Not Feeling Prepared Ever...

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I am taking my boards in a little over a week. I have been studying for a little over a month, am doing well as far as testing and answering questions as well as using a few study sources. I am not having a lot of trouble understanding the information or retaining it, I just feel like I don't know if I am prepared or not!

Anyone else having this problem, either for those who have or will be taking the exam? I know it's hard to really feel confident since the test has such a wide array of possibilities, I guess I am just not used to feeling this way.

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I took my NCLEX Thursday & found out this morning that I passed!!! I hardly did any questions but reviewed core content. I purchased the Hurst Review RN book from Barnes and Nobles and it was the key to my success along with Linda LaCharity's book- Delegation,Prioritization,&Assessment. (if you buy any book buy this one!) it's amazing! Good luck! If you know your content you will do great!!

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I feel the same way, although ive been doing well on kaplan. I take my test this Tuesday and my thinking is that I know what I know, and I've studied my butt off so I should go into the testing center with a glass half full mentality. Good luck with your studies and I'm sure you will do great!

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You both will do wonderful, I'm sure! If you have studied then you should do well!

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Dont wait too long to take ur test.. Just go and take it.. Thats what I did.. I changed my test date on June 23 to take the test on June 25..Initially I was taking the test on July 14th 2011. I felt that I was definitely not ready for the test and was confused as to how and what to study.. But, the truth is that there is really no way that you can prepare to take such test.. You just have to have ur basic nursing knowledge- things u learned in school- and then do some practice questions, which you say that ur doing a great job at, and believe me, I would do anything to help a fellow nurse or nurse to be... So, go ahead and take the test..

Good Luck!!

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Thank you for the kind words avicern. By the way, Ive been using the hurst online review as well ( with Kaplan for questions). I love it. Did you find hurst to be sufficient for nclex?

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I disagree when people say there is no way to prepare for this test! You have to know core content! The Hurst Review was definitely what caused me to pass. My computer cut off at 75. But also get the Prioritization book that I mentioned above by Linda Lacharity! It helped with about 60% of my exam. ;)

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To be honest, I didnt really do any review.. I just bought a kaplan 2011-2012 book from Barnes N Nobels and did the practice questions in there.. My averages were about 70s-low 80s.. I really only had one day to study and didnt want to do anything the day before the test.. I just relaxed on the 24th and took the test on the 25th.. I heard that Kaplan questions are very difficult.. and to me, they kinda were. Hurst Review, I had heard a lot about. If ur weak in content, then thats what people have recommended..If ur good with content, then just practice questions.. But, let me be honest here, I really thought the test was SO EASY.. I was a B average student in nursing school..I found it easy, like really really easy.. HESI and Kaplan questions were difficult..Dont stress.. Just relax ur mind and make sure to read each question carefully.. just go over labs values and insulins the day right before the test...thats all I did.. Only one lab value showed up on my test..:) Make sure to know how to calculate drip rates..Also always round up to the tenths for the adult and down for the pediatric client..

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I had absolutely no dosage. Every test varies. I didn't do the hurst review I just bought the book (40.00 vs 300.00) it hits hi points. Every test is completely different!! Review your stuff and definitely relax the day before. Breathe and pray! You made it through nursing school - you can pass NCLEX! I also convinced myself I was going to take a 265 question test- that way if i did- I wouldn't be upset. It doesn't matter how many questions you get. I passed with 75. A girl in my class failed with 75. We've also had someone pass with 265. Either way- dont over think it- go with your gut feeling and be done with it. You will do amazing!

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Take the test. No one every feels prepared, or if they do, they find the test not to be as easy as they had convinced themselves it would be. Just go and do your best. Good luck.

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Specializes in Medsurg, Public Hlth, School Nurse, Acute Rehab.

I tossed and turned the night before the exam. I probably got 4 hours of sleep total. I never felt entirely prepared, but I knew I had to take the exam eventually so I just went in and took it. Take a deep breath and just do it. Good luck!! :)

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I felt prepared for my exam. I bought the Kaplan 2011-2012 Review book and did the Hurst Live Review as well as ATI (we paid for it while in school). I honestly believe that Kaplan is what helped me the most. Like the other poster stated, if you are good with content, then don't focus on questions. Hurst was a "core content" review and Kaplan helps you with testing strategies. I took my NCLEX on Thursday, computer stopped at 75 questions and I found out today that I passed!! Just pray and study hard :)

This scripture is what helped me focus: Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope."

Just know this if you don't know anything else: you learned A LOT in nursing school and you know your basic nursing care and concepts; You will do awesome :)

Good Luck and post back once you find out that you passed!

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