My thoughts on the NLN

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

Well, I took the dreaded NLN this morning and I must say IMHO, it was ridiculous. I bought the study guide and studied it front to back and back to front for the last several months. I am completely surprised at how much electricity questions were on it and how only about 8 questions were on Anatomy & Physiology. I ran out of time on the math section, even though when preparing I was able to complete the practice questions with time to spare. Hardly any of the questions that were in the practice guide were on my exam. Now, granted, there are several forms of the test, I think I got "lucky" (sarcasm) and got a new one with questions that are so irrelevant to nursing and questions that nothing in the practice guide would have helped me on. After the math section and partially into the science, my head started getting hot and I had to fight tears back because I was so discouraged. I can't believe I sat there and no amount of preparation would have helped me with this particular exam form. I will be shocked if I passed. This isn't meant to discourage anyone, like I mentioned, there are several exam forms and many of my classmates have had ones that they said mimicked the practice guide completely. I have classmates that stand neck and neck with me as far as prereq grades go and have scored extremely high so for those of you who haven't taken it yet, I hope you guys don't find it as awful of an experience as I have.

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Don't be discouraged. I thought I tanked on it....and while I didn't kick butt, I got a 116 Composite.....and the school I am applying for is looking for a 100 composite.

Wait until you get your scores. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised!

What does your school require you to score?

Make sure you report back!

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

My school needs 100 composite but they go by points system and last year they accepted 21 points and over. I only have 20 points without the NLN score so I was hoping to score above 120 to pick up some points to guarantee my entrance.

Thanks for the encouragement!

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DesertRain: Im so sorry you didn't have such a great time with the test. I am sure you did great, better than you expected and will get in your program.

I had an opposite outlook on the test, which makes me even more paranoid, because I feel like I'll get my score back and would have tanked it. Almost everyone Ive seen post for the test always say they didn't feel so good coming out of the test, and i had the opposite feeling, its sorta scaring me.

I ran out of time with the math, but i ran out of time on stuff i didn't know, i skipped anything that i felt uncomfortable with and did everything i knew, the stuff i knew was what i learned from the book. They were about 10 questions i wasn't sure about, who knows i could have gotten stuff i was confident about wrong too. But those 10 questions i had to just go back and bubble something in because there wasn't enough time. Vocab i finished with 3 mins to spare, the science i threw caution to the wind, and answered the best i could.

Well its all over and its left to fate all we can do is wait on our scores, and pray, pray, pray for the best.

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DesertRain: I think I had the same test as you. I too studied that book from front to back and was eventually doing good on the practice tests...the review section I was stumbling around in--with that being said, once I got the booklet, I had 1 maybe 2 questions repeated from the study guide and the science section was ridiculous. Questions about Newtons, and electricity--stuff that was not even mentioned in the book. I am scared to death. I have another week to really start freaking. They said it would take 2-4 weeks for our results! I'm hoping that my feelings will mimic those of others that thought they bombed it, and actually did well. It's quite scary as this is your life we're talking about and then they go and put crazy questions on the test. My vocabulary words were outta this world too! So mad! Anyway, I'll pray for you and pray for me too! Hopefully our results will be better than anticipated. And don't worry that feeling of stress and dread and utter sickness worrying over the test, goes away after a few days--that is until you think about it again. Like now, I'm sick! Ha!

I have to make a minimum of 120 and they are wanting a 130 to get in. I'm hoping for a 133 just to be safe but who knows....

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I took the NLN yesterday. I was really worried about the math which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I could not believe the science section. I think I guessed on practically every question that was not related to anatomy and physiology. I understand that they may have to add a few questions in for chemistry and physics but that was a little crazy. What does electricity and Newton have to do with nursing?

Keeping my fingers crossed!

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

Thanks guys, you have no idea how much your words mean to me. I know, I was miserable last night went to mom's and she took me out to dinner to get my mind off of it. I was telling her about all the electricity questions and she made a joke of it and said maybe one day I'll have to save someone's life in the middle of the desert and I'll have to wire up an AED MacGyver style from a car battery or something and then I'll think "so that's where those electricity questions came from" lol, it felt good to get some comedy out of the situation. You know, the math wasn't bad it was just the timing that they wanted you to get it done in, you know? And JDLAStew, I hear ya about the vocab. I was anticipating time restraints so I did the reading comprehension part first. When I got back to the vocab I couldn't believe some of the words but then had silly ones like, "When a King get's crowned it is called..." I know everyone says they do better than they think but for me right now, better than I think might get me 60 points let alone the 100 I need to even qualify. The NLN stinks. I think those test writers need to get a grip LOL. And the practice guide is a waste of money in my opinion. I can totally see why people were saying "either you know it or you don't" I honestly am thinking of you guys, Mystiqx, I am sure you did fine, my friend felt he did well and did outstanding so don't worry. I am starting to feel better but these next 2 weeks are going to drag, I am hoping my worries don't conflict with my school work. I have you guys in my prayers and hope we can all look back and think we were worried for nothing.

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My bestfriend took me out to dinner last night too, to get my mind off it, i had a really strong pina colada (yeah i know a sissy drink, but i like em lol)

You did fine, don't do the "remember a question thing", i started doing that. I had to stop myself in my tracks or i'll drive myself mad. We thought it was bad waiting to take the test its worse waiting for the results!

I dunno the science part worries me alot, a whole lot, i got alot of physics and chem questions too. I didn't even study chemisty to be honest. I HATE that subject, the very thought of having to do anything with it makes me sick. I haven't taken physics, i bought a cartoon book about it and read it, helped me recognize maybe one question and i don't even know if i got it right

I honestly don't want to make a comment on the book until i get my grade back, weird i know, but i wanna hold my tongue until i know how i did.

Im in an online course right now that takes up alot of time so i am hoping it will take my mind off stuff for the time being and im going to a concert on weds so hopefully that will help too. Crossing all body parts thats humanly possible to cross for everyone, and lots and lots and lots of prayers.

Lets keep each other posted!!

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Hey Desert and Mystiq....we must be on the same "wavelength" UGH @ that word...but the night of my test my husband and my 2 best friends and I went to Ruby Tuesdays and I indulged in the triple prime burger and a big plate of fries! ha! I had the same king being crowned question Desert so I know we must have had the same test.

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Specializes in A variety.

I definitely didn't think the book was enough of a guide for the test, especially the science. My test had a lot of electricity type questions and just things that had me shaking my head. I thought I was doing pretty good after the verbal and math portions and then I got to the science portion and was completely deflated!! I left there feeling a little discouraged. Then for the next 12 days I went crazy trying to find out what kind of a score is a good score and making all my friends and family insane because I couldn't get my mind off of it. When I finally got my scores I was so excited just to not have to think about it anymore, seriously that wait was terrible! I am usually a pretty easy going person, I don't ever remember being so obsessed like this!! Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with my scores, I thought I did decent after the test, but my scores were better than I expected overall, especially in the science portion. So, don't get too discouraged about the test, I bet you all did better than you think! :)

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Specializes in A variety.

I had that question about the king being crowned too!

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I agree I dont think the NLN guide alone is close to being sufficient enough for the science section but the other guides put out by kaplan and others cover the science section very well although they go a bit overboard on the math section. Thank god I had a plus going into the test I have already graduated with a degree in electronics. The only chemistry and Physics I had ever had was what I learned from the study guides which was plenty sufficent in my opinion. Im soo behind on chemistry its not funny I think I'll try and take some classes next summer when we dont have nursing classes. Well, if you have to take it again at least you'll know what to expect next time.

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