Psyching yourself up for the NCLEX

NCnurse2B · Jun 15, 2006

hi susannc... i also graduated in may and had the kaplan review in class before graduation. the night of graduation i left for a week of vacation then came home relaxed for 2 more weeks:lol2: i finally recieved my att last monday on the 5th i scheduled to take the nclex on july 7th in asheville, nc and i finally started studying on the 12th. you just have to get motivated to ensure that you pass even if you feel you could pass it today it never hurts to have a little extra cushion of knowledge.

i've been lurking around this forum for about two weeks and have seen several post where people passed and failed:o. some say the nclex is all hype and that it's not all that bad and then others have to take it 3-4 times. i think it has alot to do with your test taking skills and ability to control your anxiety, but i'm just doing 150 questions a day alternating between suanders and kaplan and reviewing my weaknesses.

you just need to make a comittment to review you definately don't want to ever have to study for this thing again . good luck and best wishes!!!:studyowl:

ccrn2b · Jun 15, 2006

...if you feel you know the content, pls focus more on taking lots of Nclex type questions before your test and be sure to read the rationales of both the missed ones and the ones you got right.It really helped me alot. I graduated in May too, did Kaplan and went in for Nclex and passed with confidence. I knew I passed as the computer shut down after 75 questions.

Bottom line, don't follow people's opinion on such thing, ..go with what you think is best for you. That is, don't say because someone studied for 2hrs and went in and passed Nclex and then think it will work ...might not work for you.All the best!

Laurie888 · Jun 15, 2006

The NCLEX is unlike any test you've ever taken. At least, that is what I found.

Studying for the NCLEX, likewise, isn't anything like studying for anything else. Whatever you study, they'll refer to something else. You know this stuff, you went all the way through nursing school, and 85% or better of those who do that pass the NCLEX the first time.

As a nurse (graduate from last year) at work said, there really IS no way to study for the NCLEX. Boy was that encouraging (NOT!) but true. Except for those labs and vitals for various ages from premie to older adult) there's nothing left to 'learn' or 'memorize', but do refamiliarize yourself word roots and medication clases (-ines, -ides, etc.). Studying probably isn't what you need, what you need is PRACTICE using those critical thinking skills (because THAT is what is being tested!) and the best way to do that is to practice a lot of questions.

I took the Mosby CATs, one or two a day, and found them very helpful and identical in structure both of the questions and the way the CAT works. I printed out the WHOLE thing each time (30-60 pages!) and read them over so I'd understand the rationales when I couldn't read online. Knowing WHY something is right helped a lot for me, seeing how the test works helped hugely with anxiety and so on ... if I had gone in there without seeing how this test is set up I probably would have freaked out, so those for me were really valuable.

Good luck,

Laurie

mjwhitley1313 · Jun 15, 2006

just wanted to give some kind words......i took the nclex on tuesday and the computer sut off at 75 questions........i thought this is what i prayed for but all i could think was don't shut off i'm not done yet! however, i found out today at 7:00am on the bon that i passed! just know the nclex is like no other test! after graduation i took a review course with the eri and then for three weeks i did about 200 questions a day and then the three days before the test (even though people say not too) i went to the library for about four hours a day and made sure i knew everything (lol or close to it). the best advice i can give anyone is to do what has always worked for them, i even brought notecards to study before the test (i always did this before a test). lastly, be confident..........my mother and i sat in the car for about 10 minutes before the test and i sang at the top of my lungs to a few songs........it increaes the oxygen to the brain and it feels great........that worked for me........also just breath, what is the worst that can happen, you have worked hard and just be confident, dont psych yourself out!!! i also would study using http://www.learningext.com/ and saunders.....they helped me......good luck!

MiaLyse, APRN · Jun 15, 2006

I also would study using http://www.learningext.com/ >>

Does this require printing out a bunch of pages for reviewing? tia for any info

Kelly

mjwhitley1313 · Jun 15, 2006

I also would study using http://www.learningext.com/ >>
Does this require printing out a bunch of pages for reviewing? tia for any info
Kelly

It requires you to use the internet. It has information/quizes! Go to the site and you can read information about what it provides! I used the 3 week one and devoted myself to it!

raingel · Jun 15, 2006

hi, i will tell you honestly what i did before taking the test. study saunders and do practice qs 100/day until you finish all the cd qs. this is suzanne4 study plan and it works 100% pass. the key is have the basic knowledge and read the rationales and you will know how to answer the nclex qs. i took my nclex last tues. and passed this morning. qs were similar to saunders but worded differently. you'll know how to rationalize and choose the right answer by using saunders. i got 75qs. hope i helped you enough. good luck.