meds on nclex- generic or brand name?

[glamgalRN]

To all you new nurses:

I'm in my last year of nursing school (thank god!) and have a test this Friday which I have been studying for for the past week and I'm starting to get so angry at the way my first year professors went over medications with us. You see, we don't take a pharmacology course; in our course everything is combined so we learn our meds as we're learning about each condition. Well last year I remember specifically asking the professors before the first test "should we learn the generic or brand names for the meds?" And their response was "whatever, we'll give you both names on the test so whatever you feel more comfortable with." So naturally, I learned the brand names (they're shorter, easier to say, I hear them on the unit and on commercials.)

Well now I'm totally screwed.. they told us last month that there was a change to the NCLEX and that now they only put generic names on the test. My test on Friday is on oncology, mood d/o and acid base. Since we learned antidepressant and antianxiety meds last year, our professor who was lecturing on bipolar glanced over the meds and told us we should all remember that stuff from last year. Well I'm great with the brand names but apparently that means squat for the test! UGH! Now I have to learn a million generic names (well maybe not a million but it def. feels that way) that I can't even pronounce for our test (and also the nclex but I'm trying to take one thing at a time.) And what really gets me angry is that when we're on the floor at clincials we use the brand name. I just wish there was so kind of consistency! grr!!

So what I'm wondering is how long has the nclex only used generic name meds? When you took the nclex did they ask you questions about the generic or brand name? Is this really a recent change (recent meaning within the past few months)?

Oh and P.S. you guys are starting to scare me with how stressed out most of you are on the floor as new nurses. I know I'm not the best person to take advice from because I'm only a student, but like every job it's going to be hard at first. Afterall, who enjoys doing something that they're not a pro at yet? Be happy that you made it this far! Everything will all come together I'm sure! Thanks in advance!

[MikeyJ, RN]

I have not taken the NCLEX yet, however, according to the recent review book I purchased, it stated that the NCLEX exam is mandated to put both the generic and brand name. My pharmacology professor stated the same thing.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Moved this to the NCLEX Discussion Forum so that you get more responses.

[Boston-RN, RN]

I took the NCLEX today....the names are both generic and trade and I don't think they will ever change that....fear not.

[suzanne4, RN]

You will always be responsible for knowing both trade and generic names of any medications.