Anxiety over NCLEX-PN! Help me!

nsg247 · Mar 4, 2005

I just graduated March 3rd as a GPN and i am scheduled to take the test on the 16th. I have been doing NCLEX Reviews of Lippincott, Mosby's, NCLEX-PN Review made Incredibly Easy, Lippincott's Med-Surg Nursing, Delmar NCLEX-PN Review, and an overview by Peterson. I am so scared to take this test in such little time since graduation. I guess I am most afraid of letting my family and friends down. I would appreciate any words of advice anyone could offer. There are a lot of things to study and so many devices to study from. Help me please!!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

I just graduated March 3rd as a GPN and i am scheduled to take the test on the 16th. I have been doing NCLEX Reviews of Lippincott, Mosby's, NCLEX-PN Review made Incredibly Easy, Lippincott's Med-Surg Nursing, Delmar NCLEX-PN Review, and an overview by Peterson. I am so scared to take this test in such little time since graduation. I guess I am most afraid of letting my family and friends down. I would appreciate any words of advice anyone could offer. There are a lot of things to study and so many devices to study from. Help me please!!

Why don't you reschedule for at least the end of the month?? Maybe then you will feel comfortable enough to take the test. Also try relaxation techniques such as breathing excercises...These usually help befor, during, and after a test, and I plan to use them during NCLEX.

dbsn00 · Mar 4, 2005

I just graduated March 3rd as a GPN and i am scheduled to take the test on the 16th. I have been doing NCLEX Reviews of Lippincott, Mosby's, NCLEX-PN Review made Incredibly Easy, Lippincott's Med-Surg Nursing, Delmar NCLEX-PN Review, and an overview by Peterson. I am so scared to take this test in such little time since graduation. I guess I am most afraid of letting my family and friends down. I would appreciate any words of advice anyone could offer. There are a lot of things to study and so many devices to study from. Help me please!!

I took my NCLEX 3 weeks post graduation - while everything was still somewhat fresh in my head (only 85 questions too!!). My test had a lot of med/surge scenarios - lots of s/sx then what would be done for this pt.? Know your baselines (what's normal vs. what's not), and meds - rationales & side effects. I was SOOO lucky I had only one math question - "how many cc's = 1 ounce"... :rotfl: Good luck!!! P.S. - I used the Mosby & Lippincott reviews (both are sufficient enough).

nsg247 · Mar 5, 2005

Why don't you reschedule for at least the end of the month?? Maybe then you will feel comfortable enough to take the test. Also try relaxation techniques such as breathing excercises...These usually help befor, during, and after a test, and I plan to use them during NCLEX.

Well i was trying to take the test before April's new version. March 16th is the only date available. I will try the breathing exercises and let you know how they work. Thanks for the great advice.

nsg247 · Mar 5, 2005

I took my NCLEX 3 weeks post graduation - while everything was still somewhat fresh in my head (only 85 questions too!!). My test had a lot of med/surge scenarios - lots of s/sx then what would be done for this pt.? Know your baselines (what's normal vs. what's not), and meds - rationales & side effects. I was SOOO lucky I had only one math question - "how many cc's = 1 ounce"... :rotfl: Good luck!!! P.S. - I used the Mosby & Lippincott reviews (both are sufficient enough).

THANK YOU!! I feel so much better knowing that. What is it like taking the test (i.e. quiet, confined, etc.)? I am just wondering if you have any information on prefixes and suffixes for medications. i have been searching online for some but no luck. Thanks so much for replying so quickly and congratulations on your accomplishment. thanks again :)

lpnadmin · Mar 7, 2005

I just took (and passed w/85 questions:)) the NCLEX-PN on 2-15. For preparation, I used Saunders, NCLEX-PN Made Incredibly Easy and Lippincott's. I tried to do 50-100 computer questions per day in the time leading up to the test. On the day before the test, I took it easy. My wife made sure of that.

This is what you can reasonably expect the day of your test:

The morning of the test I left home about 0730 (test time: 0900). Since I live relatively close to the test center, I was way early. I started about 0830. If you're late, you can't take the test and have to reapply and shell out another $200+.

The way the test center works is you must produce two types of ID (driver's license and another photo ID) and your authorization to test. If you are missing any of those you won't be allowed to test. Once you sign in, you get your picture taken. You can't have anything in your pockets going in to test, but they provide lockers for you to put your stuff in.

