Need advice for NCLEX from RNs who didnt pass the first time

Sassy5d · Jul 19, 2012

It depends on you. What areas were you lacking in?

I think a lot of those review products are a disservice. That exam is nothing like those things. (From what I've seen).

You need to make sure that you are going in there with several things in mind. First off, when you find yourself losing control and feeling a panic, what do you do to bring yourself down? It's normal to start to panic during that test, with all the pressure you are under.. and your mind starts racing.. how do you calm yourself down?

Secondly, make sure you have a confident understanding of NORMALS and I'm not just talking about lab values and vital signs. Do you really feel comfortable with what is normal? A lot of questions on that test are trying to figure out if you know what's normal. They will trick you with similar wording, changing a word that makes the answer wrong. Can someone talk to you about a condition, such as diabetes, and you have a good explanation of how your body and pancreas and hormones and vessels NORMALLY work so that you can explain to someone how diabetes is damaging?

Third, make sure you have a confident understanding of stable vs unstable and priority. Even if the questions are being asked in a different language.. with diseases that you've never heard of, or a med that you are going to guess on, do you have the ability to determine what takes priority? Again, there are a lot of distractions used to throw you off the "path", can you decipher what is "blowing smoke" and what is right?

Best of luck to you!!

Faye313 · Jul 19, 2012

@ purpleandgoldblood........what Sassy5d posted is very true! Especially: Third, make sure you have a confident understanding of stable vs unstable and priority. Even if the questions are being asked in a different language.. with diseases that you've never heard of, or a med that you are going to guess on, do you have the ability to determine what takes priority? Again, there are a lot of distractions used to throw you off the "path", can you decipher what is "blowing smoke" and what is right?

scm0890 · Jul 21, 2012

Thank you for posting this. I am taking the NCLEX on Friday and am really nervous. I feel like I can't study enough lol. I feel like I have prioritization down very well and know the usual lab values, vitals, etc, but there are some areas that I don't feel like I'll ever be comfortable in such as pharm (knowing all the meds and their side/adverse effects). Good luck to you purpleandgoldblood! I hope we will both be successful with the NCLEX :)