NCLEX in 2 days (moral support wanted!!)

nursing 101 · Aug 8, 2005

Hi Everyone,
I am taking the NCLEX-RN in two days and I am freaking out. I have been using Saunders, Kaplan Question Trainer and the Mosby CAT.
Mosby CAT tells me that I have a 99% chance of passing but... I don't know.
On the Kaplan Question trainer I have been getting about 65%-69% and Saunders I've pretty much stayed at about 75%.
What do you think my chances for passing are? I have been doing questions and reviewing rationales for right and wrong answers.
I know they say not to study the day before the test but I still have to do the last Kaplan exam and I have a pretty good short term memory so I study for tests better the day before and I just want to brush up on some disease processes, lab values, and medications.
Also, what medications does everyone recommend that I know? Should I know the drug classifications and broad knowledge or are there certain meds that I need to know specifically?
Also any words of encouragement will be greatly appreciated. I have been doing this on my own, since I can take it one semester early in my program and it seems like I am the only one in my program to have made the choice to take it early. I haven't had anyone to commiserate with. I know I can do this, but it would be nice to hear from you guys!
Kelly, hopefully soon to be Kelly RN.

Hey,

Sending positive vines your way and mine. I will be going on Wednesday. I am tired of it all. I have decided to brush up on everything today and just do the last Kaplan exam #7 the day before. I will also memorize my labs and look over anything that comes to mind. But the studying will stop around 6PM Tuesday night. I have done Kaplan (which I am still getting 59 up to 64%) and I have done Saunders which I usually get 80%. At this point I am going with what I know and that is it. I will be praying and hoping that I will pass. My weakest area is OB. My strongest is psych and safe and effective care. Kaplan has done a good job for prioritizing and delegation. I usually get those. I always miss the select all that apply. I only know certain meds and certain s/e such as dig, theophylline, lasix, tegretol, hep, coumadin for sure. Other meds I know the classifications but will not be able to answer specific questions.

I get anxious and my stomach starts turning when I think about it. But I am the type that once I sit in front of the comp I just focus on the task at hand.

Good luck to both of us :)

kelnich · Aug 8, 2005

I think I am just tired of sitting in front of the computer and just clicking. It sometimes get to the point where I feel like it is so mindless and I don't read the questions fully and I just want to get the test over with so I click on an answer and hit next then the second after I realize that wasn't the answer I should have picked.

At this point I don't think there is much more for me to do but hope for the best.

Good luck to you!!! Let me know how you do.

moliuchick, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Hi Everyone,
I am taking the NCLEX-RN in two days and I am freaking out. I have been using Saunders, Kaplan Question Trainer and the Mosby CAT.
Mosby CAT tells me that I have a 99% chance of passing but... I don't know.
On the Kaplan Question trainer I have been getting about 65%-69% and Saunders I've pretty much stayed at about 75%.
What do you think my chances for passing are? I have been doing questions and reviewing rationales for right and wrong answers.
I know they say not to study the day before the test but I still have to do the last Kaplan exam and I have a pretty good short term memory so I study for tests better the day before and I just want to brush up on some disease processes, lab values, and medications.
Also, what medications does everyone recommend that I know? Should I know the drug classifications and broad knowledge or are there certain meds that I need to know specifically?
Also any words of encouragement will be greatly appreciated. I have been doing this on my own, since I can take it one semester early in my program and it seems like I am the only one in my program to have made the choice to take it early. I haven't had anyone to commiserate with. I know I can do this, but it would be nice to hear from you guys!
Kelly, hopefully soon to be Kelly RN.

Kelly,

I just took my NCLEX today. It was pretty hard, it is very similar to Kaplan I think. My test closed at 75 questions and I am not sure if I pass or not!

The questions that I had required a lot of critical thinking (thinking like a nurse). They did have a few pharmological but it is never like "The client is having digoxin and the blood level is 2mg, what is your intervention?" it is more like... "the client has been taking digoxin for a while and what sounds alarming to the RN if the client states"... (I am not quoting from the NCLEX questions, this is just an example) a. I have difficult falling asleep b.my fingers are tingling c. I have lost my appetite d. I don't want to interact with anyone.

