My testing anxiety!!

JM RN · Jan 30, 2011

I am feeling exactly the same. I test feb 12 and also feeling like I should postpone. I have anxiety as it is. I'm not sleeping either! & I thought I was the only one feeling this way! At least know that you are not alone. I am curious to see responses. Thanks for this thread. Now I feel a little less crazy. And ive been doing Kaplan n getting low scores which is not helping my anxiety either. Good luck! :)

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Jan 30, 2011

OP, please don't take offense to this, but...you seriously need to relax! If you postpone the exam until you feel completely ready you'll never, ever take it. Not to mention all the information you'll forget in the mean time. I just took NCLEX-RN on Friday and found a majority of the questions to be extremely run-of-the-mill ordinary. No rare, unusual diseases or medications. If you're using Kaplan questions as practice and doing fairly well (by this I mean getting between 60-70% on the practice exams) then you're more than prepared.

Ilovethe80s · Jan 30, 2011

You sound like me before I took the HESI, which I had to get an 850 on in order to graduate. I feel anxious w/ the NCLEX, too, but I've taken the Kaplan course and have studied for about a month, so the anxiety level has dropped somewhat. I don't think anyone ever really feels 100% prepared; I mean there is years worth of information that is testable and there is no way you can remember every single thing you learned. I remember before the HESI, feeling like I had no idea the depth of knowledge they were expecting. I read into and analyzed the questions so much that I actually hurt my score, but in the long run passed. Honestly, try not to stress yourself out too much. I know....easier said than done....but seriously, you are going to make yourself sick or have an anxiety attack. Breath in the flowers and blow out the candles. Remember you have invested a lot of time and effort into getting through nursing school and getting ready for the NCLEX, so you CAN pass the NCLEX :)

boisern84 · Jan 30, 2011

Yes it seems like you are doing all you can to prepare but remember when you are anxious it is difficult to retain or recall information. So you are going to have to find a way to release some of that anxiety while you are studying and during the exam. Lots of students feel as though they didn't know half of the content NCLEX tested them on but guess what? They pass! As long as you know the main diseases, medication, delegation, infection control, lab values, and priority care you can pass. Do not get caught up trying to memorize obscure information, that is not the way to go about passing. Good luck!

caliotter3 · Jan 30, 2011

I think you need to deal with your anxiety by taking the test and doing your best. If you fail, then you retest. Do not make it more of a physical drain on yourself. Get it over with and hopefully it will be all over after test day because you pass. Good luck.

freebirdRN86 · Jan 30, 2011

I'm not sure how many people actually feel 100% ready to take the exam. I took mine yesterday and I pretty much had accepted the fact that I was as ready as I was ever going to be. My school used ATI as well, and I had an 85% chance of passing the NCLEX according to ATI. I just read about 4 hrs of my Saunders comprehensive book and a chapter of my Kaplan book every day for about 3 weeks. I finished with 75 questions in 45 minutes, and I got the "good popup" for PVT. Just relax and read and try to soak in what you read. I don't think it was anywhere near as bad as I have read people say it was, but don't slack off on your studying. and PRAY!! You'll do just fine. Good luck :)

myviefolle07 · Feb 4, 2011

quick update: i appeared in nclex rn ca bon yesterday guys.. did 75q's and i m getting the good popup.. we all know wat that means... :hpygrp:

:thankya: thank you all for the support!! u guys rock!!! :yelclap:

:clpty: :dancgrp: :clpty:

myviefolle07 · Feb 4, 2011

i am feeling exactly the same. i test feb 12 and also feeling like i should postpone. i have anxiety as it is. i'm not sleeping either! & i thought i was the only one feeling this way! at least know that you are not alone. i am curious to see responses. thanks for this thread. now i feel a little less crazy. and ive been doing kaplan n getting low scores which is not helping my anxiety either. good luck! :)

:anpom: good luck studying!! stay calm.. you'll make it!! :anpom:

myviefolle07 · Feb 4, 2011

Breathe in the flowers and blow out the candles. :)

I remembered this Colleen.. i was in the middle of the exam and facing a challenging question.. and i remembered your lines.. :thankya: THANK YOU!! IT REALLY HELPED!! :thankya: