NCLEX-RN: Anyone think it wasn't such a huge deal?

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2014

Your question is hard! :-)

Honestly there is no 'one size fits all' answer. I read a post recently from a person who was an RN and went on to become an attorney, she passed the bar on her first try as well and said NCLEX was the hardest thing she ever had to do. For me, it was the hardest test I ever took. Other people will say it wasn't too bad. It all depends on how well prepared you are, how well you test, etc.

Having passed the PN, you probably already have a good idea of what it's like, if you found the PN easy, the RN will probably be easy.

I don't think after having done the PN that you need months of study, but I would definitely do some review while waiting for your exam. It take a little while to get your ATI, that time period should be all you need.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 24, 2014

Like the PP said, it's pretty difficult to say if a test is easy or hard, as it is extremely subjective. A question someone looks at and says "totally simple" another person reads as "too hard".

I think "bad test taker" is blamed WAY the heck too often as the reason people fail (after all, how did they get through nursing school if their test-taking skills were so horrible?). However, there IS something to people working themselves into such a state of anxiety that the test becomes paralyzing.

It's very difficult to think clearly and with a level head when one is feeling crushing anxiety over the exam in the first place. Questions that are answered without too much difficulty in the comfort of one's own living room can become confusing and suffocating when one feels too much pressure in the face of the NCLEX. Just because one is ready academically for a test doesn't mean one is ready psychologically....and that is what zaps many test-takers. And honestly, that's not even a bad thing either, as being unable to handle the stress of the exam, becoming paralyzed with fear over a test, might indicate someone who isn't ready emotionally or psychologically to enter the (usually harrowing) practice of new-grad nursing. Tough love, but sometimes failing really IS an indication of "Not Ready Yet", sorry.

I did thousands of practice questions, did a live Kaplan review, did all the online QBank and Trainer Quizzes, and was still so nervous before my exam I thought I might actually throw up in the lobby of Pearson Vue's test center. I was ready, but knowing how much was at stake on the outcome made it all the worse.

I finished with minimal questioning, and was still convinced I failed as I headed to my car. I MUST have failed. It was ABSURD that I would have failed, but....there it was, FEAR. Worrying for months, fearful *I* would be the one in my class to bomb out on the NCLEX.

Was it a really super-hard test, one that was nearly impossible to prepare for? No. In hindsight, while it wasn't easy (IMOHO), it also wasn't as hard as I (and everyone else) made it out to be. Think about it: it's a MINIMAL competency exam, it's designed only to assess basic competence to START practice as a new RN. Not proficiency, not board certification in a specialty. Minimum competence.

However, what it most certainly WAS was the worst testing experience of my life! I was so intent on beating the NCLEX Monster that I had no room to consider that I already easily knew whatever had to be known for the test!

I think those who are blessed with a calm demeanor for testing, who do not work themselves into an anxiety fit before the NCLEX have no IDEA how blessed they really are. They will simply walk in, take the test, answer the questions, and be done with it: PASS. People who work the exam into mythic proportions of power will struggle with it FAR more.

And that, folks, is my take on this all

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 24, 2014

Was the NCLEX-RN hard? Yes. It easily was the hardest exam I've ever taken. Was it as hard as I thought it could have been? No. The exam found my limits and fortunately that was high enough above the passing standard that I passed in 75 questions. As nervous as I was about the exam, I never have had text anxiety. It also helps to just focus on the question right in front of you because the last one doesn't matter and the next one hasn't been picked yet. Oh, and the feeling that you've failed is pretty strong because you know how many questions you guessed at (educated or otherwise) and you know that you probably failed because you're sure you got only about 50% of the questions right...

dream3810 · Nov 24, 2014

I took the nclex the first time without studying at all ....four months after graduation failed with 265 questions. Took it a second time after studying for three days and passed with 200 questions.

I'm a procrastinator and I can't study for a long time beforehand hence the last minute studying.

The nclex was like a completely different world then any other programs. It makes you feel like your not sure of anything.

Nienna Celebrindal · Nov 24, 2014

Yeah I know someone who was one of the best students in our class, 99% on ati (iknow this ffor sure), great Kaplan scores and failed in 75 questions.

Do not be cocky.

luthien.rn · Nov 24, 2014

I would say it depends from program you were/are in and how well you are testing. My program has passing rate 100% and I am good test taker.

Personally, I didn't find NCLEX questions that difficult. I think what some people may find difficult is how random questions are.

s-nurse1 · Dec 19, 2014

I would say it depends on the individual you ask. I am sure if you already took your PN and felt piece of cake then you know how to prepare and study which I believe is the hardest thing. I would say do what you did before and do not underestimate the test. I do not know the difference but I think if you study through out the program and study not just for the exam of the class but study for the content and keep it in your brain for long term you will be fine. I felt it was easy and if you wish I posted my experience you can read upon. I think you will be good to go do what you did before.

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/nclex-rn-experience-961076.html

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2014

Was the NCLEX as hard as I imagined it to be? No. Was it difficult? Yes. I took the Hurst Live review and then studied everyday for 8 hours a day for 2 weeks before I took the test. I passed in 75 questions. I still did not feel 100% confident that I passed as I walked out of the testing room but I had a feeling that I answered enough correctly to pass. Don't take it lightly. Yes, it is difficult, but it's not so hard that you cannot pass in the first attempt if you study enough! (I took NCLEX-RN in June 2014).