NCLEX ADVICE

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 22, 2015

How long have you been studying for?

bunnysanford · Sep 22, 2015

At this point, just do a LOT of practice questions. Go over the rationales until they make sense. Keep an eye out for any areas you might be especially weak in, and then go over that content in a textbook or review guide.

I listened to a lot of podcasts from nrsng.com when I was doing yard work or walking-- they do a lot of bite-sized pharm episodes, and some occasional system reviews and lab values. I even listened at 1.5X speed to jam more into my brain.

The advice I always read was to not study at all the day before the test, and try to relax. I held to that, except I spent the 15 minutes before I walked in flipping through the 35-page study guide that's floating around on this site.

Nobody (well, almost nobody) feels great when they walk out. That's OK. Be nice to yourself, do fun things for a couple days, and I don't recommend wasting your time on the PVT ( for the record, I tried it once, with an empty prepaid Visa, just to see what all the fuss was about, but it didn't feel any better, because it is not reliable). Quick Results will be the best $7.95 you ever spend if your state participates.

You can do it. You've worked hard to become a competent nurse.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 22, 2015

If you only have 2 weeks to study I would reschedule the NCLEX. You can't cram for the NCLEX.

justkeepswimmingg · Sep 22, 2015

Thanks! Just curious what exactly is the rationale behind not studying the day before the exam?

justkeepswimmingg · Sep 22, 2015

Off and on for a couple weeks, but I feel like the practice questions I get are so different from the material I look over/study

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 22, 2015

Off and on for a couple weeks, but I feel like the practice questions I get are so different from the material I look over/study

What are you using to study?

bunnysanford · Sep 22, 2015

Thanks! Just curious what exactly is the rationale behind not studying the day before the exam?

My guess is that it gives the ol' brain a rest, and prevents one from trying to cram every last bit of information in in a huge jumble, and reduces stress as much as can be expected. Since it's mostly about critical thinking anyway, any last minute content is not terribly useful.

OC has a good point -- reschedule if you can. Browsing through the NCLEX forum here, you'll see a bunch of posts from people who failed their first try because they put in just a little off-and-on studying. Give it your all if you can.

AcuteHD · Sep 22, 2015

Know where the testing site is, know how long it takes to get there for the appropriate time of day, do NOT forget your ID and have to go back home wasting an hour, do not get there late and rushed. I made all those mistakes on my 1st attempt. Not a good day.

It's the NCLEX so lean toward anything a nurse can do before jumping to the notify MD choice.

The correct answer may not be the most exciting answer, lean toward assessment if it makes sense.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2015

Just curious what exactly is the rationale behind not studying the day before the exam?

Here's the rationale: if you don't know what you need to know within 24 hours of the exam, you aren't really going to know it the day before the exam.

justkeepswimmingg · Sep 22, 2015

Oh ok that makes sense. Should I still do practice questions the day before the exam though?

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Sep 22, 2015

Oh ok that makes sense. Should I still do practice questions the day before the exam though?

No. Give yourself a break. If you don't know the material the day before the exam, cramming won't help any.