Ok...this is a hard thing to admit....

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I'm scheduled to take the NCLEX next week. It's been about two months since graduation. There were tons of delays regarding my application, moving, family, personal issues.....you name it, it's happened. My original plan was to take it within a month of graduation...didn't happen.

I am under emense pressure by my employer to take this exam ASAP. I'm one of only two of the new hires that hasn't taken it yet. Everyone else has passed, first try.

I was the student who always OVER prepared for the exams...now I find the material running together. I keep taking the 10 question quizzes on Saunders...I'm getting very discouraged...I usually only get about 6 or 7 out of the 10....I still see things every day that I can't seem to put to memory.

My work demands, as a new hire, has been huge..in addition to working 12 hours a day and taking care of two children, they have tons of seminars, check-offers, half-day this and that, that I'm having to attend, and it's eating away at the time I have left when I get home.

I only have less than a week, and I work tomorrow, but off the weekend. My employer will throw a fit if I put off this test....I'm certain that I am going to fail it if I take it. It's like I have forgotten everything that I have learned in school.

I am starting to get into that mindset, when I sit down to study, that it's too overwhelming and the task is impossible...so then I find myself not doing anything...this is where I am at right now. There was so much that we didn't cover in my program...it was very substandard.

If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, lifetime Diabetes Education.

Can you ask for some time off to prepare for the exam? Did they give you a specific date that you have to take it by? Also, if you do not pass on the first try will you still be able to work there?

Tell your employer exactly how you are feeling. Tell her/him you want to pass it on the first try and that by pressuring you to take it sooner that you feel you are ready is not helping you. If you give her/him a date of say August 15th that you will take it maybe that will get him/her off of your back and enough time to prepare.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Because I'm mid-orientation...taking time off really isn't an option. I don't have a date, that is a deadline...however....I am at a significantly less pay and don't get to pass meds until I am an RN.

I'm not concerned about the pay...I'm concerned about passing this test.

I'm just worried that I am going to embarrass myself about being the only that doesn't pass the first try.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, lifetime Diabetes Education.

Don't worry about being embarrassed, just focus on studying for the exam so that you can pass. Maybe you could schedule dedicated study times on a calendar and then pick your exam date from there? Do you do well with group study? You may find someone on here who is in your area and looking for a study buddy. Would the new nurses at your job that already took NCLEX be willing to help you study?

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Well, part of my problem is that the entire time I have been in school, I had plan on using Suzanne's Plan..which mid-semester this Spring...no longer became available.

So..I never really had a Plan B...I'm really, really depressed on how my practice questions are going...and I seem to be heading in the wrong direction..I don't know if I should keep reading the book or keep practicing questions and base my learning on that.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, lifetime Diabetes Education.

How are you doing on the questions? If there particular areas that you are struggling with read the content on those areas. Otherwise I would say to keep doing questions, like 150 a day. Read over the rationals for all of the questions, both the ones you answered wrong and correct. Before you start your study times. Take some slow deep breaths and try to relax. I believe that for most of us it is the stress and anxiety that do us in when it comes to this exam.

Another thing, please don't get offended by this question, do you have faith in God? If so, ask every believer you know to pray for you! I did this and I know that it was by God's power alone that I got through school and passed NCLEX.

I will be praying for you!

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