_nurse_SF]

Hello everyone....

I am testing at the end of this month, and I am growing nervous, because I have been testing with the Saunders CD. I am only concerned about having the fourth edition, which has only so many SATA questions. So, I have been reading about everyone's experience about running into SATA's on the exam. So, any suggestions of continuing this CD to review, or any new suggestions or sites to find more SATA questions?

Thanks.

...and good luck to all who are testing for the rest of this week!

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

ok so I just finished nclex and I know I failed I had no delegations but had prioritys,2 math 6 sata and lots of teaching what do u think am. I one of the fail at 75?

Try and keep your chin up, everyone comes out of the testing center thinking they have failed and haven't. Good luck

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Sorry, I've been away from my computer....

Congrats to those findinging out they passed!!!

LyndseyER, there's no way to know with the questions...I think you did manage to dive into the harder questions. Hopefully, you'll get good news soon! I know one person on here that said she/he passed with only 6 or 7 SATAs, so keep thinking positive!!

Good luck to those of us testing tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[romie]

Hello everyone, I just got back from taking my test. I utilized all my relaxation techniques and even meditated in the lobby despite the test proctors allowing me to start taking the test early. When I got to 75 and the computer continued I freaked a little then I remembered my techniques and calmed down and finished somewhere between 95 and 110 questions. I got alot of SATA, several in a row in fact and lots of priority questions. Not very many psychosocial, lots of infection control, very few questions about meds, several math.

I'm stumped and I realize that I can 1. make myself sick for the next two days until I get my test results, or 2. Relax, continue to think of myself as an RN and have faith that I passed. Freaking out isn't going to change the outcome of the test. I feel deeply in my heart that I passed even though my brain is telling me that I failed. (good sign, I guess).

Good luck to the rest of you. I'll let you know in a few days if I passed.

Remember that you know the material but you have to be calm and focused-- you can have every nursing book memorized and fail if you are experiencing acute anxiety and unable to function. On the other hand you can be a bit unprepared on content but go in feeling confident and calm and use your critical thinking skills.

Good luck again and congrats to those of you who passed.