Passed my NCLEX-RN...relaxation advice

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:yeah:I passed my NCLEX-RN! After using this website to calm my nerves before AND after my exam, I wanted to leave a few words of advice for those who have yet to test or those who are waiting for results.

1. I did the Pearson Vue Trick and would HIGHLY recommend this. It worked for me and EVERY SINGLE one of my classmates thus far (those with either passing or failing results...PVT was accurate on all of them).

2. Take the ear plugs offered to you at the testing center, especially if you are easily distracted. Make sure to read the instructions on the ear plugs because I would have put them in backwards. hahaha! No kidding. Once I put them in correctly, I blocked out EVERYTHING in that room. It was PERFECT.

3. Tell yourself, "This test WANTS me to pass. It is going to HELP me pass." The test will continue to test your knowledge...giving you chances over and over again. It does WANT you to pass. Keep that in mind.

4. If you find you are getting to be a ball of nerves after a few questions that you weren't sure of, remind yourself, "I CAN and WILL pass this." Think of something funny in your life...a funny joke, something funny a friend just said or did or etc. That smile or silent laugh in your mind will help reduce that stress and keep you going. And, it certainly does not hurt to take a deep breath, close your eyes for a couple seconds and relax.

I am writing this because I honestly DO think that so many people, including myself, get sooooo worked up before and during this exam that impairs their ability to think clearly. The knowledge is there. You have it. Remind yourself of that. I learned from first-hand experience after taking my LPN boards. I went into my RN boards with a whole different mindset. I was NOT going to let this darn test get the best of my nerves!!! I just wasn't. I really found that taking these simple measures helped reduce my stress level... A LOT. I wished I had done a few simple stress-relieving things during my LPN boards.

As far as studying, I did Kaplan (the book) and NCSBN (online). When I would get bored with one, I would turn to the other for a "change." In the Kaplan book, I would do one question at a time...look up the rationale (whether I got it wrong OR if I got it right) and even make notes next to the questions. If I had gotten it wrong, I would circle the question. When it came closer to my exam date, I re-opened that book and looked over all my circled questions, as well as all my rationales. I found this extremely helpful. Obviously, my circled questions were my weak areas or were areas where I just did not read the question well enough and made "dumb" mistakes like missing words like "except" and etc.

One can only understand the stress a person feels taking this test if you have actually taken it yourself. I CAN understand that.

Yes, it IS an important test. But, is it as important as life, our children, laughter and etc? No. It really isn't. Keep that in mind. Stay positive and hang in there. I was still nervous during my RN, but it was much better than my LPN because my mindset was different. Good luck and remember, you WILL do this! This test WANTS you to pass! :)

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congratulations on passing the Nclex-rn :bow:

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Specializes in LTC.

Thank you so much for your post. I will take the exam next week and I feel your words are very encouraging and I will take you advice. I was just thinking of funny things in my mind and I'm laughing already:rotfl:, again thanks and :ancong!:

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:ancong!:

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Wonderful post! Congratulations! :nurse:

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CONGRATULATIONS!

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Thank you, everyone!!! It was so nice to use this website for support when I was studying and nervous about results, so I wanted to try to support others too!!! Thinking of that "funny" thing really helped me!!! After being in school for a few years (went straight from LPN to RN), it's REALLY nice to NOT have anything to do after work that involves studying!!!! I almost don't know what to do with myself!! I can actually read a book for FUN now or watch TV without feeling guilty!! I'm sure many of you can relate! :lol2: Hang in there...you can do it too!!!

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Specializes in NONE.

AWESOME and well said message. I agree with you on all aspects. I just took the NCLEX RN today. I came in with the idea that it's only a test and not your life attitude. That's what eased my stress and focus. Congrats on being an RN!

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I know the exact feeling. I am scheduled to take my exam 3/8/2011 and I cannot wait to be able to do things just for FUN! TV what's that ? ...lol.. I want my m life back :crying2:

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