callmewoof

I've heard that cramming 200-300 Q bank (Uworld etc) per day does more harm than good. Honestly, your brain just won't absorb it all and pushing past a certain point has diminishing returns. Besides that, you can't learn everything for the NCLEX. Quantity isn't the issue, but quality is. Like others said, read why you were wrong, read why the other options were wrong, and especially read why you were right. I suppose everyone learns differently though. I quantity learned 300 on a dozen subject questions each. -> Doesn't help me answer Subjects B-Z. I quality learned 100 on a dozen subject questions each. -> I can use A-Z to link together answers for unknown subjects. At least, that's how it was for me. Your mileage may vary.

I don't think there's a big of a stigma as you'd think these days for men. The idea of male nurses being weird is as dated as the idea that all female nurses wear little hats and short skirts and hospitals are filled with 'candy stripers'. As for the poop thing, people will say that whether you're a man or a woman. Besides, how's that any different than being a parent and changing your kid's diaper? Big deal. Or to put it properly, would you rather wipe a butt or flip tacos (lol) for 1/10th the money? Just do your thing like you own it. And be prepared for people to think that you're the doctor. I hate that. That's really an insult to women, actually, to assume the man is a doctor and the woman is a nurse. Oh well.

Yes! Congrats!!

Overall, great advice! I especially agree on the ask yourself stuff like "if I could only do 1 thing what would it be". I graduated spring of 2014, failed the NCLEX 3 times (depression, life stuff, lack of study). I took it Jan 5th and got the pass today (in 77 Q's)! The computer flashed screens when I was done on #75 and I was so happy... until it said to take a break. Ugh! Took a break, restroom, snack, calm down. Got back to the test, calmed down some more, answered 2 questions, BAM computer blanks out and gives me an exit survey! What a heart attack! Personally, what got me through this time, besides factors such as fixing up some issues in life, was uworld. I had only tried ATI before and the Saunders books, but read so much about uworld here. I'm not trying to endorse it, because tons of people pass all the time without it. It just worked for me, specifically. Either way, it's just another Q-bank. I took all my practice tests non-tutor, 75 at a time, and untimed. To me, the timing didn't matter as long as I was working the problem out in my head. You are spot on with that list of stuff to remember. I literally wrote down on my little erase board almost all of those tips; I knew my lab values and what-not, but it can be hard to ask yourself all those things for every question, unless you go down that list! Helped me, anyway). I'd add that you should try to remember Acute vs. Chronic, and Critical vs. Stable. And don't forget Maslow! You'd swear that it's "obvious" or wouldn't come up, but you'd be surprised how that can hide in the questions/answers. One or two little words can change everything. And for the love of god, don't play out a full scenario in your head! Or rather to say, your test question environment is in a perfect little world where you'd never have to do anything beyond what the question is asking. Again probably obvious, but if you start to imagine the problem play out in your head it can be too easy to 'assume in' extra details that'll screw you up. Well, hope the best for you! Thanks for sharing your experiences, thought I'd share mine too but your post is too good so I'd just rather contribute to it. Nursing! Woot!