Testing in 2 weeks ~ all advice for preparation appreciated!

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hi All,

My (possibly) future job as an RN resident requires I be licensed as an RN by Jan 21st. So I am scheduled for the NLCEX on Jan. 15th!! :scrying: However I graduated mid-late December and I had to move back home, across the country which took up a week and a half. Given the holidays, I didn't get started on studying till Dec. 26th. As an RN BSN student I excelled in nursing school, but at this point I have forgotten some of the key med/surg I and Fundamentals basics. And OB & Peds developmental stages is a weak point of mine. I did score 92% and 95% on two exit HESI exams I took. So I feel at this point, the NCLEX could go either way for me.

I am wondering with the following resources, if anyone has advice or a good study plan. Right now I'm getting really panicked and overwhelmed by everything. I have

-Kaplan On Demand: (I have completed QT 1 with 67%, 2 Q Bank tests with 64, and 70, and Diagnostic Test with 70%). However I admit I did look a couple things up cause Kaplan emailed me and said with my short amount of time to prepare, its okay to just look it up.

-Saunders Yellow Book - Comprehensive Review: I know I need to review much of this book, its just so overwhelming. I took a 100 question test on the Saunders CD and scored 81. I have reviewed the first 8 chapters.

-LaCharity Priortization, Delegation etc: Did a Chapter out of there and did very well.

-Davis NCLEX RN Success: Its a great book but its enormous and I don't know if I have time for it.

So I'm trying to calm down and set a good study plan in the time I have left. It's very hard to focus cause I'm used to studying in my own place, with peace and quiet but my family is disruptive. Does anyone have any advice on how best to use my time in these remaining 2 weeks? If anyone is in a similar situation, I would love to support each other in these last few weeks. Thanks all in advance for your advice! wave.gif.f76ccbc7287c56e63c3d7e6d800ab6c

Maria L, BSN said:
Well today I took my NCLEX. I have to say I was extremely nervous going in - literally shaking in the bathroom before I went into the exam. I looked at myself in the mirror though, and said you will be an RN today. I started the test and the first 3 questions were okay, I felt like Kaplan prepared me very well and Saunders was good review. However then it became very difficult. I tried hard not to panic but I honestly didn't feel good about any answer I gave. It ended up taking me 3 hours for the 75 questions. By the 75th question I was praying it would shut off simply because the testing experience was making me so sick with stress, that my heart was pounding through my chest LOL and I knew I wouldn't have enough time for the full 265 with the time it was taking me. I pressed next, and thank God, the blue screen came up! When I left, the emotion got to me and I called my good friend (who had already taken it and passed) crying, feeling I had failed. She checked the Pearson Vue pop up then and there for me and got the good pop up. When I called the state, they told me they couldn't officially tell me my results, but that "my license would be available by the end of the week" - in time for my job, which is starting on Monday! They also gave me a license number so I could look up the status on state website (it now says pending). My stats (for anyone who cares to know) are: 75 questions, 3 hours, multiple SATA, no OB, no Peds, 2 rhythm questions with pictures of the rhythm, many diet questions, many psych questions, many nursing management and delegation to off-the floor RN-type questions (La Charity PDA book prepared me well for these - highly recommended!), no med calc, 3 or 4 meds, few prioritization questions, one cranial nerve question (looked it up & I see I got it right!) and 2 put the procedure in order questions. It was certainly the most challenging exam of my nursing career, and I am so glad its over. If anyone would like any further advice or thoughts let me know ?

Congrats again maria, RN BSN Whats your email?

1 Votes
Specializes in ICU.
Maria L, BSN said:
Well today I took my NCLEX. I have to say I was extremely nervous going in - literally shaking in the bathroom before I went into the exam. I looked at myself in the mirror though, and said you will be an RN today. I started the test and the first 3 questions were okay, I felt like Kaplan prepared me very well and Saunders was good review. However then it became very difficult. I tried hard not to panic but I honestly didn't feel good about any answer I gave. It ended up taking me 3 hours for the 75 questions. By the 75th question I was praying it would shut off simply because the testing experience was making me so sick with stress, that my heart was pounding through my chest LOL and I knew I wouldn't have enough time for the full 265 with the time it was taking me. I pressed next, and thank God, the blue screen came up! When I left, the emotion got to me and I called my good friend (who had already taken it and passed) crying, feeling I had failed. She checked the Pearson Vue pop up then and there for me and got the good pop up. When I called the state, they told me they couldn't officially tell me my results, but that "my license would be available by the end of the week" - in time for my job, which is starting on Monday! They also gave me a license number so I could look up the status on state website (it now says pending). My stats (for anyone who cares to know) are: 75 questions, 3 hours, multiple SATA, no OB, no Peds, 2 rhythm questions with pictures of the rhythm, many diet questions, many psych questions, many nursing management and delegation to off-the floor RN-type questions (La Charity PDA book prepared me well for these - highly recommended!), no med calc, 3 or 4 meds, few prioritization questions, one cranial nerve question (looked it up & I see I got it right!) and 2 put the procedure in order questions. It was certainly the most challenging exam of my nursing career, and I am so glad its over. If anyone would like any further advice or thoughts let me know ?

What did you tell the state when you called them? I want to call them but don't know what to say since I only took it yesterday

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care.

I called them because my hospital is breathing down my neck lol, and basically told me I better be licensed by next week or they'll rescind my position. So I called the state and told them I thought I passed and what I could do to ensure I have my license by the end of the week - they told me "We can't tell you if you passed but you'll have your license up on the state website by the end of the week";) ...and the gave me my future license number to look myself up in the state database. I looked it up and it says Pending by my name. So I think all of this is a good sign cause why would they tell me my license will be there by the end of the week if I failed? Wishful thinking maybe :) I'm looking forward to seeing my name on that state website though!

1 Votes

Congrats!! What state are you in??

1 Votes
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