NCLEX in 7 hours: A Note For Everyone!

Nursing Students NCLEX

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It's 1:30 am! My test is at 9am this morning and I am so excited for it! Not nervous so much as just really anxious in a good way and ready to get it started! I wanted to thank everyone for all the guidance, the good vibes, the cute anecdotes and the tips along the way! This NCLEX is a LONG time coming for me. I graduated nursing school eight years ago. Eight LONG years ago. Went through a really ugly divorce and had not been able to afford to take my NCLEX at the time. Before you knew it, life took over...and eight years went by. I was working all the while as a Medical Assistant, but it's not the same thing as knowing you could be an LPN or RN...if only you had the time, means and desire to follow through.

I attempted to go back to take it many times over the years and forever made excuses why I couldn't. Not enough time. Too much work. The kids were too little. Not enough money. Content with my job. Too many years passed, so forget it.

Any excuse I could dream up, I used.

Eventually, you run out of excuses and know when it was time to run head on into your dream. I was fired from my job just before Christmas, due to a clash of personalities with my office manager (small dermatology practice). Instead of being down and doubtful about my future...I said, you know what, Cher? You have the time now. You aren't working. The kids are now 11 and 19. You have the money. You have a fabulous new husband who really supports you and loves you. And the years that passed? Well, now is the time to put a stop to it. Don't wait one more day.

In the past 6 weeks, I have done over 4000 questions. I think I know more now than when I was in nursing school. And finally, the big day has arrived. Only a few more hours til I take this exam. I feel confident, excited and eager.

I also know that if for some reason I should fail...I am proud of myself for at least making the attempt to go forward. And that is what I want to say to all you nurses to be. If you fail, forgive yourself. It's a lot to swallow all at once. It's high pressure. It's overwhelming. But, it doesn't mean you aren't meant to be a nurse. You have the passion and the drive, the conviction and the love. You got through nursing school for a reason. Don't let a test dictate who you are and what you are good at. You are probably an amazing nurse...just a lousy test taker.

Be good to yourselves. Dream big. Reach for it. And, if you fall short, take the time out to study more and reach again. Don't be afraid to keep trying. Failure only comes to those who never attempt to try. Just by signing up for your exam, getting your ATT and setting a date, you are already taking a huge step into your goals. That is so brave. Sitting in front of that computer, facing the unknown is remarkably courageous.

Remember what you are made of. You are compassionate. You are strong. You are driven. You are loving. You are able and capable. You are smart. You are giving your life over to the service of others in need.

More than anything, you are WORTHY and VALUABLE. Never lose sight of the fact that no matter who you are, someone out there loves you. Someone is inspired by you. Someone needs you. Someone trusts you.

That is the true measure of a nurse. Not a test. The real test...is faith.

Stay strong, stay focused and stay the course. You were meant to be a nurse. Never let your self esteem dwindle to the point where you are second guessing yourselves.

I hope you all will think of me tomorrow. I will definately be thinking of all of you and how I know you will all be here to support me, pass or fail, and guide me through this time. I keep everyone here in my thoughts continually. I think that the support this group gives to one another is so inspiring.

Thank you all for playing such an amazing role in the lives of others.

Cher.

GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! Please let us know how you did! Thank you for writing an inspiring letter! I take my test in 1 week for the 6th time, so just by reading that enabled me to feel more confident and determined!

Specializes in Derm/Wound Care/OP Surgery/LTC.

Hey Everyone!

Just got back from the testing center. (It is nearly 2 hours away from my house!) I went in at 8:45 and walked out by 10:15. Test shut off at 85 questions. LOTS of meds. One math fill in the blank calculation. Some prioritizing. A lot of psych nursing too! Study those psych meds, Kids! Have to know side effects of them. Lots of diabetes questions. But, it was mostly meds. (Diabetes, cardiac, psych and pulmonary).

I have to admit, I feel pretty confident that I passed. Wow, won't it suck for me if I didn't!

I felt the test was pretty easy. BUT...that can mean one of two things. Either:

A) It was easy for me because I was well prepared and that is why it shut off at 85.

or...

B) I did so poorly, that is why I felt the questions were easy. They never advanced in difficulty. Therefore , the test shut off at 85.

I am hoping it is "A" :chuckle

Also, most of the questions asked for the MOST APPROPRIATE INITIAL reaction. So, keep in mind your ABC's always. Read the questions really thoroughly. Many of our practice tests ask "which requires further teaching to the client". Most of the questions I had were "which answer shows the client understood", which is directly the opposite of everything that I ever did on the practice tests!

That is the most important advice I can give you. READ the questions first. Then, read it again and break it down into little pieces, emphazing whether you need a "further teaching" or "client understands" type answer. I will also tell you that it is VERY easy to do process of elimination if you really take the time to read each answer one at a time WITH the question. You will see very quickly what makes sense and what doesn't.