What would you pick????

I just feel like no answer is a good answer. If I have to answer this question without looking at the choices of answers, I will say, "the client states that he is seeing yellow and green halo" Right?

You are doing great on Kaplan. My highest is 70% (my 6th test) and my 7th test was 65% which I took yesterday. I thought to myself, "I am screwed".

At this point, I think it is too late to panic and worry. I will just wait for my result.

A few hints for you: Study classification and also study Digoxin, Diuretics, Lithium, Lidocaine, theophylline , extrapymidal effect, commutable disease such as when should you wear gown, gloves, masks and when not to. Know how to calculate drip rate. (conversion is not too important), lab values are important. and know CPR too.

Okay, I think that's all I can tell you. Good luck to you and pray before and after you take your test!

:) :)

kelnich · Aug 8, 2005

Moliuchick,

I am sure you did fine. I think I won't panic if my test stops at 75 questions. There is no way that I am going to fail at 75 with all that I am studying. I think the same goes for you. I think if your test stopped at 75 you probably will be fine b/c failing at 75 means you weren't even close and I think that getting 70% on the Kaplan tests should tell you that you have a pretty good chance at passing and if it stops at 75 you most likely passed. Maybe that's naive of me to think but I hope my test stops at 75 b/c I will feel pretty good. The problem that I am going to have is if I get more than 200 then I am going to feel like it could go either way b/c I know I have a pretty decent knowledge base so if I don't pass I think it will be with more questions than less.

Let us know!!

LizRN626 · Aug 8, 2005

All of the posters have been pretty right on. I just took mine on Saturday and it stopped at 75. Needless to say, I walked out 45 minutes later feeling like I failed miserably. I PASSED. A lot of the drug questions make it so you need to know what would be a undesireable side effect or lab values of the drug. I had A LOT of do you use standard, contact, droplet, or airborne precautions. Had a dig. question, tegretol, rifampin, and other drug questions I don't remember. Only one math question, and 2 select all that apply, one was on the steps of blood administration. It sounds like you are preparing well. I only studied a total of about 15 hours. I am sure you will do fine. Know calcium and potassium lab norms too.

napoca · Aug 8, 2005

I am sure you are good prepared !

I WILL CROSS THE FINGERS FOR YOU !

GOOD LUCK !

moliuchick, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Moliuchick,
I am sure you did fine. I think I won't panic if my test stops at 75 questions. There is no way that I am going to fail at 75 with all that I am studying. I think the same goes for you. I think if your test stopped at 75 you probably will be fine b/c failing at 75 means you weren't even close and I think that getting 70% on the Kaplan tests should tell you that you have a pretty good chance at passing and if it stops at 75 you most likely passed. Maybe that's naive of me to think but I hope my test stops at 75 b/c I will feel pretty good. The problem that I am going to have is if I get more than 200 then I am going to feel like it could go either way b/c I know I have a pretty decent knowledge base so if I don't pass I think it will be with more questions than less.
Let us know!!

I felt the same way when I was taking the test. I tried not to look at the questions that I had taken (which showed on the right bottom corner) but I did peek at it from time to time. My classmates, like 4 of them took the NCLEX and all passed it with 75 questions. That is why I feel that I should only be getting 75 instead of 265. When I got to question 74, I started panicing b/c I am so afraid to see it doesn't shut down after 75. Then I did 75 and I was telling myself, "please shut off now!". Then the whole screen turned blue! :roll It must be funny for the people who watched my face at the testing center through the security camera. My face totally lighted up when I saw the blue screen!

One tips that I have to give you is that, "TAKE YOUR TIME" . I have heard that your pass or fail is mostly depends on the first 25 questions that you have. If you do very poorly on the first 25, you will probably get more and more questions (more than 75). Also, do not panic if you see the "put it in the right order" questions because maybe 1 or 2 of them are "testing questions" they will not be counted against your score.