The test area is, to say the least, secure. There is constant video/audio taping. You're fingerprinted upon entrance and exit of the test area, and the exam administrator must accompany you. The chairs are _fairly_ comfortable, as is the room temperature. It was so quiet in there you could hear your own heart beat. Which I did.

Once you are seated, the test admin logs you in, and you start a little tutorial on how to answer the test questions (The practice exams on the CD-roms will prepare you well). When that is finished, you start the exam. (For me, by the time I got to this part, my HR was an easy 120, as opposed to a normal of 55-65!)

After the conclusion of the test, you get a little questionnaire about how the test was and how the staff was. Then, you signal the test admin, and they will accompany you out.

As far as the test questions themselves: I've drawn a blank. Couldn't even remember what to look up to see if I was right or not. It's just as well, because it appears that no two people get the same exam. So what may hold true for one person might not hold true for you. (I do remember hoping and praying I didn't get a lot of OB/Maternity/Peds questions because that was/is my weakest area!)

nsg247 · Mar 7, 2005

I just took (and passed w/85 questions:)) the NCLEX-PN on 2-15. For preparation, I used Saunders, NCLEX-PN Made Incredibly Easy and Lippincott's. I tried to do 50-100 computer questions per day in the time leading up to the test. On the day before the test, I took it easy. My wife made sure of that.
This is what you can reasonably expect the day of your test:
The morning of the test I left home about 0730 (test time: 0900). Since I live relatively close to the test center, I was way early. I started about 0830. If you're late, you can't take the test and have to reapply and shell out another $200+.
The way the test center works is you must produce two types of ID (driver's license and another photo ID) and your authorization to test. If you are missing any of those you won't be allowed to test. Once you sign in, you get your picture taken. You can't have anything in your pockets going in to test, but they provide lockers for you to put your stuff in.
The test area is, to say the least, secure. There is constant video/audio taping. You're fingerprinted upon entrance and exit of the test area, and the exam administrator must accompany you. The chairs are _fairly_ comfortable, as is the room temperature. It was so quiet in there you could hear your own heart beat. Which I did.
Once you are seated, the test admin logs you in, and you start a little tutorial on how to answer the test questions (The practice exams on the CD-roms will prepare you well). When that is finished, you start the exam. (For me, by the time I got to this part, my HR was an easy 120, as opposed to a normal of 55-65!)
After the conclusion of the test, you get a little questionnaire about how the test was and how the staff was. Then, you signal the test admin, and they will accompany you out.
As far as the test questions themselves: I've drawn a blank. Couldn't even remember what to look up to see if I was right or not. It's just as well, because it appears that no two people get the same exam. So what may hold true for one person might not hold true for you. (I do remember hoping and praying I didn't get a lot of OB/Maternity/Peds questions because that was/is my weakest area!)

Thank you so much. I am schedued to take the exam on 3/16. I am incredibly nervous and your reply helped to ease my fears. I have been studying about 250-350 questions a day with studying out of books also. Now I am hearing that there is such a thing as studying to much. I am also interested in learning how you went about analzing the test. There are so many different ways. I didn't plan on relaxing at all before the test but now that I have read your relpy I will defintely consider it. When did you decide to close the book (test questions). Thanks again for such wonderful advice. Hope to hear back soon.

lanjjosie · Mar 7, 2005

I am graduating this Friday the 14th from the LPN program. I have been studying the Saunders NCLEX over the past few months, the thing is I have no idea where to focus on or what to even expect. I am worried because I start as a GPN on the 17th and the fear of letting everyone down has my stress just overwhelming. Please help me, give me some advice!!!!
Sincerely,
Stacy

Hi,

I graduated in april 2004, received my auth to test in early june, was going through alot of personal drama so I waited to take the test, I took it Nov 17 one of the reasons I waited because I wouldn't study, I had saunders, mosby which I used in school the best one to use which had some of the nclex test questions was nclex-pn made incredibly easy, I didn't find that out until after the test when I finally opened the book and took a look at the cd-rom, I now know that we have prepared for the test while in school so all the information is there just be relaxed get a good night sleep and you will do great. I needed that rest too, because I got all 205 questions and alot of the new kind too like the fill-ins and all that apply etc. I passed and you will too.

stevenking, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2005

I'm sure you'll do fine. Most, if honest, feel as if they blew this exam big time when they sat for it. Answer questions directly - don't read anything into the questions. Answer "only" what the questions are asking...

