My thoughts on the NLN

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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.

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! :)

I certainly hope this is the case for me as well Roxxy. I really am relying on the fact that everyone says they feel as though they bombed it when they came out and did better in reality. Let's hope for good guessing!!!

So 12 days huh? They told us 2-4 weeks. I hope 12 days is closer cause this waiting is killing me slowly.

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I bet you all did better than you think. That seems to be the trend where this test is concerned. I guess the thing we all need to remember is very few people seem to really know all of this inside and out which really helps the curve.

I have been studying using the guide and I now have the Kaplan and Allied one as well. Hopefully they help me along. I need to take it before 3/4 and I am waiting on my date.

I guess I need to brush up even more on electrical stuff. Yikes!! Any math that wasn't in the book on the test?! I am studying roots for vocab and only about 10 min a day as there is no way to know every word out there. The reading makes me most nervous as sometimes more than once answer seems right. lol

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I agree, this wait is AWEFUL!!!!! I can't think of anything else. I sure hope the 12 day thing is more accurate. I read on the NLN website that they send out your grades within 2 days of receiving them. So, let's just hope our schools sent them out immediately!!

I didn't have the "king" question. Actually, I can't remember anything exactly. My brain was mush after that test. Seriously, I was wasted ALL day long. I had a headache this {_____________} big!!!

Let's start aprayer chain, haha. Like a Rosemary, and include all of our names.

Good luck all, hopefully we will be relieved and helping others with their turn next.:confused:

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Batman, I wish I would have known about the other study guides. The math is very simple--you can get any practice problems from the NLN study guide. Vocab...please. You're right, you can't learn all those words--I couldn't pronounce half of the given words or half of then answer choices and I read...a lot. Hopefully the other study guides will assist you in the electricity/physics stuff cause the study guide didn't help me at all with that part. Good luck and lots of prayers for you all!

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:roll

Batman, I wish I would have known about the other study guides. The math is very simple--you can get any practice problems from the NLN study guide. Vocab...please. You're right, you can't learn all those words--I couldn't pronounce half of the given words or half of then answer choices and I read...a lot. Hopefully the other study guides will assist you in the electricity/physics stuff cause the study guide didn't help me at all with that part. Good luck and lots of prayers for you all!

Thanks for your help and the good wishes. You are so sweet. I will keep you and others in my prayers as well. I bet you all do great!!

I read a lot too and that doesn't even seem to help me much either. I saw someone in one of those forums mention the other guides so I bought them. I also saw someone link to this electricity site so I printed that out as well. I ahve to admit that I was very overwhelmed for a bit with all of these guides, but finally got them somewhat under control. My apartment looks like a Barnes & Noble. :roll

Another hint someone gave me that I will pass on to everyone else is to keep moving on the test. If you are completely clueless skip it. If you can't figure it out in a minute keep going. Don't waste time on what you don't know. You can go back and guess when you get as many right as you can. One thing everyone says is that time flies on this test.

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Specializes in A variety.

I agree with the post above me, you definitely have to keep moving on this test. I panicked a little during the math section when I realized that it was going to be close for me to finish that section in the time allowed, and when I did the practice tests I seemed to have plenty of time. Definitely mark what you don't know and go back to it, but don't get stuck on any one question.

As far as the time it takes to get the test, most people I talk to have been receiving their scores in about two weeks. I feel for all you still waiting, that is pure torture!! And those waiting to take the test, good luck and stay positive! I'm putting positive thoughts out that you all do wonderful!

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

Seriously...panicking is half of my problem, I think I panicked, blanked out for a bit and then time was almost up. And I can't even remember moments like, did I bubble in "b" for 20 answers or 4? LOL, I seriously don't know? And I think it's hilarious that we all had that King question...haha I'm having a good laugh to myself right now about it. I think my 7 year old knows the answer to that. What about the one about "which one of these animals has embryonic development outside the body on land" and then there was a fish a bird and some other ridiculous options.:roll Okay, this is good, I'm starting to find some comedy in the test. I agree with the prayer chain!!! And Xt1---no fair, how did you get an inside scoop that to become an RN you needed an Electronics Degree. You must know someone on the inside! ;) So for all of you reading this thread about to take your NLN, forget the pratice guide, go buy a DIY electronics book and practice by playing with your christmas lights. Okay but seriously, no joking also practice calculating your weight in Newtons and the temperature in Kelvin.

Thanks guys for having a fun attitude about it....lol Jdlastew, we're all on the same wavelength for sure! hehe

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it looks like we may have all had the same questions just set up in different order, i got the embryonic development question also.

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