I didn't get any multi-multi choice or point out the location questions. All I got was the put things in the right order. Like putting an IV in to a patient's arm in which I was never trained on. For things like that, you have to use your common sense. When you encounter a very hard question, don't panic because the harder the questions you get , the more it is telling you that you are going to pass!!!! I am not sure about my test result. I will just keep praying that it will be okay. I will try to find out tomorrow.

ManyRN2B · Aug 8, 2005

I took mine today too. Definitely know lab values, All your electrolyes, WBC, Platlet, H/H, BUN, Creatine....all the common ones. I didn't get specific questions about labs, I just had lab values in my choices and you had to know them to eliminate or keep them. I only got 4 drug questions. 2 were antipsychotic drugs, diuretic and osmotic diuretic. I got NO select all that apply :coollook: Wierd. If your doing that well on Kaplan you should be fine. I scored a 68% on my last Kaplan and 70% on #6. From looking on this website 62% to 70% is ready for the exam.

I just said to myself yesterday, I did all that I can do and go in tomorrow and do the best I can. The key is narrowing down to 2 answers and rationalizing your way through them both and pick the best one. I had so many that were close and I had to work my way through them.

The day before, I reviewed my notebook of notes. I jotted down things that gave me trouble or things I didn't want to forget. I looked at lab values. I didn't do any questions. I don't know if I could do Kaplan #7 the day before because that test was draining. I did it 2 days before.

Good luck and I think you will do fine. I hope to find out tomorrow if I passed! I got 75 questions.

moliuchick, RN · Aug 8, 2005

i took mine today too. definitely know lab values, all your electrolyes, wbc, platlet, h/h, bun, creatine....all the common ones. i didn't get specific questions about labs, i just had lab values in my choices and you had to know them to eliminate or keep them. i only got 4 drug questions. 2 were antipsychotic drugs, diuretic and osmotic diuretic. i got no select all that apply wierd. if your doing that well on kaplan you should be fine. i scored a 68% on my last kaplan and 70% on #6. from looking on this website 62% to 70% is ready for the exam.
i just said to myself yesterday, i did all that i can do and go in tomorrow and do the best i can. the key is narrowing down to 2 answers and rationalizing your way through them both and pick the best one. i had so many that were close and i had to work my way through them.
the day before, i reviewed my notebook of notes. i jotted down things that gave me trouble or things i didn't want to forget. i looked at lab values. i didn't do any questions. i don't know if i could do kaplan #7 the day before because that test was draining. i did it 2 days before.
good luck and i think you will do fine. i hope to find out tomorrow if i passed! i got 75 questions.

i know, the 7th test was draining. i was sitting in front of my computer with no drinks or food and i didn't even take a break! don't you think it is crazy? i was trying to see how much patience i have. :uhoh21:

i took the test for my texas license, i am wondering if it is all the same for all states that we can find out our test results from the bon website on the very next day?

ManyRN2B · Aug 8, 2005

i know, the 7th test was draining. i was sitting in front of my computer with no drinks or food and i didn't even take a break! don't you think it is crazy? i was trying to see how much patience i have. :uhoh21:
i took the test for my texas license, i am wondering if it is all the same for all states that we can find out our test results from the bon website on the very next day?

oh my gosh you sat there for all 265 questions? i had to eat lunch! lol....i even finished before the time ran out. my friend told me that most of the people she knows was able to check that night for the results. i will be checking tonight and tomorrow morning. heck i will keep checking until it gives me my results. i'm starting to freak out! accckkckckckckck!!!

my friend found out she passed today. she took it saturday and got 86 questions.

good luck to you and let's hope we both passed!

MrsMinor · Aug 9, 2005

Hi kelnich....

Wanted to send best wishes your way. I think the anxiety level is highest the couple days before the test, but once you get in there and start, the anxiety will most likely ease some (just don't forget to take deep breaths) !!

Sounds like you have prepared yourself well.

At this point I wouldn't be concerned about past scores on practice quizzes and continuing to do questions. Review the last minute things such as lab values/meds & insulin if you need.

Otherwise, too much review right before can also be as bad as not enough....you need to rest your mind....and trust yourself that YOU KNOW IT!

Good luck & keep us posted :) !!