blinnk

Honestly, I wore layers but didn't even notice the temperature in the room. I was so anxious that it didn't matter. Layers are your best bet though.

Honestly, I only skimmed through the Kaplan book... I know it helps a lot of people but it just wasnt for me... Plus I just didn't have the money to take the course which I'm sure would have helped me more with the book. But with the saunders book I ranged in the 70's to 80's. Good luck and thanks guys for the congrats.

seriously don't worry about the number... I swear I thought that this weird number was a downer but nope - found out this morning, the weight of the world has been lifted! Study tips: My friend lent me the Feuer review (on CD) and I listened to it for a month. This is a Great content review with questions and really helps prioritization skills. I recommend this more than any review... I also used saunders a lot and READ the book... it's worth it. Their outlines totally helped me remember things on the test. Also, instead of buying pharmacology cards, I wrote out my own from every chapter of the book... and this helped me remember meds better than anything. Although I was unsure of many of the med questions, none of them seemed foreign to me. Feuer's pharmacology CD review is also excellent. I listened to the thing the day before and I swear I got a question directly from there and was able to recall it immediately! It's informative and not dry... There are some great personalities that really keep you interested and entertained. I knew every disease/disorder on the exam.. I may have had to guess on the answers but at least I wasn't surprised and this is thanks to the Feuer review. Things I wish I did better with: psychosocial... I always thought those would be the easiest but on NCLEX they were really difficult. I probably studied these the least and had a ton on my test. I hope this helps somebody out there and feel confident that you can pass... I really felt like I failed (and I'm not just saying that). I cried for two days waiting and my husband suffered for it. Good luck! Kelly, RN!!!!!!!!

So, I feel exactly how I thought I was going to feel - sick, nervous and uncertain about the entire test. As I sat down to take the exam I prayed that the computer would shut off at 75 but of course it just kept going. I hit around 111 and knew the answer and it shut off. I know, I know, the last answer doesnt matter but if that last question got me above the gray area, I'll be super satisfied. I have a lot of priority, meds and also several select alls. I had one exhibit question that wasn't bad. However, the whole time, the exam makes you feel so uncertain about your choice. I studied very hard and now am a wreck waiting. I have work tomorrow which also makes it worse. Trying to decipher levels of questions is pointless because if you know something, you know it and you arent going to be able to figure out if it is a higher order question so of course you feel clueless for 2 days. Anyone know if quick results come in faster than 48 hours ever?? This sucks. I knew I'd feel like this but I am wiped out.

I've honestly heard the most random numbers from people I know personally. Someone I know passed at around 126. Try not to lose sleep over the number thing. I actually heard that you can be sequestered for 265 questions at random... which is totally crazy. The person that told me this took it in 1998 though so rules may have changed. People get so caught up in the number thing and it just creates more anxiety... You completed it and did your best so I'm sure it will work out for you. everyone seems to feel the same way you do after they take the exam. Check out my 3 AM rant... I just wrote about this last night when I couldn't sleep over this ridiculous test.

Hello, I've been reading this site for about a month now. I think it's a really great, helpul site. I am preparing to take my boards the end of this month. My friend just took his last week and came over my apartment directly after. This is a brilliant man who was first in my nursing class. His reaction to the test was shock, doubt and nausea. I took him out to lunch and have never seen my cool, laid back friend more anxious before. And since my test is quickly approaching, I had an epiphany. The general consensus of people who took the exam (pass or fail) is that they feel completely spellbound by the test and feel as though they were not answering many questions correctly - feeling stupid and like they failed. We're told the NCLEX isn't designed to be tricky and is supposed to determine that you can function at minimal competency and overall as a safe nurse. When test takers feel as though they are unsure about an entire test, how is this truly judging competency (especially when there are entire courses on how to basically figure things out even when you don't know the answer)?? I understand that there isn't a perfect test in this world but accredited nursing schools should be graduating safe nurses already and the test should not be a literal nightmare. I feel as though preparing for this is such a horrible experience that even if I do pass, I'll feel like the past couple months is a waste of preparing for a HUGE exam that does not really reflect the kind of nurse/person I am. I worked really hard for four years in college for this and started to ask myself why I picked a career where a single test will dictate my immediate future (but then I realized because I love it). As a GN in an ICU I get nothing but praise from my colleagues and they keep reassuring me that I'll do fine; however, what if I don't? I've been taking care of critically ill patients for over a month and my preceptor has become a mentor who trusts many of my nursing judgments already. I know I have a TON to learn and I won't be able to function independently for months at my work. Certain questions are totally appropriate that I've been reviewing and a new nurse should know these for the SAFETY of a patient. But when I just get a review question about the genetic trends of psoriasis I want to throw the book out the window. PLUS in the middle of this I have to worry about what happens if I don't pass... I lose my job, have student loans to pay back and my self confidence will go out the window. Maybe I'm just burned out because I keep hearing so many negative things about this test. Because of this I decided to narrow down my studying materials to Saunders and Mosby's. I'm trusting the reviews. Bought the Kaplan book, read through it once and just found it frustrating. I know it's the Mecca of passing but I just don't think it's for me. Frankly, I can't afford the actual courses offered and I am so worried to spend any money right now in case I do lose my job. But I still just keep plugging away... It's a necessary evil that is becoming the bane of my existence! Trust me, usually I'm a fun, happy, smiley person! For those of you who passed - I am envious! For those of you who didn't, best of luck. I know several people who didn't pass the first time and they were already incredible nurses. The moral of the story: My friend passed (75 questions). But he still said he didn't know how. Make sense?? Me neither.

Thanks for your suggestions. I feel like this is a rite of passage or something because every new grad is sick over taking this test. I'm thankful I found this website.

Thanks for your input. This is where I get confused about the millions of products. Saunders also has just the Q& A book... is it a wise investment?? I'm trying to keep finances in order and not go crazy.

My school required their students to buy Davis's Review Book for studying the board. However, I feel it is only making me feel more anxiety because of the level of questions it asks. It's very detailed but I feel that the information is way too in depth for a New Grad to be prepared for. Has anyone used this book and if so, has it been helpful? I get usually in the 70s for the practice tests but my head is spinning. My school also required us to take the ERIs throughout the curriculum and for the final test I received a 61 which was higher than the national average. I also have been using Kaplan's Review Book and Saunders. I feel that Saunders is a similar format to Davis's but I just don't want to waste my time with too much information. I'm planning to take my boards in Mid-August. Any suggestions? Although I've probably done over 3000 questions, I still feel ill prepared and can't afford to go down to an aid's salary again. What is the best suggestion for being prepared? Even when I am earning 80 percent on practice questions, I'm still not feeling confident.