NCLEX Anxiety

blessednurse87 · Oct 7, 2009

Where are you taking the practice exams from?

smakins · Oct 7, 2009

I have used nclex 3500, nclex 4000, and saunders. I tried exam cram and not to thrilled with it.

nursing85 · Oct 7, 2009

All I can tell you is that I studied for 3 mo's prior (on & off). I used the Kaplan Q Bank, the Nsg Made Incredibly Easy & the Saunders review book. YOU CAN'T CRAM! I did the review books 1st and kept a notebook on the topics that I was weak in - then studied that info so I knew it better. Then I used the Q Bank and did questions every day. A few days before the exam you want to try & clear your mind. Just review info that you have noted down and topics that need reinforcing. I went shopping the day before, to get away from the books and the computer. I thought I would definitley fail & was planning on having to take the exam a couple of times before passing, BUT lo and behold, I passed. If you take it seriously & devote enough time, I know you will pass too. There aren't any tricks -- it's just a matter of knowing info to practice nursing safely. I wish you all the luck in the world. Try not to stress.

(PS it's a financial investment buying the review materials & registering w/Kaplan, but think of all you've already invested. My opinion, it's worthh every penny!)

smakins · Oct 7, 2009

What should practice scores be before you take the test?

Freedom42 · Oct 7, 2009

Seventy-one percent is well above the passing standard. If you read the NCSBN website -- one good way to relieve anxiety -- you'll see that passing is just over 50 percent (I think it's 54, but I haven't looked at it for more than a year). Another great way to relieve anxiety is to keep in mind that nearly 90 percent of test takers pass the exam on the first try. It's simply not that difficult an exam. I know that's hard to swallow right now, but once you've passed it -- and with your numbers, you will -- you'll realize that the exam is very basic.

smakins · Oct 7, 2009

Thanks for the encouragement! I was practically in tears due to anxiety. I have been doing questions since I graduated in June. Scores have increased since then. started in the mid to high 60's and now low to high 70's.

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2009

What's Test Anxiety and how to deal with it?

1-feeling insecure about our performance

2-worry over something you've no control over

3-thinking about what people might feel if you failed

4- unpreparedness

5- worry about time allotted to finish the test

5 Bad habit of anxiety

1- smoking or drinking more frequently

2- biting nails, fidgeting with hairs etc

3- trouble falling asleep

4- daydreaming

5- eat more/less food

All these factors contribute to inability to perform effectively while preparing for an exam. I know is not possible to eliminate all these, but always keep them under control. Always have it in mind the exam is given in other to test your ability but not to punish you. Look at the exam as not being forced on you, but as a requirement to move up in your career.

How is your study environment? Try to study in a quite zone with less distraction and external noise because they will interfere with the ability to concentrate and learn. Study in a comfortable and relaxed environment.

How long did you study? Don't study for long hours! You might end up not understanding but cramming!!

Do you have study mate? Study with others who you think have the same ability or know more than you. If you're an average student, do not study with student who always made A's because they will always skip material that's necessary for you to review. Neither study with student who made C's because they will end up having to study material is of any importance.

Keep sufficient time available for yourself to study on your own and never study too long with your study group. Keep your study group serious.

Keep the study group small, because if the study groups are large, there is a greater tendency to become distracted.

Do not come for study review unprepared!!

Used prepared test question in the review book as a guide to help out.

Take the comprehensive test at the back of the test.

Always test in a test mode i other to keep track of your performance

Develop used of flash cards

Pause after reading and jot down the important point for reference

Take a practice test that you think will be included in the test

Review the area of weakness first in other to have time to review again before the exam

After a month of studying practice the pretest/comprehensive test at the back of the study guide to see how you're doing. Have you improved?

Relax a day before the exam and get sufficient sleep. You need to be physically and mentally alert!!

caliotter3 · Oct 11, 2009

Relax and continue to do questions and study rationales until the day before your test. Your test scores seem good, but predictor test scores are not the be all and end all when it comes to passing the test. Good luck.