NCLEX Stress

ellescorpio · May 29, 2006

I feel the same way. I am scheduled to take the exam on June 5th. Less than a week away now. :chair: I feel like I am going go crazy waiting and I don't know how to use the time I have left most efficiently. I am to the point where I am just ready for it to be over. I took the Hurst review last week and I feel like I had a lo of light bulbs go off but They said we have to know the whole binder they gave us by heart and it is thick! Well anyway, I hope it helps you to know there is someone else feeling just like you. Best of luck! :lol_hitti let's not beat ourselves up too much!

brandye1 · May 29, 2006

hey guys, I graduated May 3rd...took my test May 26th...found out I passed today and can't believe it! I didn't take a review course and only buckled down and studied for a little under 2wks...I am sure you all will be fine on the test and I know exactly what you mean about just wanting to get it over with...that is what I did...I just couldn't take the stress anymore. I also had to answer all 265 quest! Good luck to you

TLC RN · May 29, 2006

I am glad to see I am not alone :)

How sad is this? My son is watching cartoons while I study. The cartoon is about some big test the characters have to take...what is it called? The CAT - COMPUTER ADAPTIVE TEST...I can't get away from it, lol...The only thing is they are fighting over looking at the answers before taking the test...I only wish :roll

ebonynurse · May 30, 2006

Congratulations. What materials did you use to study with in such a short time frame. Any tips? That's really awesome!

Did you practice only questions ... what's the secret?

Thanks.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · May 30, 2006

IF it causes that much stress; go ahead and schedule it and get it over with. The things you need to know you learned in school. Review is JUST that. Weeks of 'review' aren't going to be helpful if they are accompanied by weeks of high 'stress'. That's my take.

I've posted below before, for others:

Remember while taking the test that this nasty computer program is trying to find your 'level'. As such, it moves back and forth between questions that you CAN answer, and those you can't.

Add to that the fact that 15 of the questions are being 'tested' for future use and may contain VERY difficult concepts.

If you get 75 questions, you could conceivably pass by only answering about 30 of them correctly (~50% of the 60 valid questions PLUS the 15 extra questions).

It just depends at what LEVEL you are getting the right AND wrong answer. A wrong answer isn't a bad thing; in fact, the questions will get more and more difficult until you DO start answering questions wrong.

That, and the computer is designed so that if you miss in a certain area, it will keep going back to THAT area. I hear so often some variant of "Oncology is my worst subject and it seemed that the test asked me all oncology questions!!!!!" Well, yes, the computer is designed to focus on you. Remember CAT stands for computer ADAPTIVE test; it adapts to you: your strengths . . . . and weaknesses.

The point I'm making is that EVERYBODY feels like a rock when they are done. Don't let the fact that the questions seem difficult un-nerve you while you are taking the test. This is another thing I've heard time and time again on this board: people freaked because the test shut off at 75 and they felt they needed more time to 'make up' for how difficult things were so far. So, many people get their stress levels worked up during the test because of its difficulty. DON'T. That is simply not an accurate indicator of how well you are doing.

I've also heard people freak because the test kept going well past 75. That's not a bad thing. As long as the test keeps asking you questions, it means it is still trying to accurately gauge your level. If you were doing very poorly, the computer would know by 75 that you aren't at a high enough level. The fact that it keeps asking questions means that it is still trying to 'gauge' you. In fact, it doesn't even mean that you aren't doing very well. All testing past 75 means is that the computer still doesn't have a clear cut 'read' on you. So, don't freak out by that, either. I can't tell you how many people come back w/ "Can you pass with 168 questions?" or some variant. The answer: of course.

My point is don't let these things influence your stress levels WHILE you are taking the test. They simply aren't accurate indicators of how you are doing and will only serve to increase your stress with a possible result of decreasing your effectiveness.

One final thing. Many people apparently have this idea that if they answer the last question right or wrong, it is indicative of passing or failing. I have seen where this is simply not true.

Good luck all test takers.

~faith,

Timothy.

achood_RN · May 31, 2006

I really understand what you are feeling right now. Waiting for the result is really stressful. I tell you pray and have Faith. Always tell to God that you want to be a Nurse for the Glory of His Kingdom! I also had 265 Questions 5 hours exam (including the break). But I passed my exam for the first try. I used Kaplan and Saunders by Silvestri Good Luck to You!. and God Bless you!

hope to be a nurse · May 31, 2006

I have been studying for a month but only got serious about it the last two weeks. I have done about 100Q's a day and my anxiety is increasing daily. I am torn between doing as many questions as I can in the next week and just taking the test to get it over with quickly vs. staying the course and putting a good honest 6 weeks worth of studying in. If my quiz scores are below the avg my anxiety goes through the roof. I honestly don't know if I could do this another 4 weeks because I am sick of being so stressed. I was never this stressed in school ever. I don't want to fail yet I don't want to live in this constant state of fear. How can a test with potentially 265 questions cause so much anxiety? How sad is it that I am willing to take it with less prep just to see if I can pass so I don't have to stress anymore. But then again...if I don't pass will I be more stressed or less stressed cause I finally saw what to expect?
AGGGH! I am going for a bike and run to get rid of some of the stress! I don't think this is normal

Hi tootyx121, I will also be taking the test June 5,2006.. If I could I would take it tomorrow. I have also put in several weeks of studying and as the day gets closer I feel more and more anxious. This will be my second time taking it, so I am very scared because the first time I was sooooo nervous and I know that had a part in me not passing.

I think you should take it IF you feel you are ready.

Good luck to all of us.

Hope to be a nurse

AmyD_RN · May 31, 2006

I guess there are quite a few of us june 5th'ers!

ebonynurse · May 31, 2006

Hi "hope to be a nurse": which saunders did you use and which kaplan. did you use the qbank and/or did you go for the live classroom review in person.

thanks !!!

achood_RN · May 31, 2006

I used Saunders by Silvestri and I used Kaplan qbank. I reviewed only by myself but I went in Kaplan for audiovisual. Good Luck and God Bless!

hope to be a nurse · Jun 1, 2006

Hi "hope to be a nurse": which saunders did you use and which kaplan. did you use the qbank and/or did you go for the live classroom review in person.
thanks !!!

Hi ebonynurse, I use Saunders third edition and forllowed Suzanes program.

My first time I used Kaplan and I personally did like it to much.