Ran out of steam on NC5

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Maybe some of you could help me find some motivation/reassurance for my last Nursing Concepts exam. I was on a roll there for a while, passed 5 exams in 4 months. But I got the fear for NC5, which I saved for last. I haven't failed any yet. I've gathered that this is a difficult one if not the most difficult one. I got a 57% on form A and a 58% on form B of the practice exam. I keep rescheduling it. I just want to move forward and it's constantly eating at me. It's probably not helping that I'm building it up to be such a beast.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I didn't think NC5 was bad at all ... I expected it to be awful because of what I'd heard about it, too. But honestly? I think it was my second favorite test, second only to NC6 because that one had some trauma on it! :D

If I were you, I'd go back over the EC practice exams and see which area(s) might need a bit more work, then focus on that. When is it currently scheduled for you to take it?

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It was scheduled for this Friday but I moved it to Friday the 13th (dun dun dunnn) because I will have several days off from work right before then to study. The funny thing is that I have worked psych for 3 years, and I still bomb the psych section. The subjective questions scare me.

Maybe I will brush up on it tomorrow and move it back this friday. I remember feeling this way about NC1. I finally just took the exam even though I was surely going to fail. I got an A. haha

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I won't fluff NC 5 because I did end up failing it! I passed every exam and had NEVER failed any exam before. It hit me like a ton of bricks and I let it get me down for 2-3 months. I snapped out of it, studied harder and ended up passing with an A- go figure.

I also didn't do very well on the practice exams.

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I won't fluff NC 5 because I did end up failing it!

yeah, I just want to make sure I do it right the first time because I know that I will be discouraged if I fail it. I don't want to spend anymore time in fear of this exam.

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Specializes in Med surg and Psych.

Best of Luck to you! Traci

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Specializes in pediatric, geriatric.

One thing I did before each test was go to this website http://www.flashcardexchange.com/tag/nc5 and quiz myself on the flashcards. It helped to find out any weak areas and then I would focus the rest of my studies on that area. I have a habit of studying the same thing over and over so I felt like I was running in circles. I felt by using this I was able to find my weakness and then focus. I went in each test confident, never cocky and did well. You cannot keep second guessing because in my opinion you are setting yourself up to fail. Every test I felt had a fair share of questions that were just common sense and then the rest were just knowing your info. To me the only test that was difficult was #3 but I really didn't have an issue with #5.

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thank you all for the good info. sounds like the difficulty of this exam varies from person to person.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse, Homecare, Visiting Nurse.

I agree with BJ, NC5 was one of the easier exams. Some found it to be difficult, I think if you don't have a good concept of the anatomy of the endocrine system and what controls what then the exam will be difficult. If you guide your study by the content guide and the practice exams then passing this exam will be no problem. The most difficult exam for me was NC3 (Chronicity) it wasn't difficult to study...just to pass. NC7 for me was the most difficult to prepare for only because I hate memorizing, I prefer to have a good clear understanding of the material.

What resources are you using to study this exam? Like I said it might be helpful to really have a good foundation of the anatomy.

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I think that if I have any strength, it is with the A&P of endocrinology (I owe much of my knowledge to Dr. Cizadlo or "Doc C". He has free podcasts in the itunes store on a bunch of different medical stuff. Super useful). I am also using practice exams, TCN, and some online flashcards/notes and such.

I find myself wary of online material. So I stick more to the published material. I refer back to some of my old A&P texts. Mayoclinic.com does a concise job of explaining disease processes, so I read up on cushings, addisons, etc. there. I think that there are a lot of good sources for info. I'm finding motivation and comfort when people say that NC3 was an easier exam. That one is behind me.

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Passed with a B about 2 hours ago. On to CPNE baby! it's serious business now.

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Specializes in Med surg and Psych.

Congrats! You must be elated to say the least. Traci

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