The other thing? While driving to your test...make a CD of great music that soothes and relaxes you. Take a bottle of water to sip on to keep you alert and oxygenated. You CANNOT take the water into the test area with you. Actually, the only thing you can bring is your drivers license and your key to your locker. I had my asthma inhaler with me (I tend to get attacks this time of year) and I had to leave it in my locker! No exceptions! My test center supplies you with earplugs, tissues and hand sanitizer, if you need it.

It was VERY warm in the room too. You can't bring a coat or sweater in with you if it is chilly. You can take a break whenever you want...but it counts against your test time! Keep that in mind. I didn't take a break because I just wanted OUT! :roll

My mind is mush right now. I am so tired I can't even see straight. It's one of those...whew it's over type of feelings...and I know I am done studying. Now comes the fun part! WAITING!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully I will be back here in two days with good news!

Let me know if these tips helped you or not! Best thing to do is just STAY calm. It's really not that bad. Don't let it intimidate you!

Cher.

Hey Everyone!

Just got back from the testing center. (It is nearly 2 hours away from my house!) I went in at 8:45 and walked out by 10:15. Test shut off at 85 questions. LOTS of meds. One math fill in the blank calculation. Some prioritizing. A lot of psych nursing too! Study those psych meds, Kids! Have to know side effects of them. Lots of diabetes questions. But, it was mostly meds. (Diabetes, cardiac, psych and pulmonary).

I have to admit, I feel pretty confident that I passed. Wow, won't it suck for me if I didn't!

I felt the test was pretty easy. BUT...that can mean one of two things. Either:

A) It was easy for me because I was well prepared and that is why it shut off at 85.

or...

B) I did so poorly, that is why I felt the questions were easy. They never advanced in difficulty. Therefore , the test shut off at 85.

I am hoping it is "A" :chuckle

Also, most of the questions asked for the MOST APPROPRIATE INITIAL reaction. So, keep in mind your ABC's always. Read the questions really thoroughly. Many of our practice tests ask "which requires further teaching to the client". Most of the questions I had were "which answer shows the client understood", which is directly the opposite of everything that I ever did on the practice tests!

That is the most important advice I can give you. READ the questions first. Then, read it again and break it down into little pieces, emphazing whether you need a "further teaching" or "client understands" type answer. I will also tell you that it is VERY easy to do process of elimination if you really take the time to read each answer one at a time WITH the question. You will see very quickly what makes sense and what doesn't.

The other thing? While driving to your test...make a CD of great music that soothes and relaxes you. Take a bottle of water to sip on to keep you alert and oxygenated. You CANNOT take the water into the test area with you. Actually, the only thing you can bring is your drivers license and your key to your locker. I had my asthma inhaler with me (I tend to get attacks this time of year) and I had to leave it in my locker! No exceptions! My test center supplies you with earplugs, tissues and hand sanitizer, if you need it.

It was VERY warm in the room too. You can't bring a coat or sweater in with you if it is chilly. You can take a break whenever you want...but it counts against your test time! Keep that in mind. I didn't take a break because I just wanted OUT! :roll

My mind is mush right now. I am so tired I can't even see straight. It's one of those...whew it's over type of feelings...and I know I am done studying. Now comes the fun part! WAITING!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully I will be back here in two days with good news!

Let me know if these tips helped you or not! Best thing to do is just STAY calm. It's really not that bad. Don't let it intimidate you!

Cher.

Hi Cher, glad to hear you had a good one.

it's nice to get someone who is confident when they come out, I always read the threads that say OH MY GOD IV'E FAILED or IT WAS SOOOOO HARD.

good luck for thursday

Ang x

I'm glad you feel good about it. Just like the previous post, it is a downer when you hear about everyone walking out in dismay that it was the hardest thing they ever took. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!

wish you the best keep us posted

:roll :Melody: :roll :roll

I just wanted to say Goodluck and, am really glad that you felt good, at the same time its very refreshing to know =)

Wish you the best Cher!!!

See you in 2 days with Good news ( thats the day I get to freak out because its the day before my test)

LLuvSD2

Specializes in Neuro Surgery,telemetry.

well done to u and advance congratuations!!!!

All the best with your results CherBaby! Let us know when you find out!

read your posts and they were very inspirational. i hope you made it... :yeah: goodluck!:nurse:

Cerrybabie--How did it go? It is now 4:15 Wed morning, and I'd really like to hear from you. Trust me-- been ther, done that, DON'T want to do it again!!!!!

Specializes in icu.

nice to hear that u did well, cher!:roll

just inform when u got ur results... keep praying:saint:

Specializes in icu-general type.

hi! have been reading ur posts and it did made me realized how i should see myself after that dreaded nclex-rn i took a few weeks back that until now has no result...i should still be thankful i've gone this far that whatever the outcome will be, i'm still "the nurse" i am at present..

thanks for the enlightenment..

keep us all posted of ur result...godbless

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