NCLEX officially nervous despite HESI scores

jewel100 · Oct 7, 2008

Hi everyone.
I am officially nervous about the NCLEX. Despite Hesi scores higher than 850 which is needed for the NCLEX from my understanding. But after talking to a few friends who took the exam I feel like its hopeless.... I take it in about a month and start my new job next week.........
words of advice, study advice anything would be greatly appreciated. One person told me its not use studying for teh NCLEX b/c it is so tough and if i don't know my stuff by now I will never know it........

Hey-I know how you feel. Despite my passing HESI scores I was convinced that it wasn't enough, and I wasn't ready. I really don't believe you ever feel completely ready, but sometimes you just have to take that leap.

In regard to NOT studying...absolutely don't recommend it! Your friends do have a point-there will be stuff on the NCLEX that you have never even heard of, not to mention know anything about, but having practice with questions makes a huge difference. Picking a book or program that offers good, solid rationales is the best move, in my opinion. Both Kaplan and Saunders offer rationales that help you assess how you thought about the question. Often, even if you don't know the answer, you can do some deductive reasoning through your test taking skills and improve your chance of choosing the right answer ten-fold.

I don't believe I would have passed in 75 questions had it not been for all the practice. I was able to read the question and know what the question was asking, because NCLEX questions that are in the passing range are typically not straight forward. Since you have a month, aim for 50 questions a night. That will be about 1500 questions. Maybe on the weekends, you can do longer sets to build some stamina.

The NCLEX is a standardized test that requires standardized test taking skills. You've gotten through nursing school, and you've got the knowledge! Good luck! You can do it! And whatever you do, DON'T talk to people who have already taken the NCLEX about it! It might just psych you out. Tell yourself everyday that you'll pass, and I bet you will!

suzanne4, RN · Oct 7, 2008

You already have the information in your head, it is just understanding what the exam is looking for in an answer that will make or break the exam for you.

You do not need to study as you did for school, but you need to prepare for this exam. Completely two different things and this exam is going to be unlike anything that you have ever seen.

Best of luck to you.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 7, 2008

Some excellent advice. All I can say is practice questions and understand the rationale

Good luck