Nclex Nightmare

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2006

I think that you may be experiencing a common reaction to the nclex. If you read some of the posts in this forum you will find they sound much like yours.

Hang in there cause you will have the results soon. I am sending good vibes your way.:)

MCG25 · Jan 25, 2006

Thanks Mona,

I did feel alittle bit better after I read some stories, it did help somewhat.

HappyJaxRN · Jan 25, 2006

I came on this website in search for some hope. I took the NCLEX this morning and walked out an hour later and got shut off at 75 questions. The whole time I was sitting there I could not believe the questions I was getting. I had alot of prioritizing, some call backs, and a ton of med questions. I thought that was so unfair to ask so many meds, meds I have never heard of. The only two they asked that I knew was atropine and coumadin, the others I never heard of before. I don't know what I could have done different to prepare. This test was something I did not expect. I guess I am so disappointed because when I was in nursing school I scored a 92% on the NLN. It's going to be a long 48 hours.

I felt the same way. I was asked a ton of questions I wasn't familiar with. I had 170 something questions tho. I was asked a lot of prioritizing questions and a lot of meds, some lab values and a TON OF INSULIN questions. I realized I must have been missing the insulin questions when I was getting slammed with them....I started to notice a trend and paid closer attention to these questions....and where do I work now??? On the Liver, Kidney, PANCREAS transplant unit. INSULIN! Gotta really know it now!!!!!

I was so worried waiting for my results! It's hard NOT to think about it.

lgbentle · Jan 26, 2006

MCG,

I feel the same way you do! I took NCLEX yesterday January 25th starting at 825am I was out of there by 1000am. I went numb when the computer shut off. Like you I had all meds that I had never heard of, tons of priority, and call backs. I was shocked when mine shut off around 85 questions. I am so nervous about finding out tomorrow. I feel I prepared myself the best way I could by taking a review course and doing thousands of review questions. I am looking for some way to feel better for the next 24 hours as well. I hope we both passed. I am so ready to not have to study anymore.

Hope it is positive news for both of us tomorrow!

LGB

phxgoddess · Jan 26, 2006

most of the people I have talked to had the test shut off at 75 or so.

It only took me an hour and I was afraid I went too fast, but I passed.

You only have to have more right than wrong - in all actuality.

In real life you aren't expected to know it all and you will learn all the meds, etc for whatever field you go into.

I think the NCLEX was more a test of "critical thinking."

(I hate using that term after hearing it over and over and over again in school).

It was a test of looking at a question and then analyzing the answers to choose the best one. Some questions and answers were easy, like in real life, and some were from left field and about gout medicine you had never heard of. (just an example).

I'm sure you did fine.

I think the percentage is about 90% now who pass on the first try.

However, with that said, I know that there is nothing I can say to take away the doubt and anxiety you may be feeling. Find movies or take a walk or find some other escape while you wait. (I rented movies and ate non-stop)

good luck to you - but I'm sure you'll be fine. You couldn't have gotten through nursing school without a brain.

NCINDASUN · Jan 26, 2006

MCG,
I feel the same way you do! I took NCLEX yesterday January 25th starting at 825am I was out of there by 1000am. I went numb when the computer shut off. Like you I had all meds that I had never heard of, tons of priority, and call backs. I was shocked when mine shut off around 85 questions. I am so nervous about finding out tomorrow. I feel I prepared myself the best way I could by taking a review course and doing thousands of review questions. I am looking for some way to feel better for the next 24 hours as well. I hope we both passed. I am so ready to not have to study anymore.
Hope it is positive news for both of us tomorrow!
LGB

lgbentle,

You must have been taking the same test I took today! I felt like all I was doing was prioritizing and some of the answers offered...it was like which is the least worst of some really bad answers. I shut off somewhere between 82 and 86 - was totally shocked when it happened.

It's a strange feeling afterwards - kinda like a cross between "what the heck just happened?" and being comfortably numb. I'm figuring I either passed or REALLY sucked. The majority of the people in my class are averaging between 75 and 100 questions and passing, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm so jealous, though. I'll have to wait until late next week. NC - 25th in education, 49th in NCLEX reporting time (thanks California)

jgrossberg · Jan 27, 2006

I will have to go through this as well this coming May, but I was under the impression (source: one of my instructors, I think :confused: ) that the NCLEX is an interactive exam. This supposedly means that, if you get a question right, the computer is programmed to give you a harder one. If you get a question wrong, it is programmed to give you another question that is slightly "easier", until you get one correct. Then it goes on to whatever is next. This is to assess a level of competence. So, if that information is correct and your exam suddenly "shut off" at 75, or whatever, it must mean that your responses were proportionately correct enough to stop the exam at a passing level of proficiency. I hope this doesn't give anyone a false sense of security, and I would welcome anyone's feedback in support or opposition to this information...but I think you all did OK. Here's wishing you peace and confidence...from another almost new-grad.:redpinkhe

TexasPediRN · Jan 27, 2006

I will have to go through this as well this coming May, but I was under the impression (source: one of my instructors, I think ) that the NCLEX is an interactive exam. This supposedly means that, if you get a question right, the computer is programmed to give you a harder one. If you get a question wrong, it is programmed to give you another question that is slightly "easier", until you get one correct. Then it goes on to whatever is next. This is to assess a level of competence. So, if that information is correct and your exam suddenly "shut off" at 75, or whatever, it must mean that your responses were proportionately correct enough to stop the exam at a passing level of proficiency. I hope this doesn't give anyone a false sense of security, and I would welcome anyone's feedback in support or opposition to this information...but I think you all did OK. Here's wishing you peace and confidence...from another almost new-grad.:redpinkhe

you are absolutely correct. the NCLEX is an 'interactive' exam. It you answer a question wrong, you will get an easier question then if you answered the question right.

The test will continue until the computer has determined with a 95% confidence that you have either passed or failed. It will continue giving questions until it determines this. This is why it doesnt matter how many questions you get, cause you can pass/fail with any amount. The computer can shut off at 75 questions- and you can either pass or fail. (It either determined you really knew what you were doing, or that you really didnt)

For the OP- the NCLEX is unlike any test you have ever taken before, but just know this: Once you pass, you'll never have to take it again!! Unfortunately, it can give you a lot of meds. You should have know most of them though- did you have a pharmacology class in school?

I hope you did well and passed!! Good luck :)

MCG25 · Jan 27, 2006

I passed, I passed.........thank you all for your wonderful stories, it truly helped me these last two days. Hearing what others had gone through helped me realize I was not the only one. For all of you out there waiting to take the NCLEX RN, good luck and don't freak out.

:balloons:

nursemomruns · Jan 27, 2006

i passed, i passed.........thank you all for your wonderful stories, it truly helped me these last two days. hearing what others had gone through helped me realize i was not the only one. for all of you out there waiting to take the nclex rn, good luck and don't freak out.
:balloons:

yippee! that's great!!!:balloons: :)

lgbentle · Jan 27, 2006

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH congratulations!! I PASSED TOO!!!!!!!! I am still in shock the wait was awful, but not as bad as the feeling I had when i walked out of pearson vue on wednesday. Today made up for all of it though!! This web site helped me so much!! Thanks!! Im so glad I am an RN now !!! yayayayayay!!!!