NCLEX Anxiety!

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Hello Everybody!

I take my NCLEX on Tuesday, and let me just say, I didn't know test anxiety could get this bad! I had minor test anxiety throughout nursing school, but the beneficial kind; however, these last two weeks leading up to the NCLEX have been gruesome. I can't sleep and when I do I have crazy dreams about failing the NCLEX or getting kicked out of the testing center for whatever crazy reason (lol). My heart rates permanently >100, and I've had a pounding headache that won't go away...

I have been studying nonstop for the last three weeks, going over Hurst and doing Sanders/ATI practice questions; My Hurst Q-Reviews have ranged from 78-101; my ATI have ranged from 78% to 86% and my Saunders (I've been taking the 100 questions tests in exam mode) have ranged from 60-82%, with the exception of the alternate format tests which I have yet to get above 60% (average 40%)

My questions is, is the NCLEX as gruesome/horrible/awful/scary as I have somehow conjured it in my head to be; or am I completely overreacting... Do the practice tests, prepare you? Is it really as hard as I am imagining it? There's so much to remember, I'm afraid I won't know enough come test time...

I've accepted an offer for my dream job, but I HAVE to pass this test the FIRST time! Any advice or comments would me much appreciated to me and all of the other graduate nurses preparing to take the NCLEX that might be freaking out just as much as I am!!!

Sorry this is so long, and THANKS IN ADVANCE!! :)

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It's not as hard as you think it would be. Choose the best answer and relax during the test. You will do great!

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

I agree it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I had crazy anxiety last week and took the NCLEX today. I was lucky my job started on the 9th which kept me from thinking about NCLEX constantly. I had to take two days off studying last week because I got a headache so bad after the first student from our class took the test and passed and thought it was difficult. After the two days I promised myself I wasn't going to let myself get worked up like that again or I will never pass. So every time I studied I tried to make it fun to answer questions and ok if I got an answer wrong. I got the good pop up after 75 questions and yes I was worried but I said to myself I can do it after every question and tried to make it fun :) good luck to you!!!!!

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It's only as hard as you make it, I was like you feelin like I was going to puke, crying, worrying. Nothing anyone can say will totally relieve your anxiety. Just go in with a positive attitude and keep doing practice questions until the night before. Good luck, you've got this!!!!

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I was very nervous when I took mine last week. Like shaking hands when they scanned my palm veins. Lol. But once I sat down and did the first 5 questions i totally became relaxed and actually half enjoyed the test. Before I knew it the computer shut off and I went to my truck and got the good pop up! One thing that helped me calm my nerves was doodling on the white board between questions. ? good luck! ?

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Tinman,

What do you think prepared you the most for the test? I'm studying Kaplan and Hurst and I still need to hit the PDA book. I take it soon. I'm nervous as ever. I have got to relax.

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

I studied mostly Kaplan and I believe doing questions everyday was what helped the most!

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Thanks so much! I'll keep at it. Congrats again! I can't wait til I'm sitting where you are! I'm dying. Lol

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

I can't believe how far we have come :) after this we have nothing else required to be a RN :)

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Thanks Y'all! I've been doing yoga and deep breathing exercises to work on my anxiety; I don't think I could have prepared any more than I already have, so I am going in confident! Congrats to you guys who have already finished! Can't wait to be in y'all's shoes! I will let y'all know how it goes :) Prayers would be appreciated!!!

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

Prayers out to you! But you got this take a deep breath before each question and make sure you read the question and know what it is asking, after that read the answer thoroughly then pick your answer, you might even want to read the question one more time just to make sure you are picking an answer that fits the question. Good luck I am sure you will do well!

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Thanks a bunch! :) I will read very carefully and breathe. Close my eyes, breathe, and PRAY.

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