New Grad Sad and Frustrated

[ange26s]

so i just graduated last week and was cloud 9 unitl i started the kaplan course this week. i left ns feeling comfortable and self-confident with passing the nclex.i had always studied really hard during ns and did well on our test.now, im doing terrible according to kaplan and have a low chance of passing boards.my friends seem to be doing well on their test and are suppose to have a great chance at passing boards.whats wrong with me? how did i go from being a b student to feeling so inadequate on tests? im missing even the obvious questions.i tried talking to the kaplan instructor about it, and was told i was lacking critical thinking on test taking skills.i cant get out of this rut of feeling so dumb and nervous! i will be taking boards in approx. 3 wks. and im scared all my hard work will mean nothing if i can't get my license they really have broken down my self-confidence.

[beachbutterfly]

:kissI definitely can relate to the fear of NCLEX...I'm a new grad and I'm still debating when would be the best time to take the dreaded NCLEX,I feel so terribly unprepared and try to do as many questions as possible (from CDs,books etc).I wish I could have taken Kaplan review but I cant afford it right now so I study on my own.

[Scorpio,LPN]

Well I'm an actual Kaplan student, we graduate in about 3 weeks and although I have gotten very good grades through the program I am VERY nervous about taking the NCLEX! From everyone I have talked to it seems that it's a normal feeling. What our instructors keep telling us is to use positive affirmation. Sounds kind of silly I know, but it actually does make me feel better. You must know quite a bit of something to have made it this far, so build on that and trust in yourself! Did you ever take a test taking strategies course or read those kind of books? I know they help some people. Instead of asking them what your doing "wrong" ask them what you should do to help your scores...Just an idea. Good Luck, I'm not far behind you:)

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

so i just graduated last week and was cloud 9 unitl i started the kaplan course this week. i left ns feeling comfortable and self-confident with passing the nclex.i had always studied really hard during ns and did well on our test.now, im doing terrible according to kaplan and have a low chance of passing boards.my friends seem to be doing well on their test and are suppose to have a great chance at passing boards.whats wrong with me? how did i go from being a b student to feeling so inadequate on tests? im missing even the obvious questions.i tried talking to the kaplan instructor about it, and was told i was lacking critical thinking on test taking skills.

having gotten through nursing school, you can pass nclex. at least you have a "heads up" from the kaplan course on a possible weakness in your studying/test taking. if you are definitely not ready for nclex, have you considered rescheduling it?

ask the kaplan instructor how he/she recommends improving your critical thinking skills.