NCLEX...What to Bring???

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

I am certain this has probably been mentioned in another thread. Maybe we should make this a sticky or something, 'cause I know I am not the first person to wonder this.

What should you bring with you to the testing site?

I know the obvious things:

Drivers License.

Authorization to Test (ATT)

Sweater (in case it's cold)

Ear Plugs (in case person next to you has a "nose whistle" :roll )

But, what about things like water? A snack? A barf bag? Rosary beads? (Okay, I'm Jewish, so no rosary beads...but I'm still curious!)

I know you don't need a pen and paper, because I hear they give you a whiteboard to work out problems on. Where do you put your purse? Do you get to leave if you have to go to the bathroom? Does someone check your pockets for answers? :coollook: Not that anyone would do THAT!:saint:

Can you get up? Stretch? Walk around?

What if the person in the room with you is completely and utterly annoying? What do you do? Is there a proctor there? Is someone reading over your shoulder?

I ask a lot of questions, don't I?

I am just very interested in finding out what the test taking experience is going to be like...outside of the 3948723987 questions.

Any advice will be appreciated!

Cher.

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You aren't allowed to bring anything into the testing room except the clothes you are wearing - excluding your coat - and your driver's license.

There is a proctor who sits in a windowed alcove and watches. There are cameras watching. You will be fingerprinted and scanned into the computer before entering and if you need a break.

People are extremely quiet. Were anyone to speak they would be removed from the room.

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Cherybaby, it is Trekjudy....I am just hanging around reading postings and putting my notes away and books. I need to relax and watch a movie. The day is dragging and tomorrow is going to be even longer. Waiting til Tuesday is torture to take our test.

What are you doing? Are you still studying?

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

Hey Judy...

I wouldn't really call it studying so much as it is holding a piece of paper in my hand, glancing at lab values and reading this forum. *L* I am also listening to music, talking to my husband and trying to realize that at this point, nothing is going to change anything.

And now, I can't bring water into the room with me???? Sue? How do you get a drink of water if you need one??

I may just die after all! :smiletea:

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I had many of the same fears. I didn't know how I could survive 75 questions, I would surely die if I got 265! I went in to the testing center with my keys, drivers, license, and ATT. I put my keys and license in the provided locker and went in to face my greatest fear. Someone was taking the MCAT or something, their clickety clacking got on my nerves, for about 10 seconds.

After the first couple of questions I went into the "Target Zone." You know when you go to Target and your brain leaves your body, until you have a full cart and are at the registers? You don't know how you got there, but you did. That was like the NCLEX, I had to remind myself to look at the question numbers. I looked down about 5 times...questions 4, 10, 42, 72, and 75. I went into the NCLEX zone, when I arrived there were 3 other people in the room, when I left, there were 12 and I didn't hear anyone come or go.

You can do it! I ended up passing, but waiting for quick results was the longest 48 hours of my life!

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Good luck@ Bring a good attitude!!

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Cherybaby,

How are you surviving this AM? I just woke up. I am soooo tempted to look over notes but just have to put my notes out of sight. I am going to give myself a headache.

What are you doing or plan tonight?:lol2:

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

Wellllll, let's see. Went to bed at midnight. Woke up at 5am. Did an online test.:trout: *whoopsie!* Reviewed it. Threw away the CD. *LOL* Yes, I really threw it away. (My husband retrieved it from the garbage though...and hid it) Now I am here, reading positive stories from people. I am blogging. I am reading news. I am eating breakfast and um, that's it so far. I have an appointment with my psychologist at 2pm that I am really looking forward to! ;) I am going to pick up my son from school, head to the video arcade, hang with him...because he is a funny little creep then, send him to his grandmothers for the night.

[bANANA]After that, dinner out. Movie out. (Maybe some relaxing alone time with the hubby??? :devil: :lol2: ) and then sleeeeeeeeeep.[/bANANA]

I have to leave at 7am to get to the test site by 8:30 am.

How's your day shaping up? Plans?

Admittedly, I am still glancing at lab values now and then. I think I shall be doing this straight up until the test. Can't help it. Old habits die hard.

Cher.

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they will provide ear plugs for you, and dont wear jewelry I had to put my necklace in the locker. You can not bring water or food. Also the computer will give you an option to take a break but the break includes your testing time the time does not stop

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Specializes in BMT, Hematology and Oncology.

Do you have to wait for the computer to tell you to take a break or can you go to the bathroom even if it is not time for a break?

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If you need to take a break, you raise your hand, and the test proctor will give you the ok to get up and leave. You have to check in and out with the fingerprint reader. Best thing to take to the test is a calm and prepared mind. Good luck to everyone getting ready to test.

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Don't bring anything. They won't even let you wear a watch. You can't wear ear plugs either. They give you a pair of headsets to wear that you use to answer question and to block noises out. And no water, gum.... Nothing. After two hours you can take a ten minute break and there is another one I think at 3:30 hours. I did 75 questions and I was out of there in one hour so I didn't need to worry about it. Good luck and hope you pass. Just remember to breathe and bring all your knowledge and a positive attitude. The first thing I did when I sat down was WRITE.... YOU CAN DO IT and BREATHE... Just remind myself to stay positive and allow the oxygen to get to my brain.

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