Always,

The Kingster

Johnny-LPN · Mar 7, 2005

I know how your feeling and believe me your not the only one who gets scared when it's time to take boards. When it came time for me to take it I was a wreck. I couldn't keep down any of my meals. My advice to you is to study that LPN Assessment Test that your school gives. When I took the NCLEX-PN I got many questions that were dealing with prioritizing, so remember your ABCs. Also I got many questions that where like(which statement by the client would indicate a need for further teaching or a statement which indicates they fully understand the information given to them.

Goodluck on boards.

Johnny-LPN

dbsn00 · Mar 9, 2005

THANK YOU!! I feel so much better knowing that. What is it like taking the test (i.e. quiet, confined, etc.)? I am just wondering if you have any information on prefixes and suffixes for medications. i have been searching online for some but no luck. Thanks so much for replying so quickly and congratulations on your accomplishment. thanks again :)

I took mine at a testing center, it was very quiet, everyone was in their own low partitioned cubicle with a computer (yes, they give you scrap paper for calculations!)...the proctors didn't stand over you or anything but they were in a room within that room. When you're finished you hand the proctor your ID thingy that they give you & you're done! :yeah:

As far as prefixes & suffixes go here's an example of index cards you can make (but don't put all your stock in this - it NEVER covers all the meds - study the ones your intructors stressed & meds you remember from clinical)

Hypnotic/Sedative/Anti-anxiety Meds

diazepam (valium)

lorazepam (ativan)

For antibiotics...

Cephalosporins usually begin with cef or ceph, tetracyclines usually have cycle in the name. Antihypertensives end in lol or pril and the list can go on & on! :smackingf One last thing, make sure you know your insulins, they can be tricky & I remember having several questions re: insulin.

Remember the subjects you had some difficulty with, brush up on those specifically & do light reviews for the other material (don't overload yourself too much because you'll already be anxious). Just take your time during the test & don't second guess yourself too much (you can't go back to the question anyway on the test). Good luck Nsg247 - YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :icon_hug: Keep me posted after your test!!

rebel_red · Mar 9, 2005

Deep breathe. I actually really didn't study. I did 100 questions a day from Review Cards by Skidmore/Roth written by Brenda Goodner RN/MSN for about 2 weeks before the NCLEX-PN. I took my test about 2mos after graduation because I wanted the results on my 41st birthday, my gift to myself.

Really you know this stuff. You made it through your program. Tell yourself Oh I remember this. And you will remember it. Use process of elimination, you can usually toss out two of the answers right away. Of the remaining two which one is the "best" answer. When in doubt our instructor told us to "pick a letter or number" and just use that consistantly! I did that!!! Picked "2". I passed with 85 questions. But don't get freaked out by the number of questions, 2 of my friends went all the way to 205 and they passed and are awesome nurses.

The test site itself can be stress inducing. You are fingerprinted upon entry and each time you leave the test room. There are video and audio cameras. The people there take their jobs very seriously and never even cracked a smile. Give yourself breaks. Just get up and walk to the bathroom. Lean back in your chair and remind yourself of something that makes you smile. For me it was a nurse friend who took his test when they were still written and on day 2 yes day 2 he came across this question and out loud accidently said "What the f, is this?" I felt that way on some of the questions and would just think of him laugh and use process of elimination.

On pharm questions if I didn't know the drug I would look at the word break it down and try to figure out it's use from its root, suffix or prefix. This really helped.

You know the material, or you wouldn't have passed the program.

Be kind to yourself. Don't study the day before or on the way up. Make sure you are well rested. No partying the night before. Know were the test center is make a dry run so you know exactly where you are going and what the parking situation is . Wear comfy clothes. (I wore my class pin and touched it alot during the test to remind me that I had great instructors and clinical cohorts who really wanted me to succeed.) After the test go out with your friends. Remember the test isn't designed to kill you, its just to insure that we have safe nurses who practice appropriately.

OK I've rambled enough!

Good luck to ya'll and congratulations (in advance!)

Tres LPN officially Sept 16th, 2004