NnSweets

It's hard work, a difficult upper college level type lecture class is what you sould expect. Clinical might be like CNA type work but from my experience the lecture and lab parts are just as difficult, actually more difficult than any pure science elective such as the bio's or micro.

I should clarify that for the most part I am speaking anecdotally from experiences of myself and other June 2011 NCLEX-RN test takers. It seems that those that are passing in minimum questions are in fact seeing a high ratio of SATA style questions. If you are not seeing them, it certainly does not mean you are not doing well on the exam.

Despite what some people might say...SATA's are higher level thinking questions. The reason we are seeing a lot is that they take much more trial to test as valid questions than any other. Even if they ask more simple facts, they are still difficult because it's all or nothing. So if you are taking NCLEX and seeing lots of these, fear not...You are kicking butt.

Also, asking a patient a "Why?" question, a yes/no question or saying things like "there, there, it's going to be alright" are wrong nearly 100% of the time.

I did terribly on NCSBN...I found their questions to be strangely worded. I could never meet their "passing" standard of 75%. (Scored consistently in the mid 60's to low 70's range.) I switched to kaplan Q bank which is much more NCLEX like in my opinion. Still scored in the same range, but felt much better about it. I passed NCLEX last week with 75 questions. Good luck!!!

Also BUN/Creat and AST/ALT...

I know it's very expensive, but I HIGHLY recommend Kaplan. Even if you can just afford their Q bank and not the entire course. their question are very similar to NCLEX. Kaplan plus the infection control mnemonic that can be found on this site are the two biggest things I can attribute to my success on NCLEX. Also, work on feeling confident and take good care of yourself. You CAN do it!!!

I would, if that's truly your passion...That is not that bad of a drive. In my area I know some nurses that drive 45 minutes just to get to the train station and then take a 1.5 hour train ride to get to work each way. Follow your gut feeling, it is hardly ever wrong... GOOD LUCK!!!

I always send a handwritten thank you note. When I was hired for my last job, before the days of nursing school...The hiring manager told me the decision was between me and one other person and the thank you note sealed the deal. It's personal, it's appropriate and it just may be the thing that give you an edge. It certainly cannot hurt. Good luck to you!!!

Sending prayers...But if you do the recommended prophylaxis that they offer your chance of contracting anything is honestly very small, even if they decide not to give you anything. You are most likely safe. It happens to the best of us. You did the right thing by letting someone know right away.

Thanks! I did indeed PASS!!! Just wanted to let everyone know!

I got the good pop up and guess what...I found out today I passed!!!

You are in fight or flight mode. Your body will sleep when it has to. I was a total insomniac for 2 weeks leading up to the exam and then crashed and got a good night in the night before the exam. You sound ready, good luck!

75 questions, took me 2 hours 15 minutes. I stopped counting SATA's after 22, I had 5 in a row! Got the good pop up though so fingers crossed. It was brutal though.

Took NCLEX-RN today with 75 questions. Got the good pop up about 40 minutes after testing from my smart phone....Feeling cautiously optimistic. NCLEX is hard! But as of now, it looks like I passed!

Depends what type of student you are...But Kaplan in my opinion is the BEST, and of course, the cost reflects that..But it's so worth it. The questions are so similar to NCLEX...I only had the Q bank, tested today, got 75 ?'s and the good "pop up." I would stay away from reading cover to cover anything...Just do questions, not more than about 100-150 per day TOPS and make sure you look at rationales for stuff you got wrong. If you were a decent student and know your stuff stay away from the reading and focus on questions. Know labs, infection control, delegation and prioritization in and out...And you will be fine!

Oh, let me add..Yes it is SCARY..You are going to see all kinds of procedures, meds and Dx that you have never heard of but fear not! You have to use your brain! You can critically think your way through anything they throw at you. Do not let it shake you.

I could NOT relax for the life of me for the whole 2 weeks before I tested...I did tons of Kaplan Q bank questions and scored mostly in the 60's. I am talking straight panic level anxiety and I too graduated in the top of my class. I tested today, ended in 75 questions and got the "good pop up." Keep on doing Kaplan, their stuff is very similar to NCLEX. You can do it, you just have to have confidence and believe in yourself!

Ok so I tested today at 2PM...It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes and the computer shut off at 75 questions...I checked the Pearson Vue trick as soon as it said delivery successful and got the good pop up! I am hoping it really is true! I used Kaplan Q bank, it seems that it was very much like the real NCLEX...I used some other stuff too, but mostly gave up on it in favor of Kaplan. :heartbeat still freaking out though!

You too! We got this!!! Me too, As and Bs not one C on my transcript...I guess here's to hoping that our programs prepared us. WE CAN DO IT! Good luck to you!!!

Oh, so...I am just looking for any further words of wisdom...I am really scared.

ATI predictor gave me a 98% chance of passing first try... Kaplan scores vary for about a 68% average... I test Thursday, I graduated at the top of my class...Why am I still so scared? In addition to Q bank and various other question banks, I have gone for a massage, multiple hikes, pedicures, haircut...Anything to feel good about me... So...Why this overwhelming sense of doom? I test Thursday...I am thinking of stopping my studies now and just trying to relax...Is that crazy? My mind knows better but my body is in fight or flight...It's 0430 and no sleep for me tonight....

IDK if this answers you question, but I think the best thing to do in the days leading up to your exam are TAKE CARE OF YOU! Get a massage, go fishing, go for a hike, hydrate, eat well, TRY to sleep...

If you are getting SATA questions it means you are ABOVE the passing standard...

You cannot sit for LPN or LVN in NY while going to school for RN anymore. So it may depend what the rules are in your state.