Nervous about the NCLEX PN help ease my mind

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

What's Test Anxiety and how to deal with it?

1-feeling insecure about our performance

2-worry over something you've no control over

3-thinking about what people might feel if you failed

4- unpreparedness

5- worry about time allotted to finish the test

5 Bad habit of anxiety

1- smoking or drinking more frequently

2- biting nails, fidgeting with hairs etc

3- trouble falling asleep

4- daydreaming

5- eat more/less food

All these factors contribute to inability to perform effectively while preparing for an exam. I know is not possible to eliminate all these, but always keep them under control. Always have it in mind the exam is given in other to test your ability but not to punish you. Look at the exam as not being forced on you, but as a requirement to move up in your career.

How is your study environment? Try to study in a quite zone with less distraction and external noise because they will interfere with the ability to concentrate and learn. Study in a comfortable and relaxed environment.

How long did you study? Don’t study for long hours! You might end up not understanding but cramming!!

Do you have study mate? Study with others who you think have the same ability or know more than you. If you’re an average student, do not study with student who always made A's because they will always skip material that's necessary for you to review. Neither study with student who made C's because they will end up having to study material is of any importance.

Keep sufficient time available for yourself to study on your own and never study too long with your study group. Keep your study group serious.

Keep the study group small, because if the study groups are large, there is a greater tendency to become distracted.

Do not come for study review unprepared!!

Used prepared test question in the review book as a guide to help out.

Take the comprehensive test at the back of the test.

Always test in a test mode i other to keep track of your performance

Develop used of flash cards

Pause after reading and jot down the important point for reference

Take a practice test that you think will be included in the test

Review the area of weakness first in other to have time to review again before the exam

After a month of studying practice the pretest/comprehensive test at the back of the study guide to see how you're doing. Have you improved?

Relax a day before the exam and get sufficient sleep.

You need to be physically and mentally alert!!

Wish you all the best!!!!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 10, 2009

Moved to the NCLEX forum

Normal to feel nervous. Main thing is practising many many questions and reading the rationale. Good luck

caliotter3 · Oct 11, 2009

Continue doing as many practice questions as possible and study the rationales up to the day before your test date. Also, don't forget to practice your relaxation techniques. Wishing you good luck.

Ms.SJnurse2b, LPN · Oct 12, 2009

I am also taking my NCLEX in a couple of weeks. I have been doing ATI's online review which I think is good. I have the use of ATI books and then I take two tests in that subject. I have done fundamentals, nutrition, med/surg, maternity, peds, psych, prioritization, and pharm. I have scored in the expected range and higher on these exams. My school requires us do the review or we dont get a letter of completion sent to the board of nursing. The ATI review is VERY time consuming. It has taken me 2 months. I took my last test of 180 questions and recieved a probability of 94% chance of passing NCLEX!:yeah:But, I'm still nervous!! I want to buy Exam Cram and do non stop questions for 2 weeks until my ATT comes. I hope it comes in the next two weeks. Any advice, suggestions, relief statements, whatever is greatly appreciated. I was one of the top students in my class, but to me that doesn't always matter. I have extreme test anxiety that I am trying to cure with my method of non pharmacological treatment: Take as many online tests a day to decrease anxiety. Lol. Please help!!!:loveya:

darkbeauty · Oct 14, 2009

NCLEX is overrated...It's NOT that bad if you are prepared. You have to understand that you will nit retain ALL the information you studied in school, you need minimal, safe demonstration to pass.

Goodluck and relax!

crochetangel2 · Oct 14, 2009

Thanks to all the posts and advice for the nclex. I have been studying and reviewing everyday. Althheough, I do have anxiety, of the list of questions on the post reply #3 fits myself. In a few weeks, I know whether I pass will let you know.

NurseKiKiLpn · Oct 14, 2009

I was just in your same position about a month ago. i used saunders and kaplan because it taught me how to look at the questions. Answer as many practice questions as you can so that you can get familiar with the different types of questions. The NCLEX was totally different from any test I took in school. But i'm happy to say I felt just how your currently feeling now and i PASSED so will YOU. GOOD LUCK and GOD bless.

crochetangel2 · Oct 20, 2009

Thank you for all your support in boosting my confidence. I take the NCLEX Tuesday oct 27. By next month, I hope to transition from CNA to PN.

I appreciate your advice and inspiration. Margie

crochetangel2 · Oct 20, 2009

Thanks for your support. Yes, ATI ,ncsbn.org,Exam Cram and Sanders for nclex question review are all helpful. I did well in school as well but I always have anxiety. Will let you all know soon if I passed.